Ran into a bit of a problem.

[Heather Rueckert]

First of all I got my EZ Lift kit installed, and it works awesome! Put my key in the hole and turn and the tonneau pops open like a trunk lid. Now for the problem part! The EZ lift is not compatible with my OEM Bed Divider, which is a must for hauling groceries otherwise I'd have a mess by the time I got home. This thought never crossed my mind till I went to re-install my divider yesterday, and found out the main mounting plate for the EZ lift covers the hole my divider fits into. Even if I drilled the holes out , I still can't stand the divider completely upright because it hits the gas shocks. So I have 2 different ideas if someone going to the Dallas meet could help me out. (1) I would be willing to swap my bed divider & some cash for someones bed extender at the Dallas meet (to save on shipping). (2) I will sell my like-new OEM tonneau with the brand new EZ lift kit to someone at the Dallas meet, and buy a Snug Lid and have it painted Comp. Orange to match my trac. Anyone interested? I will post this on the swap and swell board as well. Anyone that lives local (by Kansas City), and would like to do a swap or buy, send me an email! Thanks! -Heather

 

[Todd Z]

Both sound like good deals.... Hope some one takes it...

Couldn't you notch the divider where the pumps hit and install the divider at a slight angle into new holes???

Todd Z

 

[Heather Rueckert]

Todd- If I notched it out it (would be a big notch) would really look rigged if you know what I mean. I'm not in to doing things half-ass when it comes to my Trac. -Heather

 

[Todd Z]

Sorry my suggestion was

half-ass

.

 

[EddieS'04]

Heather.....JC Whitney sell a divider that can be locked in any location....

 

[Josh Langel]

half-ass

Todd, I don't think she meant it... just a slip of the tongue

 

[Richard L]

Heather,

I'm sorry that your bed divider did not work with the EZLift. I knew that they were not compatible and that's why I don't drill the lowere mounting hole. I don't see many people who have the bed divider and only one other person who had this problem and they also did the same thing that Todd suggested. They notched the divider to fit around the mount.



Another alternative that I used is to install a cargo net in the back portion of the pickup bed. The one I have cost about $15 at Wal-Mart. It mounts to the sides of the bed with 4 screw mount buttons.



The net is hammock shapped with 3 large pockets. When installed, the net is about 14" high, 12" front to back, and extends across the entire width of the pickup bed. Since the net is made of stretchy bungy cord material, it holds about 12-15 plastic bags of groceries. It's also possible to place some groceries between the net and the tailgate and the net prevents them from rolling around the bed. If one net is not enough, then simply add a second net and you could hold twice as much.



Rarely does the net get in the way of loading larger objects however if necessary thet nets can easily be removed by simply removing the loops off the buttons, which is much easier than removing the divider.



I even have a net installed behind the rear seats. When the seats are folded down (which they usually are) I can place objects behind the net and keep them from rolling around an the back deck. We often put groceries on the back seat platform and use the net to secure items like bottles, etc.



Let me know if you are interested, and I can send you photos of the net. If you cannot locate these pocket nets and you want one, I can see if I can locate some at our local Wal-Mart and ship them to you.



...Rich

 

[TRACket Paul]

My unsolicited vote: 1) get a bed extender. It's the least hassle. It also gives you the most versatility and usefulness.

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

Heather, you have mail, from yesterday.



P.S. Just ordered metal ends from Rich so I can remove the lift shocks and open the lid and use my cargo cage.

 

[Richard L]

TRACket Paul.

Actually the bed extender is a bigger pain than the cargo nets. I have a new bed extender when I purchased my 2003 Sport Trac. I removed it the day after I bought the truck and it has never been installed since. I know they can be valuable for hauling some types of cargo, however I have never had a need for it. I'm just hanging on to it just in case that occasion should arrise.



Also the bed extender does not work with the EZLift. You need to release the rear gas spring upper mounts to allow the tonneau cover to be raised to 90-degrees to allow the bed extender to clear the bottom of the rear cover. I also offer metal end fittings that do not require any locking caps so the gas springs are simply pop on or off to allow the bed extender to flip in or out of the bed.



Heather.

As I previously stated, I encounter very few people with the bed divider, however if it is notched neatly with a saw, it does not look "half-assed". In fact, most people would never know it was modified. I think it is also possible to release the divider and lift the pins out of the holes in the bed floor and the divider can be slide out from under the gas spring mounts. If you don't remove the diveder that often, it may be an inexpensive alternative.



Gary,

I got your order for the metal end fittings and they will be shipped tomorrow or Wednesday.



...Rich

 

[TRACket Paul]

Thanks for the clarification. I hope to meet you in Texas soon, since I'll be going to Austin the weekend before Dallas.

 

[Heather Rueckert]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.. I'll ponder my options for a couple of days -Heather

 

[Millie Peters]

Heather, I have an extender which works as a divider plus a bedmat. The bedmat doesn't let things slide around, it's almost like velcro . Good luck on your project Millie