Bed Boxes Installed on 2021 PowerBoost w/ 7.2KW Pro Power Onboard

[Vulnox]

I wanted to provide examples for anyone considering this and unsure of installing with the 7.2KW, or any of the bed outlet configs really.

Anyway, on to the show.

I was originally just going to get the passenger side because I was worried the driver side would just not work due to the outlets. Someone else on the board here posted an example showing that you do have some room even with the tailgate closed. I can confirm that aside from some larger plugs, you should be fine. The Bed Boxes from Undercover come out super easy if you ran into any real issues with larger cords. The boxes that Real Truck sent me were properly keyed alike, but it looks like that is down to the seller to make sure they send you the keyed alike boxes, there looks to be other key sets obviously, so make sure you check what you are sent before installing!

Here are some pics with descriptions under each, let me know if you have any questions!

This is showing the distance between the top of the box and my MX4 Tonneau Cover, plenty of clearance if you have a cover.

My ARB recovery strap holder fits nicely, in my last truck this lived under the rear seats, now my rear seats are open for other storage!

This is just showing the mounting bracket at the rear and the feature I didn't even know about. The piece where it looks like a key goes sits in there to ensure nobody can remove your cases and walk off with them. You can still swing the cases out, just prevents lifting them when in the outward position without the key.

Driver side, those two bolt heads above and below the tailgate hanger have to come out so you can pull out the tail lights. I was worried about this, especially since the truck isn't even a week old, but it couldn't have been easier. Remove those, then just pull the tail light out towards you and two tension clips will release. Unplug the single electrical connector, and set the light somewhere safe until you finish with the rear bracket, then reverse. I installed both side in under an hour.

This is showing the front bracket that holds the cases in place when closed. My biggest regret I guess is you lose your box link in the back. I threw the box links in each of the bed boxes and will carry the tool to swap them if needed. It uses the same four bolts and that, so if I was really in need I could switch them back, but I wish I could get the box bracket to go under the box link or something to have the best of both worlds, it seems like there would be room.

This is with the tailgate closed and me bringing the bed box out as far as it can go in that situation, as you can see, I can easily access the 30 Amp outlet with a good amount of room between it and the box.

Another shot of the distance between outlets and box with tailgate closed.

Just showing both cases in their closed position.

Showing the driver side swing out.

 

[tossty]

Thank you for taking the time and showing the installation completed on both sides. Will get those as well eventually when I get my truck.

 

[flatag]

It looks like that bracket goes over the box link bracket. Anyone verify?

 

[Vulnox]

It looks like that bracket goes over the box link bracket. Anyone verify?

yeah, I said that with the picture.

 

[Jack in Prescott]

Bob, those pics are super helpful to me - Thanks! Would it accurate to say that the sides of the boxes are flush with the wheel wells, maintaining full bed width?

Jack

 

[Vulnox]

They come out an inch or so each side beyond the wheel well, but have some space under them to maybe get one sheet of drywall or something under, but not much more. You just lift them up and out to remove (once you take off that lock piece that prevents thieves from doing the same) if you need the full width and height, as long as you had somewhere to put them. Below are pictures to show you. One is a straight on shot, another is at a bit of an angle to try to give you some idea of how far they stick out, and the third shows the room under the boxes.

 

[Jack in Prescott]

Thanks again for all the pics, Bob.

Jack

 

[Zyvin]

yeah, I said that with the picture.

He’s saying this....

 

[Vulnox]

He’s saying this....

ahhhh, yeah I wondered if that was possible. I did some searching but didn’t find that example. Need to try it.

 

[BHunted1]

I had one on my '19 Ranger driver side and it was great. I considered just one on the my PB passenger side but realized putting them on either side, you lose the bed lighting in which there are only 2, switch being on driver side. I think Ford skimped on lighting in that perspective. On my Ranger, I had the Ford bed lighting kit install which if I recalled, were 6 total and you only had to touch any of the lights to activate them. I also have a retractable cover and I would no way want to open that just so I can have some light at rare issues where I'd need some fast easy lighting.
As for it blocking sheetrock or such, the wheel wells and the toolbox are not that far off.
Maybe adding more lights would be considered if I can tap the factory ones already there.

 

[Vulnox]

I had one on my '19 Ranger driver side and it was great. I considered just one on the my PB passenger side but realized putting them on either side, you lose the bed lighting in which there are only 2, switch being on driver side. I think Ford skimped on lighting in that perspective. On my Ranger, I had the Ford bed lighting kit install which if I recalled, were 6 total and you only had to touch any of the lights to activate them. I also have a retractable cover and I would no way want to open that just so I can have some light at rare issues where I'd need some fast easy lighting.
As for it blocking sheetrock or such, the wheel wells and the toolbox are not that far off.
Maybe adding more lights would be considered if I can tap the factory ones already there.

I have no problem reaching the light button with the boxes closed, and it still does okay on lighting. If it’s dark enough those boxes being there doesn’t stop the light entirely. And as you kind of noted the lights aren’t that great at the best of times. In my last two F-150s I think I used them a few times.

I like your idea of wiring more lights to the switch for the existing ones. I’ve seen led strips that go along the bed rails, that is what I wish Ford had done to start with.

 

[BHunted1]

I have no problem reaching the light button with the boxes closed, and it still does okay on lighting. If it’s dark enough those boxes being there doesn’t stop the light entirely. And as you kind of noted the lights aren’t that great at the best of times. In my last two F-150s I think I used them a few times.

I like your idea of wiring more lights to the switch for the existing ones. I’ve seen led strips that go along the bed rails, that is what I wish Ford had done to start with.

Forget what truck I did, but I installed red led strips. More covert and less annoying on your night blindness. May just do that. Really wish Ford had better thought than just installing 2 lights but... oh well. They should have started installing those orig Ford touch lights I mentioned on all their trucks. They were perfect. But I'm not cutting holes for them.

 

[Vulnox]

Forget what truck I did, but I installed red led strips. More covert and less annoying on your night blindness. May just do that. Really wish Ford had better thought than just installing 2 lights but... oh well. They should have started installing those orig Ford touch lights I mentioned on all their trucks. They were perfect. But I'm not cutting holes for them.

Especially since they have to know the position of those two lights is in a prime spot to be blocked. Ford installs the bed boxes and the ramps and other parts from factory that would also partially block the lights. It’s not like we are expecting them to account for aftermarket stuff only.

 

[BHunted1]

Especially since they have to know the position of those two lights is in a prime spot to be blocked. Ford installs the bed boxes and the ramps and other parts from factory that would also partially block the lights. It’s not like we are expecting them to account for aftermarket stuff only.

Heh, funny you mentioned after market stuff. I bought a lot of add ons and mods for my ranger. Shortly after, Ford acquired them as factory accessories with their part numbers. Hood scoops, bed covers, etc..... They knew a lot of people modded their rangers. After a couple years and $10K later, they came up with the Tremor which had just about everything we were doing to our Rangers. And at a much less price factory installed.
I don't think I'll ever go that far with the PB. The ranger burned me out, lol.

 

[Vulnox]

Beautiful Ranger! Yeah I appreciate getting more from factory these days. Prices are usually better in the end and you get warranty coverage typically. It’s why I still get FX4 even though the package is fairly basic, I don’t always have time to mess around with adding skid plates and that and like a clean ready to go at delivery vehicle sometimes.

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