Front Stake Pocket Uncovering 5.5' Bed

[Cooter'sFX4]

Anyone uncovered them yet? Are they there?

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[ddfarmer]

It's so odd!! the rear bed pocket is there with the covers. The Front ones are covered. from inside the bed it looks like there is a stake pocket beneath, but their is no bed pocket cover from the top. You would have to cut the plastic to access it. I'm still trying to figure out why they did that!!

 

[Dan M.]

It's so odd!! the rear bed pocket is there with the covers. The Front ones are covered. from inside the bed it looks like there is a stake pocket beneath, but their is no bed pocket cover from the top. You would have to cut the plastic to access it. I'm still trying to figure out why they did that!!

I had a 2013 Lariat and they were covering it up back then.

 

[Knickell]

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but can someone post pics of what we're talking about? Never head of stake pockets.

 

[discothan]

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but can someone post pics of what we're talking about? Never head of stake pockets.

Maybe they are "steak" pockets???

 

[snoshuu]

Maybe they are "steak" pockets???

Only if you get 't-boned'.

 

[ddfarmer]

The four corners of each truck bed have a pocket that is about 2x4 square. These pockets are referred to as stake pockets. This will date me, but originally the size was the exact size of a wood 2x4 in which you would place a 2x4 in each pocket and then make a frame so you can add sides to your truck etc. No one puts wood in there any more, but they have remained so that people can place ladder racks, kyaks etc. using the 4 pockets in each corner.

 

[discothan]

Only if you get 't-boned'.

What a ham!

 

[CatAdjuster]

It's so odd!! the rear bed pocket is there with the covers. The Front ones are covered. from inside the bed it looks like there is a stake pocket beneath, but their is no bed pocket cover from the top. You would have to cut the plastic to access it. I'm still trying to figure out why they did that!!

Yes, it’s one of my few pet peeves with their design. Ford does such a great job understanding how these trucks are used and understanding consumer needs. I use the Thule TracRac RS system so that I can use both a tonneau cover and ladder rack and it requires access to the front pocket to insert the front locking piece on the rack slider. Just visited a dealer the other day hoping they had changed this by now and was disappointed to see that when I upgrade to a ‘21 in a few months I’m still going to have to cut into the bed rail covers again. Not sure why/when they omitted the front pop outs but my ‘99 had them.

 

[Knickell]

The four corners of each truck bed have a pocket that is about 2x4 square. These pockets are referred to as stake pockets. This will date me, but originally the size was the exact size of a wood 2x4 in which you would place a 2x4 in each pocket and then make a frame so you can add sides to your truck etc. No one puts wood in there any more, but they have remained so that people can place ladder racks, kyaks etc. using the 4 pockets in each corner.

Ahh, understood. I know what you’re talking about now, just didn’t know they were called that.

 

[Mash150]

Anyone uncovered them yet? Are they there?

Does anyone know if this is the same on the 6.5 box. My 18 Lariat has pop outs at all 4 corners in the longer 6.5 box that I use when installing a canoe rack. Waiting for my order to get processed on the 21 truck.

 

[Cooter'sFX4]

I'll be dipped. I was thinking a panel trim bit would work great, and Ford makes one just for this reason! (Stake Pocket Access): Bed Rails - Installation Kit, For 5.5 Bed | Customize Your Ford

 

[Reeltime]

Does anyone know if this is the same on the 6.5 box. My 18 Lariat has pop outs at all 4 corners in the longer 6.5 box that I use when installing a canoe rack. Waiting for my order to get processed on the 21 truck.

My 2021 Lariat 6.5 bed has covers on all 4 pockets.

 

[mnstang]

I too would like to know if they are all able to be uncovered, I was going to order these:

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/accessories/other-accessories/kit-load-box-tie-down-12919747-1

 

[Smitdog]

I'll be dipped. I was thinking a panel trim bit would work great, and Ford makes one just for this reason! (Stake Pocket Access): Bed Rails - Installation Kit, For 5.5 Bed | Customize Your Ford

Based on the fact that Ford offers a tool specifically to remove the plastic in order to access the front stake pockets, my bet is that this is done on purpose as sealing the stake pockets prevents water from entering the bed (presuming tonneau cover is used).

On 5.5' beds only the rear stake pockets have removable covers. On the longer beds all 4 stake pockets have removable covers. I'm guessing folks with the longer beds are much likely to use them.