How to Install Mounted Ratchet Straps on a Ford F-150 BoxLink System (No Drilling Required)

The Ford F-150 BoxLink system is one of the most useful features on the truck and one of the most underused. The factory anchor caps that ship installed in the bed rail slots are functional, but they are a starting point, not the finished solution. BoxLink was designed as an interface for accessories — and a permanently mounted retractable strap system is the most practical accessory the slots can accept.

This guide covers the complete installation of the RAD mounted ratchet strap system on a Ford F-150 with BoxLink. No drilling. No fabrication. Approximately 15 minutes with one tool.

Which Ford F-150 Trucks Have BoxLink

BoxLink was introduced on the Ford F-150 in 2015. It is standard or available on most trim levels from 2015 to current production, including:

• F-150 XLT (2015+) — standard on most configurations
• F-150 Lariat (2015+)
• F-150 King Ranch (2015+)
• F-150 Platinum (2015+)
• F-150 Limited (2015+)
• F-150 Raptor (2017+)
• F-150 Tremor (2021+)
• F-150 Lightning (all trims)

If your truck has factory anchor caps along the top of the bed rails, you have BoxLink slots. The caps will have a small Ford logo or a simple plastic plug appearance. Remove one by hand to confirm — BoxLink slots are rectangular and recessed into the rail.

If your F-150 does not have BoxLink, the RAD Universal Plate system mounts via drilled pilot holes and works on any F-150 regardless of model year or trim.

What You Will Need

• RAD Deal Mounted Ratchet Strap Kit (includes two straps, two CNC-machined mounting plates, hardware)
• 10mm socket and ratchet or 10mm wrench
• Approximately 15 minutes

That is the complete tool list. No drill. No tap set required on most F-150s. No additional hardware beyond what is included in the kit.

Step-by-Step Installation: Ford F-150 BoxLink

Step 1: Choose Your Mounting Positions

The RAD mounting plates drop into any BoxLink slot. Most owners install both straps at the front of the bed, mirrored on each rail. This positions the straps to reach cargo loaded from the tailgate and provides the most usable strap length across the bed width.

For ATV and motorcycle hauling, front-of-bed placement is standard. For kayaks and long cargo, some owners prefer one forward and one mid-rail. Choose based on how you primarily haul.

Step 2: Remove the Factory BoxLink Anchor Caps

The factory anchor caps pull straight out by hand or with light upward pressure. They are not threaded or fastened — they sit in the slot and are held by the slot geometry. Set them aside. Some owners keep them as backup. Others discard them once the RAD plates are installed.

Step 3: Inspect the Slot Threads

Look into the exposed BoxLink slot. You will see two threaded holes at the base of the slot. On most 2015+ F-150s these holes are pre-threaded and ready to accept hardware. If the holes appear unthreaded or stripped, they can be tapped with an M6×1.0 tap before proceeding. This is uncommon but worth checking before you try to drive the bolts.

Not sure? Email the RAD team at support@radtruckstraps.com before you order and they will confirm compatibility for your specific truck configuration.

Step 4: Insert the RAD Mounting Plate

The RAD CNC-machined steel mounting plate is sized to fit the BoxLink slot geometry. Drop the plate into the slot with the bolt holes aligned over the threaded holes in the slot base. The plate should sit flush with or slightly recessed from the rail surface.

Step 5: Fasten the Mounting Plate

Thread the included 10mm hex head bolts through the mounting plate and into the slot threads by hand first to confirm alignment. Once hand-tight, use the 10mm socket to snug the bolts down. Do not overtorque — firm and seated is sufficient. The plate is not going anywhere.

Step 6: Attach the Strap Housing

The RAD strap housing clips or bolts to the installed mounting plate depending on your kit configuration. Follow the included instruction sheet for the connection method. Once attached, pull the strap out by hand to confirm smooth extension and retraction.

Step 7: Test Before Loading

Pull each strap to full extension and release it. The strap should retract cleanly into the housing. Attach the hook to a fixed point in the bed and apply hand pressure to confirm the mounting plate does not move. If everything is seated correctly, the plate will be completely rigid.

Repeat on the second mounting position. Total install time for both straps is typically 12 to 18 minutes from unboxing.

A Note on Pre-Threaded vs. Unthreaded Slots

The majority of 2015+ F-150s have pre-threaded BoxLink slots and require no additional preparation. A smaller number of trucks — particularly early production 2015 models and certain base-trim configurations — have unthreaded slots. In those cases, an M6×1.0 tap cuts the threads in approximately five minutes. The RAD team can advise on whether your specific configuration requires tapping before the kit ships.

Ford F-250 and Super Duty BoxLink Install

The F-250 and Super Duty (2017+) also use a BoxLink-compatible bed rail system. The RAD installation process is identical. Same mounting plate, same hardware, same 15-minute process. The F-250 kit is included in the standard RAD Deal — no separate purchase required.

What the Installed System Looks Like in Use

Once installed, the RAD straps sit flush and retracted when not in use. The strap housing is visible but compact. There is nothing hanging, nothing loose, nothing rattling. When you need to secure a load, you pull the strap out, hook it, and ratchet. One motion. When you are done, you release the ratchet and the strap retracts automatically.

The mounting plate becomes a permanent part of the bed. Most owners who install RAD straps on one truck end up installing them on the next one before the truck is even delivered.

Common Questions About the F-150 BoxLink Install

Will the RAD mounting plate damage the BoxLink slot?

No. The plate is sized to the slot specification and fastens with bolts through the existing threaded holes. There is no modification to the truck bed. The factory anchor caps can be reinstalled if the plate is ever removed.

Does the F-150 Lightning use the same BoxLink system?

Yes. The F-150 Lightning uses the same BoxLink bed rail interface as the standard F-150. RAD mounts directly with no modification.

Can I install RAD straps on a Raptor?

Yes. The Raptor uses a BoxLink-compatible bed rail system from 2017 onward. Install process is identical to the standard F-150.

What if my F-150 does not have BoxLink?

The RAD Universal Plate system works on any truck with a bed. The Universal Plate drills to position and provides the same permanent anchor point without requiring BoxLink slots. Install time is longer (approximately 20 to 30 minutes) but the result is the same.

What is the warranty on RAD Truck Straps?

RAD Truck Straps are backed by a lifetime warranty. If something is wrong, contact support@radtruckstraps.com. The team that built it is the team that handles warranty.

Shop the RAD Deal — Ford F-150 BoxLink Kit. US patent granted. CNC-machined solid steel mounting plates. Hand-assembled in the USA. Backed by a lifetime warranty.

Also available: RAD 10mm Keychain Wrench — the exact size for RAD hardware, always on the truck when you need it.