GREAT explanation here. I tried to make the adjustments but was unsuccessful. I took it to a local installer and they explained the best way to deal with the clamps. Turns out they actually have to seat IN the rail like the pictures above. The installer explained to me that the best way to do it is to line up the rail, mark it then insert the clamp without the rail installed on the bed. The main issue is that the clamp won't move once it seats in the rail so it has to be marked THEN installed on the bed adapter. As far as clamp to hold the bed to the rail, the installer also concluded that the last clamp had to be moved out of the bracket to allow for the knobbed clamp to fit in the channel and clamp on to the rail. The installer said there was nothing wrong with moving the rail clamp down a bit to accommodate the knobbed clamp.bsquaredMTB - looks great! I can only guess but maybe the clamps on the side rails are not positioned exactly right to give the rails the stiffness you want. It's only a guess as I didn't have that issue.
Here is my experience with the BAKflip MX4 installation on my 2024 TRD Sport.
Although I ran into some installation annoyances, I'm still happy with the purchase so far and love the matte finish ultra-low-profile look as that was one of the reasons I bought this one.
1. Ordered from RealTruck.com on 6/5/24. Since it wasn't available elsewhere, figured ordering from the manufacturer would be fastest.
2. Was still in order fulfillment on 6/13, so opened a support ticket asking for an update.
3. On 6/17 (a Monday), got an answer that it would be shipped on or before 7/3. I wasn't totally surprised but do wish their site was more informative and forecasted shipping dates. I expect they started manufacturing this particular sku very recently.
4. Got my shipping confirmation on 7/1 and received it on 7/3.
Installation
Installation was actually pretty straightforward but all the hassle so far as been getting the fit adjusted just right.
Mine came with the model year 16-23 instructions. They weren't too far off for the 2024 but there was one instruction which said to remove the endcaps on the rail header. That didn't make sense because the 2024 header rail isn't the full width of the bed and already has tapered caps so I ignored it.
The MX4 came with weather stripping which wasn't noted on the instructions. From one of the installation videos for an F-150, learned that it might be needed if you don't have a spray-on liner. I do but installed the weather stripping anyway. It didn't get in the way and figured it would help keep water out.
The drain tubes are 5/8" but the drain holes are much smaller. I haven't drilled mine out yet. Having a wide tube is good to keep it from clogging if dirt gets in there, but am thinking about necking it down to fit the oem drain holes. That is totally just my personal preference and I may end up drilling the holes bigger later.
One thing the model year 16-23 instructions don't call out is that the cover should be slid all the way forward so the flexible trim seal fully covers the end wall of the bed. That's the only way I could get enough clearance between the tailgate and the cover latches on the last panel. The instructions say it should have about a 1/8" gap at the tailgate but can't get that unless the cover is all the way forward.
The main problem was that the clamp (part G in step 5 of the 16-23 instructions) at the cab end of the rail interferes with the position of the cover retaining clamp (part F in step 9). Both of the parts can only go in one spot so not sure if that's a design problem or something I just haven't figured out.
This is what it looks like with the clamp in place showing how it's position interferes with the cover retaining clamp. The adapter rail can't move and the outside part of the clamp must go in a slot (not shown) so can't figure out how to get them aligned.
Because the cover must be all the way forward to provide clearance for the tail gate, I removed the clamp (part G) until I figure how to get them side-by-side. It's not ideal, but it'll work for now.
The final thing I had to figure out was how to get the BAKFlip rails to be vertical against the rail adapters which are mounted to the OEM rails. This is covered in steps 5 and 6 of the model year 16-23 instructions but getting it perfect turned out to be hugely critical.
The top of the bed side of Clamp G must be fully inserted into the rail as shown in step 6 to ensure the rail doesn't lean toward the bed. If it does, it will be too low for the cover latches to lock into place. I had to pull back on the rail while inserting that part of the clamp to get it to fully lock in place. Once that was done, the rail was level with the bed cap and the latches now make a very satisfying click when they snap in place.
Instead of having the bottom of the rail side of Clamp G meet the upper slot at the bottom of the bed side of Clamp G like the instructions said, I used the lower slot as that seemed to work better and keep it level. Other than that, the diagram is close to what I ended up doing.
This is how they look installed.
Here are a few more shots of the final install showing the overlap near the cab and the clearance near the tailgate.
Front of cover overlapping the cab end of the bed.
Clearance between the adapter rail and the tailgate fully closed.
With the back panel slightly lifted. I wanted to show the clearance from the latch to the tailgate but it's hard to see,
For reference, here is how the BAKFlip rails overlay the OEM bed top rubber.
and finally, how it overlaps the Tacoma on the top of the tailgate when it's closed.
It was a bit of a pain to get everything adjusted just right but it's all done now. Still very happy with the purchase.
Hope this helps anyone else thinking about getting one.
@Stlman37 I hope you've kept up with this topic. I had the same issues you had but it turns out I wasn't installing the clamps properly. Take a look around page 10 and there is some good detail on how to get everything set up properly. Hope it helps.
Thanks! Ive been watching and tried to make a few adjustments. My clamps were inserted from the side all the way in the groove as you had suggested but I was still getting some fit Issues and the rails being slightly loose compared to the old design.
What a pain! At least they were able to make it right. Hopefully the OEM one works out for you!
So I'm 6'2" so I don't really use them myself. My wife is 5'3" and really needed that little extra boost that the step provides for ingress and egress.
I have me oem tie downs in there still. They are a bit difficult to put on and take off with the cover but other than that they are functional. You can see them mounted under the cover in this pic. I was able to move them freely but to take them off I have to move them to a spot in the rail that has a slot. That allowed me to get them off. It's not easy by any means but I don't plan on removing them to often so it's not a huge issue for me.
Thanks... I'm glad we can still use a couple if we need it...Just need to leave them in there but out of the way... You have any regrets over not getting the " old style" OEM drop rail mountingI have me oem tie downs in there still. They are a bit difficult to put on and take off with the cover but other than that they are functional. You can see them mounted under the cover in this pic. I was able to move them freely but to take them off I have to move them to a spot in the rail that has a slot. That allowed me to get them off. It's not easy by any means but I don't plan on removing them to often so it's not a huge issue for me.
That's super unfortunate. I'd bet they got damaged in shipping. I will say the install is kinda finicky but once everything is on there right, the cover looks great and functions properly. I can't vouch for the durability since I just got it but it seems solid. Hopefully RealTruck can make it right for you.
