[hschisler]

I bought a set of 6 OEM bolt-on tiedowns with D rings for my 2021 Transit. Can someone post a couple of photos that show exactly which of the holes in the Transit they are intended for?
I think some of them are obvious, but some not so obvious.
I see 2 just inside the back doors, 2 on the vertical ribs a couple feet farther in, and 2 or 3 farther in on the left side and maybe 1 on the right just aft of the sliding door, but it won't take a tiedown bolt.

On a related note: how much force can be applied to these attachment points? My intended first use is to transport a motorcycle, restrained by a front wheel chock, inside the van using 2 ratchet straps on each side of the bike to the D rings. Is that asking too much for these tiedowns? I'd prefer not to rip out a side wall if I can avoid it. I'm also having e-track installed for this purpose, and others.

 

[GapRunr]

Search is your friend..

 

[hschisler]

Search is your friend..

Thanks. Is that from this site or somewhere else?
That's exactly what I needed, although now I need to figure out why some of them don't want to go.

 

[oneleglance]

Thanks. Is that from this site or somewhere else?
That's exactly what I needed, although now I need to figure out why some of them don't want to go.

A few of the factory holes are meant to have the threads CUT by the bolts as they go in.
At least that has been my experience and the pic is from the Body Builders Manual which you can download or look at with a little searching. Lots of great info in there if you are building yourself and if I remember the tie downs are rated pretty high since it is a cargo van meant to be used.

 

[hschisler]

More great info, thank you. And for the record - I will not be doing any of the work to this vehicle other than basic bolt-on things like these D rings. I'm not that mechanically-inclined or capable of doing a full-on RV build, for example.

 

[AzB]

I use the drings in the rear for tying down bikes. They seem to work fine.

 

[hschisler]

Update:
I bought a second set of 6 used cargo hooks off eBay and used them as tiedown points with no issues. We just drove the Transit from OH to CA; it returns to Ohio, with the bike, in a few weeks.

 

[wgc]

hschisler- just out of curiosity us that front wheel chock bolted in? or free standing? Thanks

 

[hschisler]

hschisler- just out of curiosity us that front wheel chock bolted in? or free standing? Thanks

It is bolted to the floor of the van. I wouldn't want a chock to be free-floating, just resting on the floor of anything -- truck, van, or trailer.

 

[maia]

A few of the factory holes are meant to have the threads CUT by the bolts as they go in.
At least that has been my experience and the pic is from the Body Builders Manual which you can download or look at with a little searching. Lots of great info in there if you are building yourself and if I remember the tie downs are rated pretty high since it is a cargo van meant to be used.

I bought a set of tie down D-rings on ebay and am having trouble getting some of them in. Any tips on how to "cut" the threads using the bolts? I am afraid of doing irreparable damage to my 1 day old van!

 

[njvagabond]

I bought a set of tie down D-rings on ebay and am having trouble getting some of them in. Any tips on how to "cut" the threads using the bolts? I am afraid of doing irreparable damage to my 1 day old van!

• There might be some paint on the threads in the van. Rotary (aka Dremel) tool with a small wire brush might take care of it. If you don't have one, they are cheap and quite handy. IMO - Get one that includes a flexible shaft for a few bucks more.
• Check the bolts to make sure there is no damage to the threads. If there is. clean them up. Try swapping the bolts around in different spots to see if the D-ring or the the threads in the different locations
• Since the proper tap or thread chaser for the unusual thread will probably be impossible to find. As a last resort, if you can get the bolt started, tighten a very little bit into the resistance and then back out. The tighten a bit more. Use some spray lubricant (WD40, penetrating oil). Completely remove the bolt as you go an flush out with some more lube. Go slow and don't blame me if you strip the thread with this approach.

 

[maia]

the two giving me trouble are in the “nubs” in the middle of the van… directly behind the passenger door and opposite that. The ones over wheel well, in front of wheel well, by back doors, all fine. I can see threads (though painted) in all those, but I can’t see anything in the “nub” holes… helllllppppppp lol

Threads and no issue:

naughty nub:

 

[Covid van de Mic]

The bottom pic looks like the expanding foam I see in some of the corners of my van is stuffed in the back, but the start of the threads look f'kd up/stripped (though that may be your doing). If you can get a greased bolt (and doesn't hurt to grease them all before installing) started, it'll probably chase/cut the threads in the process.

If they're threading in in other spots then you have the right size, but I'll note I saw someone on eBay selling the d-rings for a 2020 and they were the part number for the older vans. I can attest that the M11-sized d-rings I bought from another eBayer (major diameter measured 10.9mm) threaded in just fine to the holes I used them in.

I don't know what the size of the older d-rings were (12mm?), but here was an old thread:
Source for stock cargo D-rings, tie downs, etc

 

[maia]

Like I said, it’s only those two giving me trouble. And yep that’s me trying to get the bolt started . I’m not even reaching the foam so it’s not that. I have tried using a bolt that went in easy at another location to eliminate it being the bolt issue. I’m moving on to other projects while I wait for a Dremel to try @njvagabond ’s advice. Glad I’m trying planned mount points before cutting any 8020 🤪

 

[Covid van de Mic]

Like I said, it’s only those two giving me trouble. And yep that’s me trying to get the bolt started . I’m not even reaching the foam so it’s not that. I have tried using a bolt that went in easy at another location to eliminate it being the bolt issue. I’m moving on to other projects while I wait for a Dremel to try @njvagabond ’s advice. Glad I’m trying planned mount points before cutting any 8020 🤪

You may need something more than a Dremel for that.

The bolts I got are M11x1.25. I'd double check yours before ordering a tap if you ultimately need one. Unfortunately, I don't think there is much else in the world threaded for an M11 bolt.

 

[kazuo]

M11 x 1.25 D ring bolts are very hard to source, same for the Tap of the same size, (Hens' teeth)

7/16 x 20 is standard thread, fine pitch series. available at Home Depot.

M11 outside diameter = .4331 inch
7/16 outside diameter = .4375 inch larger by .0044 inch (hair is larger)

1.25mm picth = .0492 inch
20 TPI = .050 inch difference in pitch of .0008 inch.

get a 7/16 - 20 tap, run it thru the nuts, (a little oil helps) and Bob's your uncle.

 

[maia]

Here’s one I haven’t touched, up in front of the passenger door by the step. I don’t think there are threads at all.

 

[gregoryx]

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I had to tap a LOT of factory holes to clean them up to being (very easily) usable.

Personally... I'd order one of each tap and try the metric one first. Then forget to return the other one. I have a LOT of stuff I've done that with.

 

[T town]

Here’s one I haven’t touched, up in front of the passenger door by the step. I don’t think there are threads at all.

View attachment 159105
View attachment 159106

Hmmm. That does not look like mine. It doesn’t help you but mine came with D rings. I don’t know if there are no threads or paint filled threads.

 

[T town]

Just checked my van, it was too dark to take a pic, and those threads on my van are perfect.
I had taken all the D rings out but had tried them in the other holes and I tried that hole once again. They are all threaded, no paint. I still can’t tell if you have threads or not.
If Ford builds these chassis’ to accept all builds I think there must be threads there.