Bakflip MX4 - Improved Drain Tubes

[breed]

So I have really enjoyed the Bakflip MX4 on my 2018 Raptor, over the G2 installed on my 16 Lariat. The one issue I have is the drain tubes.

Most of the Gen2 Raptors have factory holes in the upper sidewalls of the bed for drainage. The supplied drain tube lines were a very tight fit, very long for upper sidewall fitment, and crimped badly.

For my setup, I chose to cut them significantly, but that left a pretty bad bend. Here's the before picture:



And a closeup of the "before":



Here is everything I needed for the install.

The 90 elbows were bought at Lowes, 1/2" PEX and worked great.

1/2" TotalPond Vinyl Tubing at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DL0Y9O/?tag=fordraptorforum-20




I ended up only using the black duct tape, did not need the pipe sealer tape.

Here's the "after" install pics. Need to wait for a rainy day to test, but pretty sure this is a much better solution.

 

[0r30]

I thought you are suppose to make a hole on the bottom corners in the plastic piece.




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[K1llD4shN1n3]

I thought you are suppose to make a hole on the bottom corners in the plastic piece.




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That’s where I did mine and seems to work fine though OPs looks super clean and out of the way - nice work!


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[breed]

My 2016 Lariat had cutouts at the ovals and long drain tubes, which took up wall space with tubes running vertically on each side.

The 17-18 Raptors have factory holes drilled in the upper sidewalls, so why drill a second set of holes?

 

[0r30]

My 2016 Lariat had cutouts at the ovals and long drain tubes, which took up wall space with tubes running vertically on each side.

The 17-18 Raptors have factory holes drilled in the upper sidewalls, so why drill a second set of holes?

Interesting, never noticed the upper sidewall holes. Need to check it out.


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[lawdog]

I just routed mine into the back corners...small gap there, and enough to drain the water that comes out of the drain tubes. But, your install/workaround is very clean.

 

[GaRaptor]

Where does the water go once it enters those holes in the bed stake pockets? Does It just fall out under the truck bed inside the body?

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[Realpatmurphy]

Would this impede installation of the “Bakbox” at all?


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[Realpatmurphy]

Where does the water go once it enters those holes in the bed stake pockets? Does It just fall out under the truck bed inside the body?

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It falls outside, in between the bed and fender. Did it myself, then looked underneath while I poured some water. I also just used the stock hose and it seemed to workout alright.


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[TXCobra]

Glad to find this post, I had the factory spray in bed liner on my 17 and when I drilled the hole it flaked off all the coating, so I was thinking about just buying some non sprayed grommets and drilling those, keeping my sprayed ones to put back on when I sell or trade in, but I think I will either just cut the hose and put it into the upper hole or make the 90 degree fitting like 0R30 did.

Bakflip should do this!

On a seperate note, do any of you MX4 owners have an issue with the rods that hold the cover in the fully open position staying in the little clips? Mine seem to fall out of the clip easily and bang around back there. Looking for an upgraded solution there too.

 

[EricM]

On a seperate note, do any of you MX4 owners have an issue with the rods that hold the cover in the fully open position staying in the little clips? Mine seem to fall out of the clip easily and bang around back there. Looking for an upgraded solution there too.

It got mine used and the rods were missing completely. I just lean it against the back of the cab if I need it all the way open. I never travel with it all the way open, so the rods are pointless for me anyways.

 

[TXCobra]

I thought it would flap back down at highway speeds without the rods? I’ve never tried to use it without

 

[goblues38]

On a separate note, do any of you MX4 owners have an issue with the rods that hold the cover in the fully open position staying in the little clips? Mine seem to fall out of the clip easily and bang around back there. Looking for an upgraded solution there too.

yes. Seems like every time i flip up the 1st patrician, I see the rods falling loose on the wheel arch. the plastic clips that is supposed to hold them are just too soft.

I took a simple bread wire tie and that fixed it. I can still get them out quickly the single time I have had to in almost 6 months.

 

[MDJAK]

So I have the version of this cover that rolls back. Why did mine not come with or need drain tubes? How is it any different other than yours folds back?

I had a rolling canister cover on my last Raptor and that had and needed tubes.

 

[JohnyPython]

So I have really enjoyed the Bakflip MX4 on my 2018 Raptor, over the G2 installed on my 16 Lariat. The one issue I have is the drain tubes.

Most of the Gen2 Raptors have factory holes in the upper sidewalls of the bed for drainage. The supplied drain tube lines were a very tight fit, very long for upper sidewall fitment, and crimped badly.

For my setup, I chose to cut them significantly, but that left a pretty bad bend. Here's the before picture:

View attachment 113327

And a closeup of the "before":

View attachment 113328

Here is everything I needed for the install.

The 90 elbows were bought at Lowes, 1/2" PEX and worked great.

1/2" TotalPond Vinyl Tubing at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DL0Y9O/?tag=fordraptorforum-20


View attachment 113329

I ended up only using the black duct tape, did not need the pipe sealer tape.

Here's the "after" install pics. Need to wait for a rainy day to test, but pretty sure this is a much better solution.

View attachment 113330

View attachment 113331

That’s a smart solution. Neat and clean drain routing.

I’ve been contemplating a tonneau cover and this will convince me more. Thanks for posting.

 

[Avmanager]

Awesome idea. I did not even know those holes were there. I bought my 2017 raptor used a few months ago and it already had an mx4 on it when I bought it but no drain tubes hooked up. I ended up buying 2 irrigation 1/2 inch elbows. They were threaded on one end and barbed on the other. I reamed out the inside of the threaded end and slid it over the hole for the rail. The other end fit through the hole on the bedside and stuck in about a 1/2 inch inside the hole so I didn't put a hose on the end of it. What was funny is that I was testing if it was flowing correctly and kept getting water in my truck bed. I had to look further to realize water was coming through the screw holes on the strap buckle bracket on the mx4. It only had 1 screw on each bracket and water was running into the other hole on each buckle bracket. No Mark's where the screw had ever been there. So it appears it had come this way from bakflip. I called bakflip and they mailed me the missing hardware. I still like this mx4 better than my f1's on my previous f150's. My f1's both had quality issues. The one I bought in early 2016 though I thought was of lesser quality than one I had bought in 2014.

 

[GR8Ride]

Can you try and take a couple pics of the elbows and tubes? I know it may not be easy.


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[Fusco0520]

Glad to find this post, I had the factory spray in bed liner on my 17 and when I drilled the hole it flaked off all the coating, so I was thinking about just buying some non sprayed grommets and drilling those, keeping my sprayed ones to put back on when I sell or trade in, but I think I will either just cut the hose and put it into the upper hole or make the 90 degree fitting like 0R30 did.

Bakflip should do this!

On a seperate note, do any of you MX4 owners have an issue with the rods that hold the cover in the fully open position staying in the little clips? Mine seem to fall out of the clip easily and bang around back there. Looking for an upgraded solution there too.

This is my fix. I take the screw out and put the clip around the rod then screw it in. So the only way to get the rod out for use is to remove the screw. Since I maybe flip the cover up 4 times a year I don’t mind taking the extra time to take a screw out and mess with it.


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[Avmanager]

OK, Picture attached. I checked this morning after a night of rain and it was not wet. I cant decide if I want to add some drain tube to put it a little further into the hole, but right now, the elbow goes in about 1/4" -1/2" inside. I looked at my receipt and each of the Irrigation T-'s were $.55 each. I think this is it online

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rain-Bi...rrigation-Swing-Pipe-Elbow-SWGE050S/100186504

 

[GR8Ride]

That’s a really nice set up! Much cleaner for sure. Thanks a lot for the pic. Going this route now!
Thanks again!!!


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