Upgrading the Ford Maverick’s Mini Bed for Maximum Functionality

BRANDON BURRELL . April 22, 2024 . Street Trucks

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Mini Upgrade for a Mini Bed

Photos by Brandon Burrell/burrell images

Whether you have a huge 8-foot truck bed on a dually or a small 4.5-foot truck bed like the one on the new Ford Maverick, having it set up to function correctly for your needs is important. A lot of times, larger trucks with larger beds may have stuff like a ladder rack, a 5th wheel connection, or an array of toolboxes. Smaller trucks like the Maverick generally don’t need large components to make them functional. For a lot of people, a smooth, factory-painted bed or even a spray-in bedliner will be more than enough. Others like myself prefer a more car-like bed that can safely haul around luggage and camera gear, while keeping it all out of prying eye’s view and securely locked into the bed. I know what you’re thinking. “Why not just buy a car?” Well, it’s still nice to have the utility of a truck bed when needed, but also have it double as a large trunk when needed.

For decades, smaller trucks like the S-10, Mazda B-series trucks or even the Tacoma were perfect for people who didn’t need the massive size of a full-size truck for daily needs, but still wanted something they could use to pick up a dryer, haul a dirt bike to the track, or take their mountain bike to the trails. It seemed the compact pickup truck was a thing of the past, until Ford released the new Maverick in 2022. Ever since that release, the buzz has been crazy about these little trucks, which has made them hard to find. That, coupled with production issues on the manufacturing side, turned them into hot commodities the past couple years. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on one recently, and I plan to do a slew of upgrades to show our readers, starting with the bed upgrades you are currently reading about. I picked up an XL trim package, which is a stripped-down, bare bones base model Maverick. The base model eliminates some of the creature comforts that the higher trim levels have but after adding a few upgrades, it can still function like a higher-end truck.

For the perfect bed setup for my needs, there were only a few parts I had to get. The main part of this project was the Undercover Ultra Flex bedcover (Part #UDC-UX22032) with a $1,112 retail price. This tri-fold tonneau cover allows access only when the tailgate is open so when it’s locked, the bed cannot be accessed. The next item that was added was a tailgate assist strut that gives the tailgate the easy drop that higher-end trucks have. Essentially, it keeps the tailgate from slamming down when opened. This was a $22 part on Amazon—nothing that will break the bank, yet will make the tailgate perform like a much more expensive truck.

With my base model, the only way to lock or unlock the tailgate was to physically use the key, so adding an electronic lock that controlled the tailgate with the key fob buttons was important to me. To do this, I went to the local Ford dealer and picked up two parts. The OEM electronic lock (Part #JB3Z-9943170-A) at $109 replaces the manual tailgate lock assembly, and the OEM wiring harness to control it (Part #NZ6Z-14A412-C) with a $112 retail cost. The wiring harness replaces the factory wire that plugs into the backup camera inside the tailgate and plugs into the harness above the spare tire.

I also added a full Bedrug Classic Bedliner (Part #BRI-BRM22SBK) that goes for $480 retail. This full carpet kit lines the entire bed, including the tailgate and creates a trunk-like feel and look. This is perfect for what I use the truck for, but if I decided to get a load of mulch, it simply rinses out with a pressure washer like a spray-in bedliner would. Having this liner in the truck keeps luggage, bags, etc., from sliding around as well. The Maverick also has an option that comes on the higher trim models to add bed storage—the bed cubby (Part #NZ6Z-60286A72-A), which retails at $46. Adding this part creates a storage place built into the bed to store straps, a hitch, or whatever you need to stash to keep from sliding around the bed.

The install for all these parts only took a couple hours with the help of a buddy, so it’s something you can do on your own with simple hand tools to not only add function to your truck but also make it match what the more expensive models can do. Follow along as all the parts are installed.