We have been looking forward to sharing a quick behind-the-scenes glimpse of a small engineering project we recently tackled: updating fitment support on our fifth-generation Ram bedside rack panels. This particular product has a bit of a backstory. We first released it in 2021 for both the short bed and the standard-length bed. Back then, demand for the standard bed was tiny, so we couldn’t justify a big production run. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, years had passed. Now, in 2025, demand for the standard bed panel has grown, and we finally have enough resources to bring it to market.
Because Ram doesn’t make OEM CAD data available to aftermarket manufacturers—unlike Ford or GM—we had to get creative. Rather than buying an entire truck, Matt went ahead and purchased a fifth-gen Ram passenger-side bedside. After adding some 3D scanning targets and applying a spray to reduce the reflectivity, Matt captured a clean scan of the bedside profile. With the scan in hand, the design work began.
You’d think the standard and short bed would require totally different panel shapes, but Ram basically uses the same rear panel near the tailgate. The biggest difference is the front section and the distance between a couple of key points. Interestingly, the overall shape of the fifth-gen Ram bed is nearly identical to the fourth-gen version, except for the added vertical standoffs and holes for the utility rail kit—perfect for our mounting system. It means owners of a fourth-gen bed need to drill and install rivet nuts, whereas fifth-gen owners can just use those factory-drilled holes.
Once he had the scan, Matt adapted our existing short bed panel to match the longer standard bed dimensions. The main goal was to nail that wheel arch contour and ensure everything lined up with those OEM holes. After finalizing the design, he turned it into a 2D DXF file and sent it off to our laser cutter. The cut came out beautifully—crisp edges, no major cleanup needed, and no heavy slag on the backside of the piece.
From there, bending was straightforward. He laid the bedside flat and checked the new panel’s alignment against all the key mounting points. Everything fit just right. The top holes fell into place where the utility rail standoffs would go, and there was even a proper spot for a rubber well nut in the lower oval hole. It’s always a relief when everything comes together as planned. Because the driver’s side is just a mirrored design, Matt can confidently say this product is ready for full production.
Of course, a quick disclaimer: it’s rare for projects to go so smoothly from start to finish. This one was a near-perfect scenario because we’ve done similar designs before, and the scanning process went off without a hitch. Still, we're thrilled we can finally offer a standard-length fifth-gen Ram bedside panel. Once production is complete, you’ll see these on our site—if you’re reading this a bit later, they may already be available.
If you have questions, suggestions, or want to see more of our design process in action, let us know. There’s a lot that goes into bringing these products to life, and we love sharing that journey!
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