These guys don't care why. You would think that God had spoke and declared SPRs done by anyone other than the factory is blasphemy. Utter crap. Anything to jack the repair rates to create a total loss for sales. This mindset is causing every man, woman and child's insurance rates to go through the roof in this country.
I'm relying on my memory, as I wasn't able to find anything documented, but from my recollection Ford's concern is having enough access in the wheelhouse area to properly seat the SPRs. For the front of the bedside, access is definitely a problem and blind rivets or welding are the only options.
Unknown. Anywhere not visible them 1/4 inch rivets are fine but in the wheel well area… punch them out, die flatten, prep, metal bond and the 3x3 spr’s. Tool fits in there no problem. Looks factory and the whole area has adhesive not just the center bit.