Bed Liners.

Timmys88Z · April 1, 2002

Ok, just got my truck on Thursday ('96 ext cab Z71). And it has a soft tonneau cover on it, looks nice and all but I don't see the purpose and it will be inconvienent.

So..... I want to take it off and put some kind of bed liner in it. Do I go with a plastic bed liner or a spray in one? What are the advantages to each? How much will each type cost?

Etc etc etc....

-Tim

carguru · April 2, 2002

Congrats! Hope you enjoy your truck. I happen to like the soft tonneau. Helps keep krud out of the back of the bed (leaves, trash, etc.) and helps with mileage because it cuts down drag. But to each his own.

As for the bed liner, each has their own advantages and disadvantages. The plastic liner tends to cushion shifting loads slightly when it hits the bed walls, covers up any dents from hard hits, but stuff tends to slide around (unless you get one with the antislip coating) and would tend to wear the paint in the bed over time (unless you put one of the bedliner liners first). The spray in kind would tend to be more nonslip and would not wear the paint, but if a load dents the bed, the dent would show and scratches that go through would have to be touched up. Just make sure the screws in the tailgate are masked so that it doesn't become a permanent part of the tailgate.

My $.02. Enjoy the truck!!!

Timmys88Z · April 2, 2002

Thanks, any others?

Shaners · April 2, 2002

I wouldn't use a plastic liner. Things just seem to slide around too much. If you are going to do alot of hauling, I'd suggest a "spray-in" liner, if not just a rubber bed mat will do the job...

mikeb · April 2, 2002

You could either keep the soft one or install a hard one and a bed rug.

LoNE_WoLF · April 3, 2002

Howdy Tim,

I have a Bedrug installed in my 2000 F-150 FLaRESiDE and I love it. Very well made, cleans up very easy with a vacuum or a rug machine at the local car wash if it gets real dirty. It’s completely waterproof and very stain resistant. Impervious to oil and gas.

I like it because it is also foamed backed marine grade carpeting that is custom molded to your bed. The fit and finish is very nice. Because of the foam backing it will not scratch your bed. It also holds most items in place. I can't think of anything that I have placed in the back that has moved. When I open my tailgate it is in the same place I originally put it. I get allot of compliments on it.

This place here has them for your truck for 339.00 with free shipping.

http://www.surplusequipment.com/bedrug/default.htm

Good luck with your choice

01z71 · April 3, 2002

I got the plastic liner. It's cheaper. I figure in ten years or so if their is a problem with the paint rubbing off then I can always have a spray in done and that will take care of any rusting issues.

colosilverado · April 6, 2002

Bed Rug for me! Love it. Easy on the knees when crawling around in the bed.

bluenote · April 6, 2002

A word about plastic/drop-in bedliners. I bought my 2001 Silverado in October and it had a GM liner in it when I picked it up. Within the less than 6 months I've owned it (13K miles), the paint was already rubbing off terribly. I pulled the liner out and found even more paint damage that was hidden under it. This was with a brand-new truck and a dealer installed GM liner. I had a Line-X spray in done, and I'd recommend this over the plastic liners hands down. Don't waste your money on the plastic liners...they'll damage your vehicle too much. You're better off, with a new truck, putting nothing in at first and then deciding whether to get a spray-in, bedrug, or just a rubber mat.

Stepside Z · April 7, 2002

I have had 4 trucks with spray in liners and would not have anything else. It cost about twice as much as a quality drop in liner but the cost is well worth the money.