With so many things I want to do with my new ranger I figured I'd start with the bedliner to improve looks, functionality, and durability. I can't afford a professional spray on, so I was wondering what products to look for and/or avoid in the DIY market. Thanks in advance.

 

Buddy of mine used the dupli-color bed armor products

 

none of the DIY liners hold up very well over time which kinda sucks. I'd personally save up for a professional spray-in Rhino liner or linex

 

I've been doing a major overhaul on my 04 5-speed. I had to take the bed off and do major rust repair, filling, and prime/paint. While I was at it I did roll on/spray bed liner by Rustoluem. First off I used the spray can for rocker panels, grille, and bumpers to give it a textured look and to be a bit more resistant to rocks and what not. It does NOT spray on thick even with 4 coats. It WILL scratch fairly easily, it is made for touch ups.

I used the Roll on version by Rustoleum for the truck bed itself and it goes on a little thicker, but not by much. I only did it to protect the truck bed from the drop in liner I got with the truck, it will be great for that. Even the roll on is going to scratch easily. So my point is don't go with Rustoleum if you plan to actually use the bed liner for every day use. If I did this to replace the drop in I'd be very pissed with the results. I seen a coworkers Hurculiner roll on job and its much thicker and grittier (rustoleums is like 120 gritt sandpaper) and he said its held up very well.

If you plan on doing your own I'd suggest the Herculiner unless your going to do what I did and just use it as another layer of protection from the drop in.

With your prep for washing out the bed well and taping off the sides it will probably take a good four hours to do so you decide if you want to spend the cash to have it done. I prefer to do stuff myself, i know it will be done right.

 

I've heard of Herculiner, but apparently they use rubber for the texture. I think I will probably hold off for a while...maybe get a cheap drop in until i can afford a spray in.

 

Make sure you clean it out on a regular basis and take care of small rust spots. otherwise it will eat through the bed and a spray in will be more costly later on.

 

With the drop in? Do they tend to trap water underneath?

 

my factory drop in doesn't trap any water underneath. My truck has been in the northeast its entire life and theres no rust under the liner.

 

I've had the opposite problem in the northeast. All 5 trucks I've been around for years have leaves, water and random crap stuck under them. Not to mention them rubbing the paint off making them rust out. Should take a photo of my fathers truck and if I can find some of my bed before I fixed it.

 

Mine either not even a slight spot of surface rust either. Just some scratches from it. But mines been in Colorado it's whole life.

 

I know some guys used diy bedliner and it turned out nice and still holding up great. If you're planning to do it, prep is the most important thing to consider.

 

Well, I'm a house painter, and I know from experience that prep is key. I think I'm going to go through with it. Just need to decide on the best product.