bed accesories
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Professional
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 153
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From: O'Fallon, MO
bed liner, trailer hitch, rust issues
Okay so I am soon going to be buying the Dee Zee narrow series truck tool box and, well, my bed is ugly. The inside is really scratched up, there are a couple dents, and its just barely starting to rust a little right below the sliding rear window and at one of the wheel well seams. I do not want to drop $400+ on a spray in for a work truck with this many miles on it, and I dont trust those DIY roller kits (i.e. Herculiner). SO I am looking for a drop in liner plastic or something...like my friend has a Ranger with a Duraliner plastic drop in. But I have google searched for the last hour and all I can find is BedRug which I dont really want carpet in my bed it kinda defeats the purpose plus its $370 for the kit so at that point I may as well buy a Line-X spray in.
The other problem is, at some point the PO decided that it was necessary to install two fifth wheel "bars" in the bed (dont know the correct term). I can't really just remove them because that would leave large holes in the bed, and its starting to rust around the bolts for the bars as well. Plus I looked under my truck and I can't tell where the bolts are that are associated with those bars. There is some kind of circular electrical plug sticking out of the side of my bed, I assume this has to do with the fifth wheel bars, some kind of trailer plug. SO I don't even know if installing any kind of bedliner or even a bed mat is an option because of this stupid fifth wheel stuff.
Also, the aftermarket receiver hitch that was on my truck had obviously been on there a long, long time because one side was completely rusted through, it was literally just hanging off on the driver side. The bolts were FAR too rusty to unbolt what was left of it so I had no choice but to cut it off with a cutting wheel. I need to know how to remove the rusted to sh*t bolts and the pieces that are left and bolt in a new hitch eventually. PB Blaster had no effect on the bolts, BTW.
My tailgate is starting to rust on the bottom; anything I can do about this cheap without my truck looking too ghetto?
Oh, for the record, this is why I hate camper shells:
The other problem is, at some point the PO decided that it was necessary to install two fifth wheel "bars" in the bed (dont know the correct term). I can't really just remove them because that would leave large holes in the bed, and its starting to rust around the bolts for the bars as well. Plus I looked under my truck and I can't tell where the bolts are that are associated with those bars. There is some kind of circular electrical plug sticking out of the side of my bed, I assume this has to do with the fifth wheel bars, some kind of trailer plug. SO I don't even know if installing any kind of bedliner or even a bed mat is an option because of this stupid fifth wheel stuff.
Also, the aftermarket receiver hitch that was on my truck had obviously been on there a long, long time because one side was completely rusted through, it was literally just hanging off on the driver side. The bolts were FAR too rusty to unbolt what was left of it so I had no choice but to cut it off with a cutting wheel. I need to know how to remove the rusted to sh*t bolts and the pieces that are left and bolt in a new hitch eventually. PB Blaster had no effect on the bolts, BTW.
My tailgate is starting to rust on the bottom; anything I can do about this cheap without my truck looking too ghetto?
Oh, for the record, this is why I hate camper shells:
Last edited by luthoro; Jun 11, 2010 at 08:59 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
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From: NM
For plastic bed liners there are plenty of sources. Just go to google and search for plastic bead liners. And don't forget most automotive accessories stores. Try www.craigslist.org and www.ebay.com
The DIY roll on liners are great and can last forever. It is all bout the prep work, sanding ect. They will stop rusting once properly applied. $100 for a complete kit. Most auto parts stores carry them.
You can also use a rust inhibitor with no prep work. Here is the first one off of a quick google search. http://www.rustbullet.com/
There is rust inhibitors in a spray paint can for surface rust. Most auto parts stores, Walmart will carry them.
As for the rusted bolts you can cut them off or a nut splitter or a nut remover like the one below.
You can try a nut splitter.
The DIY roll on liners are great and can last forever. It is all bout the prep work, sanding ect. They will stop rusting once properly applied. $100 for a complete kit. Most auto parts stores carry them.
You can also use a rust inhibitor with no prep work. Here is the first one off of a quick google search. http://www.rustbullet.com/
There is rust inhibitors in a spray paint can for surface rust. Most auto parts stores, Walmart will carry them.
As for the rusted bolts you can cut them off or a nut splitter or a nut remover like the one below.
Last edited by Crazy4x4RT; Jun 12, 2010 at 02:52 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 279
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Check the bone yards for a used drop-in bed liner...much cheaper than retail. Problem with drop in liners is they can aggravate rust if you live in a wet climate...they can trap moisture in the bed.
As for rusty bolts, I use a trusty angle grinder to grind the head or nut off...just have to be careful doing that.
Another solution would be to find another, better bed from a wrecked truck...it's not that hard to remove the bed...six bolts and you're done.
My dad used to use a home-made plywood bed liner. Cut a piece to fit the bed between the wheel wells and put a chunk of treated 4X4 wood under each corner of the plywood panel. Don't know why he did this, but he kept his big tractor/truck jack under it and really protected the bed floor and lasted a good long time.
As for rusty bolts, I use a trusty angle grinder to grind the head or nut off...just have to be careful doing that.
Another solution would be to find another, better bed from a wrecked truck...it's not that hard to remove the bed...six bolts and you're done.
My dad used to use a home-made plywood bed liner. Cut a piece to fit the bed between the wheel wells and put a chunk of treated 4X4 wood under each corner of the plywood panel. Don't know why he did this, but he kept his big tractor/truck jack under it and really protected the bed floor and lasted a good long time.
