http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines....d_liner_damage

 

I recommend the spray in liner. 1 for rust protection and 2 for slip resistant.
We had sand bags in the bed with a drop in liner about mid winter those things became frozen torpedo's when the brakes were applied to avoid a dog. The torpedo's slammed into the front of the bed denting that into the cab busting out the back window.
The spray in liner keeps your stuff from sliding all over the place.

 

I have two trucks 1998 Ram and a 2003 Ram, the 2003 has a Line-X spray in liner, it is DEFINETLY a lot better. I took the bed liner off my 1998 and there was a lot of surface rust.. and also, things slid around a LOT on the drop in bed liner, if I were you I'd definetly go with spray in.

 

I guess all of my past trucks were just special, but they had no rust underneath the bedliners. I think that is just marketing strategy started by the spray in companies. Remember the first rule of marketing? I do....Create a need for people. Buy the cheapest drop in you can find, that's what I always do, never even noticed the difference.

 

Mine definetly had some surface rust under the bed liner, I'm not just speaking from someone else's experience..ALTHOUGH, it was a work truck [covered in mud, construction sites etc 24/7]..so that could have something to do with it.... my gf's truck is starting to rust, and it's only a 2003.. She had a drop in bed liner, but the middle is cut out..for a tow-hitch in the centre of the bed because she pulls her horse trailer with it.

 

my friend has a 87 bronco 2 that he repainted and restored. he put linex all around the fenders and bumpers. its been 2 1/2 years and the linx still looks like new. if that stuff holds up as a fender for that long and still appears as if it was just recently sprayed then it should last a lot longer i the bed of your truck. i have two other friends who both bought 2nd gen rams. one kept the drop in and the other got his sprayed with linex. well its been 5 years now and the linex looks perfect and still shines like new, but my friend with the bed liner: has rust seeping though the drain holes in the liner and tried to take it off. when he did some of the paint came up with it leaving an ugly, and rusty bed. its almost beyond repair and he is looking into getting the linex.
line x is the best product out there for your bed it also will stop a bullet when laid on 1/4 thick or something like that.
P.S. you can also use tire shine on the linex after you wash it and it will make it really shiny and new, it will enver fade....

 

If you use your truck for work or load it with junk keep the drop in. The spray on does not protect the bed from dents as good as the drop in. Also, there is the chance of the spray on tearing, and yes it will tear. You may get people claiming it won't tear but if you use it like a pick up is meant to be used it will tear.

 

sray on such as Rhino Liner tears and doesnt protect your bed from dings and dents. the best option out there is Line X:

http://www2.line-x.com/ns/bedliners.html?now=67857

If a freak incident does occur that you may tear or crack the line x they have a nationwide warranty that will repair it like new for free.
drop ins crack, warp cause errosion, they also are not scratch resistant.

many people get confused as to what line x is. most people dont realize that it is actually a company and they get too used to calling all spray ons linex or xliner. all other spray ons are crappy and poor quality. they also all have a rubbery texture which will cause them to tear and peel off. but linex is solid and you can tell them how thick you want it laid on i think they go up to 1/2 thick or so but most people opt for 1/4.

Another note: the US navy and army tested line x on their vehicles and are using it today.

 

smmcbride, this is really interesting to me. Have you actually seen a drop in crack or cause errosion? This is starting to bother me, I hate to see people waste money on things they do not need. As previously stated, I have had many trucks with drop ins, never cracker, no rust, some scuffing of the paint after a few years, but that's no big deal.

I think this whole thing is a marketing scheme by line x and the others. They're doing a good job though becuase everyone believes them.

 

IT DEPENDS IF YOU DO WORK AT A JOB SITE AND SOMEONE DROPS A LATTER IN THE BED IF YOU HAVE A LINER IT WILL PROTECT THE EDGES, BUT IF YOU HAVE THE PAINT ON LINER IT DOESN'T COVER TO THE TOP.
OTHER THAN THAT WHEN YOU GET THE TRUCK TAKE THE BED LINER OFF AND SLAP A COAT OF RUSTOLEUM ON IT THEN PUT LINER BACK ON IT WILL GIVE IT A LONGER LIFE. IF YOUR THAT WORRIED GET A TONNEAU COVER FOR IT AT LEAST THERE CHEAPER AND GIVE A GOOD LOOK TO THE TRUCK


HOPE I WAS SOME KIND OF HELP PEACE