Plastic bed liner removable?

[eff150]

Is the plastic bed liner easily removable? Ultimately there is some form of camper shell going over the back but that is likely a bit down the road. I don't think I want to take the 50# payload hit for a spray in liner, but do want some bed protection in the interim.

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[Bryan Simon]

I’ve had it out of my Ranger a couple of time.
Under the rail.
Takes a bit of effort, but it does come out.

 

[Eric]

Is the plastic bed liner easily removable? Ultimately there is some form of camper shell going over the back but that is likely a bit down the road. I don't think I want to take the 50# payload hit for a spray in liner, but do want some bed protection in the interim.

If you plan to keep the truck long term Get it out of there.
It causes more damage than protection. Mine came with one and moisture and dirt and nature stuff get in there and it speeds up the rust process.
I’m gonna leave my new one bare when it arrives and should be fine for a while since I always have it covered. But when it gets scratched up and not as shiny and cool looking I’ll have it covered up at Linex.
Drop in bed liners are the worst creation ever.

 

[Bryan Simon]

If you plan to keep the truck long term Get it out of there.
It causes more damage than protection. Mine came with one and moisture and dirt and nature stuff get in there and it speeds up the rust process.

Geography. I really don’t have that issue down here.
Only reason I took mine out was to replace fuel pump in
the truck—easier than dealing with a full tank on the ground.

my bed was pretty much spotless after 15 years.
Two spots where paint rubbed off.
It was however, full of acorns.
Oh, and aluminum does not rust.
I chose the liner more for dent protection over rust protection.
If you saw the beds of any of my pickups or the ElCamino or Ranchero before restoration, you would understand.
A couple of the bed floors looked trike the Pismo Dunes.

 

[NumbersGuy]

Geography. I really don’t have that issue down here.
Only reason I took mine out was to replace fuel pump in
the truck—easier than dealing with a full tank on the ground.

my bed was pretty much spotless after 15 years.
Two spots where paint rubbed off.
It was however, full of acorns.
Oh, and aluminum does not rust.
I chose the liner more for dent protection over rust protection.
If you saw the beds of any of my pickups or the ElCamino or Ranchero before restoration, you would understand.
A couple of the bed floors looked trike the Pismo Dunes.

Not everyday I hear a Texan talk about the Pismo Dunes!

 

[Bryan Simon]

Not everyday I hear a Texan talk about the Pismo Dunes!

Native of East LA.
Had family in the 5-cities area and spent a lot of time there.
My favorite aunt lived in Grover City ( now Grover Beach) with a great view of the ocean.

 

[Roger350]

Aluminum doesn't rust, but it does corrode. White powder instead of "rust" colored. Unprotected aluminum is just as bad as unprotected steel in my opinion, but I'm an airplane guy so I deal with corrosion on aluminum for a living.

 

[Eric]

Aluminum doesn't rust, but it does corrode. White powder instead of "rust" colored. Unprotected aluminum is just as bad as unprotected steel in my opinion, but I'm an airplane guy so I deal with corrosion on aluminum for a living.

I’m sorry if this is a silly question but would you recommend rust-proofing when I get my truck. I’m in Canada where the roads are pretty salted.

 

[Roger350]

Not living in the salt belt past age 16 leaves me unaware of the current "rustproofing" products. The problem with any coating applied over the paint is that once that coating is compromised, lets say by a bunch of gravel repeatedly being thrown up from below, it then acts just like that loose plastic bed liner, trapping moisture against the body panel. If the paint was also compromised you've set up the perfect conditions for corrosion.

I do not know what the general performance is for Ford's aluminum body panels in the rust belt. Are they lasting longer than steel? I haven't done any research.

I think whatever you do, periodic inspections and touch-up would be your best prevention against serious corrosion.

Although the weight would be terrible, something tough like Line-X sprayed on a new vehicle underside would probably do wonders, until it is penetrated. The key there would be inspecting it periodically to make sure it wasn't compromised.

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