bossfrog

So I'm walking around the bed of my recently acquired F150 which has a sprayed in liner and I'm hearing the horrifying crunch of rust under my foot. So I crawl underneath and there is a heavily rusted area about 4x8" right by the wheel well. Of course I wasn't able to see it because the spray still covered it. SO... I got the grinder out and grinded the worst of it away and used some loctite extend around the area. But now I'm left with an area where there is hardly any metal left and actually has about a 2" hole in the bed now.

So I've decided to put a Pendaliner in it. My question is, which design is better: under rail or over rail and why? Or does it really matter?

UncleG

You should have the hole repaired and then go see Line X.

77Ranger460

I prefer over the rail, because it protects the rail.

bassJAM

Get that hole fixed by a body shop!!!

Just putting in a plastic liner right now is a very temporary band-aid fix.

As to under/over the rails, I'd probably go under and then install separate bed rail caps. Seems like in the long run it'd give you a better fit as plastic liners can often warp, but that's just pure speculation on my part.

77Ranger460

Theres no need to fix the hole if the OP grinds out the rust back to good metal and treats the bare edges.

bassJAM

He already said there's a 2" hole, and it sounds like there's a larger area where the bed thickness is much thinner than it originally was after grinding. Even if it doesn't rust any more that area has been weakened. I'm not an **** person about looks, but I would fix that area for both functionality and safety as soon as possible.

77Ranger460

The truck sounds devalued already from rust. I wouldn't pay a body shop. If I though the hole were a safety issue, I would rivet or spot weld some sheet metal over it from the inside, put in a bedliner and ride on.

bossfrog

LOL Let me clarify for those advocating for an expensive repair. This is a 97 XLT 2x4 with 234,000 miles. It has rusted cab corners. It has a dent in the side of the bed. It's not a 2013 Lariat 4x4 in otherwise pristine condition with 50,000 miles. It's worth maybe 1800 and I paid 1500. I bought it 3 days ago specifically to use it to move lumber and building supplies this summer and fall. I'm going to sell it when I'm done working on my house. There's a time and place for everything. In this case, a drop-in liner fits the bill perfectly. Thanks to those who answered the question that I asked. Sounds like it really doesn't matter much.

bassJAM

If that's the case, I wouldn't even spend money on a drop in liner. Maybe try to find a deal on CL, otherwise I'd cut a sheet of 5/8" plywood to fit.

bossfrog

I did consider that. But I figured a liner would be more attractive to a buyer when I'm done with it. I might still go that route. Or maybe a mat?