I was planning on putting in a Line-X bedliner on my new '03.

However, the first time I put something relatively heavy in the bed it put a dent in the tailgate, on the inside. My old F100 would not have been dented by this load. I notice that the bed creaks when I walk around in it, and sounds a lot weaker than my old truck's was. Have they cheaped out on the beds on the new trucks?

Anyways, I was wondering if its possible to take the tailgate apart to pound out the small dent on the inside before I get it sprayed. I have scratches and stuff on the paint of the inside of the bed but I don't care about that, because that will be sprayed over, but the dent would probably be visible once all is said and done.

Thanks!

Edit: Oh yeah, there are bolts along the inside of the tailgate, does that allow the inner panel of the tailgate to come off? If so, that would seem to make my job easier.

Secondly, is this something I should have the dealer do, since its only a month or two old (the truck that is).

 

Can't really answer any of your questions but, have you considered using bondo to fill the dent? If it gets covered anyway it wouldn't have to be a great job.

 

i know what you mean about the going on the cheap, my old ramcharger's tailgate(lower half) must have weighed 100 pounds, and was heavy to lift back up, my 99 is alot easier but cheaper feeling...they had to make it lighter for all of the ladies who are buying these trucks, or driving there husbands truck!!


moose

 

if you used the bond would it crack or crumble over time or if something heavy was dropped on it!

 

don't use body filler anywhere there will be weight, aka a tailgate. It will not hold up and I suspect it will not bond well with the Line-x. Your Line-x dealer should take that inner panel off and spray seperately (mine did) so you can access the tailgate handle for repair. You may also be able to access your dent through the panel, pending where your dent is. If anything just go to a bodyshop, have them use one of their welding dent pullers and rough it out. Then go get it sprayed. I love the Line-x I dragged a refrigerator across it in my truck and it did nothing to it. (Missing two wheels in the back)

Brian

 

How deep is the dent if you go with rhino they spry it on thick about 1/4 ''

 

It's between1/8" and 1/4", closer to an eight.

Edit: Is Rhino liner possibly better for helping avoid future dents? Most of what I read on these boards people seem to like Line-X the best.

 

I got mine in indy and not sure if this is the norm but if you look at the bed bolts they have washers on them after i had mine sprayed you can not see the washer that is how thick it is as for dents my buddy told me to get a bed mat if i plan on throwing things in my bed. need less to say i don't need a bed mat.I heard that line-x is hard to me that would show a dent more then rhino but i have never seen a line-x so i dont know anybody got some input.

John