We also had our truck, spray lined with a colour matching Rhino liner, when it was new. Our old truck had a bed liner insert, which was a bad mistake and I will never use one again. We also used a rubber bed mat, which we kept and fits over the Rhino in our new bed. We also had the tailgate covered, but not the rail caps, because of the factory installed protection. Nothing slides about, there is no rust or chipping, and the Rhino has a life time warranty. It's been a perfect combination.

Gard

Houndog, I've considered most of your posts good info, but the above post is serious fightin words pilgrim!

I've got a 6.9 ford diesel (navistar) that I purchased new in 1985 and right now it's in the second truck with almost 400k miles on it and they were not easy miles either!  My personal truck is a 2001 superduty with the 7.3 (navistar) with almost 90k miles on it and the only problem has been a recall on the cam position sensor.  I get great fuel milage, cost of operation/mile is incredibly low compared to other vehicles that I've driven as company trucks and if you want to get something started, keep bad mouthing my 6.9 and 7.3 ford diesels!

deranger

The statement I made about V8 diesels is not just one of mine. Its a fact. I've had many good diesel mechanics working on ALL kinds of equipment warn/advise about v8 diesels and life span.Thats why virtually NONE are used in over the road rigs anymore.They have been tried in that application in the past and have not returned.Wonder why? I like Powerstrokes just fine but they are rated as light duty engines.Which is based on engine hours and load..Just a fact.Thats why the SAME Cummins inline used in Dodge trucks is a OPTION in FORD 650 series and is rated MEDIUM duty.I'd take a clean early 03 7.3 any day of the week but its NOT a Cummins or a Cat and so on.Neither is a Duramax.Its also a LIGHT duty diesel.Nothing to fight about.I didn't just MAKE that up.

It might be a fact in limited areas, but not in my area.  Plus, you said that V-8's don't work in over the road tractors.  Wrong again!  Do you have any idea how many CAT 3208 diesel motors are powering over the road tractors?  A lot!  Have any ideal how many 1000 CID Cat motors @ 500 hp are powering heavy hauler rigs that have at least 34 wheels?  A lot!  Ever thought about how many Mack trucks roll off the assembly line with V-8 motors in them?  A lot!  By the way, those are the Macks with a cute little 500hp emblem on the lower right hand corner of the grill.  Ever thought about how many V-8 motors there are in buses?  I'm sorry, I guess I should clarify......V-8, 6.9L Navistar motors?  Just a few since the early 60's and then they switched to the 7.3L.  And I think I've even seen "a few" Detriot Diesels in the V-8 configuration in my life time as well? 

One last point; my diesel mechanic that I've been using for a number years drove 5.9L Cummins for years.......up until recently.  Last year, he purchased a used Super Duty with a 7.3L Navistar V-8 Diesel engine in it!  He took some good natured ribbing from me for a few minutes and finally admitted that if you took care of them properly, they had good power, good cost of operation/mile, sounded like a real truck rather than a farm tractor with straight exhaust.  He convinced me to install a Super Chip in my truck after he had driven his with it.  I gave it a try and gained 2mpg along with an honest 80 hp increase.  Right now, with exhaust modes, air cleaner modes and the Super Chip on the middle setting (80hp), I'm close to 400hp at the flywheel and I can still drive it to church on Sunday if I want to.  I guess you could say, I'm thrilled with my V-8 diesel and I think six cylinder diesels should only be used in farm tractors, contruction equipment, irragation pumps............and maybe emergency generators! 

deranger......the happy owner of 3 real diesels..........V-8's that is!

One other suggestion; my neighbor did his truck bed himself.  Purchased the kit, took a Saturday and did the whole job in one day by himself.  It was black and I thought it looked as good as any proffesional job I had seen.  Haven't seen the truck recently to see how it held up, but that is another alternative the very expensive Linex or Rhino.

deranger

deranger .....Was that one of those  http://www.herculiner.com/  kits?

Seem to recall seeing some of those "V" diesels in Locomotives and several makes of sea worthy ships!! LOL! They're all good until something goes to @#$%^&*(!!

Here's a connecting rod comparison... Don't mean a thing.

Sounds vaguely familiar?  I think he bought it at Lowes or Home Depot if I remember right.  I know he got it locally and a couple of his buddies that he works with and hunts with had done their trucks and that's how he got the idea.  I guess I could give him a call and see if I can get more info?  I remember that the kit came compete right down to disposable gloves.  Once you are done, you throw everything away.  Stuff sets up like cement and the roller, along with everything else went in the trash.

deranger

Saw a do it your self one about 5 years ago.Was done in a 1972 Bronco being restored.It was ok.Looked nothing like a pro job.It was the whole floor pan etc.It  got covered with a runner mat.The kits and product  might have improved since.

Duramax/Ford light duty diesels .Its THEIR rating not mine.Cummins/mid duty.Then again its THEIR rating not mine.Number 1 hotshotter truck on the road and then again its not a Ford or Gm product .Wonder why? V8 diesels of any manufacture don't have the longevity or low end torque of inline.Its just a fact not my opinion. Do it yourself BED LINER will not be as nice as a pro installed .Just a fact.

houndog, what's a hot shotter and how do you get to be a #1 hotshotter?  What's the criteria?  Who competes and who judges?

deranger

RED ALERT!!

You need to work on those facts...., LOL!! Ford owns Cummins... LOL!! Ford owned a tiny piece of Cummins years ago, they sold it off long time ago.

Ya'll quit bickering be glad you got a choice, then, come shovel the snow off my wheelchair ramp!! We got about 6" already!! When you get done, I'll pour you a big ole' glass of Patrón Tequila - Patrón Spirits!!!

The push back line tugs that we use to move airplanes, are equipped with single engine, V-8 Detroit Diesels. They are used aprox 16-18 hrs a day, pushing and towing loads in excess of a quarter of a million pounds. If you're discussing torque, you should consider the initial movement of a 300,000# Boeing, when its 10 tires are frozen on the tarmac. The DD engine life spans are years' long, and their reliability is remarkable.

"Its just a fact ".  Not really

Gard

 How the heck do you make light of a subject when you are spoutin' off all the "facts" everyone time you post something on this thread!?!?!?!?!?!

I'll bet your Ford is not a 7.3?  And I'll lay odds your chevy isn't a diesel if you tow with it instead of your Ford?  Are you doing a consumer test to see which truck you like best since you own a Ford and Chevy? Just wondering?

deranger