Prepping for spray in bedliner, tailgate inspection panel screws (Bullet Liner, RDU area)

[inline_five]

I have got a bunch of bolts and threaded them into my bed pre-tapped holes so the spray in folks don't fill them. Only thing left is the tailgate inspection panel with it's 8x screws. As far as I can tell, these are sheet metal screws and not regular metric threaded ones.

Curious what others have done. I for sure don't want the inspection panel sealed in, but unsure if I could re-thread in the sheet metal screws.

I think these are them, off the Ford site:

Tail gate.. 2023 Ford Maverick 2.5L i-VCT FULL HYBRID EV-GAS (FHEV) A/T AWD XLT Crew Cab Pickup Fleetside | Lakeland Ford Online Parts, Lakeland FL

#5 screw

M4.2-1.41 X 25mm Hex Head Sems Tapping Screws Qty: 25 | eBay

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[Gschaef]

Have you spoke about this with your installer? A good one will take care of all this for you, including the tailgate. My installation included having them remove all bolts, screws and tie downs and inserting plugs into the holes. After spraying was done they removed the plugs and put back all the hardware. No prep needed.

 

[MavChris]

I had mine done at Line-X last year. They took care of all of that. They did an excellent job. The spray in bedliner itself has held up very well. Don't overthink it, that is what you are paying them for. If anything talk with the installer when you drop it off and let them know your expectations.

 

[inline_five]

Have you spoke about this with your installer? A good one will take care of all this for you, including the tailgate. My installation included having them remove all bolts, screws and tie downs and inserting plugs into the holes. After spraying was done they removed the plugs and put back all the hardware. No prep needed.

I had mine done at Line-X last year. They took care of all of that. They did an excellent job. The spray in bedliner itself has held up very well. Don't overthink it, that is what you are paying them for. If anything talk with the installer when you drop it off and let them know your expectations.

Bullet Liner in Raleigh said I had to do it. My bed looks like it’s getting spinal surgery lol. I’ve spent like $30 on bolts so far.

 

[Gschaef]

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I would be reluctant to use an installer that doesn’t do this for you unless they are giving you a good discount or unless there is no one else in your area. If something bad happens with overfill they can just blame you. No idea what the going rate is in Michigan but somewhere around $600 seems to be a good average overall judging from the forum, and that includes them doing all the prep. Of course if you find someone else then you lost $30 on bolts. Good luck and I hope it ends up looking great.

 

[inline_five]

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I would be reluctant to use an installer that doesn’t do this for you unless they are giving you a good discount or unless there is no one else in your area. If something bad happens with overfill they can just blame you. No idea what the going rate is in Michigan but somewhere around $600 seems to be a good average overall judging from the forum, and that includes them doing all the prep. Of course if you find someone else then you lost $30 on bolts. Good luck and I hope it ends up looking great.

$595 + tax but certainly not discounted

The bullet liner included UV which lineX includes on its higher end sprays.

Yeah I was kinda miffed as well. For $600 you’d think they’d do everything.

I’m not sure what to do, the Bullet Liner place looked pretty sketch it was just a one man shop, and wasn’t even that much cheaper.

 

[MavChris]

$595 + tax but certainly not discounted

The bullet liner included UV which lineX includes on its higher end sprays.

Yeah I was kinda miffed as well. For $600 you’d think they’d do everything.

I’m not sure what to do, the Bullet Liner place looked pretty sketch it was just a one man shop, and wasn’t even that much cheaper.

I paid $590 out the door (last year). I wasn't interested in their premium coating with the UV protection since I have a tri fold cover over the bed.

 

[Gschaef]

$595 + tax but certainly not discounted

The bullet liner included UV which lineX includes on its higher end sprays.

Yeah I was kinda miffed as well. For $600 you’d think they’d do everything.

I’m not sure what to do, the Bullet Liner place looked pretty sketch it was just a one man shop, and wasn’t even that much cheaper.

If you don’t have any other installers around then you’re kind of stuck. One question I would suggest you asking him is how long it takes to do the job. A couple places I called said they only needed my truck a couple of hours and I avoided them. Seemed like a spray and run shop. My installer needed it for the day. It took them a few hours to do the job and then they wanted to make sure it dried evenly with no imperfections before releasing it.

As far as your tailgate screws go, you should be fine. I have watched several videos where people installed drop in bed liners on their Mav and they seemed to remove and replace the eight bolts on the taillgate with no problem. You might search for some of those videos under drop in bed liners on the forum to give you a better idea. Again, good luck.

 

[Oscarcat]

I have got a bunch of bolts and threaded them into my bed pre-tapped holes so the spray in folks don't fill them. Only thing left is the tailgate inspection panel with it's 8x screws. As far as I can tell, these are sheet metal screws and not regular metric threaded ones.

Curious what others have done. I for sure don't want the inspection panel sealed in, but unsure if I could re-thread in the sheet metal screws.

I think these are them, off the Ford site:

Tail gate.. 2023 Ford Maverick 2.5L i-VCT FULL HYBRID EV-GAS (FHEV) A/T AWD XLT Crew Cab Pickup Fleetside | Lakeland Ford Online Parts, Lakeland FL

#5 screw

M4.2-1.41 X 25mm Hex Head Sems Tapping Screws Qty: 25 | eBay

My 2022 EB = There are several Line-X dealers in my general geo area. I showed one that Ford charges $495 from the factory for SIBL, and they matched it for cash. I did not remove any fasteners, they did it all.

My 2024 hybrid has factory SIBL. I like the coverage on the Line-X job better. Factory does not spray the rail below the rear window nor the entire tailgate. WTF?

 

[Paulyz]

I have got a bunch of bolts and threaded them into my bed pre-tapped holes so the spray in folks don't fill them. Only thing left is the tailgate inspection panel with it's 8x screws. As far as I can tell, these are sheet metal screws and not regular metric threaded ones.

Curious what others have done. I for sure don't want the inspection panel sealed in, but unsure if I could re-thread in the sheet metal screws.

I think these are them, off the Ford site:

Tail gate.. 2023 Ford Maverick 2.5L i-VCT FULL HYBRID EV-GAS (FHEV) A/T AWD XLT Crew Cab Pickup Fleetside | Lakeland Ford Online Parts, Lakeland FL

#5 screw

M4.2-1.41 X 25mm Hex Head Sems Tapping Screws Qty: 25 | eBay

I had Bullit Liner in Green Bay, WI do my SPBL & They took care of all that & did an excellent job. I also had them do my rustproofing and undercoating.

 

[Gschaef]

And make sure to get Bullet Liner’s warranty in writing. Reputable installers will give a lifetime guarantee.

 

[rttgnck]

My installer removed nothing except the cubby panel. All screws were sprayed over all the brackets were sprayed over. Only the drain holes were plugged. I'd have to remove the tailgate screws and cut around the panel now to add the power lock to my tailgate.

 

[inline_five]

My 2022 EB = There are several Line-X dealers in my general geo area. I showed one that Ford charges $495 from the factory for SIBL, and they matched it for cash. I did not remove any fasteners, they did it all.

My 2024 hybrid has factory SIBL. I like the coverage on the Line-X job better. Factory does not spray the rail below the rear window nor the entire tailgate. WTF?

I called line-x in my area, put me more at ease. Same price but for the non-UV SIBL which Bullet includes in their $600 price. So, still insure of what to do, since I've already got the holes plugged up.

 

[inline_five]

My installer removed nothing except the cubby panel. All screws were sprayed over all the brackets were sprayed over. Only the drain holes were plugged. I'd have to remove the tailgate screws and cut around the panel now to add the power lock to my tailgate.

Guessing this is going to vary dealer by dealer. Shame there is no standard at least per brand. This is why I asked. I want all the threaded holes 100% open so I can add stuff later.

That's total BS they didn't even remove the inspection panel though. What a crock of crap.

 

[inline_five]

If you don’t have any other installers around then you’re kind of stuck. One question I would suggest you asking him is how long it takes to do the job. A couple places I called said they only needed my truck a couple of hours and I avoided them. Seemed like a spray and run shop. My installer needed it for the day. It took them a few hours to do the job and then they wanted to make sure it dried evenly with no imperfections before releasing it.

As far as your tailgate screws go, you should be fine. I have watched several videos where people installed drop in bed liners on their Mav and they seemed to remove and replace the eight bolts on the taillgate with no problem. You might search for some of those videos under drop in bed liners on the forum to give you a better idea. Again, good luck.

Thanks, I think I'm just going to remove the inspection panel ahead of time so they can't screw it up. Only thing left to do on my end.

I've considered the Raptor DIY option because this is going to be light duty but I figure for the $400 difference in price I'd rather have the better product on the bed.

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