Bedliner - Drop-in vs Spray-in - Help me Decide!

[Toddman45]

If you're going to use your bed a lot to haul stuff get a spray in if it's just for going to the store to buy shit get a drop in.

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[Jah.]

I went cheap . bought ford ranger dibl ($25 on Craigslist) and cut to fit using jigsaw . even has ford logo on piece near cab bulkhead and extra pieces used for tailgate . works for me . plus not much was available 2 3/4 years ago .

 

[Tbone289]

Spray in is superior in every way except absorbing impacts, but you could buy a mat to use for the occasions when impact absorption is needed. It also could possibly experience damage from abrasion over a long period of use, but can be touched up. I wouldn't put anything in my bed that could trap water and dirt as drop-ins do.

 

[MiMav]

I prefer and bought the SIBL. I also have some hard rubber mat material that was being thrown out at my work that I cut to size and put on the floor of the bed. With the mat I can easily slide items in and out.

 

[Graboid]

Why do OR when you can do AND?

My 24 XLT Tremor came with the DIBL standard, transitioned to the SIBL to better protect the box from moisture/rust, but retained the floor portion of the DIBL for both impact protection and ability to slide heavy objects. Has been the perfect solution for me

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...x-the-modular-drop-in-liner.45878/post-947794

 

[Tim d]

So, my 2025 is finally scheduled, and I'm anticipating delivery by end of January! I ordered without any bedliner to ensure there was nothing that could possibly hold up my order (in case of supply constraints). Originally, I had planned to have a SIBL added after delivery locally - but I'm second-guessing that choice now after giving it some more thought and looking into the Modular DIBL. I've got some pros & cons listed below - please weigh in with your experience, especially those of you who deal with Midwest Winters and/or have had both on your Maverick!

Spray-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Tougher	More expensive ($600-700 ish, high estimate)
More complete coverage (if done after delivery)	Grippy surface (yes, a con for me)
No concerns with water getting behind it	Difficult to keep clean over time

Drop-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Cheaper (especially after applying Ford Pass Points & waiting for a sale)	Multiple pieces = chance for water to get in behind
Slick surface (much easier for sliding cargo around, which I do often)	Less durable?
Easy to clean	Less coverage, especially near tailgate gap

Some other things to bear in mind:

• I'll have a tonneau cover on no matter what.
• I'll be parking in my garage, but I live near Indianapolis, so salty & slushy roads are standard in the winter.
• I have no problem installing the modular liner myself.
• I've used high-quality plastic & spray-in bedliners in the past, and I've actually preferred the slicker surface of the plastic ones.
• I was going to use the Ford Pass points for some floormats, but since they were reduced from 42k to 31k for a new vehicle, I'm just considering them a discount on anything I want since I can get higher-quality floormats elsewhere for less money. Big bummer here.

This is my first new vehicle (ever) - I want it to last as long as possible, but I really think the DIBL might be more to my liking, and seeing as the truck is at the top of my budget, I'm thinking the extra $$$ saved might make it a solid choice. So, what say you, MTC? Convince me one way or the other!

I prefer the drop in for the reason that you can place a heavy object on it,easily slide it in place,then secure it. The fact it's cheaper is a bonus. With a spray in you have to get up in the box and lift it to get it in place since it won't slide. I've had one in my ram for 15 years...no it doesn't make the box rust. Happy with the drop in liner in our maverick. Of note,the maverick is smaller/ shorter so easier to access items in the box, but still easier overall than the spray in.

 

[Oscarcat]

So, my 2025 is finally scheduled, and I'm anticipating delivery by end of January! I ordered without any bedliner to ensure there was nothing that could possibly hold up my order (in case of supply constraints). Originally, I had planned to have a SIBL added after delivery locally - but I'm second-guessing that choice now after giving it some more thought and looking into the Modular DIBL. I've got some pros & cons listed below - please weigh in with your experience, especially those of you who deal with Midwest Winters and/or have had both on your Maverick!

Spray-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Tougher	More expensive ($600-700 ish, high estimate)
More complete coverage (if done after delivery)	Grippy surface (yes, a con for me)
No concerns with water getting behind it	Difficult to keep clean over time

Drop-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Cheaper (especially after applying Ford Pass Points & waiting for a sale)	Multiple pieces = chance for water to get in behind
Slick surface (much easier for sliding cargo around, which I do often)	Less durable?
Easy to clean	Less coverage, especially near tailgate gap

Some other things to bear in mind:

• I'll have a tonneau cover on no matter what.
• I'll be parking in my garage, but I live near Indianapolis, so salty & slushy roads are standard in the winter.
• I have no problem installing the modular liner myself.
• I've used high-quality plastic & spray-in bedliners in the past, and I've actually preferred the slicker surface of the plastic ones.
• I was going to use the Ford Pass points for some floormats, but since they were reduced from 42k to 31k for a new vehicle, I'm just considering them a discount on anything I want since I can get higher-quality floormats elsewhere for less money. Big bummer here.

This is my first new vehicle (ever) - I want it to last as long as possible, but I really think the DIBL might be more to my liking, and seeing as the truck is at the top of my budget, I'm thinking the extra $$$ saved might make it a solid choice. So, what say you, MTC? Convince me one way or the other!

I prefer SIBL. The product is very durable, it is grippy so things don't slide, moisture doesn't form under it. As it ages it becomes flat black. When I spilled some paint on it, I cleaned most off but used flat black spray to make it look new again.

Price - I have had both LineX and Rhino. Ford charges $495 and doesn't coat the top rail under the window or the entire tailgate. The others do.
I called my LineX dealer b/c the close Rhino dealer moved, and was quoted $795. I told the guy this is a trucklet, Ford charges $495 and said I would like to pay cash with five $100 bills. The next day I had a beautiful job.

Note that at least on the pre 2025 models, there is an open seam on both sides of the bed where the fenders meet the bed. It attracts all types of debris. I did not like this so I purchased a tube of 3M automotive grade seam caulk and caulked the seams before they applied the SIBL.

 

[Aherpa]

So, my 2025 is finally scheduled, and I'm anticipating delivery by end of January! I ordered without any bedliner to ensure there was nothing that could possibly hold up my order (in case of supply constraints). Originally, I had planned to have a SIBL added after delivery locally - but I'm second-guessing that choice now after giving it some more thought and looking into the Modular DIBL. I've got some pros & cons listed below - please weigh in with your experience, especially those of you who deal with Midwest Winters and/or have had both on your Maverick!

Spray-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Tougher	More expensive ($600-700 ish, high estimate)
More complete coverage (if done after delivery)	Grippy surface (yes, a con for me)
No concerns with water getting behind it	Difficult to keep clean over time

Drop-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Cheaper (especially after applying Ford Pass Points & waiting for a sale)	Multiple pieces = chance for water to get in behind
Slick surface (much easier for sliding cargo around, which I do often)	Less durable?
Easy to clean	Less coverage, especially near tailgate gap

Some other things to bear in mind:

• I'll have a tonneau cover on no matter what.
• I'll be parking in my garage, but I live near Indianapolis, so salty & slushy roads are standard in the winter.
• I have no problem installing the modular liner myself.
• I've used high-quality plastic & spray-in bedliners in the past, and I've actually preferred the slicker surface of the plastic ones.
• I was going to use the Ford Pass points for some floormats, but since they were reduced from 42k to 31k for a new vehicle, I'm just considering them a discount on anything I want since I can get higher-quality floormats elsewhere for less money. Big bummer here.

This is my first new vehicle (ever) - I want it to last as long as possible, but I really think the DIBL might be more to my liking, and seeing as the truck is at the top of my budget, I'm thinking the extra $$$ saved might make it a solid choice. So, what say you, MTC? Convince me one way or the other!

If you want cargo to stay put, a spray-in liner allows less sliding around than a drop-in. Of course you could paint the drop-in with bedliner 'paint' but it adds to the cost.
That 'grabby' property of spray-in liners can make pulling heavier cargo out of the bed harder though, and it can gouge the lining.
What you plan to carry may decide which way you go.

 

[mechgingeneet]

All of these replies have been super helpful, thanks everyone! Still think I'm leaning DIBL, but I'm going to ask around with a few folks I know who have had them in other trucks for many years to see if local rust & salt have been a problem for them. I've seen it both ways!

 

[IndyHavoc]

Also in Indianapolis. With the tonneau cover for my Maverick, I chose to go even cheaper with just the full length BedRug. Been very VERY happy with it through 1-1.5 years and 24k miles. Allows me to not scratch anything up, but still do truck stuff like bed tent camping, hauling furniture (again, the slidy / carpet surface is perfect for this).

Just trying to further muddy the waters with option #3

 

[mechgingeneet]

Also in Indianapolis. With the tonneau cover for my Maverick, I chose to go even cheaper with just the full length BedRug. Been very VERY happy with it through 1-1.5 years and 24k miles. Allows me to not scratch anything up, but still do truck stuff like bed tent camping, hauling furniture (again, the slidy / carpet surface is perfect for this).

Just trying to further muddy the waters with option #3

Darn you! Though, I will say, I anticipate using the 2x6 Slots basically all the time (groceries, hauling bikes, 4x8 sheets of plywood, etc), so protecting the sides is a big draw for me as well. I know you can get carpeted liners for the whole bed, but I've never really liked the way they look...

 

[Cyberwiz64]

When I ordered my 2023 XL, I ordered it with the SIBL. The dealer called and someone had walked away from a 2023 with the DIBL. I had not gotten and confirmation that my truck would even be built so I jumped into the deal for the XL with the DIBL.

After about a month, I ordered a folding tonneau cover and had to remove the side of the SIBL to drill the drain tubing for the cover. When I removed the bottom piece I found leaves underneath it. The truck had only been at the dealer for a couple days when I picked it up and I had it my driveway for about another 30 days. In that small amount of time leaves had worked underneath. The leaves were also quite damp.

I took it to Line-X a few weeks later for a SIBL. I am happy with it. It does not provide impact protection but it also does get humidity underneath it.

I am in South Florida and I have seen ugly rust build up underneath the DIBL. If you opt for the DIBL I would calendar every so often to check underneath and make sure there is nothing there.

Good luck either way.

 

[Cyberwiz64]

Does the DIBL get in the way of the bed extender option?

 

[PRH]

So, my 2025 is finally scheduled, and I'm anticipating delivery by end of January! I ordered without any bedliner to ensure there was nothing that could possibly hold up my order (in case of supply constraints). Originally, I had planned to have a SIBL added after delivery locally - but I'm second-guessing that choice now after giving it some more thought and looking into the Modular DIBL. I've got some pros & cons listed below - please weigh in with your experience, especially those of you who deal with Midwest Winters and/or have had both on your Maverick!

Spray-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Tougher	More expensive ($600-700 ish, high estimate)
More complete coverage (if done after delivery)	Grippy surface (yes, a con for me)
No concerns with water getting behind it	Difficult to keep clean over time

Drop-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Cheaper (especially after applying Ford Pass Points & waiting for a sale)	Multiple pieces = chance for water to get in behind
Slick surface (much easier for sliding cargo around, which I do often)	Less durable?
Easy to clean	Less coverage, especially near tailgate gap

Some other things to bear in mind:

• I'll have a tonneau cover on no matter what.
• I'll be parking in my garage, but I live near Indianapolis, so salty & slushy roads are standard in the winter.
• I have no problem installing the modular liner myself.
• I've used high-quality plastic & spray-in bedliners in the past, and I've actually preferred the slicker surface of the plastic ones.
• I was going to use the Ford Pass points for some floormats, but since they were reduced from 42k to 31k for a new vehicle, I'm just considering them a discount on anything I want since I can get higher-quality floormats elsewhere for less money. Big bummer here.

This is my first new vehicle (ever) - I want it to last as long as possible, but I really think the DIBL might be more to my liking, and seeing as the truck is at the top of my budget, I'm thinking the extra $$$ saved might make it a solid choice. So, what say you, MTC? Convince me one way or the other!

I purposefully got a drop in bed liner from factory as, at that point, we had the choice (have had in all my trucks). I personally think they are MORE durable (certainly better impact resistance). Water behind has never been a concern and never really caused any damage over my years of owning a truck (lived in Northern Ont where they use plenty of salt). Just spray under and over side gaps periodically in spring . Just my thoughts....

 

[Paulyz]

So, my 2025 is finally scheduled, and I'm anticipating delivery by end of January! I ordered without any bedliner to ensure there was nothing that could possibly hold up my order (in case of supply constraints). Originally, I had planned to have a SIBL added after delivery locally - but I'm second-guessing that choice now after giving it some more thought and looking into the Modular DIBL. I've got some pros & cons listed below - please weigh in with your experience, especially those of you who deal with Midwest Winters and/or have had both on your Maverick!

Spray-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Tougher	More expensive ($600-700 ish, high estimate)
More complete coverage (if done after delivery)	Grippy surface (yes, a con for me)
No concerns with water getting behind it	Difficult to keep clean over time

Drop-in Bedliner

Pros​	Cons​
Cheaper (especially after applying Ford Pass Points & waiting for a sale)	Multiple pieces = chance for water to get in behind
Slick surface (much easier for sliding cargo around, which I do often)	Less durable?
Easy to clean	Less coverage, especially near tailgate gap

Some other things to bear in mind:

• I'll have a tonneau cover on no matter what.
• I'll be parking in my garage, but I live near Indianapolis, so salty & slushy roads are standard in the winter.
• I have no problem installing the modular liner myself.
• I've used high-quality plastic & spray-in bedliners in the past, and I've actually preferred the slicker surface of the plastic ones.
• I was going to use the Ford Pass points for some floormats, but since they were reduced from 42k to 31k for a new vehicle, I'm just considering them a discount on anything I want since I can get higher-quality floormats elsewhere for less money. Big bummer here.

This is my first new vehicle (ever) - I want it to last as long as possible, but I really think the DIBL might be more to my liking, and seeing as the truck is at the top of my budget, I'm thinking the extra $$$ saved might make it a solid choice. So, what say you, MTC? Convince me one way or the other!

This was also my 1st. Brand new vehicle & I plan on keeping it a long time.
And since the price was great I got the SIBL, Weathertech Splash Guards, rustproofing & undercoating from Bullet Liner in Green Bay. They also did the SIBL. Great work. I also installed the Truxedo Sentry hard roll up tonneau cover.

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