2007 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7L V8 Limited
Pyrite Mica, Standard Bed, 20" Alloy Wheels

Owner: WileETundra



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Installation Report:  LINE-X Spray-in Bed Liner

Project Description
My Tundra was only two weeks old and I wanted to get a bedliner installed before using it for any serious duty.  I had a factory drop-in liner on my 2002 Tacoma and it protected the bed OK but it also warped, rattled, and was stained by some deck sealer so I wasn't thrilled about getting another drop-in product.  After a lot of research on the web forums I decided to go with the LINE-X spray-in liner.  There were several installers close to my home but I found some very positive reviews for the Franklin, TN location so I made an appointment and hoped it would be worth the extra distance.

The service day arrived and by sheer luck it was a beautiful sunny spring day so my truck was fairly clean, dry, and still like new even though it had a little bit of dust and haze leftover from some rain earlier in the week.  My appointment was from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.  Keith and I both showed up a little early to do the paperwork then he got started right on time and had me out of there by 5:00 sharp as promised.  The installation process is detailed below although I may have skipped a few small things or posted the steps slightly out of order since I was busy talking to Keith and watching the work to see how it is done.

Photos
(click on any photo to see a larger version)

BEFORE INSTALLATION
Rear Tailgate With Camera:
 Left Exterior Of Bed,
LINE-X Shop In Background:
Left Side Of Cab, Just In Case Of Damage:
 Right Side Of Tundra:
Rear View Showing Minor Dirt And
Haze Leftover From Rain (Not Scratches):
 Left Side Of Bed 1:
Left Side Of Bed 2:
 Left Side Of Bed 3:
Right Side Of Bed 1:
 Right Side Of Bed 2:
Right Side Of Bed 3:
 Tailgate 1:
Tailgate 2, Bright Sun:
PREPARATION
LINE-X of Franklin, TN:
 Tailgate And Bed Rails
Have Been Removed:
Taping The Right Side Of The Bed:
 Right Side Of The Bed
With Bolt Holes Plugged:
Tailgate With Access Plate Removed,
Then Covered And Taped:
 Tailgate Surface Is Scuffed
And Sanded - OUCH!
SPRAYING
Inside The Spraying Area (Empty):
 Front Of Truck Being Sealed
Off From Spraying Area:
Bed Area Being Covered And Taped 1:
 Bed Area Being Covered And Taped 2:
Bed Area Being Covered And Taped 3:
 Foam Tube Provides Tight
Seal Between Cab And Bed:
Tailgate In Spraying Area Ready To Go:
 Tailgate Just Out Of The Spraying Area,
Drying And Cooling Off Rapidly:
Tailgate Latch And Camera Mechanism
After Tape Was Peeled Off:
FINISHED PRODUCT
Right Side Of Bed 1:
 Right Side Of Bed 2:
Right Side Of Bed 3:
 Right Side Of Bed 4:
Left Side Of Bed 1:
 Left Side Of Bed 2:
Left Side Of Bed 3:
 Left Tailgate Latch Showing
Smooth Tapered Edge:
LINE-X Logo Embossed On Left Side
Of Bed, Nice Touch & Proof Of Warranty:
 Front Rail 1:
Front Rail 2:
 Front Bed Plugs:
Right Tailgate Latch Not Affected,
Opens And Closes Easily:
 Camera Wiring Harness Not Affected:
Side View Of Tailgate:
 Rear View Of Entire Bed, Ready For Action:

Parts & Cost

  1. My truck was done in March 2007 by the following dealer for $374 plus tax.  My installer was Keith Jaggers (the shop owner) but Keith later sold this franchise location to another owner.  I can't vouch for the new owner but they are probably just as good:
    LINE-X of Franklin
    4211 S. Carothers Road
    Franklin, TN, 37067
    Phone: 615-599-1115
    Web: click here
    Email: FranklinTN@Line-X.com

Tools
(just the major items, not a complete list)

  1. None

Install Process

  1. The truck was backed into an open garage bay.
  2. The tailgate was removed and set on a cushioned support.
  3. The camera connector was taped off underneath the truck.
  4. The 3 bed rails and 4 corner tie-down hooks were unbolted and removed from the inside of the bed.
  5. The 6 large silver screws were removed from the bottom of the bed.
  6. The tailgate access panel was removed to expose the inner latch, lock, and camera mechanisms.  All bolts and small parts were set aside in a large plastic tub.
  7. The tailgate was covered with paper and masking tape to protect all areas that were not to be sprayed.
  8. An orbital air sander with 80-grit sandpaper was used to quickly scuff up all painted surfaces of the bed and tailgate that would be sprayed.  This was painful to watch but was mercifully done in just 15 minutes.
  9. The bolt holes in the bed were filled with plugs of rolled up masking tape to prevent them from being filled when sprayed.
  10. The truck was backed into a huge spraying area that was sealed off by tarps hanging from the ceiling on 3 sides.  The front of this area had an opening which was just wide enough to accept the bed and then another tarp was lowered between the front of the bed and the cab to seal off the front.
  11. The rear of the truck and exterior of the bed were covered with paper and masking tape to protect all areas that were not to be sprayed.  A wide foam tube was inserted between the front of the bed and the cab to ensure a tight seal against the protective tarps.
  12. The tailgate and access panel were moved to cushioned stands inside the spraying area and the tarps were locked in place with clips.
  13. Keith dawned a protective cotton suit, shoes, balaclava, and forced air breathing mask.
  14. Compressors and spraying mechanisms were turned on, the spray gun was connected and cleaned out, then the bed and tailgate parts were sprayed.  This step was completed in just 20 minutes which was surprisingly fast but I was still pacing the whole time like an expectant father waiting in the ER.
  15. The equipment was turned off and the tarps were opened.
  16. The tailgate and access panel were moved back to the garage bay.  The sprayed surfaces were still warm but already dry to the touch.  This was my first look at the liner material and I was in awe.  It was very even, sharp looking, great traction, and had a nice solid feel to it.  Now I was really anxious to see the finished result.
  17. The foam tube, tarps, and paper were removed from the rear of the truck and it was moved back to the garage bay.
  18. The remaining paper and masking tape were removed from the tailgate and bed areas which left me wondering about the edges of the sprayed areas which seemed to be uneven.  Not to worry: Keith had installed a thin wire under the liner where all the seams needed to be, so he just used a pair of pliers to pull the wire up through the liner material which then cut off the seams as neat and even as any factory installation you have ever seen.  Keith explained that the wire can be pulled in several ways to make the liner look thicker but this would leave sharp edges so he pulled the wire in towards the bed at an angle which left the edges smooth and evenly sloped.
  19. The 6 large silver screws, 3 bed rails, and 4 corner tie-down hooks were reinstalled in the bed.
  20. The tailgate was reassembled and installed on the truck then the camera was reconnected.  The gate shut perfectly and everything fit just as it had prior to the liner being installed.
  21. There really wasn't any cleanup needed except a few tiny black specks of liner material which fell off of the tarps or paper and were laying lose inside the bed or clinging to the exterior of the truck via static attraction.  These disappeared as soon as I pulled the truck out and drove down the road to get gas.  I carefully inspected the entire truck and didn't find a single scratch or blemish so the protective measures obviously did their job.

Total Time:  ~3 hours including prep and cleanup

Comments


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