1st Gen fitted bed rug and bed groove filler

Two questions:

1. Does anyone have a link or solution or template for a *fitted* 1st gen bed rug? Bedrug used to have a fitted bed rug that curved up the sides and snapped together, but they no longer sell 1st gen products They simply recommend their universal rug, which I don't want.

2. Has anyone been able to fill in the grooves in the 1st gen bed to make a flatter floor? I've got a dedicated camper setup and I don't want to add the weight or expense of a plywood floor, I just want my floor flatter under the above-wished-for fitted rug.

Thanks.

 

How bout a thin sheet of vaneer?
The high grooves would support it and its super light weight.

 

Years ago I bought a 6-foot length of 1/2-inch thick foam (couldn't find any thicker) and then cut it so it would fit between the wheel wells. On top of that I put a heavy rubber mat that I got from Pep Boys or O'Reily or somewhere... been so long I can't remember. Been using that for the last 31 years and I can tell you that it really keeps my knees protected (and I have sensitive knees). The first foam lasted 15-20 years. Had to replace it after it got all wet (forgot to close the drain on my ice chest!) and it got all moldy. I think Lowes charged me somewhere around $15 when I last replaced it.

 

Interesting idea. I keep thinking it’s plywood or nothing. Thanks.

 

So you basically cut strips foam rubber for the grooves, and then covered it. I’ve thought of that, but I know it’s difficult to cut foam rubber straight without a hot knife. Doable though. Could probably order the dimensions I want on Amazon or something.

Since these grooves have been a feature for the first 9 years of the 1st Gen, at least, I thought maybe there was a precut solution out there.

 

^^^^^^^This.

• Impact-absorbing textured nonslip surface
• Resilient neoprene rubber is waterproof, easy to clean
• Interlocking squares form multiple configurations
• 1/2 in. thick
• Each square: 25 in. x 25 in.

Assemble pieces and seal seams on underside with gorilla tape. May need 2 sets. Cut out for wheel wells. Use razor/utility knife to cut. Quick, easy, cheap. Doesn't fill in the grooves in the floor.

 

No, I didn't cut strips. I cut the length to fit from the front of the bed to the rear, and then cut out a part on each side to clear the wheel wells. I laid that on the bed and put my rubber mat on top of it. That gave me the knee protection that I was looking for. Has worked for me since 1990.

 

which direction did you end up going / did you ever find a bedrug? i'm looking for my 03 and currently have some gym mat locking pieces in the back which work but would still love to find one

 

Since Bedrug stopped selling the 1st gen rugs, I bought the universal Bedrug, used a 1st gen rubber mat as a pattern, and cut it to fit. There was enough to do the tailgate too.
I don't really notice the bed grooves much, due to the Bedrug being fairly substantial. YMMV, of course.

 

I too have gym mat locking pieces and am relatively OK with this setup. After all I can replace a damaged section without replacing the whole thing, it insulates to some degree. If I had my druthers I'd get one of those old kits that wrapped the entire bed inside with carpet, including all the way up the rails. I could get a carpet layer to install something like that and padding for probably a hefty price. I'll live with this for now.

 

Forgot to add that the Bedrug product is waterproof...

 

Just open and spread an 80lb bag of mortar and mist it with water to fill the channels lol

No matter what you do it's gonna add a few dozen lbs