Very nice look, but it appears that it would convert the bed to pretty much exclusive "show truck" status. Kinda looks like sliding anything in the bed from coolers to golf bags, etc. etc. would quickly scratch up those strips.
They sure are pretty but just because of what you say. Mine are slingshot yellow and came with the truck but I am afraid to scratch them so I have a custom made Lloyds rear carpet in the back area so you don't see them. For bragging rights and upping the sale price I guess.
I have the same concern for my wooden slats. So I used a Simple-Engineering fender gripper as a slat protector when it isn't utilized as a real fender gripper which is most of the time. I had to store it somewhere, so why not?
My truck is a driver. It's not a show queen nor am I concerned about resale value. By the time I get done with it, I will have wrung every mile out of it will need a total rebuild. That said, I use a mat in the back not to protect the bed strips but to keep things from sliding around. Mike's fender cover works just fine but a 40" wide yoga/workout mat does the trick as well for less than half the cost.
As stated by others, they look great on a silver truck, and they look great on a black truck. And I think they'd look great on my 06 black/silver truck! Maybe even better than the wood slats. Ive been watching for a set to come up on the "parts for sale" section. Now I know where I can get a set!
Are some of these polished and some are satin finished? I have a set of the satin finish in my 05 and a new set but both are satin finished. Wasn't there some polished made by Floyd?