Abstract: A protector (10) for a pickup truck (12) having a pair of sidewalls (14), a tool box (16) for holding tools (18) mounted on a cargo beg (20) and a lid (22) hinged to the tool box (16). The protector (10) comprises a mat (24) and a structure (26) for installing one edge (28) of the mat (24) within the tool box (16). When the lid (22) of the tool box (16) is opened, the mat (24) can be extended out of the tool box (16) to hang down over one sidewall (14) of the pickup truck (12), so as to prevent damage and scratches made to paint on the sidewall (14) when a person loads and unloads the tools (18) into and out of the tool box (16).