Diamondback SE - Install (warning - lots of Pics)

My diamond back covered arrived this afternoon and it took me about 3 hours to install. A lot of time was spent reviewing the directions and adjusting how the cover sat on the bed of the truck. The packaging, instructions, materials used, etc. are first rate and was really pleased with each of the components as I removed them form the box.

A few pictures of the box and unpacking below...

 

Post some pic Thor when you can. Awesome!!

 

What was a bit of a surprise was the required removal of the rail on the bed to install these small rubber pieces to support the center section of the Diamondback cover. Called customer support and said they were needed to support the center second as it bares most of the weight and will sag over time.

Took me a good 30 - 45 minutes to remove the plastic caps, clean each spot with alcohol, place the required pieces between 24 45 inches from the end, and then reinstall. Was warm outside so the caps for each side were easy to remove and did not break!

 

After aligning the center section on the bed, I put a little grease on each of the hinges to reduce wear and potential squeaking. I then installed the cab and tail gate sections of the cover. Spent a good 20 - 30 minutes making sure the front to back and side to side orientation was to my liking. Once done, I installed the C clamps to anchor the center section of the cover.

 

I found the adjustment of the locking rods to be the most time consuming. I wanted to get good compression but at the same time I did not want to over stress the rods and have a difficult time closing each of the end covers. I also installed the front seal (on the cab end) and once done, I did not see any light coming into the interior when laying inside the bed. I made sure the compression of the gasket was the same all around the cover.

 

Man these covers look awesome!!

 

Hey Thor, The small rubber pieces looks like there red and black. Did you need to add all of them? I assume the rail cover that just popped off? Also I like to know where they wanted you to add them. I’m really thinking about this cover my for my Pro. Thanks. Also did you add the tailgate lock or just use your key?

 

yes, they are added to the rail cover that popped off. There are 12 of these pieces for each side. The red color you see is the film protecting the double sided tape. You need to remove them before applying the rubber to the plastic cap.



From the tailgate end, you measure 24 inches to 45 inches. They plastic pieces are placed between those points.



Tailgate lock is stock... used my key. By the way, i am unable to open the tailgate without opening the rear lid.

 

Give it a few days and you’ll be able to open and close the tailgate without opening the rear panel.

 

Great! Thanks for the heads up.

 

Thanks Thor, I was going to say that’s still not bad if you would have to open the cover to get the tail gate open. Not a deal breaker.

 

I didn't think so as well, but will be glad that this is addressed as the cover settles into the bed of the truck. I did need someone to help place the panels on the truck. For some reason they have you install the center, then the tail gate end, and finally the section that is near the cab. I enlisted the help of my little woman to help me lift it over the 2 installed sections and fasten the cab section to the center section. They are a bit large to handle solo.

 

I’ll probably need to do the same with my wife. Won’t be the first time I asked for a little help with a mod. Lol. It’s nice getting all this info from someone that has installed this cover. Makes it a lot easier knowing what your in for. I don’t like to tackle something if I’m not sure about it.

 

One other tip that comes to mind... you will need to install the 6' gasket material (for the cross member near the cab) to fully seal the cover. At first, I didn't think I needed it but saw light on the corners of the front section. Once installed the light as gone which means the front is sealed. They mention not to stretch the gasket material when you install since the tension will loosen the adhesive over time.

I ordered the cover February 8th and received it today on the 11th, so the manufacturing took a little over 4 weeks. Let us know which cover you decide to order and post pics! Feel free to add to this thread.

 

I have the hd cover on my pro. Just one other tip. Check the C clamps every 200 miles or so. They tend to loosen up a bit. Im guessing its just because of the flexing of the bed. I even took the c clamps off and put a lock washer on each bolt but sure enough the clamps always need a little turn once on a while.

 

I'm glad you did this part, I don't know if they changed the packaged instructions or not - but when I bought my HD there was no mention of these shims in the instructions (there still isn't in their instructions on their website), and I only saw a small piece of paper saying to install these AFTER I'd already fully installed it. I had it on for about 18 months without the shims, and noticed my bed rails were sagging - I removed the whole thing for a weekend trip, and decided to install them after - it looks, and feels much better with them installed.

 

Thats funny because I just did that about 3 weeks ago. Took the whole thing off and put on the shims which diamondback sent me. Great company. I was actually looking to replace the plastic rails with powder coated aluminum ones which would eliminate the need for the shims. I couldnt find them anywhere. There is a thread on here with a guy thats working on the tailgate cap but nothing on siderail caps. I even tried a few metal fabrication places near me with no luck. The shims will have to do for now.

 

Good tip! I will have to do this today when I have a moment. Thanks!

 

So far the shims have worked fine on this end. No sagging.

 

I’ve been doing a lot of multi-state travel since I bought the Tundra and am loving the Diamondback cover. When stopped in a rest stop, gas station, etc. I know the stuff in the bed in the truck is safe and secure. It is not a cheap item but well worth the money I paid for it.

 

Thanks for the tip. I got a whole 1 turn out of them!

 

My c-clamps loosened 1-2 times in the very beginning before everything settled in. After that, even after I've pulled the whole thing off and put it back on it hasn't loosened again.

One thing, if you find leaks, you didn't tighten it enough in the beginning. You want the locking bars tight for the first week or so (c-clamp is a bit of alchemy as if it isn't tight enough you get leaks, too tight and you crush your rails...) That flattens the gasket a bit and molds it to the rails and makes it water tight. Try and keep it closed for a week and after it's settled, the pushing and prying you have to do to open it up will go away.

My rails are a bit battered as I didn't use the shims. I'm sure it would have been way better to use them but I didn't want to break all the tabs and figured that was worse than the sag from the pressure.

 

Breaking of the tabs was a concern but made out ok because plastic was new.

 

I used this trim removal tool set from Harbor Freight. It made removing the rails easy and didn't scratch up my paint.

 

I should have bought the tool but ended up using a 1" putty knife.