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Diamondback Install question - bed cap removal

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by BigR, Aug 14, 2020.

  1. Aug 14, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #1
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Hello friends, my Diamondback arrives Monday. The first order of the install is to remove the bed caps and install some shims before clamping the center piece.

    Can anyone share some tips on how to remove the bed caps carefully without messing up my new truck or the plastic caps?

    Any other tips for a smooth install? I have read many of the threads here so key tips you think most helpful.

    Thanks all.

    Randy
     
  2. Aug 14, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #2
    Mwall931

    Mwall931 New Member

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    Following as I am ordering one soon.
     
  3. Aug 15, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #3
    DZ_

    DZ_ New Member

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    The long black plastic rail caps? I used a plastic trim removal tool and carefully worked at it. I had some pictures on my phone of the clip locations, but I think I pulled them off. Not too difficult to remove.

    I think the biggest tip I can offer on the DB install is to take your time adjusting the locking bars and clamps, don't over tighten.
     
  4. Aug 15, 2020 at 9:43 AM
    #4
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Dz, can you pic the tool if not too much trouble?
     
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  5. Aug 15, 2020 at 10:22 AM
    #5
    panicman

    panicman Everyone remain calm.

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    Bravo on the choice of a Diamondback- you will be very pleased.

    Here is a copy of a response I had to a thread about shimming the bed cap when installing my cover:

    The shims are a dense rubber (or possibly urethane) and are positioned as pictured:
    [​IMG]
    Here the adhesive sides are up while I positioned them.

    I found the most difficult part of removing the cap to be the rearmost clip. I had success working a plastic tool around the perimeter of that last clip several times as I gently pulled.


    Here is a pic so you can see where the clips are positioned:
    532CC84D-EDD8-4005-9D7D-9EFDFE941178.jpg

    I’ll say it AGAIN- the cap will pop off fairly easily but the rearmost clip will ‘hook’ in place and you could easily break it. Then you’d need to replace the cap and they are not cheap. My advice is square the loosened cap and work around the rear cap gently until it pops free.

    Here are tools you should have ANYWAY. $9 at Harbor Freight for the whole set (and these cheapies will last years):
    65587783-5D7E-4019-BF77-85B874794C97.jpg
     
    WVI, Black Wolf and (deleted member) like this.
  6. Aug 15, 2020 at 11:13 AM
    #6
    DZ_

    DZ_ New Member

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    Pretty close to what panicman posted. Just get it started, then work by hand.
     
    panicman likes this.
  7. Aug 15, 2020 at 1:45 PM
    #7
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Thanks Panicman. The pics are super helpful. I’ll get some tools and will post some in process photo’s.
     
    panicman likes this.
  8. Aug 16, 2020 at 9:41 AM
    #8
    AndyTex

    AndyTex New Member

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    I also am waiting for my Diamondback HD in smooth finish to arrive. I called Diamondback to send the rubber early because I thought they would removed the trim for the bed liner. The removal is fairly easy. The clips on the under side of the trim towards the inside of the bed released easiest. The clips on the outside of the bed needed a tool to help compress and release the clips (large clip in pictures below). As mentioned above the single clip at the tail gate is the hardest to release.

    With Diamondback rubber installed.

    Normal clips

    Clip at end by tailgate
     
  9. Aug 18, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #9
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    My tools arrived today so I tackled the bed cap removal and shim for my Diamondback installation. Here are a few pictures and what I learned.

    1. Start near the cab using plastic or vinyl non marring trim removal tools.

    CB27415F-B7CF-4CFA-9CA2-D9F5B2A76A03.jpg

    Lift up the outside edge and poke the first tool under the cap until you hit the first clip. Press a bit and twist to lift up the the cap. The clip will release and the cap will lift a little bit. Just behind the first outside clip is another. Slide the tool under the cap a bit further until you find the second clip in that row. Press and twist again and it will release. It doesn’t take much force, just be firm and a little patient.

    0118076F-E0CA-443A-BC40-2BD26F0A6CED.jpg

    Continue working your way down repeating the outside then inside clip “press and twist”. I used some of the other tools to keep it wedged up a little.

    965F72DC-EA0D-4706-B880-C0CDE56C0344.jpg

    The last clip at the tailgate was harder that the others. Be patient and work around all sides twisting gently.

    4F2FF1F7-1FE4-4F66-9186-028CC6B6F2BA.jpg

    Sorry for the pictures on a bad rotation. Not sure what happened.

    AE5E4E60-872C-41EF-8978-B8F0C1C95552.jpg

    Here is a pic of the removed bed cap so you can see what the clips look like and how to compress them to get them to release.

    When it comes times to re-install, line up the two posts at either end in their holes then press down to engage the clips.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2020
    WVI, panicman, AndyTex and 1 other person like this.
  10. Aug 18, 2020 at 8:49 PM
    #10
    panicman

    panicman Everyone remain calm.

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    Your picture angles made me throw up in my mouth.

    Good detail though! For a a seemingly simple task, there is a lot of value in detailing the process.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  11. Aug 18, 2020 at 10:09 PM
    #11
    Shearboy2005

    Shearboy2005 New Member

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    Looking at getting a diamondback cover. Knowing how to remove the bedcap will make install much easier.
     
  12. Aug 18, 2020 at 11:28 PM
    #12
    Part_time

    Part_time Not a new member

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  13. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:39 AM
    #13
    PTSCHUMA

    PTSCHUMA New Member

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    Same here. I was reading thru this and worrying I did something wrong with mine. There was nothing in the instructions to remove the rails.
     
  14. Aug 19, 2020 at 5:56 AM
    #14
    jpod

    jpod its Finally here

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    I still have a bag of shims and a strip of weather stripping I never used. I just made the thing tight as hell when I installed it (the ends - not the middle part) and I drove on the highway through downpours and it didn't leak. Just make sure you don't over-tighten the clamps that go in the middle and attach to the bed rail. Do that and you crush your rail cap and it would likely leak through that.

    My HD has been flawless. I love this thing.
     
  15. Aug 19, 2020 at 6:51 AM
    #15
    dugfur

    dugfur New Member

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    I believe the shims are a relatively new thing from diamondback. If you have had your cover for more than a couple years you probably didn't get them. Mine didn't come with them originally, but when I found out about them I called Diamondback and they sent me a set. Great company to deal with.
     
  16. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #16
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    My Diamondback instruction set had a special insert for Tundras to install the shims to prevent the clamps from crushing or deforming the bed cap. I email them and they confirmed the requirement to install the shims. It was probably an hour total to remove, shim and re-install.

    And.... if anyone knows why my pics are vomit inducing to Panicman then help appreciated. I uploaded from an Ipad.
     
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  17. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:54 AM
    #17
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Trying the pics again

    T1.1.jpg
    T2.2.jpg
    T4.4.jpg
    T3.3.jpg
    T5.5.jpg
     
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  18. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:00 AM
    #18
    belanger9

    belanger9 New Member

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    Were your rail caps already warped a tad? Were these able to straighten them out?

    I don't have any leaking issues but you can easily tell I normally have something clamped down on the rail caps when I remove the cover as the caps are wavy now from the pressure in the middle.
     
  19. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:23 AM
    #19
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Belanger, I had the first cap off and sitting in the sun (see pic one above) and it got soft and pliable. I expect if you get the shims and summer sun heat the cap before re-installing it would go back in place like new.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  20. Aug 19, 2020 at 8:34 AM
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    The Californian

    The Californian Good Vibes Only

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    Glad you posted this, mine didn't come with shims, and I didn't install any - this post got me doing all kinds of research to see if I screwed something up.
     
  21. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:48 PM
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    panicman

    panicman Everyone remain calm.

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    Perfect!
     
  22. Aug 19, 2020 at 7:59 PM
    #22
    panicman

    panicman Everyone remain calm.

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  23. Aug 20, 2020 at 3:21 AM
    #23
    dugfur

    dugfur New Member

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    I was having a problem with clamps lossening up, more than likely I over tightened them after that so I was getting some leaking. The shims seemed to have stopped the leaking in that area.
     
  24. Aug 30, 2020 at 5:15 AM
    #24
    BigJuelz

    BigJuelz New Member

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    I recently ordered a diamondback and I asked for additional shims to go the entire length of the bed rail.

    Not sure if it is a better method, but I had my bedrails replaced by the dealership. I saw that they removed the bed rail caps from the tailgate end first. Also, they used painters tape just below the cap where the pry tools rest so the tool does not scratch the paint.

    My understanding is that there is a significant gap between the bedrail cap and actual bedrail of the Tundra. This not only causes it to warp or sag under heavy weight and heat, but it can also allow water to pass through. Especially, during carwashes.

    I'd like to put the shims and a bead of silicone under my bedrail cap before I get my diamondback.

    I really appreciate the discussion and images as it has definitely helped.
     
  25. Aug 30, 2020 at 12:52 PM
    #25
    BigR

    BigR [OP] New Member

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    Extra shims would be fine. Take ur time on the removal. I had no paint issues with the plastic tools. I think either end to start would be ok. But the last clip at the tailgate is the hardest so it’s helpful to be able to pivot the bad cap to help get it out. Good luck and be patient. You’ll do a great job.
     
  26. Sep 20, 2020 at 12:54 PM
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    Tigereye

    Tigereye New Member

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    The diamondback instruction for the bed caps and shims were easy to follow. The inside clips came loose easy with my hands but the outside clips were easier with the plastic pry tools. It was easy going slow but the tail clip I went really slow based on this thread.
    Thanks
     
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  27. Oct 17, 2020 at 5:59 AM
    #27
    buckrub71

    buckrub71 Like Father, Like Son--Semper Fi

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    Installing mine this weekend. Thanks for posting this!
     
  28. Oct 17, 2020 at 6:25 AM
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    elchoche23

    elchoche23 New Member

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    Thanks for the info; I just ordered my Diamondback cover, SE version, but I won’t receive it till December. They have a 45 calendar day or so wait time before shipping. I do remember, though, reading something about shims in the instructions.

    Thanks again.
     
  29. Oct 17, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #29
    equin

    equin Texarican Tundra

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    Is this something new or for hauling heavy weight on top of the HD? I’ve had my SE for a couple years and have taken it off at least a dozen times without ever messing with the bed caps. Never any leaks or issues, but I don’t haul heavy stuff on top of mine.
     
  30. Oct 17, 2020 at 8:35 AM
    #30
    panicman

    panicman Everyone remain calm.

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    No, it’s to prevent distortion of the bed cap that can occur when tightening the center section onto the bed. Sounds like you got lucky!
     

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