Diamondback Tonneau Cover

I sold my 4-wheeler a few years ago and I did all my mulch this year already - with my landscape trailer! Guess I need a new ATV.

 

More pics. Still needs adjustment.

 

I ended up selling my Diamondback HD cover after a short time as I thought I wanted a camper shell (still haven't decided if I want a camper shell, Go Fast camper or similar, or different tonneau) and I didn't like a few things about the cover. The middle mounting brackets started to make the Toyota bed rails bend in a bit and I didn't like that (probably could have loosened them a bit). I also weighted the corners too much when adjusting the lock rods so I always had to climb up on the cover to open the panel closest to the cab of the truck. The rear panel was easier to open and I had to weight it with my elbows (I'm 6'4" and 210 lbs) as I turned the lock. I'm sure I could have done some fine tuning to make it easier to open and close, but I decided to go a different route and sold the cover.

 

Thanks for the insight, man. I love the cover. I will love it even more once I have it adjusted. Good luck with your decision.

 

Clay, polished, and waxed... I figured this was a nice shot of the DB

 

Damn, I’ll say. Well done.

 

Just got my DB today. Tomorrow is install day.

 

Post pics of the install!

 

Let me know how it goes. Still having trouble with my cab panel closing without standing on it.

 

I will let you guys know how it goes and post some pics.

 

Just to give you guys a heads up and a better view of the cover so far. It came in well boxed and when you open its impressive to see the nice panels with the linex coating, but after closer inspection of the underside I decided not to install it, but to do some fixing and give it a nicer look in my opinion. I found a lot of imperfections from manufacture. The cover seems well made on the top side, but the underside needs some attention. I think DB needs to make some improvements. I did a lot of research before I bought the DB and a lot of the covers I saw were well made, in and out. In my opinion the cover needs some sort of coating in the underside like paint, linex or something else, but it needs it. It looks unfinished when you see the nice top side, but underneath its just plain aluminum and scratches all over from MFG. Also, too many sharp edges on the attachment brackets. The accessory box was a razor blade. I had to file down a lot of the edges that were not covered with the rubber strip. The main panels have a reinforcement in the middle and they are full of scratches and indentations.

What did I do? After a good cleaning, and it needed one (see picture of blue wipes).
I applied a good coat of primer and truck bed coating. I think it came out really nice and it will give it some extra protection. I used Rust-Oleum Aluminum Primer and Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating. Also, I bought the accessory box from DB as I mentioned before and it came in plain aluminum as well. I put a self adhesive fabric liner. Let's see how it holds with the heat. Tomorrow I will continue with more cleaning and painting the other two main panels. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

looking good! it really does make it look finished vs just bare metal. hope it holds up well for you, dont see why it wouldnt since its not exposed to the elements.

 

Looks awesome! I’d do that too but I have a light bar and like the reflective property of the underside to make it brighter since the bed is already lined black and absorbing light.

 

Joshua, I thought about installing a light and I see how bare metal will give you a better reflection, but I couldn't stand the imperfections. OCD . I might do the light later on.

 

Lol, OCD here too (undiagnosed). Your black abyss looks great and it’ll still be fine non-reflective. Easy and cheap, stick one in the back and the front. Held by double magnetic strip, one piece that’s permanently 3M’d, super bright, motion detect ON only at night, and pull it off to charge.

 

Joshua, thats a cool idea. I will look it up. Thanks!

 

A lot of rain today, not a good day for painting. Did more cleaning and masking. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow if I get some sun.

 

Finally the sun came out today for a couple of hours. I rushed to prime and paint the large panels. Looking good if you ask me

 

Diamondback arrives today!

Dang it, now I want to paint the underside back too. Looks good Rod

 

idag9010,

Man don't go crazy. If your bare aluminum looks good, just install it and enjoy it. I just couldn't leave it as it was with some of the little scratches and what not. I really think it came out nice painted, but I had help from two friends. I just installed it two days ago and I truly think its the baddest tonneau out there.

 

End result.

 

Looks great man!

 

How’s it fit? Mine isn’t tuned in how I want it yet. It’s been raining all week so I couldn’t adjust.

 

The fit is good. I had to readjust the cab side panel after a couple of days because it was not sitting as tight. Now its all good. I didnt put the supplied gasket for the cab side. I want to see if I really need it. I know if I put it, the panel will be harder to close and it might raise it a bit, making it look higher than the other panels.

 

How did you readjust? I am having trouble with the tightness of the clamps. I have the bulkhead seal on from my previous cover. That may be one of the issues with my fit. I might pull it off.

 

I readjusted the brackets on each side. Loosen up both sides and push them up against the panel to get the desired tension when you close it. Its better done with someone to help you. The other person can tell you while you are in the bed without having to get in and out. Otherwise you go crazy.

 

Got it. I did the same. Do your pins hit the side of the bed when closed?

 

They did, but I also readjusted them. If you need to, loosen the setscrew in the barrel holding the locking rod until you get them to lock in the bedrail without bottoming up.

 

Yup, did that. In your previous post you mention brackets. Do you mean the aluminum brackets held tight by the two bolts?

 

Correct, the brackets held by the two bolts.