DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

It's odd that you are having this problem, when others aren't. Regardless of why it's happening, there is no reason to put up with it.

I'd start with nylock.

If that doesn't work, double nut it. If you replace the bolt with a slightly longer grade 8, you can double nut it really tight.

 

How are you so sure other people aren’t having this problem? Grade 8 is overkill I think it’d be okay grade 2. I’m already talking with DB but was curious about this community.

I know gen 1, the threads were easily marred under any pressure with hardly any torque applied. These gen 2 cap clamps appear to be the same material but I’m no alloy expert.

 

There certainly could be more people hearing about it, but I doubt there are are very many. I assume if there was much of a problem this thread would have a full diagnosis of the issue and a standardized way of fixing it. Maybe they had a bad batch of clamps with loose threads.

on grade 2 vs 8: double nutting it is intentionally hard on the bolt.
When I say double nut, I mean you put two nuts on it. The first nut you snug up to however tight you want the clamp to be, then the second nut you tighten up against the first nut. With one wrench on each nut, tighten one nut against the other (without tightening the clamp any further). If you use a grade 8 bolt and nuts you crank them down very tight. I find grade 2 bolts break at inconvenient times, so I mostly go with grade 8 so I don't have to think about them breaking.

 

Are you using OEM bed caps? I can’t torque mine down too tight due to OEM plastic bed cap deforming ( known issues ). My only option are kB Voodoo 1/8” aluminum bed caps but I couldn’t get the tailgate panel to adjust enough to tighten so I bought a new OEM set.

 

yes OEM bed caps.

 

My Diamondback HD isn’t sealing properly on the tailgate. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, any tips to solve it?

 

follow the instructions for adjusting the latch. You should have someone sit on the cover while you adjust it.

 

I’ll try that! Thank you.

 

hot damn. this is what I’ve been waiting for!

 

I was waiting to see this but I actually like it less than the original. I guess it kind of looks like every other cover now.

 

I've had their original cover for almost 3 years now and I share the same thoughts.

 

Same. I like my original cover better. Also, put this Rago shelf together today. Waiting on the front runner tracks and feet to come in to install the shelf on the cover. Just wanted to check and make sure the dampeners would hold the weight of the shelf. Good to go.

Hoping to run the shelf on camping/Offroad trips to carry the cooler, firewood, chairs, etc. Going strapless.

 

Link to the shelf ?

 

@ragofabrication makes it. Called the endeavor shelf.

 

Nice to see that someone did this first. Thanks for posting a picture of it. I was thinking about doing this myself.

 

I’ll post pics after install. Was going to fabricate one but this one fit the bill.

 

Has anyone successfuly painted their Diamondback cover with something that doesn't tend to chip/fade? I have the SE (bare aluminum). I don't want to go down the plasti-dip road..but I was thinking of maybe using a heavy duty bed liner application. Just looking for some tips.

***UPDATE***

Ended up painting my Diamondback SE. Here's the link if anyone is interested:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/timeframe-on-delivery-on-diamondback.684604/#post-24204239

Thanks to everyone for your advice!

 

I would honestly bed-liner like you mentioned, or anything similar to that. Since that is an option they come in as well.

 

There are some videos of their manufacturing process. IIRC, they sand blast it before putting bed liner on it, so it will stick.

 

I'm thinking of getting the Diamond back cover, did you add the rails to the cover? Seeing this made up my mind, looks great!!!