DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

Does anyone have any insight or suggestions with regards to installing crossbars on a diamondback cover that mount to the cleats? Trying to avoid drilling anything permanent into the cover and want to be able to take the bars on and off easy.

Saw this picture as inspiration but not sure what mounts he is using there:

 

Looks good, thanks for the inspiration.

 

Those are the guttered thule roof racks. I went with yakima q towers with q119 clips. Got the q towers off my Honda Civic. Clips and longer bars were cheap since the q towers are discontinued

 

I've seen something similar specifically to mount your a-typical roof rack bars...god forbid I book marked it... There's one or two out there with a good 2-3" toward the center of the bed, you could mount tracks for a rack system...

https://dirtboundoffroad.com/produc...-JxPBe8SIurQ7ADskyByLpKF7Z1AF-shoCT6YQAvD_BwE

 

Thanks, man. Thanks for bringing back some memories of the maiden voyage... it’s been stressful with work lately and a family member past away recently. This is a nice little reprieve to remember on and appreciate the moments we get to cherish with the ones we love.

 

Been working with a local shop on a design specifically for the diamond back. Will post once it is finished in a month.

 

Installed the frontrunner load bars on the diamondback hd cover. Will be mounting a RTT soon. Seems like a solid setup so far.

 

Question, how did you put the screws that line up with the reinforcement aluminum inside the diamondback panels?

I set mine up today but was challenged with that.

Thanks

 

I drilled a slightly larger hole and used the expansion inserts supplied in the kit for any of the bolts that lined up with those.

 

Would you mind showing me a picture of it whenever you have sometime?

Thanks

 

It’s all mounted up now and I didn’t take any pics. In the instructions there’s a diagram about how to use the funny little wrench, the expansion insert and the domed bolt.

Essentially though. Drill a hole roughly the size of the expansion insert, perhaps slightly smaller. Press expansion insert into the hole. Use the funny little tool and the domed (not tapered) bolt to expand insert into the hole. That’s it! Now you have a threaded insert pressed into the DB cover.

The insert doesn’t sit flush, it sits up a bit so I trimmed away the rubber gasket just where the insert sits and it allowed the rail to sit flat.

 

Makes sense now. Thanks

You would think they would at least design the holes to avoid the support sections. So much for an expensive product.

 

This probably isn't the right answer but I just left it at 3 bolts per track. For me, two holes from each track are over the reinforcements. I really didn't want to drill a larger hole in the cover. I also saw on LLOD's videos that older models of this product only had three holes and that's what he was running. With just the three it seems secure.

To your point about the product quality, I think this is not designed specifically for the Tacoma and could be used on any truck with a diamondback that may have different dimensions. Can't confirm but maybe on a truck with different dimensions, more holes can be used.

 

It’s kind of a universal rail plus you want the mounting points equally spaced so it’s difficult to avoid that boxed support beam.

For me the issue is, fine a mounting point lines up with that boxed beam, no biggie, just have the instructions written to that specific issue and how to use the expansion insert to resolve it for those specific mounting points. If you’ve never used one of those expansion nuts you’d be excused for not knowing what to do.

The rails in my kit actually have 5 attachment points. I used all of them. I’m not concerned about drilling a larger hole, those expansion nuts work well and I used plenty of black silicon with the rubber gasket so it’s all sealed properly. Truthfully though you could probably get away with not using them and only having 4 mounting points per rail instead of 5. I didn’t see the LLOD video so I figured 5 was necessary, although it did seem like overkill at the time.

 

I have been working with a local shop to fabricate some custom brackets to make my the diamondback even more versatile. Project should be finished before the end of the month but here is a seek peek.

 

Well guys, I called diamond back. They have great customer service. I talked to a rep who had an engineer call me shortly after. He said we only need to put 3 screws per rail. He also said he will update the manual ASAP.

All in all, it’s an easy install besides the confusion in the screws that line up with the soldering points and support blocks underneath the cover.


If you’re thinking about buying this rack and have a Tacoma 2005-present with short bed, use these tips to make your install a lot easier:

1. Put masking tape (vertically, end to end) over the cover right at edge of the bend. You may have to do it a second time if your tape isn’t 2 inches wide.

2. Assuming you put a whole rail together (rubber bottom, plastic ends), put a rail over the masking tape and center it vertically. Put a marking on the tape in holes 1, 3 and 5.

3. Measure 1.5 inches from the edge of the tape and mark it. It should line up with the marks from step 2.

4. After drilling, scrape the debris from the bottom of the cover.

5. Use gorilla waterproof seal tape or any other brand to cover the holes over the top. I cut square pieces. The screw can easily perforate the tape by hand. This will make the hole water tight.

6. Only use holes 1, 3, 5 for all 4 bars.

In this particular short bed there isn’t much room to choose the location of the bars vertically. You shouldn’t have to use the jack nuts.

I hope this helps future buyers.

 

Working on a design with a local shop. Will post more in a few weeks.

 

Good write up and I appreciate the confirmation from Diamondback that only 3 are necessary. That should simplify the install for a lot of people.

How do you like the smooth cover?

 

I like a lot. I just wanted a simple but functional and reliable cover. No cleats, no pattern. I like how a simple water hose can remove anything that adheres to it.

 

Anxious to see/hear more about this.