DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

I've yet to install one on a tacoma (mine is on order), but I've installed three on GMC full-size pickups. The first one took me 40 minutes or so... The last one took me no more than 20 minutes and probably closer to 15...

 

First time--maybe 30 minutes, including unboxing it. Subsequent times--5 minutes off or on.

 

I installed mine last night, and I think it took me about 1 - 1.5 hours. It would have been faster if I had another person helping me full time. After I essentially installed everything, I didn't like how loose it "locked" so I re-did the adjustment points by having my girlfriend sit on the panels while I adjusted them. Would have probably saved 20-30 minutes by having her help in the first place. And also aligning the panel before bolting it down would have been easier with 2 people

Edit: I should note, most of my struggles was due to poor lighting in my garage. My flashlight died about 20 minutes in so my visibility was pretty bad

 

When you say aligning, are you talking about squaring it up with the bed? any other problems, Im getting mine at the end of the week.

 

Did you use something heavy at each corner to compress it for lock adjustment?

 

I had similar experience installing by my self and needing help to close the lid completely to adjust the bars.

Re tightening the mounting clamps and adjusting the locking bars again after the seals compress, is key. After the first 150 miles the need to adjust was noticeable.

 

Yes... I think that's key to keeping them water tight. Here's what I do:

- Get both the cab and tailgate panels aligned
- tighten down the center support
- Put at least 100 pounds on the cab side panel and adjust the locking mechanism to be tight.
- Do the same thing with the tailgate panel.
- Don't touch the thing for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, the weather stripping compresses and creates a seal... It will be difficult to close the panels for the first week or so, but it gets easier and afterwards you will have a very good seal. You might also need to readjust after a few weeks.

 

Yeah squaring it up to the bed. First time I tightened them down I realized I was off center, so I had to loosen the bolts reposition, and because of that I had to re-allign the locking rods because one of the sides on "unlock" wouldn't clear the aluminum guide thing. (Hopefully that all makes sense)

 

I ordered mine from Diamondback on 30 Oct. The estimated arrival date is 18 Dec. Yikes!!!

 

I ordered mine on Oct 15th, email said estimated ship date Dec 3rd, actually received it Oct 28th. Granted, I ordered mine from Diamondback Outlet, so it was already made, but yours may come earlier than they estimate

 

I used 40 lb. kettle bells to help install mine. You do need to re-tighten the center clamps a couple of times after installation.

 

Same boat here, at early Oct. lead time was about 45 days. But I lucked out and got one from the outlet store. I believe it shipped about 3-4 days after ordering.

 

Anyone have a link to the best install video for the DB?

 

Has anyone ordered that drop-in tool bin with their diamondback? I'm looking at ordering the DB HD but the lead time on both right now is 45 days so I was curious if anyone thought it was a must-have or not.

 

I have the large one and wouldn't do without it.

 

I used this video https://youtu.be/JZH4NatyZ-s and had no issues apart from the issues I explained earlier about doing it solo.

Yeah I got the shorter bin and I love it, haven't kitted it out yet but I can already tell I'm going to like having that extra storage in the back that's separate from the bed.

 

Hey DiamondBack Cover owners!

I made a thread to help guage interest on a DiamondBack Covers specific version of my SideRide Bike Mounts!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diamondback-covers-sideride-thread.692905/

Let me know if you'd be interested! Thank you!

 

Alright, I scrolled through all 49 pages of this thread and I have a question for you DB HD owners. I want to know if there are any cab high racks that can be used on the diamondback cover. I have an 18-foot outrigger canoe that I paddle around and it needs to go over the cab of my truck. I'm not wanting to get a roof rack for it so I'm wondering if there is a cab high rack that will either lock into the stock Tacoma rail system or use the cleats on the cover.

 

As for cab height racks, I don't think there are any options that will bolt to the cleats directly (as of right now at least). As for bolting to the stock rail system, there are a couple brands that make something that goes around tonneau covers in general, like RCI and KB Voodoo. These brackets won't allow you to open your cover though, so keep that in mind.

 

I use the Diamondback racks, they work fine for me. I can fully open the front and back flaps without them hitting each other. It took a little while to get used to the lower visibility via the rear view mirror but now I don't notice it.