DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

You would still have to upgrade the gas shocks as the rack itself has a good amount of weight. Yes, you can run the full rack and remove one of the center sections you would just need to order a longer version of the rear panel and make sure to un bolt it before you open the cover. the picture below gives you an idea.

 

I haven't read through all the thread pages, but just curious if you've considered going with the DiamondBack HD cover w/ the FrontRunner rack. It looks like they worked w/ DB to make it. This piqued my interest and may be something I do in the future, and seems to be what you're looking to do on your own no?

https://diamondbackcovers.com/colle...iamondback-rack-system?variant=32436705067107

 

Very similar actually... And I considered it, but:

1. I couldn't justify the cost given the parts. I love Diamondback and know Front Runner makes class leading stuff, but $660 seemed excessive to me.

2. I want something lower profile. I am not an overlander. I am a woodworker, a diver, and have a daughter that is a surfer. Given all that, my day to day setup is going to be a pelican case (dive gear) and a basket (wet suit) - both bolted down to the cab side panel. And when I want to carry 4x8 sheets of material I can just take off the case and the basket and use my 80/20 base as a platform to strap down too...

So height was important to me. Once installed, the top of my crossbars will only be 2.5" above the surface of the Diamondback.

And given I have a lot of 80/20 on hand, I think I can build this thing for well under $300.

 

Gotchya, that all makes sense. The price does seem a bit high. Good on ya and good luck!

 

Do you plan on mounting the cover and basket transversely? What I mean is so the panels still open?

 

Hmm. That makes me wonder, would the short bed version technically work on the long bed diamondback cover?
If the two center legs are offset so that I would drill additional holes into the DB, would that be able to open? This would give that additional space in between the two center sections, and that might be enough to be able to open it without needing to remove a center section.

 

Am I correct in saying this is modular, and we could add on or "grow" the rack system over time? That is if there are monetary constraints or needs change over time.

 

That is a possibility. I know currently if I remove my middle panel I can open one side( not all the way but enough to grab small things. I don’t have a long bed so I can’t speak on that. One nice thing too is my guy is making me additional brackets to attach the rack to the bed like a traditional rack when I don’t want to use my cover.

 

I might get in on that then. Is there an estimated price you have for this rack?

 

Yes, that is an option. You would just need to let Bart know what parts you wanted.

 

You would have to email Bart@chassisunlimited.com to work out the detail he will be able to give you a better quote depending on what options you wanted, I have a divider screen, crossbar, and upgraded panel added to mine. If you want a particular design he can help you with it as well.

 

There aren't any close up pics of the cleats so I was wondering if you took them off before installing or does it fit around them without having to remove them?

 

I unbolted them and bolt back on to install the bracket. you can use the same bolts.

 

Yes... My test setup is going to be a pelican 1600 and a custom fabricated basket - both on the cab side panel. I'm betting I will have to get heavier gas struts, but both panels will still be usable when loaded independently of each other.

 

Just an FYI, Front Runner Outfitters does have a lower profile crossbar setup. However, they still may cost more than what you’re willing to spend. I have one set of those that are height adjustable - adjustable by about +.25” or .5” taller from the lowest setting. I use them on the front cover panel of the DB cover to mount a set of traction boards. I think there was an even shorter setup than the one I got, but I don’t think those would have cleared the DB cover’s locking handles, height wise. If they can be positioned far enough on the tracks from the locking handle, then that should allow for the normal function of the locking handle.




P.S. Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. There are two different heights of legs on the bedrack from picture to picture; tall legs on 1st & 2nd pics, short legs on 3rd pic, and more tall legs shots in 4th - 7th pics. After getting aftermarket suspension and 33’s, the tall legs made the truck’s overall height too tall to fit under the apartment garage gate. I switched back to the short legs in order to fit and be able to park in the garage again.

 

Interesting. Thanks for posting... Are those shorter feet the 40mm units they sell?

 

Why did ou end up going with tree bars instead of two. I was planning on putting an Ikamper xl.

 

Yup.

The tracks I already had from when I first set up this system in July 2018. I just didn’t mount anything on the front cover panel tracks until earlier this year. The weight of the load bars with Maxtrax made it hard to keep the front cover panel open initially. After I repositioned the rtt on the bedrack, it allowed the front cover panel to open more, putting less stress on the struts, and stay open without assistance.

 

looking at those feet, you could easily modify them to accept 8020 crossbars.... hummmm....

 

I have the shorter roll top legs already, how would I get the taller one's? I don't see them on their site. how tall are they?

Thanks for all the pics.