DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

I just received an HD for my '08 Tacoma. There is a metal strip along the tailgate section that holds a separate weather strip since the tailgate top sits below the surrounding rails. What I've noticed is that this metal strip appears to be only tack welded. Due to the large openings I'm guessing water will come in. Should this have had a continuous weld for both strength and keeping water out? Is this normal but they expect that spray-on lining would cover all the gaps?

I am starting a warranty conversation with Diamondback but curious if anyone knows how this particular area should have been fabricated?

Thanks,
Craig

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Wow, my DB 270 is not like that.

 

Merry Christmas, Mudder Truckers!!!

 

Hello everyone. I'm looking at a DB HD bedcover on the second hand market. I have attached photos for reference. The price is really cheap, which immediately sent up red flags. But from the photos and my conversation with the owner, it sounds like he just took his build a different direction. He sent me photos of what all he had done since removing the cover. The only think I can see is the mis-drill in the third photo. Is there anything I'm missing here? I'd have to drive about1.5 hrs to pick it up. When I asked him why it was so cheap, he just said he knew he couldn't sell it for $1500 because no one would pay that kind of money for a second hand cover. I'm skeptical but also hopeful that I found a hell of a deal.

 

I don't see anything wrong with it from those photos, I think you should go for it

 

Hold on that, you SURE that is an HD? It looks to be missing some cleats, unless they chose not to have them installed. Check the under side to make sure it actually is an HD.

 

This - there should be more cleats (12). Have seller send photo of underside - there should be two cross members per panel if it's indeed an HD.

 

Got a few more photos sent by seller. See anything suspicious?

 

That is definitely an SE, but for $500, that is still a decent price.
Remember, you can always add accessories from DB directly if you need more things. You can also seal up that hole no problem.

 

Another observation, not necessarily "suspicious." If the seller is original buyer, I suspect he/she ordered the SE without the cleats pre-installed and opted to mount the cleats at another location on the cab-side panel (consistent with the "mis-drill" story). Note the placement of the cleats on said panel - it looks like these are mounted towards the center of the panel, whereas the preinstalled cleats should be a bit closer to the corners. Did seller advertise this as an "HD"? (this would be "suspicious"). Verify if it is for a Tacoma before driving 3 hrs. I have seen used SEs advertised between 800 and 1400.

 

Agreed. Also, if it’s for a short bed, there should be some latch strike plates.

 

That's a good price for a used Diamondback regardless of HD vs SE. The only thing you need to ensure is that it fits properly and all the hardware is there.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. It was very helpful! Just to update, I drove down and picked it up. Installed it on the truck before I left with the help of the previous owner.

Really happy with it! These covers are solid. I ended up paying $675 for it. I'm not sure where the $500 number came from up there.

 

Wow! Looks great and $675 is a sweet deal. I love my SD. You’re really gonna enjoy having a diamondback.

 

That looks great

 

Happy New Year! Deuce-Deuce!

 

Ah, Toquerville falls. Is that a recent photo? I'm assuming so, as it looks like there's a dusting of snow on the hills in the background. If so, that's a pretty good flow for this early in the year.

 

Ya, it was just this past Wednesday morning. I thought we’d see more snow on the trail, but the snow was mainly on the shoulders/hillsides along the trail. The trail was either red dirt, red mud or rock gardens. Even the offshoot we took didn’t really have much snow. Even if it was overcast, the drive to the falls was very nice. It was our first time going there and I was satisfied. I don’t know if the water level ever gets any deeper just before the upper falls during other seasons, but it was fun to cross it with speed. A dude there with his Jeep and wife crossed it slowly at first and took some pictures/videos with their Jeep standing on the water. After he saw me splash things up a bit, he followed suit and went back and forth several times trying to make big splashes on the water crossing. Lol. He had some fun.

 

Hey y’all sorry for the question if it’s stupid. I have the OEM Tacoma trifold. Buying a diamondback from someone on facebook marketplace this weekend. My question is do you think it’s okay for the diamondback to lay on top of the bed caps with the cutouts (the bed caps are cut out to fit the OEM cover) see picture. I haven’t sold the OEM so I can’t swap with someone else yet

 

Should be fine since the DB cover gasket sits almost all the way to the outer edges.
I don't have the OEM cover, but I don't think it should interfere with the latches either, since the DB uses the actual rail (and a striker plate for short bed).