DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

Looking nice! I know that other brands like Thule or Yakima have been used for the bed racks with tracks. However, as shown in your picture, Front Runner is the only one I know of whose legs ("posts" or "uprights") can fit on the DB HD or SE center cover panels so that the front cover panel (or back cover, depending on hauling needs) can still be opened. If that isn't necessary for ones setup, then putting the legs on the front cover panel can still be an option for a bigger footprint. (This is regarding products out in the market other than making our own custom racks)

 

Add chase lights that can double as a third brake light. Many options out there, here's one:

This might work mounted on the back of a bed rack. Pretty cool lights!
https://www.rigidindustries.com/chase-chase.html
Single:

In series:


This is another option, if you've got a spare tire relocation setup at the rear bumper or a hitch mounted swingout.


A brief how-to summary of what someone else here has done with a rtt & bed rack setup (using trailer lighting)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/page-987#post-21515235
Looks like we'd need to subscribe for the wiring diagrams at TIS. If you know how to work with these as a diy, great. If not, take it to a shop or ask a friend who knows how.
https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_page&contextType=external&username=string&password=secure_string&challenge_url=https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/login/techinfo&request_id=-3140378971358711234&authn_try_count=0&locale=en_US&resource_url=https://techinfo.toyota.com/

Another TW member's mod:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/page-987#post-21515510

Yet another TW member's mod (added 9/11/19):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-rtt-owners-thread-with-bs.312269/page-989#post-21528841

 

https://mesocustoms.com/products/st...m_source=back-in-stock&variant=20733357162609

Install video too: https://youtu.be/3wfU2MYpeVc

 

@plim was looking for a 3rd brake light as their RTT is going to cover the OEM one.

 

Following so I don't lose this later.
Getting an long bed SE from @gixxerphil in a week and a half.

 

I am unable to do pics right now but added another brake light bar to the back of my Diamondback. This makes it so so moving it around if on my incoming rack or if i haul tall material. (which i do at times).

It is the VLED brake light bar, 12" framed in the rear of cover. Works great, nice an bright. Just another option to give you 3 points of brake lights at all times.

 

Here is a mount I made for my HD, It’s a no drill mount that will fit in between the support runners on the topper.
I took a turn buckle and cut the ends off and welded a plate on the end.


Then you can stick it on between the supports and spread it out till it’s tight. Then in my case I attached to quick fist to the gap in the turn buckle and attached my crazy beaver shovel.



I think it is a great way to utilize the space inbetween the supports. If I had to do it again, I would make my plates the same size as the supports. My plan was to be able to tuck them between the supports. I think with things narrower than the supports you could do this easily. My shovel and axe are to big to tuck in the gap.

 

would you be opposed to making additional sets for others that want them? and if so, you have any idea how much it would run us?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and links for an additional brake light
for use with the RTT. They were inspiring enough to get me going. It was also very helpful to know how the wiring works. Just in case anyone else wants to know: “Run 2 wires across and down to either rear tail light assembly. Tap the ground (black) wire from the new light into the white/black wire on your truck. Tap the red (stop/full brightness) wire from the new light into the LT BLUE (driver side) or BLUE (passenger side) wire behind your tail light.”
As I have been spending a lot of money on this truck in a short time, I needed to do the additional brake light on a budget. I think it worked out ok. It is this one on Amazon:

$13 TRUE MODS 16" Inch 11 Red 12V LED Trailer Light Bar [DOT Compliant] [IP65 Waterproof] [Park/Brake/Turn Signal] Running Marker ID Rear Tail Lightbar for 80" Motorcycle Utility Marine Boat Trailers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07646BHVC/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_tai_BMBEDbCEG4YRW


I used some brackets that I already had (I think some left over from an Ikea closet or something), and some M8 bolts, which slide into the FrontRunner load bar.

I ran the wiring to the passenger side brake light and tapped into those wires. Ran the wire into the box in the bed (next to the 110V outlet). No drilling required, there are plenty of holes to run the wires through. In the box, I cut the wire and have a connector in between, so I can detach it when needed. A small hole through the rail of the front runner rail and the bed, and that was it.


This is what my setup now looks like:

 

Good job on that! looks good.

 

Third brake light on a budget gets the job done. Looks great, man! Thanks for sharing the details on the wiring and how you're routing them!

 

Excellent job! I would love to copy your idea. Any idea what degree the brackets are at to be flush on the cover like that? Where did you find brackets that perfectly fit into the existing cleat holes and did you weld them to support the crossbars yourself? (Sorry fo so many ?s...)

 

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The brackets are 135 degree or 45 inside. They were bent on a press and are 1/4 steel. I just laid the brackets on the cover and marked for the holes from the backside of the cover.

The uprights are also 1/4 steel and I welded those to the brackets and the crossbars to uprights. Crossbars are 1/8 steel tube.

 

Thank you for the info I appreciate it

 

Sorry for the slow reply, the fuelpax is a 2gal and both mounts are made by Rago Fabrication.

 

Rago Fabrication

 

I modified my cover from a 2005-2015 Long Bed for my 2018 Short Bed. I tried to sell the cover for a whole $200 obo with no takers so I had nothing to loose but time, so...

 

Awesome. 200 bucks was a steal but turned out in your favor.

 

Can someone with a 2nd gen SE take a picture of your cap clamps?

The bolts on the clamps I have are too short or I have the wrong clamps.