New Front Runner rack with DiamondBack cover

Put my new 'custom' Front Runner' on the DiamondBack. I asked them for a certain length so I can still use the opening properly to get to my gear and daily use. I think it turned out great and have no complaints yet.

 

I have pretty much the same truck and I need that setup in my life. What did that run you (Frontrunner plus Diamondback)? What are the dimensions of the Frontrunner shelf?

Also, does the geometry allow to rest a 2x4"x(8 feet/10 feet/12 feet) on a closed tailgate such that other end is against the forward end of bed? I do that a lot.

 

I was lucky enough to find a Diamondback on their website in there 'outlet' section, pretty much their scratch and dent section. The logo on the bed is just slightly crooked. I saved nearly $400 US for that alone. When all said and done to my door it was around $2K.

Since I had the DiamondBack I wanted to make sure I can utilize it with the Front Runner. I Emailed them and started talking to Kyle. Great service and very helpful. I asked for the 1425 mm Wide X 965 mm long. I could have went about another inch longer now that it's all said and done, but I have all the room I need for any add-ons I would want. That was to my door and after getting raped by the border, it was around $1800.

I just grabbed a Prinsu roof rack from West Coast Off Roaders and they were great to deal with and they deal with Front Runner. Call and ask for Fiona if you don't deal with Front Runner directly, maybe they can help you cut down on costs for the Bed Rack.

As for carrying the 2X4X8-10-12; I have carried longer 2X4s (8 footers) and was able to place the DiamondBack "lid" back down on them and was able to keep it down with a smaller bungee cord. I think that may be what you're asking?

Hope this helps, good luck and be safe.

Mike

 

Thanks, yes I was wondering if the aft part of the fixed centre Diamondback section is placed such that you can carry long things with them still contacting the bottom of the bed where it meets the cab (the forward end of the bed). See picture. You seem to be saying that this works.

I will check the Diamondback outlet section every day! Does not need to be perfect, just good enough for the girls I go out with.

How is visibility out the back window? Looks like shelf might obscure view.

What is your main use for the Frontrunner shelf? I am wondering if I can get by with the tie downs on the diamondback cover. I think the shelf would be useful for tying down gas cans or my many Pelican cases (see picture). You are saying 1425x990 mm would work?

Have a close look at Prinsu rack every spring and hit any problem areas with a rattle can. The dealer I bought my truck from said he won't install Prinsu or similar anymore because they would come back with corrosion issues after a couple of Canadian winters and people expected him to replace with new. Hopefully you won't have any problems.

Another thing I am wondering is if I could get by with the aluminum Diamondback, because you can't really carry more than 500 lb in a Tacoma bed anyhow. I wonder what the sidewalls of the bed would actually take in terms of a dynamic load, it is likely not even close to the rating of the heavy duty Diamondback, which weighs a lot on its own. The weight of the tonneau comes right off the 500 lb load capacity!





I hope Justin is not confiscating as much of your collection as I am faced with!

 

All good to go like you have shown there. I used a bungy, but to be honest I did it more for stopping any bouncing around, there's enough weight to lay down on the object. I know guys who have installed bed brackets or supports when they start adding RTT etc. I wasn't going that route, as I still am a dirt tent camper and the wife would rather just have us jump into a trailer in the future.

The length of the Front Runner would handle 'Carbine' or "SBR" length cases, but I always carry mine under the DB anyway. I mounted a Plano up on the Prinsu today and will throw up a pic soon. Thanks for the heads up on the Prinsu, it's amazing how "tough" anything is until it meets a Canadian winter or two.

I will use the Front Runner mostly for camping and trail gear. Gas/water, I have dry bag/duffel bags that will go up there also. I was thinking an axe or jack when I hit any trails. If I try to be really cool maybe some Tredds or MaxTrax ... It cuts right through the middle of the window. Not ideal, but to be honest, it's not like a huge blind-spot. You can't see the face of the driver behind you when they tail gate.

AND.......Foley HAWK!!!! if you can fill all those cases with firearms, I salute you and really feel for you. I'm going to be out approximately $8000 when and if the Liberal Gov. figures out what their going to do!!!!. Soooooo pissed off!

If you have any more questions and or need more info feel free to ask away. I think personally for me and my needs its a great set-up....and besides like I told my brother-in-law when he asked "Why", I told him "It's my truck and I can"...

 

I am very skeptical of roof top tents! They are really expensive and heavy. They sit up in a 120 km/h airstream in all kinds of weather and cause a huge amount of drag on the vehicle. Does not take long to set up a modern tent, they are designed to go up quickly. And they pack down real small. Thermarests inflate themselves and squash down in one minute.

I am in the $15k range, SR25 is a $6000 rifle on its own. I have 600 rounds loaded to within 0.02 grains of N150, 1 thou of OAL. No idea what I am going to do with them now. People joke about not owning the Stag 10s they own, but I have too much at stake to risk criminal charges. The Liberals certainly understand that this will do nothing to make anyone safer, they are so cynical. I can still ring steel at 1.2 km with my bolt gun but the next step is "nobody needs a sniper rifle" so it needs to be fought by any peaceful means necessary.

It is amazing how much stuff you can buy for a Taco. I started out wanting some driving lights, then I found out to do it right I need an aux fuse box. Then I needed an engineered plate system to mount the fuse box on. Now I want a new suspension because the wife thinks it's too firm, to do that right is $5000!

 

I've always been happy with popping up a tent and a cot to sleep on. The wife spoils us with an air mattress. Have a 6 person North Face Kaiju for the family and we love it.

I have friends in the industry and I can't believe how they're surviving right now. Few of my buddies are in the same range as you or even north of that. Can you imagine losing $20K-$30K of legally bought 4X4 property at the stroke of a Liberal pen??? Crazy times. I was looking into MacDef and wished I grabbed one of them last year. Shoulda coulda woulda...

Welcome to the Taco rabbit hole. I use to be into jeeps, many moons ago, (CJ7 with 33s etc), just recently got back into this with the Taco and it's easy to sink a lot of $$ into it.

Got out for a bit today and took a pic of what it's like right now......for now

 

This is exactly what I've been thinking of doing, nicely done!! What length is your bed? I am working with a short bed and trying to keep the diamondbacks tailgate lid usable.

 

I have the 60.5 inch bed.
Still loving this set up. I have also discovered that I can launch and load my boat at the ramp without getting wet and have a very secure place to leave my gear while I’m out on the water.