SET THE LOCK RODS
If plastic extends
9
beyond the bottom of
the vertical face of the
truck's metal bed rails,
trim a two-inch length of it to
flush with the bed rail's
bottom edge at both points
under the tail panel
where a lock rod will
pass under the rails.
Peel the red adhesive backing from the edge
10
trim pieces. Affix them to the bed rail at both
points where a rod will pass underneath, the
curl of their j's touching the rail's bottom edge.
Affix the edge trim to the painted metal only,
behind the plastic bed liner or bed rail cap.
Using a tool to widen the curl of the 'j' can make this step easier.
Loosen the set screws on the
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tail-panel lock-rod linkages.
Adjust the lock-rod length and retighten the set screws so that
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with the lock handle in the open position, the rod tips clear the
bed rails, and with the handle in the closed position, the rod tips
do not strike the bed walls.
ATTACH THE GAS SPRINGS
If you are also installing a Side Bin, do so now. Refer to the Side Bin
16
Installation Guide for details.
Attach the four weaker gas springs to the cab-panel ball studs and
17
the two stronger gas springs to the tail-panel ball studs.
You'll find the gas spring strength printed on the sides of the barrels.
To avoid premature failure of your gas springs, attach them
barrel up, shaft down.
Leave the cover closed and locked for
18
24 hours to allow the weatherstrip
adhesive, which is pressure-sensitive,
to fully cure.
DiamondBackCovers.com
1/8" hex key
24 hours
Adhesive cure time
Position the lock rods tight
13
against the underside of
the bed rails so that they'll
draw the panels down and
compress the weather-
strip. Tighten the rod guide
brackets with a 7/16"
socket.
For best weather protection, have a second person
press down on the cover while you adjust the lock rods.
Using the access panels is easiest when
you press down as you open or close them.
Repeat steps 11–13 for the forward cab-panel lock rods so that:
14
A. with the lock handles in the open position, the rod tips
clear the bulkhead angle,
B. with the handles in the closed position, the rod tips do not
strike the bulkhead, and
C. in the closed position, they are tight against the underside
of the bulkhead angle, drawing the panels down & com-
pressing the weatherstrip.
The rearward cab-panel lock rods come pre-adjusted tight to
the T-panel gutters. You need only adjust the forward lock rods.
Double-check all three panels to ensure they open, close, lock &
15
seal correctly. If at any point the weatherstrip does not touch
the bed rails, adjust the position of the lock rods.
Your panels should be difficult to operate at first. Leave them
closed as much as possible for 3–4 days to break in the weath-
erstrip. After that period, you should find that the panels open
and close without difficulty.
7/16" socket
FEBRUARY 2017
MAY 2017
APRIL 2018