Hard Locking Tonneau Cover

[Finnie3d]

What's up everybody? Anyone know where I can find a hard top, locking tonneau cover for our trucks. I'm a '94 MM Reg Cab w/short bed (6'). If not a direct fit, maybe a crossover fit that still locks securely and keeps the water out?

I know I can get one from Gaylord, but I'd really like to avoid spending $2K if at all possible...

[foolonthehill]

I'm just about ready to start popping out carbon fiber flat tonneaus for the Mitsu's. I've also got a hood project that's been in limbo for at least a couple of years while my business has been settling down.
so soon I'll have 1st and 2nd gen carbon fiber hoods, and hard tonneaus.
I haven't even gotten a business name or tax number or anything yet, but it's coming.

[l.k.]

ill be waiting for my order of --1 hood and 1 tonneau cover! ;)

[4doorciv]

Let us know if and whaen you get thing thing going. As well as pricing. Might be interested in a hood if not cover.

[pennyman1]

Stay away from Gaylords - I have a no longer made 1st gen cover of theirs that was a total POS - the fiberglass was so thn that scuffing it to paint put holes in it and trying to reglass the holes started to melt the inner layers. The cover was actually one for a 53-56 f100 stepside cover that also fit the top of the bed on a first gen, sort of. It is so weak where the prop struts are that the cover bulges up in the middle when it is in the sun all day. I am putting up with it until something better comes along.

[l.k.]

Stay away from Gaylords - I have a no longer made 1st gen cover of theirs that was a total POS - the fiberglass was so thn that scuffing it to paint put holes in it and trying to reglass the holes started to melt the inner layers. The cover was actually one for a 53-56 f100 stepside cover that also fit the top of the bed on a first gen, sort of. It is so weak where the prop struts are that the cover bulges up in the middle when it is in the sun all day. I am putting up with it until something better comes along.

damn pennyman--that would really upset me, someone else told me they were not happy with a product from them.

thanks for another heads up/ confirmation on that.

[Finnie3d]

PENNY: Definitely thanks for the Gaylord heads up! I was just about ready to go with them, but I've got a lead on another place here locally and at least want to compare.

FOOL: Keep going with your business idea. More people need to make more parts for our trucks. Do it now and let us know when you're up and running.

[foolonthehill]

I've got the glass panel ready to go, still working on getting our vacuum and oven up and running. Should be ready before the end of next month.
I should note, our tonneas will not have a convex profile; they will be completely flat, and sit inside the bed rails. I'm sourcing the rubber trim for them now.
Also still looking for a simple, low cost hinge solution.
One thing for sure, when we do it, it will be right.

[4doorciv]

Sounds very promissing. Let us know when you come up with some kind of pricing also. I know already shipping to my house is going to be a lot, so estimated without shipping.

[l.k.]

i am so ready to have one of these.....hope all works out with this process and with your business man. Best of luck to you...

[foolonthehill]

I'll tell you what you guys with second gen trucks could do to help me; what is the EXACT dimension of your trucks bed, from inside the rails? length & width, and how close to square is it? I want to make these fit as tight as possible but without interference, and still have a good seal on them for weather.

[MitsuMax]

Any updates on the tonneau covers? Interested in one for my 88 max :))

[DroppedMitsu]

FoolontheHill, these are the measurements from my 2nd gen.

These are inside rail to rail
front left corner to front right corner - 4' 7 3/4"
front left corner to rear left corner - 5' 11 7/8"
front right corner to rear right corner - 5' 11 3/4"
rear left corner to rear right corner - 4' 7 7/8"

Also keep in mind on a second gen the rear corners of the inside rail are rounded and not a 90* like the front inside rail corners

[OutcastZeroOne]

my GF found one made by Best Top for $650. She almost ordered it for me for christmas but I talked her out of it. Never seen one on the truck, and I think it was made of ABS plastic so I didnt think it would do too good in the sun over time but Im not totaly sure. Maybe if someone has any experiance with it. not sure I can post a direct link, not being a donator, but the part number is:

Bestop (Foldable Hard Cover) (Black) (Fits PN[42720])

[DroppedMitsu]

You can post link to whatever you like, as long as its not YOU personally selling the item.

[PBaxter]

I'm not sure if you need a t-cover specifically for that build of car 'coz I make due with a generic one. I use a TONNO PRO TRI-FOLD SOFT TONNEAU COVER (http://www.jcwhitney.com/soft-tonneau-covers/c13889j1s17.jcwx) from I think JCW. It didn't really cost me a lot and I do think it does the job nicely. Will post some pictures later to see if you'd like to get one too

[Finnie3d]

Haven't had the time or money to shop for the Tonneau lately. Fool, I definitely hope your R&D is going well and your business is coming along nicely. I look forward to being able to purchase one. I play bass guitar, and whenever I go to a gig, if it looks like rain, I wrap my bass cabinet in a plastic drop cloth! lol It does the job, so I'm definitely grateful! It will just be easier to be able to put the cab in the bed, drop the top, and keep it moving!

[yamahlr]

I'm in the Charlotte NC area, there is a company called Slimline Truck Covers that made a very nice one. Small Mom & Pop type company, they may still make it on demand. BTW our beds are the same approx. size as the 1st gen S-10. The camper caps interchange think it's about a 1 inch difference in the bed length. I will check to see if they are still in business.

[ikeepzitclean]

this sounds like a great idea.. i'd love to be able to keep stuff in the bed of my truck w/out gettin it jacked. lol

[yamahlr]

Apparently the Slim Line truck covers are still being made here in N.C. I spoke w/ a guy that had an almost new Chevy full sixe w/ the Slim Line on it and he bought it not too long ago. They are in Claremont,N.C. and phone is (828)464 9074. Their product looks to have alot of quality. I have a real nice one that I bought in 1988 made by a company called California Concepts in Compton, CA. they are however out of biz, but if you ever fnd a used one, buy it! Cover is still like new and you can stand on it. Has an automotive vinyl top covering and gas prop rods,made exactly for the Ram 50. Locks and comes off in about 5 minutes.

[ikeepzitclean]

Apparently the Slim Line truck covers are still being made here in N.C. I spoke w/ a guy that had an almost new Chevy full sixe w/ the Slim Line on it and he bought it not too long ago. They are in Claremont,N.C. and phone is (828)464 9074. Their product looks to have alot of quality. I have a real nice one that I bought in 1988 made by a company called California Concepts in Compton, CA. they are however out of biz, but if you ever fnd a used one, buy it! Cover is still like new and you can stand on it. Has an automotive vinyl top covering and gas prop rods,made exactly for the Ram 50. Locks and comes off in about 5 minutes.

looks dope.. especially da one on da oldskool truck on their site. come to think of it again, i'd rather look for the long bed for my truck w/ a toolbox in it.. idk if they make long beds for 2nd gens tho

[yamahlr]

From what I've been told they go by box dimensions not make and model. I'd measure up good and call them.

[yamahlr]

Found a guy in the city how has a vintage Slim Line on his 80s Mazda B2200. Truck is parked near where I do some work. I will shoot a pic if it helps anyone. The overall look of the Mazdog is similar to the 2nd gen Ram in my opinion.

[340D]

When I bought my D-50 it had a snap on cover on the bed. It was not snapped on in the back for a while and it apparently shrunk, it will not reach the snaps on the tailgate.Does anybody know were I could get a new one. Thanks......6086

[BradMph]

I made my own, after the original one started to tear which was much cheaper then buying one to replace. You can get yards of the same material at a fabric store and also the edging. I picked up the black thread at a fish store since the choices were abundant and extremely strong and weather resistant. Get the mother or gf to sew the edging on it with a sewing machine or hire out a seamstress to do it.
The fabric store also have snaps to install on the cover and or the truck if needed and is very easy to do. Sometimes if you wait for the very hot weather, you can pull the material to fit. Leave it snapped for a week or so and maybe place something flat and heavy on the cover after its snapped so it can stretch it back out for you. Piece or two of drywall for example. There are also items like armor all and stuff that will give your cover some flex to work with. Drying out will shrink them, but applying certain cleaners or conditioners and what not will allow them to stretch back out so you can begin the process of snapping it back. Do a couple snaps a day or so to do it without ripping.
I love the cover on my truck and it makes it look real nice when it is all armor all'd or cleaned. Strange looking on the freeway though, lol the air going over the truck into the bed and flowing over the cover. Lets you know how aerodynamic the bed isn't without a cover or dropping the bed door down.

[340D]

Thanks BradMph,I put a whole bottle of Armorall on before,I have put vegtable cooking oil on it. When I got the truck the cover was unsnapped about halfway up and it had been sitting that way for 2 or 3 years.I was lucky I got it snapped to the tailgate. I will look into getting one made.I guess no one makes this kind anymore.

[bobsnewdirection]

How much too short is your cover? I got a cheap one for my second gen and it has springs at the end where the tailgate is. The rails on the sides are prob 1/2 to 3/4 to short and the springs keep the tension on the cover. I can snap mine in the dead of winter! Just push on the back rail and it gives u some slack. U might be able to do something like that to yours

[BradMph]

These covers are more of a specialty nowadays. Since factory outlets are producing fiberglass ones and since Velcro has entered the market, snaps are obsolete and time consuming to do. Though personally I will always like snaps better then any other design on the first gens.

Bob, got a pic of how your is made?

[pennyman1]

when I had a 2nd gen spacecab Ram 50, I had a 93 up shortbed ranger tonneau a neighbor gave me - cut the frame down 1/4 to 1/2 inch and it fit fine for a while until the stiching went on the peel off cover and it peeled off on I-70 one day at 70 mph - that was the end of using it - I did retrieve it, semi tire tracks and all.