Diamondback cover with front runner rack

Anybody ever put on the front runner bed rack on the diamondback cover? I’m curious to know if anybody has any pointers. The tonneau cover was fairly easy just took a while since I’m a paraplegic. Any and all input is welcome and appreciated greatly.

 

I got a Diamond Back SE cover about a year ago. I just installed the Front Runner rack a few months ago. I went with the Front Runner because of the quality and the fact you can still open the cover (with just the crossbars on). The rack has been working great (I use it to hold a bike rack, with plans for a roof top tent soon). The hardest part was lining up the rails, they come in three pieces per side and lining them up is made harder because the Tacoma bed is not square but tapers. This means you can't just measure from say 2" from the edge and place your rails because this will result in a "V" shaped rails. I measure from the inside (made mine 50") and used a long level to keep all three sections square. I am also very happy with the cover and rack.




Each side comes in three pieces.


Using a level to keep the tracks straight


Front Runner support arm.


Standard arm sits about 7" above the cover. The taller arm sit about 10" high.


I ordered some taller arms so my crossbar sits about 10" high. This gives me a better view out the back.


Tracks without cross bar.


Thule Upride bike rack mounted to Front Runner crossbar (I need to mod the Thule mounting bolts to fit the crossbar)

 

Thank you for the pointers. Huge help. I was just going to measure 2 inches from the edges and go hot from there.

 

Dude I didn’t know they made crossbars on sliders! This is a game changer, I may reconsider the bars now that they’re on sliders

 

The short support arms work great for bike racks (you don't have to lift as high) and roof top tents sit at or below the cab. The taller supports sits higher but you get a better view out of the rear window. The Diamond Back kit comes with the short support arms I had to order the longer ones directly from Front Runner (they were around $60 per set).

 

Also, when mounting the rails be sure and check under the cover to be sure you clear any obstructions (like the lock hardware and cross braces). I used all the mounting holes and 2 on each side landed right on top of the cross brace so I had to use a rivet nut for those holes (they come with the kit). Note, the HD cover has twice as many cross braces as the SE version.


Be sure your mounting holes clear everything on the under side.


Rivet nut used where rail sits on top of the cross brace because there is no access to the bolt from underneath.

 

Plan is to buy the Front Runner bed rack system for our truck soon. In talks to pick up a 2nd hand HD cover in the Seattle, WA area **hopefully** within the week ...

 

Had my SD cover over a year and love it, no issues at all. Same for the Front Runner cross bars which I purchased about 6 months ago.

 

Those rails have went from $499 to $649

ridiculous!

 

And I think the price increased to $600+ earlier...maybe year-end? But at close to $700 I was even considering this:

https://www.hiredgunoffroad.com/pro...covers_2005_2020_tacoma_12_inch_top_bed_rails

 

I just Found a 3 bar set brand new in the box on FB for $400.

Just asked around and found a few wanting to sell