I took my 4 panels that were already done on the top or exposed side day before yesterday .... & flipped them all four upside down on my trailer across the rails on strips ..... and I used that remaining Iron Armor bed liner out of the gallon can. I knew if not used, I'd find it hardened next time I opened it. Lots of texture, but I dare say it'll never be noticed except by close look, certainly not at 55 mph.

If I ever do remake this set I'll maybe use an exterior grade plywood, maybe even get it topped by the Line-X shop up the road, spray on, just no grippy sand. If I made 4 equal sized pieces, two would be heavier, but two would be lighter (than these). I might would not include the 4-1/2" x 1-1/2" oval hand hold slots (but they are handy).
As it sits, that truck soft cover will work. I never intended to leave them on the truck "always" anyway.

 

I'll keep an eye open for upgrades. That is just 1/2" EMT in the tie downs here below.





08-24-2025 Call it an inclusive update:
And today I made some hooks that will pull the panels down to a contact with the bed rail tops with no gaps, They aren't simple J hooks, but are aluminum and contact the lip under the bed rail a full inch long. The very first two will use holes in the panel, but the next 6 will simply extend down between panels in that 3/8" gap and the 3" long washers will span the gap and pull both panels at that gap down together. The very last two (of 10 total) will use holes again, but instead of hooking onto the lip, they'll hook on other features, like my 1" eye bolts that my assist handles use. I did not want external hex nuts or wing nuts, I wanted at most bolt heads or philips or socket counter sunk screw heads. I'll start with these 3-1/2" long 1/4-20 hex bolts, but later I'll substitute long SS socket head screws .... or polished hex heads maybe.

I'll still be able to use long tubes or the EMT through tie downs, but they will not be relied upon to keep my four cover pieces in place.

After securing these 4 panels (if I someday see a need to remake them, then I'll look at 4 equal sized pieces like 19-1/4" x 68") with my screw based hold downs, I think I'll just cover them with a cheap black or silver tarp from like HF @ $5 or $10. Tie the tarp to the tie downs. They have one silver tarp @ 5'6" (66") x 7'6" (78") which is near perfect sized, but yeah, it is silver, but it's only $5. I could even travel with it "in place" if needed if I just secured something on top to hold it down at 55 mph ... though it would be easier (and safer I guess) to just remove the tarp and fold it up & "GO". I'll Get a couple, and just keep one "on hand" as they do age in the sun. Also, they have a black / silver reversable tarp, it is $10 and it is a little bigger @ 6' x 8'. but I could use it easy enough too. Even though my T1-11 panels are covered on both sides with what is by now "well cured" bed liner, a tarp might extend their usable life time sitting out in the sun & rain?

As of now, that Iron Armor bed liner stuff is fully cured, seems to be very tough, and all 4 pieces are standing up & stored in the shop room for now, but I'm gonna add a simple holding rack to store them when not in use inside that carport near the truck, like handily secured to a wall up off earth .... so they can't fall. I'll have to store them tight to a wall or some other way so no bees can / will build behind them though .... OR just NOT leave them stored out there long enough for the bees to build.
Pics later. when all is a final "wrap".

 

I rekon that's a wrap.

Don't need the conduit or other tubes through tie downs to hold the 4 panels on now. I doubt you can see it, but in this picture the panels are close to even, but with the screw hold-down hooks holding them each snug to bed rail top (the black "Rail Guard") now they are dead even in height. I can remove one, two, three, or even all four panels pretty easily as needed like say ... for hauling trash cans or just bags for dumpsters etc. If I have reason to cover a load from prying eyes or snow or to support a soft cover if "tis the season". It'll be easy to set them and lock down against windage, etc. I expect that routinely, they'll stand against a wall, but that can change.



I like the rear bumper face covering better than the former paint too.

09-05-2025:
I had made a set of aluminum hold downs that used 1/4-20 bolts, but I just wasn't satisfied, so today made a little stouter version welded steel, they use 5/16-18 hardware. Ordered some 4" long all thread stainless steel button head bolts with allen head. They'll work better, be more secure if driving with all in place, and still no more holes .... but I didn't get any pics of them. They are hooks to hook under the bed rails, but these fit so they will not "turn" which will be good. The first panel will use 4, one at each corner, but the other three just use two holes, with an overlapping thick washer from the rear of the previous panel. So to remove, just work from rear to front in turn.