Hello all,
Finally finishing up my project. Just the headliner and the factory radio/cb unit left on my punch list.

My truck will not fit in my garage it four inches too long. For now I'm using a weather tight cover. I'm looking for suggestions on what type of bed cover/tonneau are available for the bumpsides?

Thanks

 

I'm making mine. I remember in the '70s, even '80s .... guys made theirs and often got upholstery shops to cover them. Some mounted them to the lips of the bed rail, some had legs under them like tables, but slide latches were used to prevent wind pulling them out. I don't know of any store bought ones. I am part way there, but stopped to think more on it, but will get back to it soon. Mine is gonna be like four easy to remove / install panels behind my new tool box (not so much for tools, but used for extra "space" like groceries, etc), it'll be black, and will be useable even as I drive. It will be stout enough to walk on.

 

Tbear853,

Thanks for the quick reply. Looking to keep the bed dry. until I extend the garage. I have the white aluminum cap from back in the day, but can't bring myself to put it on, too ugly.....

Your truck looks beautiful, how do like the side steps, do they work well? I have the full length diamond plate running boards but they are probably going the way of the cap.

What brand on your steps?

Thanks

 

I use one of these on later model. Reasonable price and no drill install. Tonno Pro | Tonno Fold Tri-Fold It will come off also.

 

I have a roll up, soft cover made by truxedo on my '11 super duty, I've had a few other trucks with that kind of cover too. I like it, it uses velcro on sides and an aluminum bar by tailgate to snap into place and tension. I've thought about adding one to my '79.

I know the superduty version would be too wide for these older trucks, the length can be adjusted but width will be fixed for the most part. The side rails and front up by cab clamp to box in a similar manner to how you would clamp on a camper shell.

I'm thinking if you grabbed some measurements between box sides and length from front of box to tailgate you could go to truxedo's website and find one you could make work using those measurements. Modern full-size pickups are probably too big width wise regardless of make. The Chevy Colorado and Ford rangers though are near the same size as these older pickups.

As for length, the way they are set up you can easily shorten. Width cannot be adjusted. For example on my superduty, I could add a cross bed tool box, and cut 18 inches or so off the length of the tarp and side rails, move the front mount to behind the tool box and adjust my tensioners. The model you go with might be meant for a Chevy Colorado or a Nissan Tundra but as long as the width is correct and the length is as long or longer than your measurement from the cab to the tailgate you could probably get it to work.

 

Pretty truck there! I thought maybe you wer looking for support for the soft cover, but something prettier than just boards. I've had bed caps on two, but I had two rails mounted where I could take them off and on alone by standing in the bed and pushing up with my back as I slid a 2x4 across from side to side under the bed cap, used clamps then.

Thank you on the comment, the steps are CARR 124032 "Super Hoops". They are aluminum thick castings, I added a dtrut from step up to floor to relieve some twisting force on the lower pinch weld.

 

Here is the Tonno Pro on my '79. It fits well and the only issue I've had is the weatherstripping coming loose due to weak adhesive but can be easily remedied.

 

I have a Truxedo LoPro QT that came on my '07, which I replaced with a hard cover, made very well, but the '07 is a narrower Flare Side. Is that adjustable to length?

 

No adjustments besides moving it farther forward or backward on the model I have. No way to adjust overall length.

 

You mention a bumpside, but I assume you meant dentside ('73-79'). I have a '78 and recently put a Trifecta 2.0 (trifold) on it from RealTruck.com. I'm happy with it. I previously had a snap down tonneau-type cover, which gave a nice, tight fit, but it was near impossible to remove and reattach. The Trifecta 2.0 let's me use my bed more easily.

 

Extang is good. I'd avoid the 'living hinge" I think it's called

 

Access Tonneau truck cover. Fits like a glove. Part number is on their website.

 

Thanks to everyone that provide input. Looks like I'm going with the Access cover. Again thanks all !!!

Tbear, Thanks for the info for the Carr hoops. I now need to decide, black or polished, thanks

 

You will not be sorry!