lexluthier72

Ryno.....Cool! Thanks. I will probably order up a length of it very soon! -Erin

Not more than $25 for a metal cover. I had to go an hour outside the city to get one. -E.

Mine ended up being the rear frame, not the axle itself, even after replacing the whole axle assembly, it still continued to eat bearings...The frame was tweaked just enough that the mounts lined up, but still put stress on the drivers side axle bearings....

Photo tomorrow in the sunlight. I couldn't have done it without your photo!!!

This is the extrusion I keep finding. IF this is correct, It was my mis-understanding that the "C" part of the channel stuck up in the air like that. I was under the assumption that IF the extrusion were mounted to the front rail, that the "C" part of the extrusion would end up sitting lower between the cab and the bed. Is this the correct extrusion? (this is the only type my "local" RV place sells....and they are 2 hours away. If it is the correct one, I may order one up and modify the mount later. (easily done with how I have it set up currently) http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Boat ... index.html

Vaquaro....I do have an "in" at the sewing store. :D The cover materials got purchased, and the cover is made. I used some J-hooks to fasten the front "rod" into place. Honestly, I could not find the correct C-channel extrusion, and the nearest RV accessory place is almost 2 hours away, and did NOT have the correct extrusion. (they only had the "side" mount. I did make the rod removeable in case I do find the extrusion. We finished sewing up the canvas this evening. It came out great. With some extra supplies, it ran $70. I will post a photo tomorrow of what it looks like and the front mount I came up with. -E. again, I did make the canvas "modifiable" in case I find the correct front rail extrusion, it can easily be changed to accept the C-channel when I find it. Thanks so much for all your input!!! I'm pretty happy for $70, and it looks professionally done. (I have a friend who sells industrial sewing machines, and my mother in law owns one of those machines) We did it right. Knowing the right folks helped immensly....Now If I could find that stinking extrusion. I guess finding locally is the issue....but what I came up with works very well. Thanks again! p.s.- The cheapest I could find for a "custom" cover was $230! (I can't justify that)

I bought a car (jeep XJ) 4 years ago that was "totalled" from the dealership, they did not inform me it had been totalled. (they had it professionally "restored", and it visually looked perfect) I sold it after replacing the rear end 4 times in 4 years. Apparently the rear end was tweaked enough that it continued to eat rear Differential bearings every year. (to the tune of $1000 per year to rebuild) Pay special attention to the rear axle. Good luck.

no worries. I think we have devised a good plan. The nearest place to get that C-channel is almost 2 hours away. I found some J-hooks that I can modifiy into hold downs for the rod, and once in place the canvas will wrap over the j-hooks and back toward the tailgate. The J-hooks are almost as wide as the front rail, so I do not think water leakage will be an issue. A Lo-tech work around. We start sewing today. :banana: Edit: The C-channel that is available aftermarket would only mount to the front or back of the rail, and not to the top, as there is no "top mount" type of tab.

"Speaking of velcro , let the strips set for no less than 48 hrs. at room temp. or you will be doing it again very shortly , I had to learn the hard way , just to impatient" Dang...its about 65 degrees here during the day right now....I suppose that means get the velcro on the truck at the warmest point in the day. :D

Update....At Home Depot....I found 72" long fiberglass rod, and galvanized steel J-hooks in the garden center.....The J-hooks will mount on the inside edge of the front rail, and the rod will be inside the end of the canvas at the front end. The J-hooks will hold down the canvas and the rod. the canvas will wrap over the top of the J-hooks.....Photos soon (I hope) So far, minus labor, I'm at $49! I still have to get some waterproofing, which will be $20 or less at the local West Marine. Not under $50, but probably not more than $70. :jump:

Vaquaro, I gotta know how does your "C-Channel" mount on to the front rail? I can see no easy way to mount somthing like that unless it was attached to an angled piece of aluminum and bolted through the top. There is simply not enough room to get between the cab and the box?!? -E.

C-channel not available as a seperate piece. No easy way to attach the C-channel for an RV awning. I will most likely either go with velcro, or put a piece of aluminum flat stock in the "loop" at the seam and drill and bolt the front on. -E.

I was going to go velcro all the way around. I will consider the C-channel though. It may be hard to find around here in the city. -E. p.s.- I saw those canvas "toppers" while browsing...the folding mechanism looks like a bear to make. :nuts: Edit: Where does the C-channel mount? On the top of the bed rail? OR?

solution found.

Short bed= 76x60

Haha....I think Jim did it. 8) BTW...Vaquaro....Thanks for the great photo. I have figured out how to make one, and still should cost less than $50. I'll make sure to post a photo when I get it done. -E.

:rotf:

All good. Id just say keep an eye on it. I had the same cover, and it finally warped and shot oil all over the exhaust manifold in the middle of traffic. The 94 metal cover is cheap insurance. Great looking truck! -E.

I have to wait to recharge the batteries in the portable impact before I ask for the address. :yes:

Ok....I got a better look at what they did to make the "hook and loop" cover, and I'm going to try it myself. The wife is pretty good at the sewing end of things. 2.5 yards of duck canvas will get the length I need, and is exactly 59" wide (the width of the truck box) I will post photos when its done. I am skipping the frame, and just doing the "supports" like in the photo above. Thanks for the photo! -Erin

I think I found it..... http://www.autoenhance.com/hookandloop.html EDIT: Discontinued! Back to the orig plan.....

Do you have a product number? Browsing their website and not finding it.

Who makes it? Where do I get one? Thanks! Edit: Is that a long, or short bed?

Something like this, only the cover will be canvas:

Hey All....after much research, I will be building my own tonneau cover out of PVC pipe and canvas. I will post photos as I progress. I should be able to do this for less than $50. The cover will not be "openable" but it will be removable and light weight. It will also be waterproofed, much like a canvas tent. My plan is to have a slight upward bow of a couple inches in the middle to flat on the ends. The canvas will have a drawstring of sorts sewn into the outer edge so it can be fastened around the pvc frame, and tightened up. Photo soon. -Erin