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Tonneau Cover Ideas

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by wide34, Apr 25, 2011.

  1. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    I need to install a Tonneau cover on my pick-up bed so that I can store things without "losing" them. I'm not too concerned about rain etc. but do want to be able to lock it up. I'm thinking about building an aluminum frame, covering the frame with an aluminum skin then setting it on L shaped brackets that I would cover with weatherstripping. I'd hinge the front and use a gear drive to open and close it.
    If anyone has another idea that would still keep everything relatively safe I'd appreciate your comments.

    http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab322/wide34/34fordbuild022.jpg

    http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/ab322/wide34/34fordbuild025.jpg
     
  2. Never2old
    Joined: Oct 14, 2010
    Posts: 737

    Never2old
    Member
    from so cal

    If you're going to cover the pretty wood anyway, why don't you build a box that fits the inside of the bed and put a hinged & lockable lid on it?
     
  3. Roger Walling
    Joined: Sep 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,149

    Roger Walling
    Member

    You can buy the alunimum skin from a truck body parts store. 96" or 102" wide. It sells by the foot, any length you want.
    You can also buy curved roof bows, really cheap!
     
  4. KrisKustomPaint
    Joined: Apr 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,107

    KrisKustomPaint
    Member

    why not just brake the edges of some .063" 6061. Then you wouldn't need to build a frame for it.
     

  5. OLLIN
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 3,147

    OLLIN
    Member

    I made mine out of steel square tubing with 1/2 plywood on top so i could sit on it at car shows, and strap a cooler and chairs to the top of it etc. I tried to have it hinged at first but it was hitting the back of my cab, so i just ended up making it removable

    I think the trick will be to find some hinges that come up and out..
     
  6. OLLIN
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 3,147

    OLLIN
    Member

    theres a guy on here who has a cool one. Its a canary yellow hotrod pickup I think it has tweety bird painted on it or something, but i think he even did a thread on it..
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2011
  7. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL


    A friend made an all aluminum cover for my truck. You might find the pix helpful. We had a SS piano hinge at the back and Z shapped metal trim on the sides to act as a water drain / seal that has a rubber gasket, too. Two linear activators raise and lower it and a 90 over the tail gate keeps it shut without a lock. The tail gate locks from the inside. Gary

    There are 4 parts to my build thread, but I think these two are the ones with the good pix. Gary

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355854
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387590
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2011
  8. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    Many thanks for your thoughts, for me this is what makes the HAMB great. My son agrees that covering up the bed is crazy but I'm planning to do a lot of road trips with my wife and this is the only area I have to store things and I want it to be as safe as I can make it.


    Can I make this stiff enough not to flex by just braking the edges? I know that is pretty thick but I've got an approx. 52" x 58" area to cover.

    Thanks for the pictures and I like what you've done, this is pretty close to what I was thinking about. I do have another question, when you weld the skin to the frame (assuming this is aluminum) how long of a weld bead can you run before worrying about warping? I don't intend to run a full weld beam but rather every 10 to 12 inches.
     
  9. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas


    Sorry Gary, I meant to Thank you for the pictures and I like what you did- it is very close to what I was thinking of doing. I'll re-ask the question about welding aluminum, how long a weld bead can you run before you worry about warping? Thanks, Tom
     
  10. Da Tinman
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
    Posts: 4,222

    Da Tinman
    Member

    if your feeling crafty give this a try,, no welding!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I know its not a truck bed but can easily be translated. Its really light and strong enough for me to stand on.
     
  11. KrisKustomPaint
    Joined: Apr 20, 2007
    Posts: 1,107

    KrisKustomPaint
    Member

    The depth of the flange will add strength, I'd make it about an 1" and weld or rivet the corners . If you add a bit of crown to the panel it will stiffen it up quite a bit. If you're wanting the flat look, I'd add an X brace (bead roll out a piece of sheet aluminum)and use the foam stuff for hood and roof braces, but it probably won't be necessary it would just make it more stout.
     
  12. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    Tom,
    The guy who did my cover welded the frame together first and then drilled holes in the cover. The holes allowed him to weld the cover and frame together from above. There are no continuous seams and no welds show from either side. BTW, the cover is about 1/8 inch thick! I wanted it to be more resistant to prying hands. The bottom was powdercoated silver and the painter dressed / filled the welds in the top before the red went on. Gary
     
  13. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    PFC! Pretty frickin cool. Gary
     
  14. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas


    That is a great piece of fabricating, I don't think my talents are even close to yours! thanks for showing it. tom
     
  15. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    Thanks Gary, I like the idea of drilling and welding, hadn't thought about it. Really appreciate the response.
    Tom
     
  16. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    Thanks for the idea, I'm going to try a small piece to see if it is as stiff as I want, I do want the flat look.
     
  17. Britcon
    Joined: Jul 26, 2007
    Posts: 2

    Britcon
    Member

    Saw a nice T- Cover made of Aluminum. Guy " machine turned " the entire top and gave it a couple of coats of clear with a slight red tint. Piano type hinge at front with electric actuators.
     
  18. ...I like the storage box idea myself, here's mine in my 47 AD; it's big enuf for a full-size spare tire; still room to haul stuff in bed.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. uc4me
    Joined: Feb 3, 2006
    Posts: 516

    uc4me
    Member

    I made a cover out of 3/4" conduit, a sheet of 1/4 Luon and some marine grade vinyl.

    It sits on some small tabs welded into the sides of the bed. could be made lockable with out too much fuss
     

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  20. Made mine out of 2x2's and an old army tarp. But my box is only about 3 feet square.
     
  21. wide34
    Joined: Mar 2, 2006
    Posts: 634

    wide34
    Member
    from Texas

    I had thought about a box but unfortunately I've mounted tha gas tank in the front of the bed and don't want to move it. You've got a really neat truck, I'll bet it's a lot of fun.

    Again Thanks to everyone for your ideas, obviously some very creative people on this board!
     

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