[firecracker]

Hey guys, I've nearly got my bedcover finished. here's a couple of pictures.

I've only got a total of about $75 in the whole thing so far.

 

[firecracker]

Couldn't find anything that fit my criteria.....

1. hard
2. partially removable
3. uses utilitrack
4. doesn't cost alot $$$$

So I made my own: Figured that 3/4 inch plywood would slide into the tracks and was strong enough to span the bed. Cut into three pieces so I can remove what I need to in order to haul something (that's what I don't like about fiberglass tops). Anyway, then I added two good coats of fiberglass resin to fill in alot of the texture that plywood has. sanded it down fairly smooth. Painted three coats of enamel (flat black). Sanded as needed. Then put the final coat of enamel on it with "slip resistant" additive. I used the color "anodized bronze" because I thought it compliments the Canteen Green.

Anyway, if anyone has any questions about it......let me know! Hope this helps someone out. :wink: :wink:

 

[firecracker]

I forgot to mention....when I remove a section to haul something (lawnmower, or example) I use those little blocks that came with the track cleats to hold the cover in place. No problems yet...

 

[firecracker]

If you look close at the pictures, you'll see that I actually notched out about an 1/8 of an inch or so at the rails. I did this because, I didn't get the resin on when a breif rain came up and got the boards wet.......you know what happens then....the edges swell up. It took me and my neighbor to get the board out of the rail!!!! 8O Not a problem anymore!!! :lol:

 

[M4ck]

Do you have to be logged in or something to view the pictures. I'm not getting anything. I would like to see these images.
M4ck

 

[firecracker]

yeah, I guess so.....sorry, I'll repost them when I can get a chance.

 

[BiXLL]

PM sent firecracker!

 

[USMCUglyAngel]

Haven't seen any bed caps anywhere for the Titan yet. Figure its gonna be a while or what? I'm gonna need one soon, gotta let the dog in the back. Not havin' my Titan look like my Xterra did...looked like a friggin dog exploded in the back.

 

[M4ck]

Oh no there out there. here ya go a few I know of.
http://www.leer.com/nissanmodel1.html
http://www.autoanything.com/shopping_guides/tonneau_cover/shopping_guide_lund.aspx?se=lund_tonneau_cover_lund_truck_bed_cover
http://www.rolltopcover.com/
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14197

Check all these links out.
M4ck

 

[firecracker]

Sorry about the links, fellas.....I've edited it so now you can see them.

 

[k9mrussell]

Looks good for $75.00.

 

[JetTech]

Outstanding firecracker!! I've seen this done once before on another Titan and it's a great idea. Glad you reminded me because this is a very cost effective and sturdy cover.

Thanks for passing this along, it looks great!!

 

[BiXLL]

Great job! Why not go into your origanal post, edit, scroll down to bottom and make this a sticky?

 

[firecracker]

?? appearently I can't do that..no option for it. I think you have to be a moderator.....

 

[M4ck]

Yes you do have to be a mod. And since I am I will sticky it. LOL
M4ck

 

[Guest]

Actually has no one thought of one major problem? Rain! A major thing with the cover is no water gets into the bed. Well, the way you designed it allows water to go in between the wood panels you put on. Without some type of good rubber seal between them, its going to leak. Another bad thing about wood. The water is going to sit on top of the wood, which in turn will cause it to sag over time. Even a protectant won't help that.

 

[firecracker]

Actually has no one thought of one major problem? Rain! A major thing with the cover is no water gets into the bed. Well, the way you designed it allows water to go in between the wood panels you put on. Without some type of good rubber seal between them, its going to leak. Another bad thing about wood. The water is going to sit on top of the wood, which in turn will cause it to sag over time. Even a protectant won't help that.

Well, first off...Rain was NOT the reason I put this thing together...it was the reduction of drag(^mpg). If it's water resistance that you need, then you can easily apply a good weatherstrip in between the planks, but that's not what is really important to me.

And, Second...you may have missed that I put a couple of coats of fiberglass resin on the wood prior to paining it. That will keep the water out of the wood.

Thanks for your opinions, though. If you're looking for a good retractable cover....MikeZ, I believe has one installed on his truck. You can check the "Reviews" section on the main page.

 

[SMOKEDYA2]

just in case you wanted to sturddy it up you could add a couple of 2x4's under the plywood, then you could even put a decent amount of weight on top of the plywood also. just a thought

 

[SimplyTitan]

Looks real good...What was the increase in MPG? Where would I find the fiberglass resin? Held up well so far? One last question..I guess your truck came with that sliding rail to put the boards in?

 

[firecracker]

Looks real good...What was the increase in MPG?

maybe 1-2 mpg increase, I can't really say as I did it VERY quickly after purchase

Where would I find the fiberglass resin? Held up well so far?

Walmart or Home Depot has the resin. And, Yes, has held up well. Only problem is some of the paint peeling up because of not good adhesion with the resin...I didn't rough it up any before I painted it.

One last question..I guess your truck came with that sliding rail to put the boards in?

Yes. I've got the SE w/ the Utili-Trac system.


Thanks for the compliments!