Diamondback 270 User manual

Important installation information
PARTS INCLUDED:
IMPORTANT!
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Normal Install Time
60 minutes
Tips to assist installation
Helpful Hints
PREPARE THE CARGO BED & POSITION THE COVER
Attach the clamp bracket to the bulkhead, centered side to side and flush
with the top rail, using a drill, 3/8” nut driver bit, and four self-drilling screws.
1
Use four screws to attach a lock rod striker
bracket to each front corner of the cargo bed, the
bracket’s V bend pointing rearward and its side
screw flange located as high as possible without
it breaking the plane of the top of the bed rail.
2
If you are also installing a Cross Bin, do so now. Refer to page 2 of the
Cross Bin Installation Guide for details.
3
Place the cab & T panels
assembly on the front half of
the bed so its leading edge
lines up with the leading edge
of the bulkhead.
4
To avoid hinge damage, do not close the
panel until hinges are fully mated: Tilt the
panel past 90° and push to the left until the
hinge locking tabs interlock and the hinge
barrels are aligned with the leaves.
Retighten your clamps after 100 miles.
Mating hinges is
easiest when you
line up the longer,
left hinge pin first.
Turn the lock handle back to the closed position so that the lock rods pass
underneath the bed rails. Close the tailgate.
6Place two cap clamps as far apart as possible at each of the three
ends of the T panel. Tighten with a 9/16” socket.
8
Center the DiamondBack
side to side.
7
Cap Clamps (6)Gas Springs (6)
Clamp Bracket Self-Drilling Screws (12)
Lock Rod
Striker Brackets
Bed Rail
Edge Trim (2)
Tailgate Panel
TOOLS REQUIRED:
PRE-INSTALLATION
NOTES:
If your truck has bed rail
caps, you should affix the
included bulkhead prep kit
prior to installing the
DiamondBack 270. Refer to
the Bulkhead Prep Kit
Installation Guide for
details.
Drill 3/8” Nut Driver
Slide the tailgate panel onto the T panel by mating
their hinges. Close the tailgate panel slowly while
holding the lock handle in the open position.
5
Installing the clamp bracket is easiest
if you pre-drill it using the screws.
It's OK for the V bend to break the
plane of the top of the bed rail.
Cab & T Panels Assembly
INSTALLATION GUIDE
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Tape Measure1/8” Hex Key7/16” Socket9/16” SocketRatchet Wrench
CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE

ATTACH THE GAS SPRINGS
ADJUST THE LOCK RODS
Repeat steps 9 through 11 for the cab-panel lock rods so that:
A. with the lock handles in the open position, the rod tips clear the
striker brackets (forward) and T-panel gutter (rearward),
B. with the handles the closed position, the forward rod tips do not
strike the bulkhead, and
C. the rods point downward.
12 Double-check all three panels to ensure they open, close, lock & seal
correctly. If at any point the weatherstrip does not touch the bed rails,
adjust the position of the lock rods.
13
Loosen the set screws on the
tailgate panel lock rod linkages.
9Tighten the rod guide brackets
after positioning the lock rods
tight against the bed rail lips so
that closing them draws the
tailgate panel down and
compresses the perimeter
weatherstrip.
Note: If your bed rail lips have sharp edges, they
might tear the rubber caps on the end of the
lock rods. To protect the end caps, peel the red
adhesive backing from the bed rail edge trim
pieces and place them on the bed rail lips.
Note: If you have a plastic bed liner or
bed rail caps that extend beyond the bed
rail lips, trim the plastic so the lock rods
can touch the bed rail lips.
11
To get the weatherstrip compression
necessary for its adhesive to cure and the
cover to keep out the weather, have a
second person press down on the cover
while you’re adjusting the lock rods.
Operating the access
panels is easiest when
you press down as you
open or close them.
Your panels should be difficult to operate at first. Leave
them closed as much as possible for 3–4 days to break in
the weatherstrip. After that period, you should find that
the panels open and close without difficulty.
Attach the 60-lb. gas springs to the cab-panel ball studs and
the stronger gas springs to the tailgate-panel ball studs.
14
Leave the cover closed and
locked for 24 hours to allow
the weatherstrip adhesive,
which is pressure-sensitive,
to fully cure.
15
To avoid premature failure of your gas springs, attach
them barrel up, shaft down.
Note: If you are also installing a Single-Side Bin, do so now. Refer to to the Single-Side
Bin Installation Guide for details.
Adjust the length of the lock rods and retighten the set screws so that:
A. with the lock handle in the open position, the rod tips clear the
bed rails,
B. with the handle in the closed position, the rod tips do not strike
the bed walls, and
C. the rods point downward.
10
You’ll find the strength of the gas springs printed on the
sides of the barrels.
To ensure the best weatherstrip adhesion, leave your cover and tailgate
closed and locked for 24 hours after you’ve made your final adjustments.
1/8” Hex Key
7/16” socket
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