Bigbrownpilot
Member
- First Name
- David
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 16
- Location
- Big Canoe, GA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland
- Occupation
- Retired pilot
- Thread starter
- #1
Folks,
Bought my Gladiator on Memorial Day weekend. Traded my 2018 Wrangler and got $4K over what I owed (and more that I paid for it!) Decided to spend the big bucks for the OEM roll-up bed cover. Now I understand why it was so expensive- it’s made of the same material they use on convertible tops on modern cars, not some crappy vinyl. So, after reading the instructions, I’m convinced this is going to take less than an hour. It should have, except for one thing- the directions show two nut plates for the two M8 bolts that hold the cover frame at the front of the bed to already be welded to to the bed box. After you cut out the plastic block-off plate, the four M6 nut plates for the latches are there., The holes for the forward mounts are pre-drilled, in the bed box, but there is nothing for the bolts to screw into in my 2021 Gladiator. The tonneau covet kit did not have any nuts or washers, only four M6 bolts and two M8 bolts. Had to go to the local hardware store and get a couple self-locking M8 coarse-thread nuts and stainless steel washers. It was a bitch getting them on the bolt between the cab and the bed, and another bitch getting a wrench on them to tighten the bolts. Don’t know why I didn’t have the threaded nut plates installed front m the factory, so I’m curious whether they are there in other 2021 and 2020 models.
The Jeep video about the tonneau cover talks about how easy it is to remove the whole thing just by removing the two M8 bolts. Yeah, it would be if the nut plates were installed from the factory. But there’s no way I’m removing the whole cover if I don’t have to! Getting the washers and nuts on was a major undertaking!
Now that it’s installed, it looks good and seems very functional. I had to make a small adjustment to the latches by latching the tonneau cover, loosening the two M6 bolts on each latch, then re-tightening them while the cover is still latched with me pressing down on the back part of the frame. People say it’s not a locking cover, but if I push down to the back and close the tailgate, I can’t easily pull the rear flap of the tonneau cover up to get into the bed. I’m sure with a tool and enough force it’s easy to break into, but the covet isn’t for security as much as keeping things dry. Anyone with a pry bar or a knife could get into the bed. But the same goes for a convertible car. Overall, this seems like a good product, except for the lack of threaded holes to bolt into, and the lack of nuts in the kit. Interested in hearing about the experiences others are having!
Best Regsrds,
David
Bought my Gladiator on Memorial Day weekend. Traded my 2018 Wrangler and got $4K over what I owed (and more that I paid for it!) Decided to spend the big bucks for the OEM roll-up bed cover. Now I understand why it was so expensive- it’s made of the same material they use on convertible tops on modern cars, not some crappy vinyl. So, after reading the instructions, I’m convinced this is going to take less than an hour. It should have, except for one thing- the directions show two nut plates for the two M8 bolts that hold the cover frame at the front of the bed to already be welded to to the bed box. After you cut out the plastic block-off plate, the four M6 nut plates for the latches are there., The holes for the forward mounts are pre-drilled, in the bed box, but there is nothing for the bolts to screw into in my 2021 Gladiator. The tonneau covet kit did not have any nuts or washers, only four M6 bolts and two M8 bolts. Had to go to the local hardware store and get a couple self-locking M8 coarse-thread nuts and stainless steel washers. It was a bitch getting them on the bolt between the cab and the bed, and another bitch getting a wrench on them to tighten the bolts. Don’t know why I didn’t have the threaded nut plates installed front m the factory, so I’m curious whether they are there in other 2021 and 2020 models.
The Jeep video about the tonneau cover talks about how easy it is to remove the whole thing just by removing the two M8 bolts. Yeah, it would be if the nut plates were installed from the factory. But there’s no way I’m removing the whole cover if I don’t have to! Getting the washers and nuts on was a major undertaking!
Now that it’s installed, it looks good and seems very functional. I had to make a small adjustment to the latches by latching the tonneau cover, loosening the two M6 bolts on each latch, then re-tightening them while the cover is still latched with me pressing down on the back part of the frame. People say it’s not a locking cover, but if I push down to the back and close the tailgate, I can’t easily pull the rear flap of the tonneau cover up to get into the bed. I’m sure with a tool and enough force it’s easy to break into, but the covet isn’t for security as much as keeping things dry. Anyone with a pry bar or a knife could get into the bed. But the same goes for a convertible car. Overall, this seems like a good product, except for the lack of threaded holes to bolt into, and the lack of nuts in the kit. Interested in hearing about the experiences others are having!
Best Regsrds,
David
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