Installing Tonneau clips

[Robbo]

That sound's a very original idea Rob, I look forward to seeing this. I have only ever seen the traditional one piece cover.

[Big Rob]

That sound's a very original idea Rob, I look forward to seeing this. I have only ever seen the traditional one piece cover.

3mm aluminium sheet cut to the shape of the top of the guards/tailgate.
Cut into 2 pieces across where you want it to hinge.
Use a piano hinge to join the 2 pieces so the rear section can be lifted up while the front section is still flat.
Piano hinge or shorter hinges attach the front section to the body behind the window.
Cover each section independently with thin foam and tough vinyl (I have checkerplate pattern that I'm going to try).
4 x Dzus fasteners hold the whole thing down. (2 at the rear of the front section and 2 at the rear of the rear section).

The idea is to have a secure ute area without having to open the entire back section if you don't need to. This is good if you need to carry stuff in the back that might protrude above the tonneau, you can have the front section locked down and the rear section folded back over the front or just open a bit.

I built one of these about 20 years ago for a mate, using marine ply and covered in black long grain vinyl. It's still on his ute now I heard.