My original panels were in perfect condition, but very flimsy and I was afraid that I would eventually throw a tool through them. They also were too flimsy to mount a speaker on.

I ordered a sheet of .080 Diamond tread plate from quick ship metals (awesome source for diamond plate!) to fab up some replacements. I chose aluminum for light weight, and diamond plate for looks

Traced my original on cardboard for test-fit and mock up before cutting up the aluminum.

The fold-down has a piano hinge at the bottom. It will get magnets in the inside upper corners to keep it closed (my wifes idea! I was trying to figure out a way to latch it closed...)

I used 1/8" foam around the edges to make sure it didn't rattle, and #10x3/4" sheet metal screws to fasten it to the rails of the truck.

Here are some pictures of the finished product. Haven't finished the passenger side yet, should be done this week. It will have a speaker and a subwoofer.

Total cost is ~80 for plate, and 10 in fasteners and jigsaw blades.

enjoy!

 

wow man nice job looks good

 

Nice. They look a lot like mine, but mine aren't DP..

 

That is beautiful. I have a set cut out, but not yet installed. Mine are steel, though.

DirtyOKid, did you take any pics? Got a link?

 

looks good. Couple questions.

Was 80 bucks just for one side or both?

Did the foam tape work with the rattles?

How sturdy is the speaker?

 

How does it stay closed

 

 

Very nice, I have plans to do the same thing out of a regular flat (non-diamond plate) sheet of aluminum I have lying around.

 

This is my bed. The floor is flat black now though

 

that looks pretty sweet. i was thinking of doing the exact same thing, but just havent gotten around to it yet.

please post up some finished pictures when completely done. i am trying to sell my friend on the idea, he thinks it would look tacky, but now he can see how cool it will be.

later,
b

 

OP,

I used flip latch, to keep mine closed, also works great when the top is off and you have a lock on it...I know alum diamond plate isnt that strong, but I have not had anyone try to pry it back:

 

Kind of, because the metal flexes a little bit, i put down a bead of caulking/adheasive in the corner where the diamond plate meets the floor and let it harden before I had the floor board linexed, then had them shoot that line up the diamond plate, Helps ALOT with the rattles...

 

LBeard - that looks great! How did you address the rear corners near the gate, where the plastic panels curve in slightly? I know OrRunner bent them in to match but I don't have the tools for that

I think we I do this I'm going to use rivets to secure screw anchors on the backsides of the OEM mounting holes (for those plastic pieces that hold the OEM panels on). This way I'll be able to remove them if needed.

LBeard - how did you cut panels? When I do this I plan to use my 4.5 inch cutting tool....doable?

 

looks like the interior of some wwii aircraft!

 

I like the function of these metal panels as opposed to the factory plastic covered cardboard (or something like that). I only have a few problems with it though,

1. The rattle must be insane! I know the foam helps, but i still imagine it must be like an earthquake in there. Please correct me if this is not the case.

2. Has anyone thought of welding the panels on? Or at least tacking them on?

 

^^I don't see any reason for them to rattle if they are screwed or riveted down properly and you CANNOT weld aluminum to steel.

 

I guess not, but i still feel like they'd rattle so much. And after i posted that i realized that hahah.

 

In order to rattle it has to be able to move, enough pop rivets should hold it plenty still. I'm betting that they won't rattle much at all, but I will find out for myself soon enough.

 

Is it possible to make larger or more (3 or 4) storage areas when you make your own panels? I ask because I think it'd be pretty freaking cool to be able to store things like my tool kit, compressor, some survival stuff etc inside the panels instead of strapped down to the deck in the rear. I tend to carry a limited amount of stuff on a daily basis and it takes up cargo room.

 

..but you could weld steel to steel.... my only issue is if they ever need to come off.