Camper shell tonneau cover

[Thrill4130]

I have a camper shell I’ve been modifying but need a tonneau cover for the sunroof. I’ve looked online and hobby lobby but interested if anyone knew of a good source for brown 6’x6’ material for cover? I have stainless buttons and want to make one myself so mainly need material. Thanks for any ideas I’ll keep looking online but seems everyone gave up on that style for fiberglass ones. Here’s some pictures
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[Thrill4130]

Those holes from the highway caused the sunroof.
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[Astro-Balls]

6' x 6' ? is that the actual finished dimension you need?
You can get used Billboard vinyl for cheap, its heavy gauge material too.

https://www.billboardvinyls.com/prod...SABEgLNRvD_BwE

You can buy first quality Tonneau Vinyl here..


https://www.sailrite.com/Tonneau-Black-77-Cover-Fabric

[special-K]

Talk to your local upholstery shop. I've worked with one for years. I do all the fab & hardware, take it to him, and he makes it up. He gives me the hardware to to take home to prepare for his work.

Here is a project I did with him. I put 1" x 1" aluminum channel along the top of the bed near the inner edge, rounded the back corners, installed the slide-in mount for the front of the tonneau along front of bed, mounted all the snaps and bow mounts, he did the rest

[Thrill4130]

Originally Posted by special-K

Talk to your local upholstery shop. I've worked with one for years. I do all the fab & hardware, take it to him, and he makes it up. He gives me the hardware to to take home to prepare for his work.

Here is a project I did with him. I put 1" x 1" aluminum channel along the top of the bed near the inner edge, rounded the back corners, installed the slide-in mount for the front of the tonneau along front of bed, mounted all the snaps and bow mounts, he did the rest

Thanks for the suggestion. The guy they use at work is super backed up so I was trying to avoid slowing him down at all.
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[Thrill4130]

Originally Posted by Astro-Balls

6' x 6' ? is that the actual finished dimension you need?
You can get used Billboard vinyl for cheap, its heavy gauge material too.

https://www.billboardvinyls.com/prod...SABEgLNRvD_BwE

You can buy first quality Tonneau Vinyl here..


https://www.sailrite.com/Tonneau-Black-77-Cover-Fabric

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That sailrite website was more what I was looking for thanks I’ll let you know what I end up doing. 6’x6’ was rough size I think it’s 73”x 63” but I’ll have to double check.
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[Astro-Balls]

Are you going to grow "Plants" in the back of that truck?...

[Thrill4130]

I ended up getting the camper tex beige material. Thanks for the tip on sailrite. Hand stitching the edges before I put stainless buttons in.
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[special-K]

That will be nice. I was trying to help you avoid having to make it. I figure there are other upholstery shops that could have gotten to it. My other suggestion would have been to buy a tonneau for a shortbed Stepside... approx 4' x 6'. Handmade by yourself is the best when it comes to fulfilling the soul

[Thrill4130]

Originally Posted by special-K

That will be nice. I was trying to help you avoid having to make it. I figure there are other upholstery shops that could have gotten to it. My other suggestion would have been to buy a tonneau for a shortbed Stepside... approx 4' x 6'. Handmade by yourself is the best when it comes to fulfilling the soul

Yeah I like the experience of doing it myself. Adds more character to the truck.
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[Astro-Balls]

Wow, I respect your skill and patience to do that project.

[Ol Blue K20]

I can't wait to see the finished product. Nice work you're doing.

[Thrill4130]

I finally got the cover on today. Now I see why everyone switched to solid cover. Stretching those buttons into place was crazy hard. That’s after I had to redo one side because it was about 1/4” short. Ready to see if it stays on during highway driving. 2500 mile trip on Friday so hopefully no issues.
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[flashed]

Looks great , I bet it will stay , the older El Camino covers used to be made like that and they stayed on just fine .

[Thrill4130]

I made some templates for the inside paneling. I’m going to try to insulate the sides to help a little. It’s like sleeping in a oven. I bought 0.040 aluminum I think for the sides and I’m gonna draw up some designs to bead roll on them.
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[Thrill4130]

Here’s the beginning of the bead rolled inner panels. Polished the raised bead then next week I’m gonna tape off the bead. Then I will use a scotch pad to scuff up the window frame areas and outside ring. Hopefully it will give it some cool contrast. Eventually I’m gonna have a friend paint a sweet mural in the middle.
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[Thrill4130]

Finally got some videos up on youtube under "Show Me Trucks". I have videos on this camper build along with "Woody" 1967 Chevy C10 327 longbed build, 1967 Chevy C10 5.3l shortbed build and more. I learned so much from this site so I hope you all enjoy these videos.