67 Short/Fleet Tonneau Cover

[Old Bluey]

I got tired of searching for a tonneau cover for my truck only to find some modern fiberglass thing, or flimsy "knife-able" material. I'm lucky enough to have a rust free bed and wanted to protect the box, and maybe grab a few mpgs while I'm at it.

Here's what i got:
1) Tonneau cover vinyl - $70-$100 bucks from a fabric distributor
2) 2 x 12" Stainless lag bolts w Washers/Nuts (front retention) $10
3) 2 x Custom Cut 3/4" Plywood, sanded, good one side $100
4) Hood Pin Kit (Rear retention) - $15
5) Wood sealer (Thompsons water seal - $20
6) Staple gun, Fabric Glue, Router with a nice 1/2" curved bit.
7) 4" strips of laminant insulation for the bed rails.

It cost me about $250 (including the beer) and it turned out allright. If you have a buddy who knows upholstery, you could extend the life of the project with a better hinge seam or professional corner wraps. But this one looks great from 2 feet away, and does the job I need it to.

Check it out:

Measured up and cut the piano hinge



Hood Pins!! (screwed into wood, retained in the corners)



Gluing the cover down





The ripples are completely gone and the cover looks tight. I'm going to search out some hatchback rams to mount inside to help lift the cover and hold it up. At present, you can flip it over and lean it on the back of the cab.