Own an 85----looking for some ideas on covering the bed---any suggestions----any manufacturers with an outstanding product???

I have the black Gaylord hard cover, which is very durable and well-suited for the snowy New England region. It sells for about $600-$700 through OPG, National Parts Depot, as well as The El Camino Store, I think. Its very easy to use the pick up bed for hauling things and hiding junk, all you have to do is lift it on the hydraulic hinges, nothing to unsnap and have flapping in the breeze while driving with a load in the rear. By tomorrow, I will have a photo posted under my member profile #294. Good luck.

I have an '83. I had a local auto upholstery outfit make a black vinyl cover. It has snaps on the side and back, awning edge across the front, with a removeable bow under the middle for tension and water runoff. Ran about $300. Looks and works great. No problem with flapping in the breeze with a load; I made some short fabric loops with snaps on them that I can snap to any loose part of the cover and bungee down.

I think Elkys look good with either the soft or hard tonneau covers, but for weather and theft reasons I think the hard cover is best. The Gaylord cover appears to be the best that I've seen, and you can install a center brake light on them for those morons who like to tailgate. I'm using a LED brake light off a Chevy Astro van (got it at the boneyard) I mounted it just behind the rear glass. I think someone posted on here before that they had a problem with one of the snaps on the soft cover before, one of the screws was stripped or rusted.

In addition to the vendors listed above, Honest Charley's sells the Gaylord hard cover. Be sure to mention NECOA member number or ECC member number when ordering so you get your discount from our sponsoring vendors.