Gator Soft Tri-fold Tonneau Cover Lock Replacement

*This is for the body of the lock, not the actual locking lever. Mine snapped where it connects to the cross bar so it no longer would lock the cover down on one side. This cover is on a 2013 Ram 1500 using a Gator soft tri-fold tonneau cover, but I suspect that the style of locking mechanism will be the same for several other vehicles (Don't know that for sure). I should also note that the locking body is the same for the left or the right side lockdowns, so this will work for either side.

Printing Instructions:

Use your favorite high-temperature and structural filament. The original part is made out of PA with 25% glass fiber (FYI). PLA will definitely not work as these covers are usually black and they get hot in direct sunlight. My test sample was printed in PLA and I left it on the truck for a few days and it warped so bad that I nearly had to cut it out when replacing it with the final part made out of PC.

Set your printer to the desired filament.

I printed with 75% infill for added strength. The original part had many voids to save on plastic, but that also reduced its strength. This replacement part does not have those voids so it will be stronger as long as the infill is high.

Print the part on it's side, with the lockdown notch pointing up. You will need to enable supports.

Installation Instructions (These may vary):

The easiest way to replace this part is to pull off the nearest set of hinges and remove the screw holding the cross bar to the rail (its where the hole is in your printed part) then use a rubber hammer to tap the cross bar towards the opening created by the hinges. Remember to mark where the cross bar was so you can put it back in the correct place. Remove the broken part and unscrew the lever from the bolt so the bolt can be removed from the old part. Install the bolt and lever in your newly printed body and insert that back into the cross bar. Reinstall the cross bar back in the tracks and use your rubber hammer to tap it back into the correct position. Reinstall the hinges and fold the cover down to adjust the lock.

Support:
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

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