Just bought a 2002 XtraCab and need topper suggestions

I bought it primarily to have a flyfishing/camping truck. I need a secure camper shell with easy access side windows. Any suggestions?

I just bought it today and I'm stoked. Glad to have found your forum! I'll post pics tomorrow.

 

leer makes a variety of canopy's. they'll match the color of ur truck.

 

Leer and A.R.E. would be my recommendations (I'v had 2 A.R.E.s), but there are many other brands also. If you want the fully opening side windows you're gonna have to pay a pretty penny for them, but nothing beats the convience of the "win-doors". Look through craigslist and other similar sites as well as the BUY/SELL on this site to find a good deal, they are out there!

use the SEARCH function in the upper right and you will find lots of info.

WELCOME to TW and GL in your search!

try here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacoma-marketplace/

 

Make sure you do this to it:

http://www.bajataco.com/camper/camper_seal/index.htm

Or else you'll be bummed like me for having water easily infiltrate your bed with a topper on.

The topper I have is super cheap so it also has small leaks in the two corners up by the cab

 

I have an A.R.E and love it. It does let in a bit of water but after a all day rain its just maybe a half a cup of water. I just havent tracked or looked very hard to see where its coming from. Its quite and pretty secure. Here is a picture of it. If you would like more i can take some pictures for you. Just ask.

 

I bit the bullet and bought a Leer 100R from a Leer dealer. $1500 including tax. Got a Windoor on the passenger side and got the fold down/sliding glass front window as the only options. Saw a few interesting items on CraigsList but went with the factory paint, warranty and install. Too nice a truck not to.

 

yeah, I was going to say go with Leer, my dad and my grandfather have had them on all their toyota's since 81, and that includes many fishing trips to the outer banks, and they never had any problems with leaking during a Noreaster.

 

Good choice with the Leer. I have the same one on my 09 Duramax and love it! When I was researching to buy that one, I was told the way they are constructed hold up better on rough roads than A.R.E and other brands.

Post pics when you get it installed!

 

I love my Snugtop. Great lines and well engineered. Only downside to the one I have is no windoors. Otherwise I really like this top especially the integrated roof rack. Mine also interior dome light, and the window next to the cab folds down so you can clean it and the rear cab window too.

 

Where do you get that gasket? I have this problem. I don't really mind water getting in the bed in the summer, as I don't sleep in there anyway, but in the winter moisture will get in and freeze and I'll get ice build-up on the inside of my shell window. And it is nearly impossible to get it off of there without thawing it out in a garage or using a hair dryer.

 

I love my ARE. It's the CX series I believe with the flip-out side windows and cab side window, and the Yakima roof rack. All told was around $1800 which I think is about as much as you could pay for a fiberglass topper of standard cab height.

So that's one end of the spectrum, but with some patience Craigslist may yield something wayyyy cheaper. Dudes on here have made some major scores on CL.

 

Don't know, but I would suspect you could get it at a topper shop

 

Beautiful truck! I looked at the Snugtop and I have friends with ARE shells who love them. In the end I just thought the Leer was a little better value. Kinda wish I'd gotten the XR for a couple hundred more. I liked the single latch system.

 

Nice looking truck. That's the look I was going for. How do the window flares work?

 

I really like my A.R.E. but mine came with the truck, or else I would not have one. Yes water seeps when it rains, but not a lot. I do wish I had the "win-doors", but mine has sliding windows, so it's not so bad.


I see you are in Denver, check on Denver/Ft. Collins/Boulder Craigslist as this things are CHEAP when buying used. Also I have seen a "topper" dealer on I-25 just north of the I-70 interchange in Denver. Hey, it's worth a look!

 

I have a Snugtop. The fittment is unbelievably sexy. I lucked out and paid a guy $200 for it. One window was broken out of it and I replaced it (another $200), then I had it painted and put a Bedrug in the bed. It's a great setup. I usually take it off in March and put it back on around October. I like having it on in the winter.

However, Snugtops are ridiculously expensive if you buy it new. If you can find one used, go for it. I had an older Leer for my 97 Tacoma and hated it. I think the new Leer and ARE's would be my choice if I had to buy brand new because they fit really well and look good too.

 

Do any of these brands come pre-painted, or do you have to shop for body shop to paint them the color of your taco?

 

You have to take them to the body shop for the paint job...

 

ARE - no (noticable) leaks, even in torrential rains or carwashes, secure and reasonable price - buy used and save $$$ - new like I have are $1300 in the midwest!
I gave about $800 10 yrs ago for it.

 

noneil,

When buying new, the dealer will look at your truck paint codes and order it with matching color. If you buy used, you can have them repainted, but not cheap, $300 or more.