deciding on a cap

ok so I have a decision to make. I am looking to get a cep for my 99 tacoma. It is a white extended cab. I plan on taking it camping and am going to sleep in the back. I might make a platform to store gear underneath. For this reason I was leaning toward the high rise models for extra head room. I found two caps but can't decide which is better.

first one:

It is an ARE high rise. He is asking 500 for it. The only problem is that it came off a single cab and I have an extended cab, although if the gap is not huge, I would get over it.
Pros: head space,
Cons: Gap, Price

second one:

This one is also an ARE, but it is a cab high. The thing I like about this one is that it has the windoors on both sides. He only wants 200 for it which is a great price and hard to refuse. Also I like the fact that if I put a roof rack on top, it would be easier to put bikes and stuff on it.
Pros: windoors, cost, roof rack
Cons: lack of head space with sleeping platform

At first I was leaning on getting the high rise because of the extra head room, but the price and the windoors on the other are also good. Then I also really liked this guys set up:


Anyway, sorry I'm having trouble deciding.. What do you guys think!?

 

I have a cab high with windoors on both sides. I will never buy another shell without the windoors! No more crawling to the front of the bed to get something out while camping (or grocery shopping for that matter).

As far as sleeping back there, I don't have any type of raised floor in mine and I can sit up straight under the shell without too much trouble. I am 5 foot 10. The storage issue hasn't been a problem for me, everything other than my sleeping bag just goes in the extended cab. I kinda wish I went with high rise so I could build the raised floor/storage platform and still have headroom, but it's not that big of a deal, and it still fits in the garage.

For $200 bucks you could try the cab high out and just sell it if you don't like it. Someone will buy that in a heartbeat. It's perfect for anyone who has a business vehicle (service truck).

 

I'd get the raised shell...
if you'll be sleeping in the bed...
and might think to build a raised platform.

I have a standard... wish I had no side windows
...specifically over sized slider units
they end up leaking if the shell is tweaked when wheelin'.
^ makes the shell's structure weaker to boot.

can't say what 'appens with the flip up side windows.

granted... muh shell is 12 + yrs old (and wheeled hard)

 

Hi John I am up in Bernville we are like neighbors lol

I would go with the ARE type, the first style looks like something my grandpa would have put on a 1989 ranger. Do not buy a cap that doesn't fit your truck it will leak and eventually break because it needs to be properly clamped on all 3 sides.

 

First one is not worth 500 IMO. Therefore, get the second and put a rack on it if you want extra room.

 

The angle of the front of that ARE actually looks like it fits an extra cab. The owner may be wrong. Test fit it. You may like it.
I have a raised cap but I really don't like the look. But the pickings for used regular cab caps are slim and I took what I could find. I like the raised cap for the extra space, but just not the shape of the one I have.

 

WINDOORS!! Nothing better. And mid rise look horrible IMHO. I sleep in my cap height with no platform without a problem. A platform is too much of a commitment for me. I take the cap on and off periodically.

 

I would get the second one. You'll lose a little headroom when sleeping but unless you sleep sitting up, who cares?

 

I agree. Whats a few more inches of headroom anyway? It's not like you're going to be living in it, are you?

 

ARE with windoors for $200?

No brainer

 

thanks for the advise guys! I believe I will get the one with the windoors.

 

Booth units pictured have window, haha

 

$200 is the better deal with the windoors.

I have an ARE that is taller, and it is nice having the extra headroom. Great to hang out inside when it's raining. But of the two you are choosing from, the cab high (and add the rack) is the better choice.

Good luck, and of course, post some pics!

 

WINDOWS are not the same as WINDOORS.

 

As far as looks go I think the cab high one would look better. That other one would look fine on an 88 or so. Plus the windoors would be killer for getting into the front of the bed with out having to crawl in.

 

I had windoors on my Skilcraft that was on my T100 (sig pic), had it for like 15 years.

Let me be clear...I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOP WITHOUT WINDOORS!

They make life easier, really, my life is better because I had windoors on my canopy!
Seriously.