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Best topper/camper shell features

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Big Sky Country, Jan 1, 2016.

  1. Jan 1, 2016 at 9:05 PM
    #1
    Big Sky Country

    Big Sky Country [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Century topper, OME 885x, Nitrochargers, full Dakars
    I'm the proud new owner of a 2013 DCSB and am looking at buying a topper for my truck. Just curious what options people went with or what they'd change about their current topper set up. If I'm spending 2k+, I'd like to get it right the first time. I have two young kids and a black lab and spend all of my free time hunting, fishing, floating, and camping. Thanks for your help.
     
    I married my tacoma and Holeshot like this.
  2. Jan 2, 2016 at 12:02 AM
    #2
    stbear

    stbear Well-Known Member

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    Fold down or removable front window so you can clean the glass between the cab and cap. Leer and ARE always have coupons for some free stuff. I got the free window. Sometimes they offer a free headliner.

    Sliding screen side windows if the dog is going to ride back there or you are going to sleep in the bed.
     
    DrFunker likes this.
  3. Jan 2, 2016 at 1:06 AM
    #3
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Soft topper or Best top.

    The pain in the ass that is removing and installing the bed cap is greatly reduced when the thing only weighs 40 pounds. I'm presently saving for a Soft topper.

    I've had many rigid bed caps. Over the life of the different trucks, I've had to remove the things because there was no way to carry some items. The rigid caps are heavy. My back is tired of dealing with them.

    I could give 2 shits about the lack of security. If someone wants something out of the bed of my truck, a rigid, lockable cap isn't going to stop them. And I was a fool to have anything valuable in their anyways.
     
    Mush Mouse, mreen428 and bigbarlo like this.
  4. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:32 AM
    #4
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    side windoors w/screened vents,front tip down w/slider window, carpeted headliner w/extra led lights, reinforced roof w/tracks for roof rack, 12v outlet in back for stuff. get it all, thats what i did, but i use mine as a camper.
     
    DrFunker and B ill y like this.
  5. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:33 AM
    #5
    Bannerman

    Bannerman Tasteful Thickness

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    You need to work smarter not harder brother! :)

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
  6. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:39 AM
    #6
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    dude nice set up! i like that,but i never take my cap off. just curious ,where did you get this, and how much$
     
    ATR55 likes this.
  7. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:44 AM
    #7
    Bannerman

    Bannerman Tasteful Thickness

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    I would highly recommend it. Still have to rig up your own 2x4s and chains to attach to it but this will get you started. Pro Tip: use the drill attachment instead of the hand crank.

    Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009I8AO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_cM6Hwb7JAYCCY
     
    I married my tacoma likes this.
  8. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:46 AM
    #8
    Bannerman

    Bannerman Tasteful Thickness

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    Close up of the bars I made.

    image.jpg
     
    I married my tacoma likes this.
  9. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:48 AM
    #9
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    I did that mod for my Tundra's bed cap. It works good, still a pain. In fact such a pain I sold the Tundra bed cap this last fall. I would just like to fold the bed cap flat or remove it with the pulling of 2 pins.
     
    Mush Mouse likes this.
  10. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:50 AM
    #10
    Bannerman

    Bannerman Tasteful Thickness

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    I'm a big fan of the Softtopper actually, that was actually the plan until I stumbled on my Leer on Craigslist. Works a little bett for my needs as I like to carry the pups back there.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2016 at 2:52 AM
    #11
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    might not use this for my cap, but i could use this for other stuff, thanks.
     
  12. Jan 2, 2016 at 4:59 AM
    #12
    scottfarm

    scottfarm Well-Known Member

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    aires 3D mats, scan gauge II, rear differential breather relocation, and bakflip G2 bed cover.
    You will need firestone air bags or heavier rear springs to keep the rear end from sagging because of the Tacoma weak springs.
     
  13. Jan 2, 2016 at 5:29 AM
    #13
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    I paid $900 for this in 2007 two weeks after buying the truck. It has a Stellar badge on it, but is Leer's budget version. It has never been off the truck. I loosen the clamps once or twice a year and slide it back about 6" to clean the back glass on the truck and front of the shell. The rear doesn't sag and if I need to haul big stuff it is easier to put it in my 10' utility trailer.

    Having 2 handles is a little less expensive and more secure than one in the middle.

    030_zps1ddgo5bt_31ff9a16f4a77d3aaa4d20f23a114aff8cd4d61b.jpg
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Jan 2, 2016 at 5:32 AM
    #14
    L J

    L J Well-Known Member

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    Windoors! I bought my cap used and it has sliders with screens and the window in front that tilts down. That is the one thing I wish I had. The windoors make accessing stuff at the front of the cap so much easier. I'm told you cannot add this later as the cutouts aren't the same size. I have not taken mine off since putting it on years ago. I've got a trailer for carrying things that don't fit under the cap and a rack on top for the plastic navy. One other thing you should consider is a rubber bed mat cause without it stuff is just sliding around back there.image.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
    TxStVanWilder likes this.
  15. Jan 2, 2016 at 5:52 AM
    #15
    Natetroknot

    Natetroknot Experiencing TW at several WTFs per thread

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    As stated above, removable window for glass cleaning is key, I very much prefer the headliner in the topper, if you want to go all out for the dogs to ride in style and for you to sleep in comfort I suggest pairing the carpet headliner in the topper with a Bedrug.

    Leer dot com has coupons often, the last time I bought a new one I got a free headliner - but I would highly suggest checking your local and surrounding area first, Craigslist for instance, for a good used one - you'll get it for half the price if you wait for the right one to come along. I paid $1100 for my Leer XL for my current Taco (prolly a little much, IMO) but when I had my silver 07 I found the same topper for $600.

    If you go new, check into getting the Thule tracks installed in the topper - there are all kinds of options for overhead racks, storage, etc., but they all require those tracks for attachment. If down the road you decide to throw a rack on the topper you'll be all set.

    If a shell makes your truck sag you've got big time leaf pack issues, they're bad but not that bad! You should be fine in that dept.

    Good luck!
     
  16. Jan 2, 2016 at 6:19 AM
    #16
    truchador

    truchador Well-Known Member

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    weathertech, seat covers, scratches
    A good reachin' stick to drag stuff outa the front of the bed

    And a trailer (which if yer hauling a raft you prolly have anyway lol)


    On a side note, I went to school in Missoula. It took 5 years for me to get my degree cause the fishin was so good. So many big hatches just around the corner you lucky bastard.
     
    bigmw likes this.
  17. Jan 2, 2016 at 6:24 AM
    #17
    nextfriday

    nextfriday Well-Known Member

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    If you buy new, get a headliner and factory installed tracks on top.
     
  18. Jan 2, 2016 at 6:18 PM
    #18
    Big Sky Country

    Big Sky Country [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Windoors are the one accessory I think I'm totally sold on. Everyone that has them, swears by them. Are the reinforced tracks the same as the reinforced topper or something totally different? Someone mentioned the RCC (I think that was a model) that is the commercial topper and supports something like 400lbs.
     
  19. Jan 2, 2016 at 6:34 PM
    #19
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Victim of a well spent youth

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    if your going to buy a new topper, ask your dealer about roof load specs on the model you want/need. some mfgs. have options within the same model. the roof tracks are for a rack option,i.e.,yakima/thule, to hold the cross bars. i would get the tracks installed by the mfg of the topper, so there put in the correct spot based on where the roof is reinforcied. you don't always have to buy the whole roof rack. when i bought my topper i had them just install the yakima tracks. i already had yakmia cross bars. good luck, hope this helps.
     
  20. Jan 2, 2016 at 6:41 PM
    #20
    tutanker

    tutanker Member

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    LEER Topper
    Just got the LEER 100XR for my DCSB for $2,234 out the door (incl 6.5% tax). I love Bannerman's setup, but have three friends with flatbed trailers if needed. I'm lazy as hell, and don't want to screw with removal and re-install. Here are the options I got:

    Door switch for lights (key needs to be on) - No big, since my idea of camping is crashing at a 4 star hotel.
    Headliner - Looks great (sorry, no pictures)
    Extra LED light - No big since I camp at 4 star hotels and don't do stuff at night.
    Removable sliding glass front window - is a must for cleaning and airflow, and was free per coupon. Not tested at all yet (for temp, or for cleaning).
    Sliding rear windows with screens - Stock on the 100XR and a must for my dog. Doubt it helps with airflow while at cruising speed unless the front sliding glass window is opened. Drove around 120 miles in 85 degree heat and my dog looked a little warm.
    Thule Tower II rack system - Needed for surfboards

    I was watching for sag when they installed it. I thought there was around 1/4", but that could have been my mind playing tricks on me. I'm adding some pictures, so you guys be the judge on sag. Handling of the vehicle in general is fine (sure hope I don't get hit from behind though. LOL)

    The topper is beautiful and was around 800 bucks cheaper than a comparable ARE. The cost was more than I expected, but I'm very happy with the purchase.

    IMG_2023a.jpg
    IMG_2025a.jpg
     
    Marty491, bigmw and Bannerman like this.

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