Used cap install

I have been looking at some used caps on Craigslist.
When a person buys a new cap and has the dealer do a "install" what are they doing? People have talked about how they schedule them and it takes a few hours.

On my dad's pickups growing up in could install the cap on the truck and have the 4 c-clamps tightened down in 20-30 minstrel by myself.
So what else is the dealers doing that is included? Just trying to figure out why is needed since I will not be paying for a new cap.

 

Pretty much the same thing. The newer clamps work great but work pretty much like a c-clamp just neater....and they hook up any wiring.

 

Buy the correct c clamps that fit the bed side channels (about $100, I think) then clamp that bitch down and go.

 

Hopefully they will come used with the cap since I am only looking at ones special for the Tacoma, no generic caps.

 

I've had numerous toppers since 1980 on many trucks. Installed and removed them many times. I installed most of them by drilling through topper and bed lip and bolting down. My latest was installed by the dealer. He applied the weatherstrip and puddy between topper and bed. Clamped it on with 4 clamps. And wired the third brakelight. Cleaned all windows. Took about 1/2 an hour.

 

On my '16 they did quite a bit of sealing around the front rail and corners, Ran wires for the brake light and dome light, fork lifted in on and clamped it down. 40 minutes.

 

Where is the wires for a dome light ran from? I'm assuming a always on wire exists somewhere at the back of the truck if they can do the install in under a hour.

 

I had a Covermaster cap on a 2003 Dodge Dakota and they wired it and the 3rd brake light up to the left rear tail light.

 

For the brake light that makes sense. But for the dome light you need a constant on power supply.

 

They ran a wire along the frame up to the starter I do believe. I remember they had my front wheel off so I'm assuming it was the starter they wired it to.

I sold the cap back to them 2 years later. After 9 months of the cap being off every time it rained or was foggy the left turn signal would not work properly. If I ever had another cap on a truck I had it in my mind that no cutting into wires. I would use a flashlight if I needed in the back at night.

 

Tap a lights are a good option.

 

They ran a wire all the way from the battery for my dome light.

 

This is what i did when i installed mine after i got it off craigslist. I also added a quick disconnect for my brake light in case i ever needed to take the topper off, i wouldnt have to cut any wiring

 

Always a good idea to put a plug(s) there for that reason.

 

What are plugs like that called?

 

Deutsch plug.