Tips for finding a shell

Hello! I am new to this forum. Have a 5ft bed on a 2013 TRD Off Road Tacoma and am trying to find a shell for it. I am not having luck and am wondering if anyone here has some direction!?
Thank you

 

craigslist craigslist and more craigslist

widen you search and try looking in random areas in neighboring states

patience will pay off huge with used caps usually

 

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. And I have a Barcelona Red truck which is even harder to find color matched. It's pretty easy to set a Craigslist search alert notification which I did for every city within 300 miles...

 

Craigslist often, and lots of patience.

Don't be afraid to buy one that doesn't match. You can sand the clear coat and spray it to match. Some stores (like my local NAPA) are able to make color matched spray paint. Finish it with some clear and you're good!

 

Use https://ifttt.com/ and set up an alert for tacoma camper and several other variations for craigslist and you will get an email when an ad that meets your terms gets posted.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/north-east-craigslist-finds.182657/

I found this sweet ARE MX Series here.

 

Look for someone selling a truck with a camper on Craigslist and see if they'd be will to separate them...they usually can make out better that way because the shell probably won't add as much value to the package deal as selling it outright. The seller is much more likely to separate them knowing he won't be stuck with the camper after the truck's gone.

That's how I got my Black Sand Pearl camper without having to paint. It also makes it easier to find one in the color your looking for.

Good luck!

 

This is a good strategy. Additionally, I would recommend setting up a radius search on Autotrader for your color Tacoma. Scroll through the available vehicle photos (you can spot a camper shell equipped truck quickly in the thumbnails). Call the seller and see if they'll part it. I did this for awhile, but could not find a dealer within 4 hours that had a Superwhite 5' Snugtop Rebel. After a couple of months of searching, I gave up and ordered exactly what I wanted new. If you're flexible on the brand/model and options, I think you'll have some luck.

 

I have messaged ALOT of people on Craigslist and auto trader about selling the caps off the used truck for sale. Most don't bother to respond to me. Those that did were so insulted by me wanting to only buy the cap.
KBB gives a $100 increase in value for having a cap. I was one ways willing to offer $500+ depending on options the cap had.

 

This is the right answer, I used IFTTT and picked my camper shell up two hours after he posted the ad, and it was an hour drive to get it. By the time I got there he already had a dozen calls/emails about it.

 

Patience is a key when trying to find a good deal or a colormatched shell. I searched for months for a timberland mica shell for a long bed.. eventually i gave up and got a good deal on a white shell and decided id paint it myself. The week after i bought mine, there was a color matched shell that wouldve been perfect for my truck.

In my experience, patience would have paid off.. if i was able to find a color matched shell for my truck, then other folks shouldnt have a problem if theyre patient enough. Timberland mica was only offered from 09-11 so needless to say, i was surprised and a bit disappointed when one finally popped up. Good luck with your search!

 

searchtempest.com is a cool website that will search all the craigslist locations within whatever mile radius you want. I was scouring for a while but was in the same boat as RJBIII --> looking for a Leer 100R for a Timberland Mica Longbed. I was crunched for time because I needed it by a certain date. I was willing to repaint if it was priced right. Unfortunately nothing came up in time and I ended up buying mine new, which was less than ideal but hey gotta do what you gotta do. That said it was still worth it. I get so much use out of this thing and save so much money by using the back of the truck as a camper when I'm on the road doing shows. Not to mention its obvious value providing covered cargo from the great weather we get here in NE Ohio...

 

Have you posted in this thread yet sir?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/timberland-mica-lets-see-em.15002/page-26

If not.. lets see some pics of your rig! I love the timberland mica, hardly ever see them. Thats probably what i like most about it

 

Sure have, but it was a while ago (post #479), not long after I had gotten the truck. Time for an update it seems.

 

Found one for 500 but on the way to meet up he called me and his wife said no. lol found another one for 5oo but wrong color. I know a guy that has a wrap shop, just know him not like a hommie hook up kind but to wrap was 200. but its another way to get one instead of painting it. O didnt get that one because the top was cracked. That they left out of the info. o well still on the hunt.

 

This. Craigslist, SearchTempest (searches multiple CL at once), and Offerup. Took me 5 months to find the one I wanted. Be prepared to wait. Also summer more come up as people don't want to store them and don't need the waterproof storage.

 

Just have to agree with the others here, vigilance and patience (and luck) will pay off. When I bought my current truck I knew just what I wanted in a cap, I priced it new then started shopping used, couldn't find much of anything regardless of color etc. About 2 months in I hit on a craigslist ad matching what I wanted to a T, color, model, everything. When this happens it feels like winning the lottery. A day or two later I drove the two hours to pick it up. I had given myself 4-5 months to search before caving in and buying new, it was looking grim until I found this Leer. Not a complete steal at $600 but worth it since it needed only to be mounted to the truck.

 

Call around to used and new car lots. Many lots take them off trades and sell the trucks without them. I picked up a used one several years ago for $100 that worked great.