Soft top or hard shell??

Here's another option. Personally I'd go this route if I were to do it again.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-prinsu-style-shell-rack.521186/

 

yup exactly, either that or a tailgate hitch bike rack

 

Right?!

 

I went back and forth for a long time on roof mounted or hitch, wanted the Prinsu anyway and saved money on the 1 Up USA roof rack.

 

My new drill press is about to come in handy.

 

thanks ill keep it in mind once i cross that bridge lol

 

Since nobody else brought it up...aluminum topper!

More secure than a soft top
Has side windows and/or sliding cab window
Way lighter and easier to remove than a fiberglass top
You can put a rack on top
About the same price as a soft top
Gives you that "old man truck" look so no one will know you're actually a super hip raging adventurer

 

I just picked up a used ARE topper off craigslist that the previous owner had taken to a shop and had it Scorpion coated! It has fabric interior lining, LED interior light, sliding side windows and the front window slides AND tilts in for cleaning. Got it yesterday for $500! I Had to drive 4 1/2 hrs to Lexington, KY to get it, but I think I made a steal. I had only seen one used hard shell for sale before this one and it was a short bed. Irony is, last week I had given up on finding a used one and was NO WAY gonna spend $1800plus on a new one right now and ordered a tonneau. Ah well, I will run with the tonneau 90% of the time and keep the topper for vacations, hauling my music equipment and any other need that arises that fits. I ALMOST ordered the Softtopper, too. I do like the look. I will tell ya that on my way yesterday(all interstate driving,cruise set at 76mph) I got 16.4mpg. On the way home with the topper installed, cruise again set at 76mph, same exact route, I got 19.2mpg. I was AMAZED at the difference...

 

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...^^^... Man .. that is SUPER NICE... how did I miss that before ..

 

I had thew Bestop on my 2nd gen and decided on Softopper for my 3rd gen. Softopper is better quality with good customer service and all parts are repairable/serviceable. I went against a hard bad cap because I like the ability to fold it down for larger cargo, remove sides and rear window for a nice sun shade while allowing bed access, cost was also a reason, looks cool like a mini military truck, it does not make any noise on the highway not sure where guys get that idea as its tight fitting. I have slept in mine in rainstorms kept me dry as well as my gear. When i carry topsoil/mulch/firewood its nice to fold it out of the way compared to a hard shell cap that makes the bed useless for yard chores.

 

Damn, that looks good! Making me 2nd guess my tonneau cover & hard shell purchase. I swear, this damn site make my head spin, lol... Can you post a pic with it folded up against the cab and a pic with the sides and back window rolled up or removed? I'd appreciate it...

 

Best one I have with it rolled up while I am getting ready for a canoe trip. I don't have a photo of it folded up to the cab and its crappy here with rain/snow. Hope the photo helps.

 

OK. That helps. Can you drive at highway speeds with it rolled up like that? And do these have a clear window in the front so you can still see out the rear when installed?

 

Yes you can drive at highway speeds, there are straps you use to hold it in place.

 

Hardtopper for windoors/screens if you have dogs.

 

I like my ARE CX. I bought it new, and when it arrived there was a mess of scratches and fish eyes in the paint - I sent it back to ARE for a repaint and it came back perfect. It has an LED strip on the inside for lighting, which is nice. Windoors are worth the extra cost and a must have, IMO. I think they could have done something different regarding the Windoors set in a window mold designed for fixed windows (i.e they don't fit the window recess), but that is really my only complaint.

 

Oh, and after seeing pictures of some moldy headliners here, I'm VERY glad I went with bare white fiberglass on the inside!

 

I look at a softopper as a convertible top:it can get moldy, it can fade, it can tear if speared on the trail, can be cut open by random strangers just to piss you off and will eventually need to be replaced.

I had a snug top on my 91that I put on in San Diego, then had it for four years in Chicago, then four years in Maine, then four years in VA, never had a problem with it, just washed and waxed it with the truck.

When that motor blew due to a head gasket after 13 years, I sold the truck and fully functional snugtop with it.

You won't get that out of a soft top.