Hardtop or softop?

Longboard1110 · Dec 8, 2018

I vote soft. I love mine, keeps stuff dry (but not safe) and is easily removable when needed.

stickyTaco · Dec 8, 2018

My vote would be hard shell. If I were to get another shell I'd go with a hard shell with win-doors.

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

famof5taco said: ↑

I used to never want a shell, now can't imagine not having one. Go hard shell, you'll use it all the time. Very, VERY few times have I needed a truck bed with no cover for hauling . But, all based on your lifestyle and needs. Hard shell for day to day extra covered space and camping. But I live on a farm and use it for truck stuff too and dead deer, but I know some need the full space. Never saw a real "advantage" to soft top. Good luck.
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I think ill go with the hard top, I moving up into the mountains soon

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

PackCon said: ↑

I like my Softopper.

It's light weight (35lbs), easy to take on and off (but you still need two people to completely remove it off the truck), it wasn't horrible expensive (around $800 shipped), it's easy to keep clean, I get no leaking, there are no windows on the sides to reduce light going into the shell and visibility by potential thieves, it looks cool and unique, it stores very well when taken off.

I like caps. I've always wanted a fiberglass cap but the issue with them is firstly they are very expensive to buy unless you can find the exact one you want, in your factory color, that the previous owner took very good care of. Even buying used and repainting is very pricey. Your looking $1,500+. Especially if you want functioning sliding windows and extra options.

Caps are very heavy (200+lbs) and are very difficult to take on and off. I don't want my cap on all the time so I do want to remove it sometimes in the summer.

It's easier to take on and off if you have two expensive things:
1. A house with a garage ceiling high enough
2. A mechanical lift that will raise, lower, and store the cap on the ceiling of the garage.

I am a person that absolutely refuses to use their garage for anything that prevents me from parking my vehicles in it. So I need to storage for the fiberglass cap.

Until I am older, a little richer, and have the home that will accommodate a nice cap, I'm going to stick with the Softopper because it gets me everything I want for less money. And the only reason I'd upgrade to a fiberglass is just because I like them... not because the Softopper is lacking in some way. It would just be one of those things I spend money on for fuck sake.
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Oh man now im not so sure haha ill figure it out, all great points

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

b_r_o said: ↑

I've had a fiberglass top on all my trucks. They are heavy as shit, takes 2 people to remove it. Aluminum is way easier to handle.

But I'm in the snow alot and I need to keep stuff dry.

If you get fiberglass I recommend bed stiffeners too. I got the cracking below the taillights from the added weight

I ordered mine with a thule rack, slider/removable window, curved rear glass, cloth liner and led dome light. About $2,200 out the door in seattle
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Dude that sounds super sick

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

luvium said: ↑

Hard shell all the way, I have a power lift that raises it up to the garage rafters out of the way. I can send pics and build instructions if you like.
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Id love to get a power lift but I dont have a garage, maybe send the build instructions just so i can take a look, id love to do just that someday

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

Marshall R said: ↑

Buy a hard top and leave it on the truck all the time. If you need to haul something that wont fit inside a trailer is easier to use anyway. Weight on these trucks is about 180 lbs and cost should be closer to $1000, not much more than an ugly soft top. And it will last the life of the truck instead of being replaced in a few years like a soft top. A soft top only provides the illusion of security for what is inside, I've owned 4 Wranglers in the past and have had to replace the tops twice due to both wear and vandalism. And none of the soft tops really fit the trucks. They all look like a man wearing a hat 3 sizes too small

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hahah thats so true

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

Thanks for all your input you guys, I appreciate it !

beetlevegas · Dec 9, 2018

If I could trust people more I would have gone soft but I love the hard top. Plus I got it for $100 so I couldn’t pass it up

BassAckwards · Dec 9, 2018

Softtopper!

Jmad1997 · Dec 9, 2018

I love my hard top. I have a high rise on my DCLB with win-doors and dual sliding windows with screens and I sleep in the bed and I can’t imagine camoing without it. I never hear the wind or if it rains and storms I barely hear it. Keeps all my gear dry and you can run a second roof rack for some more gear out of the way or RTT. I think you could find a used shell for a decent price on CL.

PackCon · Dec 9, 2018

Chase8059 said: ↑

If your not careful, one side could pop up and over the rail and make contact with the paint. QUOTE]
Yep it can. Don’t ask me how I know
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koditten · Dec 9, 2018

Had hard caps for years. Switched over to a ST 2 years ago.

As for the lack a security, I call BS. If someone wants in your hard cap, they are getting in.

Additionally, I love running in "safari mode" in warm weather. The sides rolled up on the ST looks cool as all get out.

stickyTaco · Dec 9, 2018

koditten said: ↑

Had hard caps for years. Switched over to a ST 2 years ago.

As for the lack a security, I call BS. If someone wants in your hard cap, they are getting in.

Additionally, I love running in "safari mode" in warm weather. The sides rolled up on the ST looks cool as all get out.
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Agreed on the security. A hardtop just keeps the honest thieves out. I've locked my keys in my shell and I was in it in under 20 seconds.

beetlevegas · Dec 9, 2018

koditten said: ↑

Had hard caps for years. Switched over to a ST 2 years ago.

As for the lack a security, I call BS. If someone wants in your hard cap, they are getting in.

Additionally, I love running in "safari mode" in warm weather. The sides rolled up on the ST looks cool as all get out.
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When I got my HT it was not for security. If they want in they will. But the area I lived people would mess with stuff just to be dicks. I was more worried of someone cutting it up.

koditten · Dec 9, 2018

beetlevegas said: ↑

When I got my HT it was not for security. If they want in they will. But the area I lived people would mess with stuff just to be dicks. I was more worried of someone cutting it up.
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That is unfortunate.

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

Jmad1997 said: ↑

I love my hard top. I have a high rise on my DCLB with win-doors and dual sliding windows with screens and I sleep in the bed and I can’t imagine camoing without it. I never hear the wind or if it rains and storms I barely hear it. Keeps all my gear dry and you can run a second roof rack for some more gear out of the way or RTT. I think you could find a used shell for a decent price on CL.

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so sick dude, I want that set up

JoEyWaGs · Dec 9, 2018

beetlevegas said: ↑

If I could trust people more I would have gone soft but I love the hard top. Plus I got it for $100 so I couldn’t pass it up

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hah fuck 100? where did you get it

ColoradoTJ · Dec 9, 2018

I’m a softopper person myself.

Meximan61 · Dec 9, 2018

I also have to go with a soft topper. Keeps my dog happy in the summer months with the sides and back rolled up. Also like mentioned above it can be easily removed or stored away

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stickyTaco Fuck Cancer

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