Diy Topper Lift

Any updates? Been wanting something like this for a couple years but don't have the know how to DIY. I got a buddy that could probably figure it out tho. Any additional infor would be greatly appreciated.

 

Finally finished the skirt. The top is attached by snaps to the canopy and the bottom is held in place by magnets. The back is attached by Velcro.

 

Dudeeeee I wanted an EZ lift until I saw the price...now you’ve changed the game for everyone!!

 

@Blackdawg

 

Damn! This is siiiick.

 

Where'd you buy the actuators? And are they running to an auxiliary battery or the main one?

 

Sent you a PM, but thought I would post here too. Would love to see some pics of how your brackets attach to the camper, as well as how you attached the bottom of the actuators to the truck bed. Also, where did you source your brackets?

 

Looks just like what my next step to figure out is. The Skirt, I am not sawer, so I will have to get someone to help me with that part. I also have to come up with a back cover that will cover the back lift window and tailgate down. Do you have any tips on the Skirt?

 

Got any photos of the base of the actuators mounted to the bed? Any issues with water leaking into the bed when the topper is down? Like, does it close tight enough to prevent rain seeping in?

 

I would make the mount to the shell so it keeps the stock bed rail bolts as well or replaces them with 4 QR hooks. Might be a good idea on our composite beds to either reinforce to the frame below the bed or just drill through the bed and mount to the frame, at least if you plan on hoisting it with extra weight on the topper. Yeah, I know many wet their britches at the very thought but all of these actuators run full rise plus ~4" so a 16" actuator is 20" not including mounts. Going through the bed would allow 18" lift while still having the actuators under the shell seat and closer to the sides. Would need some clever mounts for the frame rails. It's 18" from the bed to the underside of the shell seat so even 16"'s would stick up if mounted on the bed. The Windy city actuators are cheap but very slow, like 3/8" per second, better ones can be had that rise at 1-3" per second. Faster, more durable, and made in USA. progressive automations and firgelliauto are two.
The cloth might be the easiest part, 2' strips hemmed on both edges with magnets sewn into the bot
tom and velcro to the top. Flare the front piece ends a few inches to match the bedsides(I might velcro one or both of these to make handling easier). Or just buy a 20' tarp and cut 2' off one edge. Buy a cheap tent and cut one side off so you can throw it over the roof. Add a couple grommets on top so you can attach it to the roof rails with slot nuts and cinch straps at the bottom of the fenders/bumper. Get the tent first and you can color match the skirt fabric. If you can't sew, practice your networking fu and find someone who can, they do exist, or figure out something else.

 

Do you have the link to buy the bracket? Or know what it called so i can search for it?
Also, can i please see how you mount the base of the actuator?

Thank YOU

 

Which option are you saying is cheaper? Hes spent $250 on 4 actuators and wiring with hardware. Topper ez lifts are upwards of $1000. Mine was $2000

 

Google firghelli automation, they have actuators of many kinds/sizes along with the brackets/bases for each. Amazon and ebay have them as well. Typically the base just bolts to the bed but placement is critical to having all 4 rise in parallel without binding.

 

Back from the dead because this is just too cool not to attempt.

Thank you for a very sturdy idea Nic:

https://youtu.be/qmP0VWNOLx8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbKkWqfKw0M

If any of you have done this and have a better recommendation for actuators than these, let me know.
https://www.windynation.com/jzv/prod?itemId=5388

 

Firghelli automation

 

These?
https://www.firgelliauto.com/collections/linear-actuators/products/linear-actuators

Certainly look higher quality, but those will double the cost.

 

This is a super cool idea

 

You don't get "better" for free. Mainly I like the greater number of lift height options.

 

Tagged because this is straight up brainiac stuff and I love it.