CLOSED -- Any Softopper Model GB and BS Thread

Btw, are you guys tucking, magnet, or velcro-ing the rear window?

 

You're welcome.

You don't have to seal. It was just something that I wanted to take care of. I did have some paint wear though, so it is something to check on down the road.

You can do the front corners with caulk.

I'm tucking and will see what happens in the rain. I might do loop tape or vinyl on the tailgate if I get water in there from parking at work.

 

What'd u use to seal the bed caps? Just silly cone? I added snaps today. Here's a shity Pic. You can see how much further down my snaps were. I tied into the under side of the header rail.

 

Very interesting. That is where I was thinking that mine would end up. I like how it pulls the front window panel back over the header. My slider still lets in the perfect amount of air when it is cold out.

Nice work on the new snaps. Now, I wish mine was long enough to tuck under like yours. Big loads might crush the snaps where mine are, but they are easy to swap.


Yes. Just exterior rated 100% silly cone plus foil tape on the rail for long term paint protection. I grabbed both at Lowes, nothing special.


BTW, I'm going to check REI for buckles today. They have these neat ones:

https://www.rei.com/product/850233/sea-to-summit-2-pin-side-release-field-repair-buckle

https://www.rei.com/product/850234/sea-to-summit-1-pin-side-release-field-repair-buckle

Ours are 3/4in. I want to see if the stock ones click in or if I need to swap them for the rear panel holders.

 

So your the tape down on the paint then silicone over the tape? I don't wanna use silicone cause I don't want the cap to stick to the rail.

 

Also, the male snaps that ship with the softopper worked with the aftermarket female snaps.

 

You gotta love that.

 

Yes. Tape first then silicone. The rails mainly sit on the paint with vertical ribs and is why I found some wear. I feel that I could peel them up if I need to down the road.

 

Good deal.

 

Just in case, the first two pics here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/closed-any-softopper-model-gb.635923/page-8#post-21923206

I did it by myself just being careful about getting it aligned starting at the front end. The tape needed a bit of trimming at the back end.

 

Ahhh that pic makes so much more sense now. I thought that was bare metal, I was like holy shit! It's just the silver tape with red 3m. Gotcha.

 

Hahahaha! Dang. I do enjoy getting the wire wheel out. That and the angle grinder just make life fun.

That 3M color is a good match for BR.

 

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I wasn't able to find any that fit at REI, even ones that were made by the same manufacturer (ITW Nexus I think?). You could borrow the two that are on the long straps to roll up the back window. Then if you ever want to roll up that window, you could just swap them back.

 

I just hate breathing it in haha.

 

That is what I was guessing looking at the pics. I have one of the male buckles with me. I'm between either getting four total and replace the rear set on either side or just getting some from Softopper. I have wanted the rear window to stay flipped up a few times now, and no dice without straps. I was bummed as I have some ROK Straps laying around that seem to be one size smaller.

As true replacements, I do like the solid metal pin versus the cut plastic loop.

 

Yeah. The stuff I got made the garage reek for a couple days. It is gone now except under the topper. I plan on parking it out in the sun with the panels rolled up the next chance that I get.

It used most of just one tube on my LB including sealing the front corner gaps.

 

Just an FYI (past performance does not indicate future returns, or something like that) I asked softopper through an e-mail if I could buy a few pairs from them, or if they could share who their supplier is. They asked for my address and sent me some for free.

 

Good caveat and info. Thanks!

I don't mind paying, but I do really like kludging. Hahaha!

 

I'm an idiot. The buckles at REI were damn close. The Softopper male end fit the female side nicely, but the REI male end was a scosche too wide. Trimming it would not have worked since it would weaken the clasp. But on the idiot side, the ROK strap buckle does work with a tiny mod.






I'm solid now!

 

Anyone running bed lights?