Tips for fixing camper shell gap from non-OEM bed rail covers?

My new to me 2013 Tacoma came with KB Voodoo Fab bedside covers (metal that covers the bedrail lengthwise). As cool as they are, they're causing me issues when trying to install a leer camper shell.

I'll attach some pics, but pretty much the KB Voodoo covers are much lower profile / less tall than the OEM ones. When I place the camper shell on the bed, the front section of the shell (that sits parallel to the back of the cab) sits nicely, but part of the bed rail running 'lengthwise' of the truck doesn't come into contact with the shell and its seal since the KB Voodoo covers are not tall enough to fill the distance.

If anyone's dealt with this, what are my best options? Buy the OEM bedside/rail covers ($180+...)? Or another solution... like mounting thin wooden strips to the KB Voodoo covers with double sided tape in order to match their height with OEM covers?

In the pics below you can see how the stock bed rail caps are much taller, while the KB voodoo ones are thin and sit flush with the front of the bed. Will be doing some longer-term trips out of the shell, so would like it to be a good solution even if that means dishing out $180 for the plastic oem caps.

Let me know if y'all want more pics of the shell/bed rails, thanks

Stock:



KB Voodoo:

 

I think I understand your situation and I’m thinking that you could find some 2” wide by about 1/4” thick weatherstripping with adhesive on one side (on Amazon?) to fill the gap.

 

I don't understand the issue. Please post photos with you pointing at the spots where the shell isn't touching the bed sides.

 

it’s not gonna touch on the sides of the front bed rails because it’s designed at two levels. The front behind the cab(which is normally lower) and the sides(which are normally higher). But with the voodoo sides it’s gonna sit in the front spot and then have a gap all the way back to the end of the bed where it will contact again. @truckMTB short of putting something hard over the bedsides I would worry about the canopy cracking due to stress of having it pulled down in just the front and the very back corners and the rest basically floating. Hope that helps.

 

If your just wanting to take up the gal without paying for factory you could silicone strips of uhmw down. Or find someone who wants to trade those for the factory plastics.

 

You might try using some thicker seals for the bottom of the shell. I recently had to deal with (what sounds like) the opposite of your problem - a large gap in the front of the bed edge due to the height difference of the factory plastic caps.

I've listed some part numbers in a thread about my cap right here. You might check the dimensions on those seals and see if they'll make up the difference for you on the sides.

It might help if you mounted the cap and took pics/measured the gaps so we can see exactly where the problem is.

 

@tacotunner06 explained the issue well. The leer shell is designed to fit the contour of the oem bed rail caps, but the aftermarket ones are to short for the cap to sit flush with them. So there are gaps... here are some pics.
See the light where the screw is, decent gap. The shell rests on front under cab window and the tailgate area, but is not resting on the bedside lengthwise.


I think I will just get the oem rails, probably will fit better than trying to layer tape / a rubber seal. @deanosaurus I will use your thread to fix gaps when I get oem caps.

Thanks!

 

You could probably find someone willing to do a straight swap if you post up in your local regional thread. Then you won't be out the dough for the new rails

 

This. The caps lower edges are molded to fit OEM bedside caps. That will properly support and seal it. You'll should be able to find someone willing to swap. They just snap on like Lego.

 

I’d rivet some strips of abs to the kB Voodoo rail caps. The shell needs support along the entire length or it will have problems down the road. Doubling up on rubber gaskets might fill the light void but probably won’t actually provide a solid base.

 

Decided to go with oem bedside caps. Might keep the aftermarket ones... otherwise will sell on TW.

thanks guys!

 

I ordered but did not use on when mounting my leer cap back on my truck. I believe this could solve your problem.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rail...r-Truck-Cap-Camper-Shell-Topper-/321360576249

I used this on my side rails and it turned out to be a little over kill.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Cap-...up-Truck-Cap-Camper-Shell-Topper/321724418707

In retrospect this would have worked very well on the side rails along with the front rail seal. Great vendor and very good material.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Cap-...hell-Topper-Tape/321211687648?epid=1625060066

 

I had the same problem. Luckily I held on to my OEM rail caps and I ended up putting them back on.

 

Just sent you a PM let me know.

 

I would straight swap with you on bed rails. I was about to order some kb voodoo ones anyways