Let's See Some Softoppers

It’s a lot beat, but now that I’ve seen what these went for new, I’m completely amazed! Straight luck!!

 

Just ordered a softopper for my 2020 SR5 AC. First big mod I've gotten for it. Bought a truck tent over the summer but I will soon be building a simple sleeping/storage platform in place of using a big ass tent.

Any recommendations for a new softopper owner?
Weather stripping?
A seam sealer?
Anything you guys got!
I do intend to paint the frame black when I get it.

 

Depends on what you're going to be using it for honestly. Getting it adjusted on the rails fore to aft is important for getting it to lay right. I used the seam sealer it came with on the threads inside and out and haven't had any issues with water getting in. But I was getting a lot of dust when offroad so I used some rubber tailgate seals on the side and tailgate gap cover its worked great.

 

So any one in this group have experience with bed racks on the softtopper? I am going to add a soft topper this spring and a bed rack over the topper to carry kayaks and bikes on the sides of the rack. I am just curious if I what type of kayak racks I would be able to use with something like this... http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/tacoma-bestop-softopper-bedrack/

 

If you are carrying light weight stuff softopper makes a rack that goes over their toppers. Sits pretty high and looks a bit funky but would get the job done. Lots of people have made their own to go over the topper (myself included) mainly because there are only a couple of fab shops that make over topper racks. SOS being one of them and most tacomaworld backed fab shops make them solid mounts meaning you cant really use the softopper without removing the rack and softopper then reinstalling the topper. There are some out there but not a lot. I made mine so I could remove the rack without removing the rails/topper.

 

Installed a new rear window today. Mine is 5 years old and the sun beat the crap out of the plastic. But the canvas still looks great! I'll get some pictures in a few hours

 

Anyone in Los Angeles area want to buy a softopper for shortbed? Comes with an extra set of clamps as well and I believe i still have the bottle of seam sealer. Going to have to sell the truck soon unfortunately .

 

Didn't like the options available, so I designed and built one out of aluminum for mine. I've posted pics in the past, but thought I'd upload newer pics with my lift on the truck now.





I originally built it for hauling kayaks and such. However, I picked up a older model Autohome Columbus in great shape for $500 to put up there. Currently it is mounted on my son's Taco until I plan to use it.

 

Rack looks great! It's times like this that I wish I knew how to TIG weld and not just stick...

 

What direct mount roof rack are you using?

 

Nice Job!

I did the same a few years ago:

 

Got a new window by the tailgate. After five years that thing was done. Crystal clear now!

 

Not sure exactly what you are referring too.
The cross bars? Those are Rhino Aero something something racks.
The front cab channels? Those are Rhino-Rack Ditch RTS channels for the 3rd Gen.
The rack channels along the top of the aluminiminumnum rack? Those are generic Yakima Tracks (48" I believe).

The stupid flat slot nuts are two different dimensions between the front Rhino brand and the rear Yakima brand. Neither company bother to give actual dimensions to their "proprietary" fancy pants nuts so I could maybe make my own. They want like $12 for 4 of them suckers! Soooooo, I one uped them and waited until I had both racks in hand and a set of 4 flat nuts for each brand. From there my laser cutter guy did me a solid and flamed me out 30 of them with Yakima dimensions in one direction, and Rhino-Rack on the other in 1/8" stainless as well as shot a 3mm hole in the center of each. Instead of square, they are slightly rectangular. From there, I just had to upsize the holes and tap them to take the proper bolt that actually fits both brands. These were all made with some scrap material on my buddy's end, so it only cost me a drill bit, tap and bolts. Now I can mount a crap load of stuff on either set of tracks and be on my way.

 

What length is that ARB awning? 8 footer?

 

my water pressure system rigged up ready to go under the softopper. sea-flo pump mounted in the bed cubby. love this thing. easy to refill that water container i have in the corner of the bed just unbutton the corner. ready for more beach days and camping trips this year.

 

PM sent

 

Sorry everyone, the softopper is sold and gone.

 

That's awesome! I might have to raid our copper scrap bin and go overboard recreating that. Would be awesome to have that after fishing/surfing

 

it's been great for camping/fishing/beach days for us.

 

How did you mount the quick connects to the bed?