Just ordered softtopper

Just pulled the trigger on a soft topper for my DCSB, wondering what I should do to prep for install once it arrives?

The lady and I are going on a cross country trip in 2 months and I want to make sure to do what I can to keep water out as much as possible.

Planning on installing some LED strips on the railing as well.

I see the back window requires a strip of Velcro on the tailgate, which I’m not crazy about. Anyone find an alternative to Velcro?

 

I cut a slit on one end of the bottom of the window flap and slid in a bunch of flat magnets. Does the trick quite nicely

 

That's a good tip.

 

ONE OF US


Do some searches on google, like "softopper Tacomaworld 3rd gen". There's soooo much good info floating around these threads

 

Water doesn't come in if you do not install the velcro. The front corners and under the bed rail caps are the only trouble spots for any tonneau or topper on the Taco. I have some pics in my build thread for sealing the bed. But, I did miss the metal fender to composite bed joint. That only gets water in if I rally through standing water.

The only other prep item would be for a third brake light on the ST. Super easy to do. Details in my build thread there also.

 

Take the time to apply a bottle of seam sealer before the install.

I didnt put anything on my tailgate, I just let it flap in the wind. Sometimes I tuck it in if I'm trying not to offend.

And the third brake is a nice addition.

 

I bought a roll of magnetic tape the same width as the velcro, and made a magnetic velcro strip (no slits required). Worked great!

 

Love my soft topper also. I just stuck a couple strips of velcro on the tailgate. Seems fine. Don't be afraid of velcro.

 

U can literally just let it rest on top of your tailgate (the plastic piece )it does not move ever .make sure to measure things twice and follow instructions to the teeth to get a good seal . It’s not 100percent water proof but pretty dam close .oh and get some heavy duty Velcro stripes for the window by the cab . The ones they supply are ok. But over time they will peal with removal of the topper .

 

If you plan on installing one of the LED strips with turn signals and stuff, I am getting ready to produce some that will use a Deutsch flanged plug in the bed that you can hook up to Brake, turn signals, parking light, and either reverse or a bed light on the 6 pin, or both reverse and bed light on an 8 pin. I just started receiving parts, so these will be coming soon. Or, if you just want to runa 3rd brake light, I have a solution for that too: Plug and Play Brake Light taps | Tacoma World

And here is a picture of the deutsch connector for the bed. They have dust covers available as well for the 6 pin. Dust plugs for both the 6 and 8.

 

Doooood! You got all of the fun stuff happening.

 

Some (like my wife and all the people waiting on the custom stuff) would say too much

 

That is an amazing idea!

For that issue, I made a t-harness for the taillights (you and someone else helped me source the plugs) and ran it to a Rigid chase light that I mounted to my tire swingout using a modified Jeep mount.

Didn't use the Velcro on either end. Did do the snaps. No issues with water intrusion.

 

Given how often my wife is happy, I'd say not to worry? I mean, how bad could it hurt.



To help, I have an idea / request for your idea hole. I gotta catch up there though.

 

Those rigid lights seem really nice. Did it come with a plug on the end, or just wires?

 

Always happy to have stuff tossed in my hole....

 

Hahahaha!

 

Six bare wires. I went a little overboard with the whole thing. I bought six-pin weather pack plugs and used those at either end. I can unplug the t-harness and use if for something else if I ever want to. I also have a one-pin plug in the harness if I ever want to disconnect the running light function so that the brake light would be on/off instead of hi/lo. And this is all after I had built one harness that was not thought all the way through. If I hadn't come across the chase light used I probably wouldn't have bought it. Way more functions than I'd ever need.

 

Nice. I was curious how they came because I could probably match it with it's mating receptacle. For the deutsch, I am thinking of offering 2 options. 1st, I send the plug with 12" leads so people can just crimp or solder it however they want. 2nd option would be people send me the LED strip light marked with how long they want the lead, and I crimp on the deutsch plug and send it back. I do like working with the Metripack and weatherpack stuff, but the deutsch is the best flanged option I've found

 

The velcro just gets annoying after a while, and while camping the "schrssssssssssssh!" in the middle of the night gets old.