Let's See Some Softoppers

With a 60” high lift jack just installed!

 

I had heavy metal offroad.

 

Hello guys.

I am looking for a black SoftTopper in good condition, for a 4-door 1st gen Tacoma short bed. I currently live in Tucson, Arizona. Message me if you have one, please. I am willing to pay for shipping.

Thanks!

 

What is that hanging from underneath the topper? Is that a text extension?

 

yeah topper tent extension! Kinda pricy but the version 2 has fixed some flaws from V1 plus made in the USA. Don’t have too many good pictures since I’m always putting it up at night when we’re ready to camp. I’ve used it three times got it down to less than 5 min set up time. I use a twin Tri fold mattress that I cut to fit.
https://thetoppertent.com/products/soft-top-attachment

 

Nice! I remember looking at that one but wasn’t willing to pull the trigger because of the price. I do like how it folds up inside and can be tucked out of the way.

 

Are you running 2 or a 3 bar set? How far do these stick off the bedsides

 

I have those now. I'll take a picture for you later. It's almost 3 inches for the rear

 

I'm curious to see those also. I'm looking to get those to use with the Yakima load assist kayak mounts. I was thinking about rounding off the corners before painting since they look a little pointy.

 

Has anyone ever figured out how to make a Softopper as campable as a shell?

Such as:

-doing similar waterproofing techniques to a shell, like sealant and gasket add ons

-creating mesh screens to act as windows, peel a triangle shaped corner out on left/right fronts to expose said mesh for breathability. Possibly internal vertical bracket to hold a fan, maybe mounted to bed rail. But then water could get in. Same thing could possibly be done in the rear using stock mesh panel, with a swinging bracket

-cut rectangles in sides to put mesh, maybe zippable, like Bestop might have. Or putting a 3rd gen Bestop onto a 2nd gen if it fits and has that

-add curtains

-Reflectix if needed

kinda to mimic how a shell you can slide window open to mesh net to breathe and stop condensation (that headliner also helps with)

 

I believe @tonered has a waterproofing write up

everything else - no. I haven’t ran across anyone cutting up 1k topper to modify it yet. I’m sure a very reputable sewing/upholstery company could tho. I remember messaging a guy on IG who had an upholstery shop custom make his topper.

 

Here you go fellas. Not 3 inches

 

See the 4th Page of my build thread linked below.

 

Is that their powdercoat or your own coating/paint?

 

I had the 2 bar set (I have since sold the softopper and bars). They really didn't stick out from the bedside more than an inch or so. This is the best pic of that I have. I really loved the bars for carrying lumber and such. Plus I had traction boards and rotopax mounted on them and it looked

 

Just came across a few videos... really nice setup this guy has...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jttaWwk9KU

and this is how he did his meshed screen setup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uldnNziAr8

 

I did a bunch of stuff when I had my softopper to make it as campable as possible. I had a little fan, reflectix, and a large bug net I would drape over the whole thing. I'd put it in safari mode and throw the bug net over the topper to keep the bugs out with a breeze.

I tried building a camping extension,


then buying one (and subsequently selling it).

I built a lightweight sleeping platform and all kinds of other stuff only to sell it (at a loss) and start over again with a hard shell. Pros and cons to both but I love my current set up.

 

Was there any specific reason you decided to sell the softtopper and bars?

 

So, with the DECKED system, one CAN remove the pivot rings, pop the poles off the studs, and collapse the topper, as needed. However, it seemed to me that this put a lot of undue stress on those little studs, pulling them off and on. So, I did end up cutting into the sides of the decked system with an oscillating cutter. I had to cut a channel to allow the elbow to extend and retract fully. I dont have a pic of it currently, but can take one if someone is interested. The joints do come close, but I couldnt get any more clearance due to the metal frame piece in the decked system itself. That being said, the top can now be open or closed, with relative ease. Which will make it easier for me, getting things out of the back as needed-or using the bed as an actual truck bed.

 

I did none of this and camp in it all the time. I'm not sure how it isn't campable?