Self install a camper shell?

1. Get a muscle mommy gf
2. ???
3. Profit!

 

I used to slip a couple 2x4’s under the shell and fasten them to the bolt holes of my Brahma top and walk it off the back like a turtle. It can be done but no longer by these old bones.

 

used two people. If you buy it off someone that is two people you and them. Never heard of a shell sold through a coin operated vending machine.

or a random person outside.

it’s not that heavy. The problem isn’t the weight but the awkward shape and balance.

 

Definitely ESI product but get the double bulb style- it raises the cap up just enough to buffer from the paint rubbing (thicker mo’ better). If you search my past past posts you’ll eventually find pics of mine installed with double and triple bulbs.

I’d take a trailer just for the fact I’d want to replace the seal, likely it’s that cheap crap the manufacturers send out. I’d also give it a good detail and coat the cab side windows especially (cap and truck) before installing. Note your bed caps will have cutouts from the oem cover (or you could buy new caps without cutouts), it’s cosmetic. Although I cut my bed caps in the cabside corners precisely for the oem cover plugs to limit leaking (had no intention or desire for butyl or silicone etc). You can search past posts for that- I have detailed pics floating around.

 

did you mean this one?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3rd-gen-today.399305/page-10784#post-26393845

post#215676?

 

That’s one of them on the plugs, I think had posted more on mid process with the cutout. Way before that I had the are cap which will have pics of the esi seals

 

These clamps are what I used.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1451288628...LMcwJ0NLJyJcfMh8Xyj-1n--2epLJAe4aAvqREALw_wcB

 

Thanks I already have that. How about the little foam that you inserted on both sides? You just cut the foam and stuck it in there?

 

Let me check if the seller have clamps included, I will get these if clamps are not included

 

Have a shop install it for you . I believe it runs anywhere between 100-200 bucks for install at least in my area .

 

Get some assistance. Your back will thank you

 

I'll bring a friend or I'll have the seller help to mount the cap if I proceed with the purchase.

 

If not today then in the years to come.

 

Yeah, you're going to need two adult males and maybe one small boy to set it on the bed veeeeery carefully. And don't forget you're going to have to figure out and splice into the tail light wiring for the 3rd brake light. And if the one you want has a dome light also. And make sure your connections are with plugs that can be disconneted in case you ever need to remove the shell.

 

Make sure to have someone take a video if you attempt installing by yourself...

 

I wish I had a video of me bringing it up the stairs to my second floor storage unit, getting it through the door and hanging it on the wall.

 

I may have to because this is something I have not done myself before. I have installed a camper shell with my Dad before in his Dakota just not by myself lifting the camper shell but I will see if the camper is sturdy when I mount it. If the camper shell is sturdy then I will leave it alone.

 

Found this video and may help Tacoma owners with a camper shell that would like to install their camper shell on their own. Because another hand is not always available.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f06YGGw4e1A

Here’s another technique.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=62rjZ-CV6

and another.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E3srJrhqiXo

Looks like this last one is my favorite and easiest. It is just not secure when it is too windy that can knock the camper shell down.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tqPT0tw1OlE

 

I just sold a camper shell with no clue what I was doing, but was fairly straight forward just unbolting the 6x brackets, undoing the electrical for the break light and having help lifting it from my truck to the buyers truck. We had 4 people though to be extra sure we could move it. Could probably do it with 2 people if both are in good shape.