What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Hot Dam! No more bleeping beeping when starting the engine, doors open, and walking away with fob in pocket! Thank you.

 

Other mods that I (& many others) have done include (plz excuse if you've already accomplished these):

a.) Sliding this insulation between the canvas and the frame inside the Topper ceiling. I kept it long enough to cover the rear window also. (It is rolled up above the window for driving.)

$20 DGSL Double Reflective Insulation Roll, 47 in X 10 FT Window Insulation for Summer Heat, Aluminum Foil Thermal Radiant Barrier for Window, Garage Door, RV, Roof

DGSL Double Reflective Bubble Foil Insulation Foam, 47 in X 10 FT Aluminum Foil Thermal Insulation Radiant Barrier for Window, Garage Door, RV, Roof - Amazon.com

b.) We covered using the snaps (on the PVC pipes) for running Safari mode. Now let's deal with the retaining buckles on the outside top for securing that rolled Safari mode. Get an extra 6-10 of those buckles (the repair kit from ST is prefect because you can install them on a closed loop strap without sewing) and attach the appropriate mating end to the edge of a lightweight tarp. Buckle the tarp to the Topper and support the other edge with poles. (PVC pipe, dead saplings, hiking poles, etc.) Easy Awning for either side. Or both sides if you make two.
Realize that the Topper will have two buckles at each location along the top sides. This will enable you to secure the Safari mode rolls of canvas -and- allow the tarp/awning to click into the second set of buckles at the same time. Pet stores sell miniature size tennis balls. One cut in half provides two protectors (pole to tarp contact) to save ripping your tarp, and are easy to carry on a string attached to the poles.

btw; the repair kit (from ST!) are different size buckles than the original (at least on my 2017 model Topper). WTH???? Not a worry when it comes to attaching the awning, but I'm out of luck if I have to replace a Safari mode buckle. Grrrrr!

c.) Also with PVC pipe, you can rig "stand-off" poles for the topper side flaps to angle/slant them downwards, but still open for cross breeze, during rain showers. Put the male snap ends into the PVC caps and stick the caps on these short pipes. Other pipe ends just wedge against the topper frame rail along the top of the bed. Bungies can be your friend here. Or you can create an actual attachment to prevent the wind from lifting the flap and pulling the poles free. (Hate it when they bang into the side of the truck, even though they are lightweight and non-marring.)

d.) I zip-tied LED light strips to three of the toppers' ceiling frame tubes. Ran power from the fuse box, to a switch, to the lights. Also ran 4 matching light strips just under the bed rails, so I'll still have light if the topper is folded or removed.

e.) Last bit of ST mod I've done was to hang my old military mosquito-bar inside the topper for full 360* net coverage --- and still get cross-breezes from any/every direction. The mosquito-bar has plenty of attached tie-ribbons to allow hanging it inside of the old two-piece canvas puptents. (Circa 1940-1990) Those ribbons work swell when attaching the net to the topper ceiling frames. Though sometimes I enhance it with zip-ties. Also, this net is wide enough and long enough to cover my 6' bed.
In fact, just last week I picked up another one from the local army-navy store for $10. New ones there are $20, but this old one was complete, did not have any holes, and had all of the ribbons secured. (Going to use it in teaching my nephews poncho shelters.)

 

Does it still beep when you lock and unlock? I think that all comes from the same thing.

 

Good call, no beeping on lock/unlock. I had my beep on lock/unlock turned down, so I'll confirm later if it is totally disabled now. I don't remember if I had that beep off, or down low....

 

Appreciate all these ideas guys. Top notch stuff.

 

I use the same selective hearing I developed for crying babies, whiny teenagers, and dramatic women on cellphones in public (just haven't managed to block out the dramatic guys yet...still working on that). I just don't notice it until someone reminds me it makes those noises.

 

There’s a block button on TW to do that for the dramatic guys.

 

Ditch lights done!

 

Beep is gone for lock/unlock. I'll need to evaluate that, maybe reinsert that buzzer for that reason, although it is so annoying when I got it running and forget something sitting in the kitchen that I need to retreive.

 

I wasn't aware it was an issue with factory suspension. I know Accutune makes brackets for the fox elite 2.5's for this reason.

 

Installed a new set of Alpha Rex

 

How to loose 5# of ugly fat in just minutes!

 

I have wanted to incorporate the pipe/stick idea into a "wing out awning" that included bug netting.

Some thing to add "air" on warm evenings and nights if "camping out" means sleeping in the back of the truck.

I've yet to come up with a bug net solution better than draping the entire topper and tail gate.

 

is your battery on the pass side?

 

Of course I replaced it with 50 lbs of 3/16" steel under the gas tank, but who's counting?

 

you could trade it for a ridgeline

 

How do you like your Ridgeline?

 

I had a similar thought in covering the whole truck while camping, for heat reflection. But then again I was camping and just thinking too much. It would be fairly easy to throw a net over the whole truck

 

No