Shell for my 2011 Tacoma

I bought a new silver Tacoma Extended Cab, and now I've got the bug to get a shell. I don't know the first thing about them.

Do I buy one and get it painted, or do they sell them painted? I have more money than brains, so I want a nice one that will match in terms of color.

Are they relatively easy to take off if I need to?

I have a hunting dog, and I thought it would be good for him to ride in the back, to save my interior.

Brands? I see a lot of Leers. Any good? What would one run me?

 

Can't go wrong with Leer IMO.

 

I just ordered a LEER 100XL for my DCLB. I have had a number of LEER shells and they were all very good. I hear that the Snugtops might be a bit better, but they are also a lot more expensive (at least in my neck of the woods, SoCal).

 

A.R.E. are another one to look at, Century also make a nice topper. I've owned both and are cheaper than Leer. the Century is more basic and cost less than A.R.E. if you order one new they paint the mold like boats and holds up better. can not go wrong with any name brand, just how much you want to spend. the best option in my opinion is the front window that slides and also pivots down to clean truck window.

 

If you're going to be putting your dog in the back, I would look into getting a bed mat, if you don't already have one. It's pretty slick back there.

 

You buy one in the color that you need. The manufacturers are very good at matching.

They are not hard to remove and replace, but it is not a one-man job. They simply clamp to the bed rails. Remove the clamps, unplug the lights, and remove it from the bed.
What a lot of people do if they frequently remove and replace is build a lifting rig into their garage roof. Unclamp the shell, slip a couple of 2x4s under the front and back, and hoist to the roof and secure until needed again.

The biggest issue with removal and replacement is to protect it from damage during handling and storage.

 

Ditto.

Mat if you will be running without the shell and hauling "crap" frequently, otherwise, a BedRug is a great option and weatherproof so it can be left in place without the shell... but shoveling dirt could damage it.

 

I second the A.R.E. You might also want to look at a fold-down front window with a slider. Makes it easier to clean, and my Lab likes sticking her head through the slider into the cab.

 

I am thinking about getting one also, but haven't been able to find any prices online. Where is a good place to get prices for shells?

 

Seems the shell companies are very tight in supporting their dealerships. Because of the sheer bulk, it's simply not something UPS can deliver. I've never seen prices for caps posted online.

Shop around locally... A base model cab-high Snug like mine with standard siders, fixed front window, headliner carpet, interior light and brake light is around $1500 installed.

There are a few cheaper caps... and it shows. Expect $2k for a nice cap with nice options. Leer is going to be a bit higher than Snug.
Stick with Leer, Snug, or Innovation.

 

Snugtop XV and done.

 

Check craigslist out. You can find them for sale on there and they are usually half the cost of a new one, sometimes even less. If you take your time you may even find one that is the same color as your truck. I search for 4 months a found one made by Ranch that was color matched for $400.

 

Here's a black one for $200. You never know what you will find on Craigslist.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/pts/3757272211.html

 

I have the LEER 100R with the fixed front window and sliding side windows with a screen. I wish I would have gotten a "windoor" on one of the sides (the window lifts up for access to gear in the bed without having to climb in from the rear.)