Home made shell/topper?

Anyone made a shell/topper for their Taco? I'm probably moving later on in the year and can't bring myself to drop a couple of grand on a Leer/ARE etc (partly as I don't know if I'm going to keep the Taco long term).

So I was thinking of building one with 2x4s and plywood. I know there are people out there that think this is redneck, but for $100 in materials and a couple of hours of labor I can make something that'll last the trip up to CO.

The main challenge I can see is cutting the 2x4s to follow the tapered shape of the top of the bed.

 

Sounds like a great idea!

 

Weight adds up fast when you use wood.
Back in the 60's my dad and his friend decided to build a whole camper not just a top with the same construction materials they worked around daily.
Once the STRUCTURE was built, still no interior, they put it on his F-250 for a trial fit.
Front wheels came off the ground.

 

There's a guy on here who made one out of .... aluminum...diamond plate I think it was... Don't think he spent that much on it... since it's metal, pretty sturdy and not too heavy.

sorry, this is just a bed cover... not a shell

 

What was he using, cinder blocks and concrete? They must have stood back, looked at that and laughed!

I don't think it would be that heavy, need about 60' of 2x4s and about 2.5 sheets of plywood.

 

just keep an eye on CL! i just found a local one for $55. it needs some work but finding a window to fit would be easier than building the entire thing out of wood - and look much better IMO.

I realize that this is not local for you but you get the idea...
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/1306485230.html

 

I've looked at CL many times, but nothing came even close. Will carry on looking though.

 

get a leer topper

 

These may work....

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ctd/1307316554.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/1305776267.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/1297174129.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/1295385223.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/1294876027.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/for/1288065487.html

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/1287711529.html


A ton out there that may fit and work for one trip?

 

Thanks. Forgot to mention that mine is a longbed so that makes it somewhat harder to find.