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Older Raven camper shell re-seal

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by Xyphon112, Oct 19, 2016.

  1. Oct 19, 2016 at 8:25 PM
    #1
    Xyphon112

    Xyphon112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    '98 Xtra cab: My Raven camper shell is LEAKY as all get out. I ordered a new set of cap sealer to replace the weird foam/neoprene stuff that's on there, but I was wondering about replacing the seal at the cab frame and order of operations for replacing the seal I bought.

    For a 1st gen Tacoma, will the stuff linked above work to seal the shell all the way around including at the cab rail or will I need to buy a different seal?

    What's the best way to attach the seal? To the frame or to the shell itself? I'm having a hard time finding writeups on line about any tips and tricks to make sure the shell stays as water tight as possible. Anyone that's done this before have any ideas that could help me in making sure I don't have to do this again?
     
  2. Oct 20, 2016 at 1:30 AM
    #2
    Bajatacoma

    Bajatacoma Well-Known Member

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    It's supposed to be attached to the shell so that you can remove the shell if needed and so that water can't sit in between the tube parts if it should get in somehow. I've seen folks attach it to the bed rails since that's easier though. Not sure if it works as well or not.
     
  3. Oct 21, 2016 at 7:51 AM
    #3
    Xyphon112

    Xyphon112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Do you know if the 1st gen needs a different front bed rail seal in addition to the side rails?
     
  4. Oct 23, 2016 at 2:30 AM
    #4
    Bajatacoma

    Bajatacoma Well-Known Member

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    I honestly don't remember, it's been quite a while since my '95 was totaled.
     
  5. Oct 25, 2016 at 2:50 AM
    #5
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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  6. Oct 28, 2016 at 8:13 AM
    #6
    Xyphon112

    Xyphon112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well I got it re-sealed and it seems like it's holding tight. Here's what I did:

    1) Had 3 friends help me remove old shell and flip upside down on a bunch of towels
    2) Remove old shoddy work from previous owners attempt at installing a gasket
    3) clean the hell out of the underside of the shell where the gasket sits. I should've used a putty knife to scrape all the old crap off of it, but I used a lot of isopropyl alcohol to soak the old sticky stuff, then it came off without much of a fight.
    4) Used super cap seal all the way around 3 sides, lining up the bulb with the very outer edge of the shell. The instructions say to line up the center of the seal with the center of the bed rail and lining up the edge with the edge was about dead on.
    5) Line it up as well as I could and clamp it down tight.

    Sucker was heavy, but it was worth not spending $150 at a dealer. For a first gen you can buy the 20 FT package of the Super Cap Seal listed above and save a few bucks. It's very high quality material and seems like it will last a long time. I didn't need the front rail seal. The Super Cap fit perfect on all 3 sides.
     

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