What Shell Would You Recommend

Longrider? Sounds like a surf board.

My dad was being a smart ass when he first saw one of my later trucks and said . 'I'll help you cut the back out'. He never did like the walkthrough, because the shell was more or less permanently attached. It was a fad. 'I'm through that now.'

 

1985 Nissan 720 pick up with a cap and the back wall of the cab and front of box removed just like your "custom" truck but factory custom. I wanted to trade my 84 720 KC for it but didn't

 

No, I've never heard of that. Sounds like a fun truck. I remember looking at the 'new' 84 models when I had my '73. You could get a brand new '84 Nissan p/u for around $4,600 and something. Seemed like a lot of $$$ at the time but seems so cheap now!

 

My Snugtop Rebel never leaked an ounce, until our resent downpours in SoCal. But, it was just the back window seal. A little silicon, and now it's as good as new. I'm extremely happy with it.

 

My 84 KC was $6,010 off the lot

 

OP what did you decide? Just got a new truck and trying to figure it out. Thanks!

OP what did you decide? Just got a new truck and trying to figure it out. Thanks!

 

Since this thread was resurrected, I'll add my $0.02:

1. I think as long as you go with a major brand paint will match fine. Falling in line with the truck's aesthetic is up to you. But keep in mind the back glass/handle design (especially if you want to be able to lock the cap with your current key fob). Because of camping I would look at caps with sliding windows for maximum ventilation.
2. Any major brand should be warrantied against water. However, your water problems will likely not come from your cap, but Toyota's FABULOUS bed design (which will NOT be warrantied). Your front (against the cab) bed corners will leak, you may want to look into getting a taller seal for the front rail and silicon'ing every bit of it. Your tailgate will let water in, look around here/Amazon/my post history for a tailgate seal and tailgate gap cover. Like many have said this part really comes down to your installer. Ask in your region-specific sub-forum for recommendations on that. If you are thinking about sleeping back there, you'll probably want a platform to make the most of the width of the bed (over the wheel wells) and to have storage underneath (which will reduce headroom) so at least CONSIDER a taller cap. While the newer tall campers look ok, I really wanted a cab-height cap. Because I only spend 10-20 nights a year in mine and don't live in it, I can survive (but it is the last thing I think about while going to sleep and the first thing I think about in the morning back there).
3. For security you'll probably want an easy way to lock/unlock the cap, so look for tops with key fob sync options. If someone really wants to steal your stuff, they will.
4. I would think any cap would be ok for what you are looking for here, but if you are planning on getting roof rack/cross bars (and you should) think about the weight limit, only certain models can support >150lbs, though there is alot of conflicting info online about this (I am in the "better safe than sorry" camp).

Other things to consider: Get EVERY OPTION you might ever want, it will be much cheaper to do it now. Others have said here that you can add tracks for a roof rack yourself (And you can) but I would not. If they are installed from the factory they will be warrantied. If you are worried about cost, just get them to do the tracks and do the cross bars/podiums yourself down the road. DEFINITELY get the removable front window (probably sliding too) and headliner. Since you plan on camping I would think long and hard about adding the power block (and get it wired so it works without keys in the ignition).

Because you asked: I had similar concerns, do similar "off roading - light" to a campsite, and sleep back there. I went with the Leer 100XR (I really liked the sliding side windows and frameless glass design, which can be locked/unlocked with my Toyota key fob). The options I got are: Carpeted headliner, powerblock, Thule tracks/racks, sliding/removable front window, pet screens, keyless entry (which paired with a pop-n-lock is super convenient), and clothes hangers (which I use to hang dog collars/leashes, flashlights, etc from while sleeping.

Feel free to shoot any more questions my way or stalk my post history. This was way longer than expected.