Softopper: Visual comparison of 2nd gen top & 3rd gen top on a 2016 Taco

Some of you have been curious about the difference in fit between a 2nd gen Softopper and 3rd gen Softopper on a 3rd gen Tacoma. Below are some photos showing the comparison. Please excuse the lack of fine tuning the canvas for the best fit.

2nd gen top


3rd gen top

 

2nd gen top


3rd gen top

2nd gen top sticks well above the shark fin.

 

2nd gen top


3rd gen top

The 2nd gen top doesn't overhang the top of the tailgate. The 3rd gen top overhangs enough that you could install Velcro just below the black plastic gate protector to tighten up the fit. I haven't done that yet as I'm reluctant to put it on the painted metal surface.

 

Makes me wonder what a 3rd gen top would look like on a second gen. Slightly below the roof line.

 

It looks like water can leak in from the side? Was thinking about using it for camping but looks like I'll need to rig some sort of rain fly.

 

I'm not sure how the rear window would fit. There is some adjustment it it so it might be okay.

 

I wouldn't say it's impossible for water to get in, but if the Softopper is installed properly I think it's unlikely. I use mine for several camping trips every year. There have been a few trips that were rainy and I've never had a water issue. I've seen some people use a pop up canopy over the tailgate for a sitting area. You could fit one over the whole truck bed for extra rain protection.

 

I wonder with the 2nd gen being taller... would that make the wind loosen it on long interstate trips and possibly blow it off?

 

I used the 2nd gen Softopper on my 2016 some before I replaced it with a 3rd gen top. I never noticed any issues with it loosening up on the highway.

 

Awesome, thank you for this thread. Are you selling the 2nd gen top?

 

I was hoping someone would find the post useful. I had wondered how much difference there was between them, but couldn't find any pics.

I'm going to try selling local. Shipping is too much of a hassle.

 

@CaliDevilDoc

 

Forgot about this thread, but I'll add my pics for reference as well:
3rd gen top on a 2nd gen:




The only adjustment I had to make was replace the crossbar for the bottom of the rear panel, since the 3rd gen tailgate is curved and the 2nd gens are straight. A replacement bar was about $12 straight from Softopper, but they wanted just as much for shipping to CA. I found some aluminum tube in the correct diameter at my metal supply store for about $10 and just moved the attachment ends over. As a result, the rear flap hangs a bit lower over the top of the tailgate, but it also appears to be more water resistant without adding the Velcro strip.

 

first off wanted to say thanks!! your post made sure i asked the right questions. i found a stupid good deal on a 3rd gen softopper. after a little bit of research i found your thread. so thank you!

now my question, what did you do with the rear panel? the bottom is loose and im hesitant to apply velco to the tailgate. did you apply velcro? if not what did you use? if nothing, were you worried about the loose flap rubbing the paint off the tailgate?

thanks!!

 

Neither of those fit the rear properly. It appears you need to slide the whole system towards the rear for a better match to the bedsides @ the tailgate.

 

Glad I could help you out. After I bought my 2016 I looked all over for info on the difference between 2nd & 3rd gen Softoppers, but no luck. I figured I wasn’t the only one out there wondering what the differences were.

I didn’t want to put Velcro on the tailgate either. The flap doesn’t touch the paint because of the plastic tailgate cover. I’ve got nearly 5000 miles with the Softopper on with zero issues.

 

They were just a quick fit without fine tuning. I like to run it forward a little because I didn’t Velcro the the tailgate and don’t want the flap to rub on the paint.

 

awesome thanks! this seems to be the majority. ive always trained myself to not put anything on the paint, especially anything with an adhesive. but ive been toying around with the idea of putting 3m vinyl below the tailgate cap and putting the velcro on top of the vinyl. maybe alittle overkill, but i just cant get myself to put velcro adhesive on the paint. call me crazy i guess.

 

Thanks for the post. I just picked up a two week old softopper off a 3rd gen and put it on my 2nd gen.

 

I came here hoping for this exact info. Thanks man