The Poor Mans Camper Shell and More Build

DIY Cheep Camper-shell for under $200.00

So about a month and a half ago, i decided that my 2013 Tacoma Single Cab, was missing something. After Some Longing i wanted to seek out a decently priced Snug Top or Leer Camper Shell, so that when me and the Wife go Camping we would be able to do so in the bed of the Truck.

Now im a realistic fellow, who works 12-13 Hrs every other day between two jobs, and i know the price of these Tacoma Shells were unrealistically high vs other comparable year truck shells, well because they are Tacoma Parts. So after looking and looking for one in the $300 price Range, i gave up for a few days.

Due to a dwindling Fun Money account for bills and such i was left with very little to spend.

That is when i decided to go a different route. I jumped on Offer Up, (Mobile App) and started to search for other truck camper shells , specifically ones that would have the same Length and Width as my Bed. And what i found wasn't very promising.

Until i found a used Tacoma/Ford F150 Shell that some one had taken off there truck and left in the mud for 1-2 years. It was the most smelly, foul camper shell you can imagine, but he was only asking $100 for it. Had 2 side windows with glass, and back window, needed locks struts and a back window. I talked with the guy for 2 days and after researching the parts i would need to fix this POS, i offered 50$ cash to come get it that night. He Accepted and I had my Shell. !



I showed up with a friend, he helped put the shell on my truck and using 4 C-Clamps i drove away with a big project.

First thing i did was take the truck to a washing bay, jumped in the back, and washed the Red Ca dirt from the back of the shell. The dirt was so foul, that i reaked for hrs. I opened both side windows and let AIR dry for legit 2 weeks.

Now I live in an Apartment complex, so working on my Truck is already difficult, so what i did next was just truly amazing for the supplies and area that I did. This shell was a white Shell, one that contrasted my all back truck horribly, so i went over my options, since i Only have 50$ invested in this shell i decided to make this as budget friendly as possible, Macco wanted 400$ to paint to match the truck. I researched on Youtube, and found that a lot of people used Huriculiner to paint parts of there Trucks. I liked the look and decided to pull the trigger and go with that, as its a roll on bed liner, and that gave me the best that I could do in the small car spot that i have at my apartment complex. So i went to PepBoys got the Gallon of Hurriculiner for $74.99 minus 35% coupon, and $25 Mail in Rebate ending up at $35 for the whole kit.

I then removed the shell half off my truck since i couldn't pull the whole shell off due to no space, and painted the shell on my truck.


Once Dry i placed the shell back on, and using the stock Tacoma Tie downs, made anchors to bolt the shell too, I used 3/8 Grade 8 Bolts, Thread-locking Nuts and washers. Those cost around 10$

(Pics)

The biggest problem with the shell was the back window, it was made to mount up to a F150 not a Tacoma, so i needed to make one, So using Home Depo engineering, w bought a slab of Cedar, and Acrylic Plexi Glass, Cut the board to dimensions 54 x 17 in, cut out wholes for the 3 pieces / windows using Caulking and glue. Total Cost was around 30$ for all Supplies needed

(Pics)

I then re used the Hurculiner to water proof the wood, let dry then proceeded to mount the wood/acrylic window to the back of the shell. I used black silicone to seal around the windows, the edges of the back window and all of the self drilling screws, to prevent water leaks. And wallah, the biggest part of the project was complete.

I re mounted and now this is how she looks today !

(Pics)

Next Mods to do:

New Window locks
Gas Struts.
Fix 3rd Brake Light

Total Project Cost So Far: $125.00

Shouts to for helping:
@PyroTaco

 

Reserved

 

Pics not working!

 

Job well done!!! ​

 

Fixing here in a sec sorry lol

 

Pics aree up don't know what happened

 

Thank you Chad!

 

You got it!!! Always nice to see a budget build come together!

 

Yes It is! Now i just need my 3in lift and some beefy 31's and ill be happy !

 

Keep it up!!

 

I will try so long as Funds allow lol ! Bills around here are crazy !

 

Oh dude!!! I hear that lol

 

i have some other budget builds that i want to post here soon just havent had the time to write them up! Such as Bed lights , under hood lights , retros and HIDS, I take pics of everything just need to sit and write up a build thread lol

 

Very interested in these also!!

Should just make this a build thread dude!

 

I could do that !

 

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Well done! I love seeing how people use a little creativity to make things work.

I snagged a Leer shell for $50 a few years ago, and fixed it up on a budget as well. It served me well for the time that I had it. Traded it for a tonneau cover a few weeks ago.

 

Very cool

 

SUB'D AF

 

I remember the good old days of living in a 3rd floor apartment and trying to run a garage out of it and the parking lot. Good times.

Nice work man! Way to be frugal, wish you were on this coast I'd love to give you a hand and lend the space to work.

One thing I would suggest, if you have enough left hurkline the inside of the shell, the fibreglass on older shells likes to get into everything, sleeping bags your arms back etc and being itchy makes camping significantly less fun.

I found out how old shells like to shed fibres when I picked up a free shell and had to move it myself. My back and sholders were prickly for a week from walking with it on my back.