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Hitch and camper shell installed

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by DBowers01, Aug 9, 2018.

  1. Aug 9, 2018 at 8:15 AM
    #1
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Camper shell is on. I had the usual problem with the traditional clamps. The inner rail of the cap was mug deeper than the bed rail. So I devised my own system. These eye bolts and turnbuckles are in each of the four corners. I am going to reinforce the cap rail since it is pulled down slightly. Thoughts on this system?

    20180808_194753.jpg
    20180808_194723(0).jpg
    20180808_194716.jpg
     
    Russianman92 likes this.
  2. Aug 9, 2018 at 8:23 AM
    #2
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Next...hitch install. Every plan starts with a piece of cardboard and a marker. Since the hitch I was given didn't have the frame plates, I decided to make my own. A few templates later I had this shape and transformed it into 3/16" steel. The plates are sandwiched between the frame and bumper brackets, welded to the brackets and attaches with the bumper bolts. Next I need to do some trimming and paint everything. I'll snap more pics later.

    20180806_185613.jpg
     
    lsaami and Russianman92 like this.
  3. Aug 9, 2018 at 10:18 AM
    #3
    wolfgang123

    wolfgang123 Well-Known Member

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    not sure how well that system will hold your shell down, need the turn buckles to be more vertical
     
  4. Aug 9, 2018 at 10:30 AM
    #4
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking of that but it would require a substantially smaller turnbuckle. I couldn't find shorter ones without going smaller in thread diameter.
     
  5. Aug 9, 2018 at 6:28 PM
    #5
    pairodice

    pairodice Well-Known Member

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    Keep an eye on those eyes. I snapped one of the other day carrying a table saw
     
  6. Aug 9, 2018 at 7:29 PM
    #6
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    OME 2.5,Tundra 17s,Falken Wildpeak AT3W hitch w/ 7-pin, ARE cap, JVC HU w/BT, HID/LED lights
    arifleman likes this.
  7. Aug 9, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #7
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Interesting camper shell mounting system. I’ve never seen that before.

    I ran the clamps linked above, but when I took it home I ran C clamps. Plenty strong, it even held another bed on when I took one home for my other truck.

    AA420761-7DE8-4185-AF9D-EC58E4CA242A.jpg
     
    BassAckwards likes this.
  8. Aug 9, 2018 at 8:10 PM
    #8
    E30325

    E30325 Well-Known Member

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    I use these type for mine and they're awesome, don't get in the way of anything

    IMG_9744.jpg
     
  9. Aug 10, 2018 at 5:09 AM
    #9
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's what I'll likely go with in the end but for now to test drive and see how this is going to work out, I decided to try to turnbuckles. So far in 200 miles of commuting (all highway) it has not moved.
     
  10. Aug 10, 2018 at 5:12 AM
    #10
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Craigslist freebee!! I have not seen a manufactures tag on it yet. The lip of the cap extends a full 1.5" inward more than the bed rail. A deeper clamp would engage the bedrail better but would then be clamped onto the wiring chase instead of the flat surface.
     
  11. Aug 10, 2018 at 6:18 AM
    #11
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

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    I use 6 of those aluminum C clamps and they seem to work great. Easy installation and removal. It's home improvement season so the shell is off. lol
     
  12. Aug 10, 2018 at 6:31 AM
    #12
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hunting season is fast approaching so I'm test fitting and getting the bugs sorted through.
     
  13. Aug 10, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #13
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Here is the overhang I was talking about.

    20180810_124013.jpg
     
  14. Aug 10, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #14
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Another view.

    20180810_124027.jpg
     
  15. Aug 10, 2018 at 9:44 AM
    #15
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This is the only tag I can find on the entire cap.

    20180810_124323.jpg
     
  16. Aug 10, 2018 at 11:42 AM
    #16
    E30325

    E30325 Well-Known Member

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    Hard to tell from your pics, but other then you have one rear latch and mine having two it looks the same as mine which is a leer
     
  17. Aug 10, 2018 at 11:42 AM
    #17
    E30325

    E30325 Well-Known Member

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    Shouldn't be a problem with the clamps I posted, that's about how mine sits
     
  18. Aug 10, 2018 at 12:03 PM
    #18
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The guy I got it from talk it down like it was a real POS. It does need a few things...paint is faded but, window screens are missing and the rear latch is tight. It also needs the belt trim. Most of that I can get from a nearby dealer. But for free (just like the truck) I expect it to need some work.
     
    E30325[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Aug 10, 2018 at 12:05 PM
    #19
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    It’s defintely not a LEER. The name plates usually explicitly state the MFG. My camper shell says SnugTop in the same place, and most LEER shells I’ve seen say LEER on the back window and LEER on the nameplate.

    There are so many different shell manufacturers I wouldn’t worry.
     
    E30325 likes this.
  20. Aug 10, 2018 at 12:20 PM
    #20
    DBowers01

    DBowers01 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    All the caps my family ever had were lettered up heavily with the maker. This one is certainly lacking...but it fits the truck, keeps water out of the bed and actually look pretty good.
     

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