Help with reinstalling camper shell

I took my shell off to fix the damn leaking brake light and the cheap foam weather seal was totally flat. I pealed it all off and replaced it with the bulb type seal (

$29 ESI Super Cap Seal 20 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 20' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps 200 lbs or less

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCC0SY6/). However, it's not sticking well. Really hard to clean the fiberglass. There seems to be some overspray from the glue they used to attach the carpet and it really grabbed the original weather seal too. Ended up pealing a bunch of that overspray adhesive off too.

That seal is also a bit narrow (1 1/2"). The wider stuff is for a heavier shell so maybe it's fine but if there's a better one please advise.

I have to pull it again to replace the light (it was broken not just bad seal) so I want to do it right this time. Should I apply some sort of spray adhesive under the weather seal so it will hold better? If so, what would be best?

Also, the back window doesn't seal very well. Maybe it never did but now that I'm paying more attention I noticed it. Is there a good way to fix this? I tried some of the leftover bulb weather seal, but the gap is huge and the stuff doesn't fill it. It's possible I have the shell too far forward so I can slide it back some but I still think this gap will be there given how the shape isn't the same as the tailgate.

Appreciate any feedback.

 

So just to be clear, by "help" I wasn't looking for someone to physically help me remove/reinstall

 

Is it the right Shell? I've never seen a gap in the rear that big to the tailgate.

 

That shell seems to be sitting too high. Most caps don't have that much of a gap between it and the body.

Do you have a photo of the before?

 

I have an ARE topper and the rubber sweep on the topper lid rides on the paint below the plastic shit. That is way high. Properly seated you still have a 3/4 gap on both ends of tailgate/topper lid connection. Fixed mine by building up the sweep with more rubber and then using foam on the tailgate plastic itself

 

Something is not right. That thing ‘s sitting WAY too high.


Did you accidentally leave a typewriter, crock pot, or small child on the bed rail when you put it back on…?

 

It's the cap I ordered for the truck so no reason to think it's the wrong one.

I don't think I have a photo of that exact spot. It's probably a bit higher due to using the bulb type weather seal.

 

Yeah that’s sitting way to high.

 

Around the bed sides it's just a 1/4" to maybe 1/2" higher than before due to the thicker weather seal. Maybe it's too far forward and the door isn't closing down all the way.

 

What brand cap..?

 

ARE

 

Is the cap designed to sit on top of the bed rail or slightly covering it. There are two styles.

 

My GUESS is that thing is cut to fit, with just the thin, open cell foam tape.

It ain’t ever gonna be right with twenty feet of black mamba bulb seal crammed under it.

Sorry.

 

its just like mine and the very edge of the bottom door rubber seal should be riding below the top of the endgate plastic on the truck paint. Does the door operate properly?

 

Not sure. It originally came down closer to the metal but there was still a gap and you could see the bed rail.

 

Yeah, door works fine. Might be a tad tighter to rotate the handle. I think I'm maybe 1/4" too far forward, but I don't think that's going to fully seal even if slid back some.

 

You can seal it with weatherstripping - just have to get creative...

 

So should I put some thin weather seal under instead? I though the bulb seal was supposed to be better and partly because it did sit just a bit higher and helped to keep the cap from rubbing the sides of the bed.

 

Yep, you’re cap is designed to sit on top. The bulb seal is not going to work, to thick. Replace it it with better “thin” foam tape seems to be the solution.
Edit 1/4” thick closed cell foam tape is what I used on my old truck.

 

Me too. I was going to do the same thing you did..