Wood frame topper extension?

Hey there, I have a 2010 access cab Tacoma that I had such a hard time finding a used topper that fit. I finally found a tall leer (like i always wanted) for a great deal. Unfortunately it is a bit narrow towards the tailgate. So I thought maybe I could build a wooden frame either around the lips of the bed or even better MAYBE a taller frame with walls (only a foot or two) on the inside of the truck and sit the shell over the top of it like a joint roof of sorts. I tried looking for anyone that has attempted this online and couldn’t find anything. Am I crazy? is this idea unsafe or totally do able of done right?!

 

just buy the correct topper

 

I've got a friend who force-fit a topper to a Taco using timber plates/lips mounted to the bed tops... After a couple of years the topper was trashed (cracked fiberglass around the hold downs) and the inside edges of the bedside tops were munched to shit. And that was with no wheeling - just regular driving on rural roads.

We looked at it a few days ago and the damage looks pretty much like the timber both warped after installation and was flexing too much to properly support the shell.

 

My 1986 Mazda B2000 is a regular cab long bed, at nearly 7.5'. I found a topper for Chevy S10 that was almost perfect, but 1.5" too short.

My solution was a 2x2 piece of aluminum angle, bolted to front of bed. The gap between cab & topper was about 1" more than normal, but hardly noticeable. It actually aided in being able to clean windows.

How much difference in with is your situation? The aluminum angle might work here too. If an 1" or less on each side, I say go for it. Would work until something better comes along.

 

Wood will swell & shrink with the ambient atmosphere, ultimately twisting your topper with it. Cheap fix, but not a long term solution.