Truck Cap with Fiberglass Beside, Photos

Yeah took off about an inch. It was just the outside lip though so it had no effect on the mounting points. Cut it parallel with the window then realized the shell slightly tapers down towards the back. Glad the shell was only $200 haha

 

wondering if anyone has tried to do a soft topper with the "TT" style fiberglass bedsides, aka the non flat top style. My dumbass got the soft topper, and completely forgot i had the TT style bedsides. If not, any recommendations on how to possibly make it work? May just have to order new flat top bedsides... Any input is welcome!

 

Im loving those CustoM Corner Bumper add-on's
who came up with that idea ?

 

They are from ADV Fiberglass. I think they call them bumper caps.

 

Bump because I’ve been knocking this around for months now for my 01. Torn between shell with roof rack or soft top.

Thoughts?

 

I'd go soft topper unless you need the security or rigidity of a camper shell. The fiberglass ones are so heavy they'd likely crush the bed rails if you mobbed hard. I'd at least run some square tubing under what's left of the bed rail to make it more rigid and add some vertical support at the corners if you plan on running hard with a camper shell. Aluminum camper would be a good way to go but it would be boxy looking - maybe not your style

I'm planning on reinforcing my bedsides / rails even though I'm only running a soft topper.

 

I'm running a Bestop with KB Voodoo bedrails for an extra buffer between the fiberglass and topper.

 

Yeah I have my corners reinforced so when I load dirtbikes and such I don’t pull the corners in with straps. Here is my big dilemma too. I have a full cage that ties into the bed through the bulkhead of the cab and would have to cut the fiberglass one to slip over the tubing that runs right up and over the bed into the cab.

Not sure how I could modify the soft topper besides cutting it too. Just remembered this issues today when shopping around.

I don’t need fiberglass, but prefer it for safety and holding up to the Texas heat. I’d prob add some supports on the front portion of the bed for vertical support regardless.

 

How well do the advanced fiberglass bedsides hold up to the weight of a shell? I’m pretty hard on my truck, thinking of possible ways to reinforce the shell to prevent it from destroying the bedsides. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Not sure what 2nd gen bedrails look like when the bedsides are off, but this is the idea I'm using for my first gen. Home Depot sells 1" square tubing in 72" lengths which is almost perfect. I'm adding the ability to bolt my bedsides and stuff to them by drilling holes and welding nuts in them. I'll add vertical supports that end up in a plate that bolts to the bed or through to a plate coming from a tube off the frame.

If there's room under the bed rails on 2nd gens you could do that or even make a similar setup that instead of fitting completely under the bed rails, could sit under them and bolt to a plate of 1/8" sitting just on top of the bedsides with countersunk head machine screws.

 

The bedsides on the 2nd gens mount on top of the actual bed box, over the top and bolt in with the rail system from the inside. Not counting mounts by the front of the box or the taillight area.

I have two ideas, have an L bracket on both sides that sit on top of the bedsides like a traditional RTT rack, but that are tied into a frame skeleton that bolts down to the bed bolts. Similar to a bolt in bed cage but tied into the L brackets that run along top of the bedsides. I also run the archive garage shock towers that run a plate on the top of my wheel wells that could also be used to tie into the trucks frame.

The second idea would just to build an internal skeleton to the shell, tied down to the bed bolts and tied into the roof of the camper shell. Would involve going through the shell to secure it to the internal cage, and plating or support to spread the load out to the roof of the shell. I’m not sure yet. My trucks at the shop getting glass put on while it’s in there for other insurance collision reasons. Here are some pics I got off google.

 

I would run a softopper. Here in utah, I use my topper in the winter so my bed doesn't fill with snow. Fiberglass ones are heavy, and can potentially crack if you go wheeling with it on. I still get dust in the bed with my softopper, its like a turkey baster. Anytime the truck flexes, it sucks in air from the outside. Granted, I have holes in the bed for my bypasses, not sure if its sucking in air through the holes in the bed, or near the tail gate.

When I don't want to use the topper, I just remove it and store it in the rafters in the garage. It takes like 5 min to convert. I have different configurations for the truck: Softopper, No Topper, Or Bed rack for the RTT.

 

Leer 180 on Line-X’d ADV fiberglass. Used a thick rubber garage door seal on the under side of the original bedside caps and just sat it on there. Still affixed using bed rail t-slot attachments.

 

I also have the TT style bedsides and have been wondering the same thing, anybody have any suggestions?

 

Can I bump this and ask for if there's any more photos floating around out there?

I have a gen 2 four door with fiberwerx fenders. It looks great, but I'm concerned about getting the right hard shell. I'm worried about (a) getting the best fitting brand, and also (b) that it's going to look kinda goofy.

Appreciate you guys helping me get a better mental picture of how to do this the best way!! Thanks!