AluCab Canopy on 1st Gen - Anyone have one?

I'm looking to sell my GFC and replace with a AluCab Canopy (not RTT) and apparently the 2nd Gen Tacoma model fits the first gen. Anyone have first hand experience?

 

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the GFC?

 

GFC is great, just don’t use it enough to justify hauling around a RTT full time. Looking to sell to someone who will use it.

I do really love the side access the GFC offers so that’s why I want to go with the AluCab canopy since it’s like a GFC without the tent.

 

I have an Alu cab shell on my 1st gen dbl cab. I've had it on there about 5 years now. It was meant for the 2nd gen Tacoma dbl cab. I ordered it when there was only 2 dealers in the country and asked online for lots of measurements before ordering to make sure it would work. I was very pleased with the fitment and think it fits better on the 1st gen. Front to back and side to side it is a perfect fit. The back hatch fits over the tailgate like it should and it sits about 1/4" inside the bed rails. The only thing that bothers me is the height is about an 1"-1.5" below the roof line. To help some I added a 1/2" rubber on the bed rails to help it sit up a little higher. I had to get creative with the mounts but I'm very happy with it and have only seen a few 1st gens with this shell. I can share some pictures tomorrow if you'd like.

 

Out of curiosity, how much for the GFC?
Edit: Nevermind, found it on the GFC forum. Quick question: What is the measurement from the top of your bed to the top of the camper? Checking viability of a GFC fitting in my garage.

 

Yes, pics please! Thanks for the feedback!

 

Probably more pics than you need but hope this helps. Sorry about the bad pics but was running out of light.

 

Looks great, thanks for posting those!

 

Thanks for the pix, @UtahTacoma02. Most helpful. I've often wondered about the cross-fitting of Alu-Cab canopies. (I modded my Gen 1-original Mountain Top aluminum tonneau so it would also fit on my Gen 2 Tacoma, where it's running now.

Did you have any discussions about sizing with Alu-Cab before ordering? The reason I ask is that they've made a TON of different canopies over the years and even today have some that are taller than the Gen 2/Gen 3 Tacoma shell. Here for example is their Land Cruiser 79 pickup shell. This one looks to be a LOT taller.



They've also done a lot of custom work for the 4WD safari rental market in Southern Africa.


Perhaps they could have shipped a different model as a custom order?

 

That thing looks NICE. I would assume they offer one for the 6ft bed too?

 

they do!

 

The guys at Juniper Overland put one on their first gen V6 single cab. Fit better on that than it did for the second gen Tacoma the topper was designed for!

 

Yeah, no problem. I didn't speak to Alucab directly, just messaged people on here that had one on their 2nd gen Tacomas for exact measurements. The shell on the 79 series land cruiser is the highest Alucab shell I have seen. The one on the Hilux would probably be a good fit but they just didn't offer it with the suppliers in the US. Now it may be easier to get other models shipped over. The shell I have is super light and strong compared to the fiberglass one I had on there and very modular. The aluminum utility shell that I think you have are awesome too. I just never found one for the short bed.

 

@Beater_Bimmer Did you end up getting an AluCab? By those photos it looks like a different Tacoma. Would be curious if you know how they adapted those clamps to fit under the rail. Also wonder if they ran a spacer like @UtahTacoma02 did to get a little extra height.

Looking at their site, the AluCab Contour series ticks a lot of boxes for what I need since it offers side windows and the Explorer series shown in this tread does not. Unfortunately the Contour is only offered for the third gen Tacomas but would be really curious to know how it would fit on the a first gen Tacoma with the 6' bed. My guess is it won't work but that second generation Explorer series looks like it was built to fit a first gen Tacoma.

If anyone has measurements of the Contour or Explorer 6' canopies, I'd be very interested!

 

I haven’t got around to selling my GFC but still plan on this. The local vendor said it fits as pictured with no issues. Comes with the appropriate bed rail clamps for 1st gen too.

 

Cool, looking forward to seeing photos of how it looks! Do you know who makes those bed rail clamps? Doing my homework for if/when I ever go this route. Thanks!

 

AFAIK they come with the purchase from AluCab

 

There's a dude on expedition portal with an alu cab camper on a first gen

 

Yup I saw that one. From what I read it sounded like a bit of work but looks like he did a really nice job making it fit. I'm looking at the basic Alu Cab canopy without the wedge camper. Found drawings with measurements buried in their site for the Explorer for the 2nd gen Tacos and the Contour which is like the Explorer but with windows and only offered for the 3rd gens.

Based on measurements, the Explorer for a long bed 2nd Gen Tacoma should also fit a first gen Taco with a 6' bed (same as the 2nd gen short bed to 1st gen short bed discussed in this thread). Also double checked with Juniper Overland and they confirmed that it will fit. They were super helpful by the way! Only fitment drawback is they're a little short at around 19.5" so a little shorter than cab height like UtahTacoma02 mentioned.

According to the measurements I found for the Contour for the 3rd Gen Tacoma, it looks to be too long by around an inch or so. That's not accounting for that additional 3" lip at the bottom of the door that's supposed to cover the tailgate. The 3rd gen tailgates are pretty thick and bow outward. I just don't see how it could fit properly on a first gen which is unfortunate because the Contour has windows which I'd prefer. Checked the one for the Hilux and it looks to be a bit too short for the 6' bed and too wide. That's assuming Alu Cab will even market it to the US......

I'm still wondering who made those clamps in the first post lol. Would prefer not to drill any more holes than I already have in the bed if I end up getting the Explorer.