Best topper/camper shell features

It's an are cx common issue with that kind off window. Yes they should make something to fixes that . I've Tryed to put stuff there to fill it but it just finds away to fall off. From the slamming of upper window. It wasn't bought from a dealer so it's not something I can complain about.

 

I would check out craigslist before buying anything new. With the money you'll save you can get it repainted at MAACO and still be in the black.
I've got a Leer 180, and the extra hight is nice because I use mine for camping in. The Thule bars on my cap have come in handy many, many times; from carrying my canoe to my snowboards in the winter.
As far as the windows go, my cap has swing out side windows. Very useful for accessing the cap, but not ideal for camping in it. The best windows are the swing out ones that have a sliding screen component.
Here's what ive got:

 

Great idea. I will definatly try to do something like this sometime before this summer. No need to wish i had windoors every time I wake up sweating in the cap.

 

Did maaco paint yours? what did you pay? I went to a auto body shop my parents have used a lot to inquire on the price to paint a cap. he told me it would be $7-800. they do very good work, but a bit more than I want to spend on top of a used shell.

 

I painted mine myself for about $40 in materials. I didn't do a very good job though, and now it's got bubbles in some spots where it baked in the sun all summer long.
I've been considering getting a quote from maaco thoough to paint it. I want to ask them how muc hit would be to color-match it MGM compared to just getting black.
When i find out, i'll post it here. I think it would cost somewhere around 3-500 depending on the color. I'm thinking that I might be able to get a better deal if I prep and sand it myself before dropping it off at maaco.

 

The gap I'm referring to is in the back of the truck, not the cap. on either side of the tailgate you can see light.

 

Might want to look into something like these:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-bed-channel-stiffeners-you-might-need-them.450912/

Or just use a ratchet strap and connect the two bedsides and pull them together

 

thanks for this post didn't know this (that) was an issue. i checked mine its about a 1/16-1/8" wider at top then bottom on each side. i will make some of those. cause when i go 75-80 with my kayak up there it kinda vibrates and that might be a issue down the road. or make that gap worse.

 

What the hell? Didn't know this was a issue, guess I'll have to break out the square and see what's going on. Frustrating.

 

Good info here.

 

The netting was purchased from ripstop by the roll. The Velcro is Home Depot. The fabric I used was salvaged from an old tent fly I kept around for projects like this (though Ripstop by the roll also sells tent fabric and would not be a bad way to go, or ebay and cordra).

My write up can be found here.

I have been thinking of getting a few more pictures and doing more of a write up, but I have been a bit lazy. I do have the other side left to do, so I may take more pictures when I do that. With that being said...my seams look like crap most of the time, so close-ups may not occur.

If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to talk about it. I am no expert, but I do like to dabble with these projects.

 

Suburban Toppers in Denver, Co. I live in Cheyenne, Wy but am in Denver from time to time.

 

Had a local body shop paint my leer shell that I bought off another member a little over a year ago. When purchased it was silver, had it painted black. Cost me 500 and I have been pleased with the work performed. At the time I had hoped to get it done for less, I have about 1100 in a used shell. I had shopped around for new ones and have less than half what a new one would cost so........feel pretty good about it. Love my shell, its the most useful item I have for the truck.

 

Have you got a local tech or vocational school near you? If they have an autobody program you may be able to get it painted there cheaply. Another option for saving money is to do the prep yourself then take it to one of the cheap paint places and either have them use their better paint or buy the paint yourself and take it to them. You can also buy an inexpensive paint gun from some place like Harbor Freight and do it yourself (read the reviews on the guns before buying to figure out which models work best). I'll admit I bought one from them figuring I'd use it on one job and toss it but it's held up great for the few times I've used it.

 

Bringing this back from the dead..
Im about to jump on a CX series, but going back and forth on windoors.
How often do you guys actually use the windoor vs just pulling shit out of the back anyway?
And have any of you gone the one windoor, one slider route?

 

Everytime I put shit in the back I use the windoors, they are invaluable to me especially with a lift. Even with my DCSB, it's easier to reach through there than climb in.

 

I wish my windows opened on the sides.....

 

I almost went with just 1 windoor and 1 regular. Ended up going windoors both sides.

I am SO GLAD I did. I use them both all the time. I have never met anybody who wishes they didn't get them. I know a lot of people who wish they did.

 

Thanks for the feedback... Sounds like windoor is the way to go..If i could get vented windoors on the SB this wouldnt be an issue!

 

How are you heating and cooling when you sleep in it?