Camper Shell Advice

Hey guys I have a 2003 4 door Tacoma PreRunner.

I'm looking to buy a camper shell but I'm having a difficult time finding one for the bed size of a 4 door 1st gen Tacoma.

Can I buy a camper shell that is meant for a smililar size truck?

For example a 5 foot camper shell that came of a chevy truck.

 

Where are you located?

 

I wouldn't. While the cap off a Ranger might fit, I would much rather stick with a cap that was specifically made for the 02-04 doublecab.

Check-in with your regional thread and also keep an eye on your local craigslist / .

You might luck out, might take some time but they're out there.

Most caps have a serial # plate. Look for one and call up your local cap dealer. Most will be more than willing to check it and can confirm what vehicle the cap was built for.

When you do find one, be sure to replace the seal with this - forget that ineffective foam padding.

$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://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCC0SY6

Be weary of any that have broken out windows, especially the rear hatch window. Very expensive to replace and with some, they can't be ordered any longer. If the frame is intact, the glass might be replacable with plexi. Check with a local tap plastics or other source. Personally, I'd skip over any that have broken windows.

Good luck!

 

Tucson, Arizona

 

A month old -
https://tucson.craigslist.org/wan/d/tucson-toyota-tacoma-camper-shell/7584047660.html

2 weeks ago -

 

I spoke to the marketplace one.

He said he has someone else looking at it. It's a real nice one so it may have sold.

 

Hopefully not and I would definitely reach out to him again if you haven't already.

I've owned that model before. Between the Snugtop Supersport and the Leer 100r (on my truck now), I preferred the fit of the snugtop and the latch system. Only reason why I parted with it was those back push out back windows. Way too claustrophobic for me lol.

 

I just messaged him. One question though...

He said he did not have clamps for it.

Can I purchase them at a local hardware store?

I know you can buy them online but I need to get the shell installed today.

Or can I atleast use something to temporarily clamp it down?

 

See my thread here -
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snugtop-1st-gen-shortbed-clamp-question.550347/

I can't remember exactly what I went with. I'll do some additional searching and if I find what I ended up using, I'll update here.

 

So his pics of the interior show the closest to the cab bracket at an angle. Guessing one of the rivets popped on it. The brackets sit in this orientation -



The hooks to use are these. Might be hard to locate and go easy on torque to avoid damage to the bed rail lip.



In a pinch, might be able to get away with using multiple (maybe 3 per side to be safe) good ol' fashion c-clamps to get it home.

 

I used four C-Clamps for the past year on my topper. Worked just fine in all conditions (highway, rough terrain and high winds).

 

Yep, thats what I meant.

lol "bar clamp"

 

Hey, we're you the guy that messaged me about my bestop? Lol

 

If you’re in a pinch and you want to temporarily clamp it to take it home I’ve used a ratcheting strap, just hook it from the frame (just watch how much you tighten it).

 

Check out post #2

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/snugtop-topper-modifications.672274/

 

Lol yeah I might have.