GFC finally releases the new Topper

$1400 for install? that sounds kinda high. I thought you just put it on the bed then tighten some bolts. do they seal up everything too?

 

$5400?!?! Ouch! Do you live in California? I ended up going with an Alu-Cab Contour after some internal debate. I live in WA, but drove down and got mine from MULE Expedition Outfitters in Oregon. Oregon has no sales tax. I got my order in before the $100 price increase. Mine ended up being about $4050 installed. This did include me adding on 6 silicone latch covers. I prepped the bed rails and installed the silicone covers myself. I would have tried to install the canopy myself if I could’ve found a friend to head down on a weekday as MULE isn’t open weekends.

So i’d say they both have some things going for them.

Alu-Cab Contour:
•Positive pressure vent (actually helps to keep dust out and ventilates enough to defogger the rear window)
•Cubby/front canopy sliding window
•Space between cab and canopy so that you can get your arm in between to clean those windows.
•Full space access when door is open (no space frame to work around)
•Light (same for GFC)
•Plenty of storage options with built-in roof rails and internal roof rails.
•3 Bright LED lights above doors.

GFC: Very similar to Alu-Cab, however...
•Made in USA
•Honeycomb roof that allows light to illuminate the inside. (Although if you want to keep stuff hidden, you might want to have something that can block the back window.)
• I think the latches can be opened from inside. That’s a cool feature I wish I had on the Alu-Cab.
•Comes in a bunch of cool colors.

I don’t think you could go wrong with either of these canopies. There are some minor advantages that one might have over the other, but ultimately, I think I would be happy with either. I do like the boxy look that both provide. I think due to the fact that they are priced pretty much the same. It makes it easy to latch on to one or two key minor features that might push you in one direction or the other.

* My Contour shipped with wrong rear struts that currently limit the rear door to opening only 90*. MULE is getting the replacement struts drop shipped to me. The rear hatch should open and be out of your way. Maybe I’d want them to only open to 90° once I throw my lift on. It might be nice to have a little overhang. If it were sprinkling or something, I don’t know. Lol.

If you go for an Alu-Cab, save yourself a bunch of money, and take a road trip to Oregon. They both look pretty bad ass..

 

i'm getting my alucab for a trip to oregon, lol. glad to hear you enjoy yours

 

Right on man. Just an FYI, I think when they took my order they had not updated their install time and it might be a little higher than the $450 I was quoted. They said that it has been taking them a little longer to do the installs than the time they originally allotted. You can keep the cost down by doing some prep work to seal the bed yourself. It is dummy simple and relevant for both GFC and Alu-Cabs. There's some good info on the GFC forum sight. https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/help-with-preparing-3rd-gen-taco-for-gfc-install/3476/15 In theory, it might not be that hard to do with one or two friends, but it just wasn't going to be an option for me.

I used the Aqua Seal tape. It's a sort of flexible rubber tape so it's pretty easy to work with. I personally didn't want to mess with any RTV, but opted to make holes in the tape just big enough to allow the bed rail tabs to guide through. I used Butyl tape at the bulkhead corners, but ultimately MULE had to take that off as it was interfering with properly mounting the canopy. But Butyl tape is pretty easy to work with and you could probably fill in cracks after the fact if needed. I just wanted to address all the known spots that I wouldn't be able to get to once the canopy was mounted. I also watched as many Youtube videos as I could about sealing the back up. I didn't seal up the cubby hole or tailgate area. I was driving on some dusty FSR's this last weekend and only a small amount of dust came in via the tailgate area and maybe a little around the cubby. Maybe that positive pressure vent was helping. Hard to say.

Good luck man!

 

Yes california where in Oregon? I have family in Ashland area

 

Yeah idk.. everything in this state is crazy. I went to order a falafel the other day and it was 19$... time to
Leave.

 

i don't know that it's that much different anywhere else right now.

 

Finally a decent YT review of the GFC topper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbqqG9xToIo

 

Really considering a GFC topper. Check them out yesterday at Basils Garage in vista. Well built.

 

Got a topper on CL after a year long search. I was also looking at alucab and basic utility shells with doors, but really liked the gfc topper as well. Two man job to transfer it to my truck, but the weather stripping was still in great shape, so we just lined it up and tightened it down. I need to shift it over a tad, but it's secure for now. It's going to leak at the corners of the back door, but I'll figure something out. I have some bed stiffeners to install, but it's super light, so might not need them (135lbs). Really digging it so far.

 

Looks great. I've been looking for a used on for a year, but finally ordered a new GFC topper a couple weeks ago. Get it at the end of October. Hopefully to looks as good as yours, I have a silver DCLB and I went with battleship gray. Couldn't decide between that and black.

 

What’d you pay for it if you don’t mind me asking?

I have 3 beef bars that I may be willing to sell if you’re interested.

 

I don't mind at all. Paid 3k even for it. It was listed for 3k, but the guy was driving down for the sale, so I gave him what he was asking for (this is also the first short bed topper I've seen used, so I jumped on it). I was looking at beef bars, but it sounds like they may be noisy. Any feedback? thx

 

@GSager78 No noticeable increase in noise for me but I have Duratracs and a Frontrunner cab rack.

Installing a Frontrunner tray over the topper, so the beef bars will no longer be used.

 

I have 2 beef bars on mine, no more noise than normal in my already noisy access cab!

 

Very cool. Any pictures for inspiration? Thanks!

 

Nice. I actually installed the GFC at Frontrunner in Agoura hills, ca ... they weren't thrilled, but I bought a couple wolfpacks from them to smooth things over.

Please DM me what you're looking for on the beef bars, if you get a chance (I'd love to see some pics if you have them too). Thanks in advance!

 

that was a good deal!

 

Looks great. Love the solar panel. Thanks!