Shell options and tips - 2006 access cab

It's that time again - a newbie asking for shell advice! I dug around this forum and some other sites, and am still not sure I know enough to get the right shell. It doesn't have to match perfectly, but I need it to fit my stock bed without serious modding. I can replace weatherseal material but am not gonna drill holes anywhere on my truck. Just want a dry sleeping bag and dry gear.

Where do I measure my bed and a secondhand shell to ensure a good fit? Outside edge to outside edge? Inside bed edges and also width of the shell edge that sits on the bed rail?

None of the charts I look at seem to be measuring the same places, or I can't tell if they are my truck or a different configuration - is an access cab a short bed or long bed?

I just don't want to throw away my cash when I find a "great deal" on CL. Thanks in advance.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/tonneau-covers-caps-and-shells.198/

Access cab is a long bed (6'). The manufacturers don't seem to be consistent in how their products fit and they're definitely not consistent in quality; some fit pretty well, others just suck. Adding to the fun, the Tacoma bed design sucks for adding a shell; you'll need thicker foam for the front, ideally you want a shell that overhangs the bed to help prevent water from running back under (drip edge/lip), some folks recommend adding a thin foam or sealant under the cap, the clamps that utilize the cargo track need to pull down and three per side is better than two, the angle on the rear of the truck's cab is different on a single cab vs. access vs. double cab, etc.

For the most trouble free installation get a shell designed for your style truck.

 

Absolutely get a shell that is for your year and model Tacoma. Nothing else will fit correctly. It is hard enough to get a leak free install with a correct shell let along a maybe fit. The only thing I would add from the post above is that the rear cab angle is the same for Access and Dbl cabs so a correct long bed shell will fit both models (early gen 2's). The single cab angle is the odd ball.

I just replaced the rubber seals on my at least 10 year old Leer shell with these seals that have been recommended here.

$16 ESI Front Rail Seal 6ft EPDM Rubber

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C0WVV72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$41 ESI Super Cap Seal XL 23 FT (2 1/8" Width x 1/2" Height x 23' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps Over 200 lbs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BNGBXOC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm still not leak free.

 

Yea, just get one from the same generation and bed length. Shoot us a pic or link if buying used and we can point out glaring issues. I've had 5 or 6 different ones, learning more each time around!

I'm a huge fan of aluminum contractor caps, especially for camping and sleeping.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tradesman-truck-tops-commercial-style-topper-shell.504188/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-shell.13598/

 

All access cabs are long beds. I found my topper for mine for free, was even the correct color.

 

Getting a topper/camper shell specifically made for Toyota 6 foot bed is great but there are others that will fit and work well. For consultation I’ve talked to Leer customer service and a few of the larger distributors like Mid America in Eureka Missouri. As stated the Toyota truck bed front rail is lower than the bed sides and you can use this weather seal available at Lowe’s to build it up. I think we used 3 or 4 layers. Try as you might you’ll never get a perfect seal, you keep water out but dust and dirt? Good luck.
Last time I bought this was about 7 dollars a roll and 2 rolls to do the job. Some only use 4 tie downs, use 6 for better seal.



in this photo you see a 5 foot shell on a 6 foot bed. Now look at the fit you see it’s wider at front so you’ll be taking measurements near front and at the back because the Toyota bed is not square. BTW that foam tape is great.

 

Another tip... Take plastic bed rail covers off

 

If you are still looking I have one no longer need, it's a Jason came with my truck a 2006 access cab 6' bed. If interested I can take more pics. located between Lincoln and Omaha NE.