Snugtop 1st Gen Shortbed - CLAMP question

Going to be looking at a shell and apparently it does not have the mounting hardware. For you 1st gen shortbed owners, can you confirm if this is the 'J' clamp style mount? It does not have the bulge in the rail then again it is a first gen so maybe they didn't do it until later. I'm used to Leer so no idea.

No actual hardware other than the plate on the rail. Thanks, appreciate any feedback - need to track down these clamps tomorrow.

 

Here are the brackets I just took off my snugtop

 

Are you needing a pic of hardware, mine is J style

 

So it looks like this then? This site is talking about 'straps' and their replacement 'straps' look identical to whats bolted to the shell rail now.

http://discountcamperstore.com/all-parts/j-hooks

Only thing I'm wondering, why is there a difference between these J hooks and what Chris posted above. Hmmm. I'll call campway in the morning but looks like the J hook is definitely what I am looking for.

 

looks like the only difference between those and mine are the angle piece on my welded/tac'd to the J hook.

Those J hooks should work, but that angle piece on mine I think is more ideal to cover more surface area to spread the pressure of bolting the cap down. The bed rail metal is super thin

 

exactly. Your hooks look more stable in the sense a tad more coverage than the ones I linked to.

 

closest I could find on the short search I did:

Discount Camper Shells Snugtop Parts.com 715406 Snugtop Clamp kit 6

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7HENO...&pd_rd_r=e2b0c9f5-5d6f-11e8-8526-89311637ad07

 

these could work as well:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DZ-97904-D...591342?hash=item41e299996e:g:1m0AAOSwqLpa52~b

 

in the pic i posted, how can that washer really get a good grip - seems like it would only cover half the rail since the 'strap/bracket' is mounted to the side. is that how yours are or do you have an actual hole drilled through the center or near center of the rail / fiberglass?

either way, should be enough to get me back home - its about 80 miles from shell location. Guess I'll take a couple of C clamps as well for extra security.

 

The washer goes on the top side of the bracket attached to the shell (in the pic you posted). The bolt portion of the J hook goes up through that hole in the bracket on the shell, and the J hook portion is what goes up/under the bed rail. Once in that position, washer on top, then nylon nut to tighten down.


...Well I think that is how it went at least, but looking back at your picture I wouldn't think there was enough room for the washer on top. And it wouldn't make since for it to be in the below portion with that angle portion of my hooks.

I can look at it again closer tomorrow to be sure. I honestly didn't pay much attention to how they came off as I don't intend to put the shell back on ever again.

 

no worries, definitely more info than what I had. Thanks again, will update once I have exact info from either Snugtop or Campway based on the serial.

 

So just to update, spoke with Snugtop this morning. Sounds like the mounts for this cap utilize the same J hooks as GoJo's - post#2 above.
According to Snugtop, part# is 712655

Heading down to my local cap shop to pick up the mounts.

Crossing my fingers this cap doesn't have any hidden issues. Going to look at it tomorrow - pics look good. 2001-2004 SuperSport shortbed in superwhite! Will match perfectly! Originally wanted the Snugtop and ended up with a Leer 100r. Planning on putting the Leer up on CL if I go with the snugtop.

 

Nice! Glad you figured it out.

 

They both serve the same function- to bite the underside of the bed lip. I too have the J style bolts but I think Chris' version is better as it will distribute the grab better. My J bolts actually bend the lip a little.

 

Yep, agreed. Local dealer (San Jose Campway) said the 'current' version of the J hook clamp has the wide base to it to do exactly that. Expensive though - 50 bones for a 6 pack of hooks. Whatever - as long as the shell is secured and no issues. I imagine I could use some generic form of clamp or even go with the older design but no worries. I'll pick up the hooks and if I don't buy the cap, they'll return them with no problems.

 

So the J-Hooks Campways (only local snugtop dealer) sold me are horrible - any overtorque results in damage to the bedrail. Older style with no pressure distribution on the 'hook'. I can't find your style of j-hooks anywhere and snugtop 715406 are for the current incarnation of cap (hole drilled from factory through the fiberglass). I'd order them and give them a try but damn if there is only one seller and of course its not a prime item (so no easy returns).

Have to decide if I want to keep this cap. I have a Leer 100R and while it has that 80s style double t-handle lock, it does have better clamps IMO. If anyone has any info on where the other style of J-hook can be found (snugtop claims they aren't their design)...


Oh and the part# snugtop gave me (712655) seems to be unknown to every dealer I have contacted. WTF snugtop.

 

Yeah those are what my Sport XTR came with and like I said, they tend to tweek the rail lip. But I should have mentioned that you can't go all gorilla on torquedown. No need anyway. Just tighten them starting with the center ones-out enough to seal the gasket then tighten the secondary locknuts.

 

Did anyone have any luck finding the clamps posted in GoJos reply? ***Also beware and do Not click the discountcamperstore.com/all-parts/j-hooks on *Area51Runner* post because when I did a virus/spywhare froze my computer and I had to call apple support to to get it working again.***