Soft top or hard shell??

I've been going through a similar dilemma and here's what I've come up with so far.

Advantages of Soft Top
- Easily remove in a few minutes if you need to load a dirt bike
- Folds up small so it's easier to store in your garage if you aren't using it
- Usually much cheaper for a new soft top than a new hard top.

Advantages of Hard Top
- Security, usually are lockable
- You save money of your truck registration (at least for us in California)
- More weather proof if you plan to sleep in it
- Much more durable, should last a lot longer
- Many more options of brands, accessories, windows, lights, etc.

If you're looking to buy a used top, there seems to be many more used hard tops on craigslist than soft tops. I've seen some for only a few hundred bucks that would still probably fit a 3rd gen. I've looked at different types of softoppers and the two main brands are Bestop and Softopper. Personally I would go with the Softopper since Bestop does not have a specific model for the 3rd gen Tacoma even though the bed size is slightly different. From pictures I've seen, the Bestop will stick up slightly above your cab on the 3rd gen. As far as price goes, a brand new Softopper will ship to your door for around $700 and I believe the Bestop starts for slightly less. In regards to your comment about adding a rack, you can add one to both a hard top or soft top. I've seen pictures of both setups and they all look great. The Softopper comes with seam sealer which should make it relatively waterproof (similar to a tent). If you only occasionally haul large objects like dirt bikes, you can always rent a trailer from uhaul for about $20 a day. However in some areas your speed limit decreases when towing which can be a pain if going long distances.

 

When I see hard tops, I always wonder why they didn't get an SUV. When I see a soft topper, I think, "I bet that person has dogs and goes on cool adventures." Maybe that's just me though.

 

My vote is for the Softtopper, you can find them used in good condition for low $$. Downside is the blind spot

 

On the rare occasion I haul something too big to fit in the topper, I'd use a trailer. I'm more likely to haul stuff I want to keep dry and secure.

 

I looked at the options and use cases also before pulling the trigger on a Snugtop Rebel.

My use cases:
-just got a puppy
-need to be able to mount surfboard, paddle boards or RTT
-security
-snow season
-cleaner more professional look..I am in healthcare sales and use truck for daily driver

So these are the reasons I went hard top.

I like the look of the soft toppers also, I have seen a few on Tundra's also.

I don't have mine yet, ordered last week.. but it sounds like it is easy to remove and raise up in the garage, when I want to remove. Doubt I will do that very much, if ever..

 

I would suggest a softopper over bestop but I made my own rack over my topper. Fixes the issues you brought up with not having racks attachable. Only downside is it not locking. But in reality doesn't matter what you have, if someone wants to get in, they will.

 

Your rig looks awesome, BTW, I was checking it out a few weeks back. You need to mass produce that rack you made, super cool!

 

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...^^^... Very nice setup.

 

Haha, thanks! If I was a real fabricator I would consider it but it was more of a garage project.

Thanks!

 

I have exactly what you're talking about here for the top which goes on my '68 Land Cruiser. One man operation to hoist the top onto, and off from the Cruiser, up into the rafters. Pulleys, cables, come-along. Just use a little creativity.

 

I think it depends larely on what you want to use your truck for. I bought my hard top for road trips and camping. The security was a plus. After camping in it once, I realized it was small and cramped and tent was more comfortable. If you use your truck bed a lot for hauling then go for the soft top, removing a hard top is time consuming and takes a lot of space.

 

Get a bestop and a factory tonneau off craigslist. I use the bestop for camping/road trips, and the tonneau during winter/most of the time. Both options are quickly and easily removable with one person, and store just about anywhere. Total cost was about 900 dollars and I have the best of both worlds.

That being said if money is no object go for a hard shell camper and rig up a winch/lift system for your garage. Hard shells look much cleaner.

 

Sounds like you enjoy the bestop, I got one first and just could not get past the way it fit on the 3rd gen.

 

That would be my next question, they're plastic windows, and with my experience in plastics, it tends to get foggy and or starts to yellow out from sun exposure. Does this happen with these? Or does the softopper just completely block out the rear window?

 

Who looks over their shoulder anyways ... that's why I have steel bumpers and sliders

 

I think the bestop has the windows not to sure about the softopper

 

Yes bestop, has one on each side and back, soft top has the back.

 

Softtopper has 2 plastic windows, one near the cab and one at the tail gate. The plastic will fog up if they aren't taken care of.

Best tops have windows all around

 

Bestop vs Softtopper thread

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/softopper-vs-bestop.182489/

 

Softopper if youre going to go for canvas, or hardshell all the way. Ive read the windows on the bestop just dont last

For the record i have a fiberglass shell on one taco and a softopper on the other. Both are great and both have pros and cons