Soft top or hard shell??

The looks on it are subjective; however on my ranger I had a budget fiberglass camper with no side windows and it drove me nuts. Didn't want to go down the windowless route again. If I ran the bestop all the time the looks would probably bother me more, but when it's on it's for a utilitiarian purpose anyways.

 

Very true. I thought I would have my softop down most of the time, but just hasn't worked that way.
First I think it looks awesome with my setup, second I almost always have something in the bed that I would rather keep dry. Tonneau cover isn't enough, as when we go camping the softopper is stuffed. Now that I think about it, that was something else I like better than the bestop. Putting up the sides, with the bestop the windows drove me nuts when I put the sides up. Granted I only kept it on the truck for a few days. The softop sides, no issues. Had the sides up and down a ton of times while camping and stuffing things in. With my cap, I had to climb up in, softop, I stand on the side of the truck and reach in the bed to position stuff.

 

Edit: more photos in my "build" thread, click on smokey or this https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/smokey-bear-2017-dcsb-v6-mt-mgm.458673/page-3#post-15851866

 

For me security is important, as is a safe place for our dogs when riding with us. Also strap on roof cargo fairly often. Fiberglass tops are expensive, but it only hurts once. I've had luck finding them used too, but would be harder on the Gen 3's since they R new.

 

.
...^^^... Great looking truck and that shell really makes it too.

 

Okay, I'm pretty convinced I'm going to go with a hard shell come tax refund season. Now I wanna know what you all think of brands/models. Obviously I'm partial to ARE or Snugtop, I've been told by more people to go with ARE. I want to know what models you all like. I've seen the Z series quite a bit; any thoughts?

 

Snugtop would be at the top of my list, but ARE and Leer are also nice. I have a leer and bought it used, installed it myself, and ive never had any leaks or problems with it. If you are buying new, i would go snugtop and get everything you want on it! Theyre all expensive when new, but if going used, just take what you can get thats closest to what you want and then get it color matched for a few hundred bucks

 

I love my softtopper but it is in the BST threads for $300. They're still pricey getting new. Granted not the same as a hard top but I paid almost $800 for my softopper new

 

Love my hard top. Pros and cons with both. Wish mine had windoors but maybe I can make them into windoors? Anyone have any experience with that?

 

You can replace them with windoor assemblies, but each one is like $500 last time I checked. That's like double what I paid for my whole shell.

 

That is a mighty fine looking truck Skruf. I also am happy to see a fellow DCLB owner! (my friends all feel that the DCSB looks the best and I just can't get on board with that). Anyway, is your shell Snug or ARE?

 

Well I wish I could share your appreciation of my LB but it is an SB.

The topper however is a Century topper.

 

Well this is embarrassing! Totally looked like a LB from that angle.
I'm such a fool.
Anyways, still a good lookin truck

 

I have a shell. I have two issues with it. First, as has been discussed here many times, I can't fit anything tall or dirt bikes in the back. Which sucks more in theory than it does in practice. As others have said, anything that big is really better off in a trailer.

Two, I don't know if it's because my topper is heavier than others or something, but I have had my bed sides start to bow. I am currently planning on installing the bed side support brackets that others on TW have discussed.

Even with those two issues, I can't imagine ever going back. I love having my shell. I've stuffed it to the brim for road trips and I love that all my stuff is locked up nice and secure. I also like that my side windows lift up so I can access things from the sides. I've also slept in it while camping and it's nice for that too.



In this picture it is absolutely packed with camping gear.

 

What kind of rack do you have on the shell? Is it also Prinsu?

 

I built one of these for it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ermbs-d-i-y-rack-system-build.433500/

 

perfectly said.

 

ive been running it back and fourth in my head for months now. 90% sure im going ahead with hard top.
reasons for: Security (i always have some gear or something expensive like skis in my bed), camping, looks/asthetic, i very rarely would need to haul anything big, & someday RTT
reasons against: price, can't fit my mtn bikes in there

 

Neat, I've been wanting a matching Prinsu for the shell but this seems like an interesting alternative.

 

There's a fix for that!