The Taco Shell Game

sorry for hijacking but that is a great picture. Makes me wonder about the day it cleaved off. "THUD".

 

I've owned a few (not on a Taco) toppers. All were Leer or ARE. I've yet to see a bad one of either of those.

A note on all the "seal it properly" posts. That... Times TWO. Also, the main culprit for leaks as well as a ton of dust infiltration on every truck with a topper I've owned is by FAR the tailgate. The sides of it have like a 1/4" or larger gap. My Tundra, you could see daylight through there on both sides. There are kits that will seal it quite well, or I just used the flexible stuff you seal garage doors with. It worked great.

 

with prinsu racks installed

 

How’s the rack installed on the shell, more over what hardware or kit is it? You have the factory Yakima tracks right?

 

Begs the question: If a boulder cleaves in the desert and nobody is around, does it make a sound?

 

I guess the next thing is figure out what to RTV before the shell goes on so I get as little dust and water in as possible.

 

I have a Leer 100XR with Windoors...love it. It did leak a little at first (mostly dust intrusion), but after some sealing it's tight now. Love it, even though it was $$$$$ ($2800 installed...yikes)

Pic - Coming down into Telluride this past weekend from Imogene Pass:

 

I would pop off the bedside plastic caps, and the rail at the front of the bed next to the cab - RTV all of those, and use alot. Next - definitely buy a tailgate bulb seal, and put that on. Like others have said, most of the dust/water intrusion is around the tailgate. I still get a little dust in from where the shell rear glass closes on the tailgate, I need to try and seal that area up a little better.

 

^^ Good advice. I would also mash a bunch of 'butyl tape' in the front corners (all the nooks and crannies), get the cubby covers from a member here, and seal the 3" gaps at the lower back of bed just in front of tailgate.

 

Looking great. Is that a CBI front bumper?

 

I got a quote of 400 bucks to do clear plastic protector around the bed where the caps are. I guess I’ll make a few more calls but that’s sorta hefty in my opinion. I’ll search up the tail gate seals too.

Thanks!

 

I have this same topper. My second. The previous lasted me the six years I had my previous truck. Never had to replace anything, including the pneumatic lifts. Can't say that about the previous century I had.

 

Good call, I forgot about that. I did the same exact thing with butyl tape....that stuff is super handy!

 

Ictory 4x4

 

Cost me $250

 

Shoot that’s what I was hoping for, I’ll make some more calls I suppose.

What’s up with you’re shell though... Well...more specifically the tracks, are they the factory Yakima ones Snugtop uses? And what the heck fits inside those? I like how low your rack is and I was hoping to find hardware that fits so I can mount my tent that low. The Yakima towers and bars are really nice but way to tall!

Thanks!

 

Artificial rain gutters to the rescue! These might allow you to mount a rack or tray lower than tracks on top. Mine are Rhino.

 

I thought about that but it would void the warranty on my shell. Honestly though I like that way the best. I might not rule that out completely but I’ll see what I can do with the racks so far.

 

Yeah, that's a risk I took. Fortunately, the shop has been great about dealing with non-related issues, like replacing leaky window gaskets.

 

I'm selling my Leer 180, Long Bed, in Quicksand if anyone is interested...

plz someone buy it