1st Gen Topper Options

About time to get my topper put on. Think I've decided on an ARE CX, thought I'd see what y'all are running with to get some other ideas going! Here is the truck that has inspired me so far....

 

I bought a used topper, snugtop, off Craigslist for $200. Pet screens on the sliding windows. It works.

Going to add a baja rack or modified ladder rack over the top of the shell.

 

I know quite a few people who love Snugtops. Definitely would check them out.

 

Bought a used Snugtop Super Sport after over a year of searching back in 2012. Thankfully it was already the right color, so no repainting needed. Overall, it's a great canopy with a sleek look. Had some problems with water infiltration between the canopy and the bedsides and an occasional drip from a couple of the roof rails mounting holes, but nothing that a little silicon and some new rubber seals wouldn't fix.

I use the truck daily for construction, so while it's great to have a (mostly) dry, lockable area for tools, it also becomes a bit of a pain with the lack of vertical space and the necessity to crawl in the back of the truck to reach things that may have slid up near the cab. "Windoors" would solve this access issue.

I also built a sleeping/storage platform for the bed; works great, but again headroom is quite limited, so if you plan on doing any overnight expo runs and don't utilize a RTT or other sleeping area, that's something to consider. Also not a huge fan of the pop-out T-handle to open the glass hatch; it's gotten gummed-up and frozen on me several time where I simply could not open the back.

Honestly, I think my favorite aspect of the canopy is the Prinsu rack mounted on top. I love it. If I ever get a different canopy it'd have to work with the Prinsu or no deal.

 

agreed, I love the covered storage especially in winter, makes it easy to toss stuff in. bought this used Leer back in '09 for @250 and did a rough paint just to match. was originally blue off a '97

 

Do you remember what size prinsu rack you got?

 

It's for the 6' bed, but Zachary pretty much custom makes each rack as far as width and length from what I understand, as there are variations in mounting track widths and canopy lengths.

Don't remember overall measurements off-hand. If that's what you're looking for I can measure it up tomorrow and let you know.

 

That would be awesome man! No stress though if you can't, but been looking at those racks forever, prob the best looking ones.
Thanks!

 

The rack is about 72" long (including fairing) by 40" wide.

 

Great looking truck! Love it. Gotta love Lunar Mist!! Sub'd

 

Will definitely check them out. Thank you. to Lunar Mist!

 

Wow! Ended up looking great! Truck is Bad ass. Leer was what I always wanted before I had my truck when I was like 13 years old. Haha. I swear they were the first camper shell ever made! ha!

 

Roof rack will be a must for me as well. I've always thought I'd go with Slimline ll. But after seeing these Prinsu, I'm in!

 

Man I really wish this thing would work. Can somebody tell me this thing‘s gonna work?! I have a 1997 xtra cab

from seller
“width ( 74 1/2)roughly {6Ft and 2”}

height ( 84 1/2)roughly {7Ft and half inch }


Leer camping shell , Like new only been having it for 2 months , don’t need it anymore


i’m sure it fits all short bed fords

comes will all hardware / 3rd brake light on top does work”

 

full size truck camper shell WILL NOT fit mid size truck

 

Nope

https://raybuck.com/pickup-truck-bed-size-dimensions/

 

I do not recommend snugtop products. After owning a couple of different ones I noticed holes in the fiberglass and poor bonding in the gel coat. They are kind of ok all around, but have some issues I didn't like.

 

After checking out your list, my 2001 to 2004 crew cab is NOT the shortest bed ever made in history. That title goes to the frontier crew cab short bed model years 2000 thru 2013. TOYOTA wins again. By a solid 2 to 5 inches.

 

Couple of different models of canopy I’ve had on my Taco.
Both are Arrow Brand, I think I prefer the black on silver vs the colour matched one, let me know what you guys prefer!

 

ScaredDeer what model is your black topper? I love the look of it and hope to find something similar with the same model