How did you find a good deal on a used cap?

I'm on the hunt for a 6' tacoma cap (cab high or mid rise) and would love to hear how you found yours.

Have been searching for combinations of 'tacoma' 'toyota' '6' + 'leer' 'cap' ' shell' etc across fb marketplace and craigslist. Have tried reaching out to a couple of truck for sale listings to see if they'd part with the cap.

Not terribly lucky yet, but hunting.

Any thoughts on how to find hidden gems, or unexpected places to look for one?

 

I used a source like this and found one for my 2nd gen standard cab (which was extremely difficult to find) back in 2018.. had to drive about 500 miles round trip for it..

https://www.car-part.com/

edit,, It was an ARE mid-rise in matching color specific for the std cab 2nd gen taco. priced at $850 plus gas round trip..

The day I sold the truck with 230,000 miles on it,, back to stock




and I did score a reasonble deal on a new Leer mid rise for $2195 out the door in early 2021 for my Gen3 TRD offroad.. I do like the Leer mid-rise better than the ARE mid-rise for a 6' bed.





Plus if anyone wants to know the Leer topper dimensions for the 3rd gen here they are

 

Thanks. I’ll dig in.

 

Look at used car lots, sometimes dealers will sell just the cap.

 

I tried the local dealers and a used topper place in my area without any luck. Eventually I got one on marketplace. Around here lots if exterminators run 6' caps. Maybe call them.

 

Lots of patience. Set alerts on Craigslist, search FB often, and subscribe to TacomaWorld classified forums. Don't be upset to buy one in the wrong color and have it repainted (that's what I did and it paid off big).

Also post in your regional New England thread and make friends. Tell them you want a cap, some of them may know something local.

 

I searched FB marketplace daily, extended the radius to 250 miles, and searched for "tacoma camper topper shell", "Leer", etc. Patience is your friend. Just make it a habit to check daily or every few days and you'll come across some over the next few months for sure. If you're willing to drive, extend the radius further and see if they'll meet you halfway, etc. If you're in a hurry, also search FB marketplace, craigslist, and local dealerships. If you see a topper you want, get aggressive and call them or go to the dealership with cash in hand and offer to buy it b/c they won't add any value to the sale price of the truck.

TLDR: Be patient, search daily, when you find one, jump on it.

 

Appreciate the tips!

I've been hunting daily and messaging people with trucks listed for sale.
When the right one comes up, I'll recognize it and jump for sure.

searching: cap, topper, canopy, campershell, shell, top, leer, etc. trying all the variations I can think of to find that poorly listed gem!

years ago an old guy I knew who collected rare bicycle parts showed me his ebay alerts full of misspellings and vague terms that got him so many good finds.

 

Nice looking ride! Have a silver mica long bed myself! Would love a mid-rise cap for it.

Is there a resource around here for the Leer / Are 2nd gen dimensions?

 

I've never been able to find one but I assume they are very close in terms of comparison in terms of mid-rise..

IMO, I feel the top surface bump up lines of the Leer look better on a Tacoma and might even be more efficient areodynamically.

I've only been able to obtain the Leer dimensions after contacting the corp offices direct and as far as I know those are the only
that have been posted on this site with exception of somone physically measuring theirs.

 

What part name did you search on that site to find bed covers?

 

It would be hit or miss, but you could call around to your local tow companies and see if they have any Tacomas with a cap that they are going to dispose of.

 

"Pickup Cap/Camper Shell"

took a sec to find it. Had to open up the source code a search for 'cap'

 

@Elkhart - just a quick search for "Tacoma Cap", 250 mile radius from Bethel, ME which should cover "New England" as shown in your location. Just to show they are out there, not all exactly what you are asking for but that's where you have to be patient.

 

It might take some time but these are two options for searching


all part names associated.. just did using this "tacoma bed - pick up".. and found these... worth a call












also use "pick up camper shell"

results from "pick up camper shell"

 

luck of the draw man

May just want to bite the bullet and buy new
I got an ARE V series (V is for Value....cheapest one)
Back when I got in in 2019 it was $1900 with the windoors and sliding rear glass

Good luck