Wildtop - Australian Canvas Topper

I wanted to start a thread about these, since they’re pretty new and there’s not much information out there. When I was researching these before buying, I only found a thread in the third gen section, and on gladiator forums. I pulled the trigger on a green one for my second gen. I’ll share some thoughts and photos here for anyone else looking into them.

I’ve been through a few topper iterations with this truck, starting with a second hand softopper. I liked the look of the softopper, and especially liked the weight. On a truck with such a low payload every extra pound of accessories counts. I considered adding a rack over the softopper to carry things like canoes and lumber, but the extra cost and weight kept me from doing it. Then, in its first winter in a cold climate, I had the somewhat common problem of the vinyl window cracking. After this, I sold the softopper and got a fiberglass shell.



I liked the fiberglass shell, but it was heavy, and the cheaper second hand one I found didn’t have windoors on the sides. I eventually got tired of crawling into the truck to get stuff from the back of the bed, and carrying the weight of the fiberglass shell.



For my use, the Wildtop seems like it should be a good compromise between the previous to toppers I’ve had. I like the access to the truck bed on three sides with no bars in the way like a softopper. The rack and topper combo avoids the need for a rack outside a softopper. Wildtop advertises a weight around 45lbs.

Shipping went smoothly, it arrived in just under three weeks from Australia. Not too bad for a built to order product from another continent. Wildtop also guarantees it will arrive in three weeks or it’s free.

Install wasn’t bad, I think it took me about 3.5 hours start to finish.

Start with pieces and an empty truck bed



The frame goes together pretty easily, just make sure the pieces are all facing the correct directions.





The frame attaches to the bed tracks with aluminum angles. These get attached to the frame with some threaded rivet-like fasteners. Those took a minute to figure out how much to torque them to get them crushed properly.





These angles were the only part of the install that didn’t go according to plan. The pre-drilled holes in the ones I got didn’t line up with the bed track, so I had to drill some extra holes. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things.



After that, you’ll assemble the load bars, and put the canvas over the rack.



This is the only installed photo I have so far, but I’ll post some more soon.

I’ll update this thread with some more in-depth reviews after I’ve had it on the truck longer, but my initial impressions are positive. The build quality seems good, and the canvas seems sturdy. It takes a little longer to get into than a topper with doors, but I like the ability to roll the sides up and keep the whole thing open.

Hopefully this adds some helpful information about a new product, happy to answer questions or take photos of specifics if there are questions. I’m not affiliated with Wildtop at all, just wanted to put some more photos and info out there.

 

Thanks for the review, I’m debating a wild top or a soft topper with bed rack

 

I wonder the same
It looks good

but Softopper is smaller to fit a rack to mount all kinds of stuff outside more than just roof bars for a tent
And still ability to raise panels, fold, take off, etc

 

Thanks for the review.
I've been looking at these for a few days now. The only other reviews I've found were on YouTube, and are for Gladiators.
If this is something I can put-on/remove quickly then I'm very interested, but the Jeep review say there is a clip/hook between the cab and box that makes it a PITA.
Could you tell me how easy it is to remove and reinstall?

 

I haven’t tried to remove and reinstall yet, but I don’t think it would be too difficult, just remove 8 fasteners at the bed rails and lift it off. The Tacoma version doesn’t seem to have the clip that the gladiator version does. The front panel has a flap that splits, one side Velcroes to the top of the front bed rail, and the other side goes between the cab and the bed. I’ll grab a pic tomorrow. @onewildwest

 

I ordered one last week, still waiting for it to ship. Hoping to have it installed for a camping trip in a couple weeks.

*edit* got tracking last night

 

Ive had mine on since December. I removed the east west ladder racks. I got sent extra bottom bars I'm planning to redrill for North South ladder racks when I'm ready

 

I had thought about welding a north/south bar in between the east/west but don't have a tig welder. I have also thought about chopping down the supports under the ladder rack to lower it a bit but after getting the awning mounted to the cargo basket, its just about right.



loaded up to go camping this weekend

 

Now that you've had it installed for awhile, how to you feel about the Wildtop. I'm about to order one for my 2021 TRD Off-Road. Since the sides don't have any support along them, do you get much 'flapping' when traveling at highway speeds? Thanks for your informative post. RPDCO

 

Welcome to TW

 

No flapping at all

 

No flapping, I have had a little water get in once or twice while driving for a long time in heavy rain but with my CB antenna mount where it is, I cannot zip that side down all the way so that probably factors in.

 

I’ve owned a Softopper for seven years and recently bought a WildTop.
The canvas on the Wildtop is much heavier duty than the Softopper. I also prefer the Wildtops method of securing the rolled up sides. One of the clips on the Softopper started cracking two years ago. I also had to replace one of snaps.
The Wildtop is built like a tank. The only problem was the bolts to secure it to the rails were a bit short, but a trip to the local hardware store solved that. Another plus for Wildtop are the completely open sides when the canvas is rolled up.
I plan on keeping the Softopper, but the Wildtop will be on 90% of the time.

 

I am currently looking at Wild Top for my Tacoma. Curious how far the ladder racks stick up above the roof - from the pics in this thread it looks like they are just barely above the shark fin antenna? I've emailed their customer support but with the Aussie time difference it takes a little while to hear back.

I'll confess I am also confused by all their options (fixed front cab side, windows...)... no matter which model, the two sides and the tailgate side all roll up, right?

 

The ladder racks are slightly higher than the antenna and both sides and rear do roll up

 

Been eyeballing the WildTop since I got the truck back in January. Did some looking around, and decided a soft topper was more my territory over one of those metal "overlander" skeletons seen everywhere in the PNW here. Granted, I do see a decent amount of soft tops as well, but nothing that had a way one could fasten their sit-on kayaks for a weekend away. Happy to see the positive reviews all over forums and YouTube. Pretty certain I'm about to pull the trigger.

 

These look pretty sweet! Probably go this route whenever my Softopper dies, thanks for sharing OP.