Cap for Gladiator

[Jaxmax]

RSI sticker on back is actually the whole rear door around the window, used a hair dryer and just peeled it off, then cleaned up with Goo-Be -Gone citrus product, Long term I think it is the way to go as the vinyl will fade and wear out before the cap does......Jack

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[dcmdon]

I considered all of my wants and needs and came down to the RSI. I'll be picking it up around the end of the month, I'll let you all know how it goes.

I would have preferred that it not be a DIY assembly, but that wasn't a huge factor.

1) Durability - these things seem to endure much more than I will ever throw at it.
2) Appearance - caps like the ARE make the Gladiator look like a SUV. That's not a bad thing. The fit is sleek, especially if color matched. I just don't like it as much.
3) Customer service - I've read some stories of customer service nightmares from other companies. In contrast, there have been some weak areas of the RSI and everyone seems to be pleased with how the company has supported them.
4) Resale value - I'm not 100% sure any cap will do exactly what I want. If I want to sell it I'm pretty confident I wouldn't lose my shirt.
5) Ventilation and access - I'm not an overlander but I am a skier, hiker and hunter. I need to be able to store skis and hiking equipment back there easily. I also will be tying down a kennel in the back and want the ability to vent it while driving.

I've purchased some white wrap vinyl and will be applying that to the roof section before I assemble it to help keep inside temps down. The Gladiator is high enough so nobody will eee it unless they are looking down at it from a building.

6) lead time - although I'm generally a patient person, I want what I want and I'm willing to wait, the fact that this top had a 2 month wait vs 5-6 months for others helped a little. If it wasn't what I wanted I'd have waited. But if it was a toss up, It would sway the deal.

 

[XJFanatic]

So I have been doing my research and am torn between two RLD with sliding side windows and RSI sport. Which would you lean towards and why?

 

[Oak]

Can a person purchase a cap for Gladiator?

 

[LostWoods]

So I have been doing my research and am torn between two RLD with sliding side windows and RSI sport. Which would you lean towards and why?

RSI looks clean but the initial trade show pictures showed some odd gap issues and I'm not a fan of the self-assembly. I just feel like you need to leave a certain degree of slop to get it all to line up and I'm not a fan of the idea that my cap can actually come unscrewed.

I ended up with an RLD before the RSI was available but without question I'd make the same choice now - this cap has been amazing and is built like a tank. Only thing I'd change is to remove the rear window since you can see in but that was a question of whether I wanted it in 6-8 weeks or 6-8 months.

 

[Blade1668]

So I have been doing my research and am torn between two RLD with sliding side windows and RSI sport. Which would you lean towards and why?

IMHO: no fiberglass, option for me this time. I would have probably got the RSI if I had not been on phone with distributor here with N.O.S. RLD one in stock. I got markdown of just want I wanted (but white side panels) I think I had stated it was supposed to be a Gen 2 but turns out to be a first generation.
I've had fiberglass and aluminum toppers in the past. I'm not planning on hauling 250 plus lbs / 150 kg on it but I might, I have hauled 2×2 square tubing and few other sticks of metal on my XJ roof rack home. My old fat a## can stand on it "safely" ? I added uni strut to top and bottom of my topper for a rack. Now the surprising part I spent less on it than the N. American toppers and better product (IMHO) made for JT at time I got mine.
Now I will address a problems I've had with mine in cold weather the latches and seals freeze, I wasn't able to open the sides freezing weather isn't a issue in Africa as much. The lift struts are wearing out on right side.
A tip for anyone looking, call the distributors, you might get lucky and they have one in stock that is a demo, not sold, accepted or cancelled by someone. It cost less than US /Canadian made.
A few more pictures.

 

[Bulldog10]

That looks really good. I ordered one in Dec, still waiting. I’m thinking about painting it to match. How did you get the RSI smartcap sticker off the back door?

I used GOO Gone with plastic scraper from Amazon with plastic razor blades!

 

[Slojo]

I have the Leer top. Matches the OEM hard top the best in my opinion

Do you still have this? How is it holding up?

 

[Slojo]

I Got My Smart Cap last Year and Love It-Cost 3600.

You got a good price. They are price gouging now. $4300 with $300 to install

 

[LostWoods]

You got a good price. They are price gouging now. $4300 with $300 to install

Yeah what the hell happened there? Hype train off the rails or something? ARE and RLD have both gone up a little but those guys are like 25% in just over a year.

Also, $300 to install is just stupid unless that includes delivery.

 

[Slojo]

Yeah what the hell happened there? Hype train off the rails or something? ARE and RLD have both gone up a little but those guys are like 25% in just over a year.

Also, $300 to install is just stupid unless that includes delivery.

"$300 to assemble and install" One place I called has six on order. 3 on hold. $2500 to reserve and no refund. Yep the long delay and demand are creating crazy times.

 

[LostWoods]

"$300 to assemble and install" One place I called has six on order. 3 on hold. $2500 to reserve and no refund. Yep the long delay and demand are creating crazy times.

oh that's right it's like Ikea without the discount. I always thought the cap was cool but making assembly DIY to save on shipping is sort of a farce when you charge well above anyone else on the market for the cap.

 

[JTRUBI]

Do you still have this? How is it holding up?

Yup still have it. Had a roof top tent on it all of last summer. It still looks like new. I love it. Great for grabbing big stuff in the winter months and keeping it clean and dry.

 

[Jaxmax]

Who is gouging on pricing with RSI, price is $3995 for the same top I bought in middle of Covid year and a half ago for $3695 but Pa. Taxes brought it all to $3900, I did not know RSI installs caps, and three hundred sounds like a lot, but it takes a while. Putting it together was very easy just took two hours probably and putting it on the truck with myself, my daughter and my son in law was close ,four people is better.
I am amazed what all the caps sell for any brand is not cheap anymore. Perhaps dealers are raising the prices on tops, install labor is up to dealer and buyer I guess. I have one of the first and still love it…..Jack

 

[dcmdon]

Who is gouging on pricing with RSI, price is $3995 for the same top I bought in middle of Covid year and a half ago for $3695 but Pa. Taxes brought it all to $3900, I did not know RSI installs caps, and three hundred sounds like a lot, but it takes a while. Putting it together was very easy just took two hours probably and putting it on the truck with myself, my daughter and my son in law was close ,four people is better.
I am amazed what all the caps sell for any brand is not cheap anymore. Perhaps dealers are raising the prices on tops, install labor is up to dealer and buyer I guess. I have one of the first and still love it…..Jack

$400 to assemble and install a RSI cap sounds reasonable. Figure four man hours plus shop space.

Though if mine ever comes It will be an easy Saturday project.

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