Operation "Cheap topper": Warning... this is in process...

[Alans17]

What’s the all-in cost?

Sponsored

 

[Sunnysideup]

What’s the all-in cost?

I am a little over 500.
(but I already had the roto-pax mounts and tanks)

So that is for the 800lb tool rack (with 4 clamps), the small black clamps, the wires, the HDPE board, the glue, screws, carriage bolts, trim, quick fist mounts, hi-lift mount, and led lights and switches, 1 can of orange paint, one can of black paint, and dense foam that went between the bedrail and the aluminum base. The old topper was free. I have about 40 hours in it...with the dismantling and cutting and cleaning of the old parts, and the bending, cutting, forming, planning, and figuring out problems along the way. 3 weeks since I started, mostly a little at a time, but 3- 6 hour days in there too. the final steps are not expensive... A trim edge on the bottom of the topper, The Molle panel that my son cut for me (nearly free).... and a couple decals coming.

 

[Sunnysideup]

The panels are all glued, screwed, and carraige bolted on. There are no rattles (That kills me... I hunt rattles). There are no leaks... it seals against dust and water so far! To stop noise- every bolt and screw is dabbed with clear power grip, panels on the roof have foam between the beams and panels, tight tight tight... there is no telling its back there.

 

[Sunnysideup]

Here is the link to a walk around video!

 

[Sunnysideup]

It even fits in the garage after the lift... this is what I had planned on when I designed the build of this topper- that the height comes in after my lift- of under 84 inches (my garage door height!) . It is 82.5 tall... so 1.5 inches to spare!

 

[FitfulGoat]

It even fits in the garage after the lift... this is what I had planned on when I designed the build of this topper- that the height comes in after my lift- of under 84 inches (my garage door height!) . It is 82.5 tall... so 1.5 inches to spare!

Looks fantastic. Very utilitarian.

 

[mx5red]

It even fits in the garage after the lift... this is what I had planned on when I designed the build of this topper- that the height comes in after my lift- of under 84 inches (my garage door height!) . It is 82.5 tall... so 1.5 inches to spare!

Very nice!
I wanted to get HDPE for some projects but was seeing very expensive stuff online, can you tell me where you got it from?
Also, I think regular HDPE is not very UV resistant and will degrade quickly on top like that unless treated/coated.

 

[Sunnysideup]

Very nice!
I wanted to get HDPE for some projects but was seeing very expensive stuff online, can you tell me where you got it from?
Also, I think regular HDPE is not very UV resistant and will degrade quickly on top like that unless treated/coated.

I got it on Amazon... the white is coated and it is super smooth.... The black were textured and were marine grade. They only had two sheets of the black- so I bought them, and then ordered the white sheet from the same place... but it was just off amazon... I searched through a lot of them to find the ones with free shipping... but it had to be under a certain length (54 inches I think).

 

[Sunnysideup]

More pics of the final touches... Hi-lift Jack mounted, water roto-pax, gas roto-pax, side pics on how they are tucked in to the body lines ,honeycomb rear window treatment, Montana mural on white piece, last bit of finish trim on bottom edges. I took it on a shakedown run... about 70 miles on gravel with tons of dust, tires fully inflated to be sure anything that would rattle would be found. It did good, dust was very very little.... but the hi-lift insolator worked its way up the handle and came loose allowing the handle to rattle... duck tape stopped that problem! LOL! I'm happy with it! 500 bucks... functional, weather proof, quiet, and removable. 800 weight limit on roof, fits in garage... has a window. Molle panel is still not finished... but it will be easy to mount when its ready!

 

[Knightindullarmor]

Awesome customization that you have made. Looks great & seems very functional. Nice job.

 

[Sunnysideup]

Changed up the edges a bit... and painted the top rail black...added some screws for the rivited look. Molle panel inside now. This works great!

 

[FitfulGoat]

Looks great with the added updates!

 

[Alaskantinbender]

Changed up the edges a bit... and painted the top rail black...added some screws for the rivited look. Molle panel inside now. This works great!

Great Job. I'm impressed and motivated now. Any idea what truck it was originally designed for? What are the dimensions of the original? I'm looking for an old topper frame as we speak.

 

[dcmdon]

You are my hero. I am embarrassed to say that I just threw money at my topper need. I somehow feel like less of a man than you. Ha. Fantastic.

 

[Sunnysideup]

Great Job. I'm impressed and motivated now. Any idea what truck it was originally designed for? What are the dimensions of the original? I'm looking for an old topper frame as we speak.

I think it was a century topper... for a ford courier... or chevy luv. C-21 number was on it... but I have not been able to find much online... it had 4 large plastic black bubble windows (all broke) and two glass windows that were tip out design (one broken beyond repair)... I had to cut quite a bit off of it... my top bars had to be re-bent a little and the door had to be moved up. It is very solid and quiet now... had it on there a few months!

Sponsored