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

[Alaskantinbender]

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!

Thank you, gives me a place to start looking. Much like yourself, I have a hard time parting with that much cash for a topper. Then waiting up to 6 months for it to show up. The market is crazzy.

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[Sunnysideup]

Thank you, gives me a place to start looking. Much like yourself, I have a hard time parting with that much cash for a topper. Then waiting up to 6 months for it to show up. The market is crazzy.

So-the height was 22 inches tall, 60 inches to the outside rail, 54.5 inches to inside of the topper rail... so it fit on top of the body with lots of room to clamp. The 800lb rack was from amazon and sits on top of the topper mounting plate... and clamps over both. I had to cut the topper to length- to fit the bed... and be very careful here to get a good seal with the back door. I measured this part several times before relocating the door. It fits perfect... and tight, lock works etc... but that is the only place where the cutting had to be perfect.

 

[Sunnysideup]

I actually would not trade for any of the caps made... the angle of how it tips in works perfect for mounting the rotopax.. missing trees when tilting on the trails. The limited glass exposure is great... the white glowing roof is amazing for visibility inside. No mud, water, or dirt all over my stuff when off roading. It has been the answer to what I wanted a topper to do.

 

[Alaskantinbender]

I actually would not trade for any of the caps made... the angle of how it tips in works perfect for mounting the rotopax.. missing trees when tilting on the trails. The limited glass exposure is great... the white glowing roof is amazing for visibility inside. No mud, water, or dirt all over my stuff when off roading. It has been the answer to what I wanted a topper to do.

Great info, I appreciate your advice on the build.
I found this one but don't know If I want to drive 200 miles to pick it up.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/359554188842966

 

[JTpoor]

This looks like an awesome build! I've always wondered if a cap from another truck might fit well enough to be used on my JT for the 2-3 times a year I really need one. Since the roll up bed cover from other trucks (Ranger/Canyon maybe???) fit, I wonder if they might fit well enough on a JT.

 

[Alaskantinbender]

The lower picture is after I bent it back into shape. The rear door was broken around it and a crossbar had a broken weld. I patched it. Got all the windows cleaned and shortened it with a sawzall... I then added several sections to strengthen it. the door works great now, window slide in the front (you could not see out of them at first) and the parts from one side window fixed the other one... so I have one opening side window. Since then I added wiring and foam, braces, and a rotopax holder that will hold the 4.5 gallon large gas tank.

This is a terrific thread. I finally found a donor topper for the project. Its 62 X 75 so will need to be shortened some. Did you repair your frame by welding or brazing?

 

[dcmdon]

I LOVE the way the white HDPE roof glows.

I know that you screwed and glued the panels on and the glue is mainly to prevent rattles.

But if you ever need to REALLY glue HDPE, I discovered Loctite AA3035 adhesive. Its specifically designed to adhere to HDPE. Its expensive but it works great if you need a spot to really stick to.

 

[dcmdon]

Do you have a link to the lights that you put in just above the tailgate??

 

[Sunnysideup]

I didn't want to attempt to weld the aluminum and I didn't think brazing would take vibration and rattles if it flexed at all. So I used small metal brakets that I cut into vatious places... drilled small holes and used bolts with locknuts to keep them from coming loose. sandwhiching them side to side on the inside as to not get in the way of the sheeting laying flat. I had to do it before the sheeting went on.

 

[Sunnysideup]

I LOVE the way the white HDPE roof glows.

I know that you screwed and glued the panels on and the glue is mainly to prevent rattles.

But if you ever need to REALLY glue HDPE, I discovered Loctite AA3035 adhesive. Its specifically designed to adhere to HDPE. Its expensive but it works great if you need a spot to really stick to.

I used a couple glues... good to know there is one that is designed for HDPE. Since I had bolts as well... I can't attest to the glue holding that I used... but it is solid and no vibration or noise! On the outside I used some flex seal.... and on the inside of the sheeting I used power grab clear.

 

[Sunnysideup]

Do you have a link to the lights that you put in just above the tailgate??

This is what I used.... still have not had to replace the batteries, and I love that if I forget them... I don't kill my battery! https://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-Wireless-LED-Light-Bar-12-Inch-Battery-Operated-38557/458097282

 

[Sunnysideup]

I wanted to tell you how excited I am with the way this topper is holding up! I just took it on a 6200 mile trip...over 1200 off road... camped and cooked and had all sorts of weather and DUST! The topper never leaked dust into it! All my cooking gear, and items in the back stayed clean. I don't know if I have every had a rain storm in Montana like I hit in oregon... and after several hours of driving in pouring rain... there was no significant amount of water inside! some around the old crank out window... and some near the back door... but only drops. The choice to seal the panels with silicone based clues before bolting them on, the choice to use hd foam between the topper and the body, and possibly adding the vents all helped to keep it dust free. IT was explained to me... a small amount of venting is needed to keep a vaccum from being formed that pulls dust in. I don't know if that is true, but in looking at after market tops I noticed it was a feature. I can't see ever needing the topper to do more than what it did. over 1200 miles.... and is just as tight and functioning as the day I left! These were rough back roads, and a lot of washboard and potholed miles. The load bars I put on held my Roofnest tight and it made for easy camp set up!

 

[Sunnysideup]

Here it is set up for the trip!

 

[Alaskantinbender]

Great pictures. Looks like it’s holding up very well. Here is the one I just picked up. Not bad for $400. Now for some cutting and trimming.

Here it is set up for the trip!

s

 

[Alaskantinbender]

I wanted to tell you how excited I am with the way this topper is holding up! I just took it on a 6200 mile trip...over 1200 off road... camped and cooked and had all sorts of weather and DUST! The topper never leaked dust into it! All my cooking gear, and items in the back stayed clean. I don't know if I have every had a rain storm in Montana like I hit in oregon... and after several hours of driving in pouring rain... there was no significant amount of water inside! some around the old crank out window... and some near the back door... but only drops. The choice to seal the panels with silicone based clues before bolting them on, the choice to use hd foam between the topper and the body, and possibly adding the vents all helped to keep it dust free. IT was explained to me... a small amount of venting is needed to keep a vaccum from being formed that pulls dust in. I don't know if that is true, but in looking at after market tops I noticed it was a feature. I can't see ever needing the topper to do more than what it did. over 1200 miles.... and is just as tight and functioning as the day I left! These were rough back roads, and a lot of washboard and potholed miles. The load bars I put on held my Roofnest tight and it made for easy camp set up!

What do you think of the wedge tent? I had a soft cover tent for awhile but got real tired of messing about with the cover and sold it. My thought was to go hard shell next time. I missed the addition of vents but it sounds like a great idea.

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