RSI Smartcap

[WhyNotJeep]

A powder coated PW7 white would make me think more about it. Black in the So Cal deserts would be a oven.

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[Zybane]

So I got a quote for the Evo at $4,300 shipped, expected around August.

Is the cap really worth that much for those that have it?

 

[XJFanatic]

So I got a quote for the Evo at $4,300 shipped, expected around August.

Is the cap really worth that much for those that have it?

I hope so because that’s what I paid back in Feb when I ordered. Whenever it gets delivered I will let you know.

I priced out the fiberglass caps with the options I wanted and once you added tax and install fees the cost difference was pretty much a wash. Caps have gotten stupid expensive.

 

[Jaxmax]

Worth that much? I think it is the price of admission, you have fiberglass and at least three metal ones RLD, Alumacap and RSI, they all are a lot of money, all have pros and cons.
i like the look and quality of the RSI, I bought with the orignial pre order and waited six months for it, have had it for over a year now, have hauled kayaks and surf rods on top, thing is solid, everything still works and lines up same as day I installed. Pre order cost was $3695, taxes brought total to $3975.....Jack

To put it in perspective, I'm an electrician and a ten foot piece of large PVC conduit used to be about $98, now it is over $400, the caps did not go up that much really, it's nuts anymore.

 

[dcmdon]

Very long thread! I'm looking for a bed cap for my Gladiator for overland camping (I plan to cut the rear cab bulkhead and front of the bed/cap and join them with a rubber accordion bellows).

Is the RSI Smartcap still considered the best option out there? Does the stainless steel get roasting hot in the sun? Has anyone had a quality fiberglass cap to compare? Can a RSI Smartcap be ordered with a Jeep color? What kind of delivery timelines are expected these days?

I would say that the Alucab is similar excellent quality. I just didn't like the way it looked, to be honest.

They will all get roasting hot in the sun in their stock form. Its because of 2 factors.

1) Color. If its black, its going to get hot. I believe the version with the metal side doors can be had in white. I actually wrapped the roof panel on mine in white to reduce heat. It was an easy project and cost about $90.

2) Insulation - none of them have any insulation to speak of. But the screws in the ceiling of the Smart Cap can be used to secure some good foam insulation. I plan to buy some 1" isocyanate insulation and attach some light colored Cordura to it with 3M contact cement, then use some bolts into the ceiling to secure it.

 

[Fouts]

So I got a quote for the Evo at $4,300 shipped, expected around August.

Is the cap really worth that much for those that have it?

I thinks its a ton of money but as some say it is the going price. I wanted an RSI or the RLD but I really didn't want to give up $4K and wait 6 months only to only to be told we are not really sure when it will be here. I am picking up an All-Cab today that I found in stock at a nearby dealer. Not as stylish but only 126lbs.

 

[Jaxmax]

Yes the weight is a bigger deal then people think, the Aluminum cap beats everything else, my RSI was quoted at 170 lbs but could be as much as 200….Jack

 

[T-Rock]

Fiberglass caps are heavy and hard to get weight specs. Leer doesn’t even post the weight.
I think the RSI is the same or lighter than a fiberglass shell. Honestly almost went with Alucab but felt I would regret the look & fit. It just doesn’t look like it fits correctly on a gladiator to me.
Still waiting on my rsi ordered early Feb.
Not sure if I will feel it was worth the wait or just relieved the wait is over when it arrives ha.

 

[dcmdon]

The fact that I was quoted 2 months for the RSI this January played into my decision. It ended up taking 9 weeks. I'll take it.

 

[Zybane]

My biggest hiccup with the price on the RSI Smartcap is the look of the front of the cap compared to the back of the Gladiator cab. They don't even remotely match, almost making it look like the RSI Smartcap for the Gladiator was just swapped from another truck.

The fiberglass caps, especially the Leer and ARE Evo look much better up against the cab.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I think they did a decent job of matching.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

My biggest hiccup with the price on the RSI Smartcap is the look of the front of the cap compared to the back of the Gladiator cab. They don't even remotely match, almost making it look like the RSI Smartcap for the Gladiator was just swapped from another truck.

The fiberglass caps, especially the Leer and ARE Evo look much better up against the cab.

I think it’s personal preference, the leer & most other offerings look pedestrian & out of place to me in comparison to the RSI offering. The RSI honors the military lines of the Jeep, it looks tough & not refined. I have the EVO A that doesn’t have as much glass almost all steel.

 

[dcmdon]

My biggest hiccup with the price on the RSI Smartcap is the look of the front of the cap compared to the back of the Gladiator cab. They don't even remotely match, almost making it look like the RSI Smartcap for the Gladiator was just swapped from another truck.

The fiberglass caps, especially the Leer and ARE Evo look much better up against the cab.

I get that. In my case, my roof is body color. I did not want the cap to be the same color as the roof. I think when that's the case, the Gladiator looks like a long tall station wagon.

I specifically got a body colored hard top for that reason. I wanted the contrast.

If I had a black hardtop, I might consider a white cap. Ha.

 

[Zybane]

Since mine will be an Overland build, I actually want it to look like a wagon. Hence my Sarge Green JTRD being called "BattleWagon".

I'd like something like in this rendering, but it doesn't exist:

 

[T-Rock]

The fact that I was quoted 2 months for the RSI this January played into my decision. It ended up taking 9 weeks. I'll take it.

I was quoted the same in early Feb & im still waiting.

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