Updated - Topper fit

[Oilburner]

You had my up till here:

The Only way you will get a topper to look ‘right’ from that angle is:
1. Topper made for Gladiator (& not all of them do)
2. Look for an aluminum commercial topper for a 1st-gen Colorado. And then it may be taller/shorter than the cab.

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[Caspien]

I see potential with it, but that potential is also balanced out with, how much would it cost to make it perfect for you?

Like others have mentioned, bedliner or matte black.. or color match.


I'd probably have a body shop/fabricator alter that front edge a bit, so it can sit closer to the cab, and that should fix the overhang in the process, too. While they're at it, they could alter the windows a bit, too, if you want it to have a bit more of a square appearance.

For ME, if that topper was available for like $500 or less, and then add in 1-2k in fab/body work... it'd be worth it, but any more than that.. and.. eggnnggghh... dunno that I'd be willing to do that investment.


~ Casp

 

[dutch7]

I see potential with it, but that potential is also balanced out with, how much would it cost to make it perfect for you?

Like others have mentioned, bedliner or matte black.. or color match.


I'd probably have a body shop/fabricator alter that front edge a bit, so it can sit closer to the cab, and that should fix the overhang in the process, too. While they're at it, they could alter the windows a bit, too, if you want it to have a bit more of a square appearance.

For ME, if that topper was available for like $500 or less, and then add in 1-2k in fab/body work... it'd be worth it, but any more than that.. and.. eggnnggghh... dunno that I'd be willing to do that investment.


~ Casp

if you were to spend $2500 on cap and mods you’d be better off buying the correct cap and bolting it down.
I am not against painting it but it is not worth doing extensive body work to imo.

The cap clearly doesn’t fit the lines of the truck but it is would be secure…

 

[Hipbilly]

I'm a snob for the aesthetic.... I really like how mine lines up.

Maybe OP needs to get a soft top instead of a hard topper!

 

[dutch7]

I'm a snob for the aesthetic.... I really like how mine lines up.

Maybe OP needs to get a soft top instead of a hard topper!

The OP has - it is good as mentioned above for dry storage but not secure, hence the quest for a hardtop.
Nice truck btw!

 

[Hipbilly]

OH, tell me all about it!!
I had some dirty ole so and so cut through 3 layers of vinyl to steal a pair of sunglasses and a credit card...... Insurance bought a new topper.

 

[dutch7]

I may have to bite the bullet and order an A.R.E. With sportsman windows and color match, when my wife is not looking ?

 

[GOCAMPN]

if you were to spend $2500 on cap and mods you’d be better off buying the correct cap and bolting it down.
I am not against painting it but it is not worth doing extensive body work to imo.

The cap clearly doesn’t fit the lines of the truck but it is would be secure…

I didn't mean extensive fab work by the way, a black pool noodle will work fine against your rear glass and clean up it's true shape, and weather strip from Lowes for around the bottom is all I meant. I still think it's a beautiful cap, and it could really be amazing with some imagination.

 

[Sweetums]

Honestly, it doesn't fit the look of the truck. The roof doesn't line up and the topper itself doesn't match the truck's styling. Most caps are for rounded off trucks, the Gladiator is a retro style that's more boxy, following more of the proportions of a truck from the 1960s than today.

A boxy cap would be a better fit from a style perspective, but that's just my opinion.

 

[NatForest Glad]

Imagine it with color match or flat black, but how does it look to you all?
The rails are spot on, a little over hang on the rear corners but a big gap up front… not sure what to think.
I’ve been looking for a used topper that fits and honestly this is the first one that sort of does
Thanks for a yea or nay.

 

[NatForest Glad]

Checkout Flated Topper

 

[Lunentucker]

Bedliner spray and window tint

 

[Florida Mojave]

FWIW - Most folks are going to tell you what you already know - but if your on a budget and need something right away you can make this work with a color change - heck you may be able to get most of your money back out of it when your ready to get the one you want....

 

[dutch7]

You guys have been helpful, one of you said you were a stickler for aesthetics, well me too. I passed on the cap and will run my soft topper another season. It would never look right to me no matter what color it was.
Cheers

 

[whiteglad]

I agree, the fancy shape is wrong for a JT. Also I bet it is heavy and wastes too much of the gvw. I have run hard toppers on full size pickups for decades but use a cheap tonneau cover on the Gladiator.

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