1st Gen camper shell buying info

Silver one near that weird town on 35:

https://austin.craigslist.org/pts/d/buda-gen-tundra-shell-topper/7669783416.html

Looks nice but dude wants a mint for it….

 

Pass.

 

Yeah, he's smoking crack. For that price it better be color matched and make me sandwiches.

 

Sheeeit. He better make sammiches for the entire class too

 

$250 for a DC cover down in Slowcala, FL.

​

 

And another in Opelika AL, near Auburn. $150. I'm guessing it was on a DC also. https://auburn.craigslist.org/pts/d/opelika-burgundy-camper-shell-6ft-long/7672125918.html

​

 

Heckuva deal! Would buy at that price and color match myself.

 

1.5-2 hour drive for you. At that price I would be tempted. I assume the windows slide?

 

I assume, but I did look up this specific model w/ARE two years ago, and they don't sell replacement windows.

I know it was this specific one because of the weird fitment at the body seam. They used this cap mold for two different caps, neither one have side windows available so I'd never be able to upgrade to windoors if I bought it. I'm still holding out for myself, but figured I'd post here in case others in SE USA were interested. This is a pretty old design (10yrs+).

​

 

This look just like the side windows on my ARE CX cap on my 2019. They just use plastic covers in the corners that makes it look different now.

 

How do we know it's for a 1st gen? The listing doesn't say.

 

ARE said i could have a licensed dealer change my slides to windoors or solid cargo doors, but they dont sell the frames or anything to joe public.

 

Good point. It was purely assumption on my part. Last night was a little rough on sleep, had to hit the hydro at 5am so I'm slow on the uptake.

It would be hilarious if I ended up finding the camper shell 5 miles from where I bought the truck 4 years ago. The dealership that had my truck is just a couple miles down the interstate from the seller.

It was an ARE dealer I spoke with, north of ATL.

 

Snugtop still hasn't bothered to email me back about replacement back glass, since Thursday afternoon. I'm so sick of companies with shitty customer service.
I'm also still waiting to hear back from Morimoto since Friday afternoon.
Desert Armor won't send me the warranteed replacement LED pod I paid $35 for shipping both ways on it til I send them the defective pod.
I hate business haha

 

Call a local cap company and they can look it up

 

The other issue is I don't know if the topper is one of two models. The seller wasn't any help when I asked. He said he didn't k ow what model it was I told him to look on the inside of the topper for a plaque with the model info. He never messaged me back after that

 

Funny you should say that. I bought my rhino rack tracks from nellis auction for $1.25 but they did not include end caps or any hardware. I found the exact rhino rack hardware pack on eBay for $30 and it had everything I needed for the track install though it was missing a few rubber o rings for the T screws.

ALL in I only spent $40 to get these otherwise $155 tracks. Very happy with that

 

Paw cap outside of Greenville, $100 ....

​

 

Why does it look so short? Looks like it's made for a Subaru Baja.

 

I think it’s because it’s so tall

 

A couple things to think about while shell shopping;
If it's missing the rear glass, and you're thinkin bout plexi, verify that the frame and hinges are still in place. Highly unlikely. Without the frame, it would be more work than it would be worth to fab up a frame and use plexiglass and it would forever give you problems. (did this on a previous truck I owned). On my current shell, I shattered the back glass, and was able to replace it with plexiglass fairly easily because I still had the frame, hinges, and latches to work with. Buying new back glass from the manufacturer isn't always an option, but ridiculously expensive if available. Missing back glass = red flag
For the front glass, keep in mind there are two types; one being open (no glass) with a rubber boot sealing it to the cab. The other having glass, either a single fixed window, or with a center sliding window. Boot makes more sense to me but that's personal preference. For you DC guys, you can get the boot and then roll down your stupid back window (that's all sour grapes) for all kinds of reasons The only drawback to the boot, is that it's prevented me from being able to put lifts on my shell. If you haven't seen them, it's a kit that will lift your shell 12-18" similar to a pop up trailer, giving more headroom which would be awesome if you're camping in the bed. Actually saw a video of a guy with the kit that set up a table and chairs in the bed and he and 3 friends were sitting in there playing poker.
One last thing; when replacing glass with plexiglass, it's not as cheap as you'd think. It's got to be of a reasonable thickness, and due to the odd size, you have to buy a sheet 3 ft X 6 ft. A 2 ft X 6 ft piece would do the trick, but nowhere I looked stocks it in that size cut. So bottom line is, you're lookin at about $115 plus whatever sealant and fasteners you plan to use. I've actually done it twice with my shell. I guess I should also add; if you're going offroading with a shell, make damn sure it is secured to the truck well, and the back glass is latched well, or you'll have problems.

 

For a DC with a 5-1/2 ft bed?

 

or just buy the shipping container in the background and use that as a shell . . . would look about the same ! LOL . . .

 

Getting geared up for another 2000 mile round trip to flowrida. Last time I drove the tundra, this time I think I’m taking the Acura. My tundra which remain paw capless got a best of 14 mpg last trip. Typically when I drive the type S it’s about 16 but hopefully I can get some good highway mpg out of it if I keep my foot out of it. Just say no to paw caps!

 

I have a paw cap and I get 17mpg on road trips. 18 once. If you add a paw cap you'll age 25 years and drive slower, thus getting better MPG.

 

And chocolate milks make it 2 per person if they are the little cartons. At that price he might convince us if he throws in some snack packs.

 

AC camper hi-rise flat top shell made by a company "Stellar" with side doors (not windoors) for $400 an hour south of Atlanta... (wouldn't fit in my garage, sadly, I just measured, would whack the garage door assembly and motor)

​

 

Better chance of me buying another mopar! Neither will ever happen lol.

 

I have one for sale. It’s currently on my 06 DC and is Magnetic Grey. I’m located in Eastern NC.