Pickup toppers, school me.

[Thefishguy77]

Aluminum generic is what you want.

I pulled one off a 05 Dodge and put it on my gmt 400 no problems. It would fit my gmt900 also. It may not follow the bed lines perfectly, but a little weatherstripping and it'll keep stuff dry. (Also need to seal all the bed drains if you truly want it waterproof).

They're not great looking, but most of them have no glass at all to break, locking side and back doors, and very little too break or go wrong.

Just drop it on and clamp it. Ditch it when you're done.

I built a few pulleys on strut in my garage to pull it off and out of the way. Way lighter than a fiberglass topper also.

The pulley system to lift them is the shit. Friend built on in his barn. Had it rigged so he hooked in the four corners and then just turned the crank handle and picked it up. Put the stop in the handle and drove away. Installing was just the reverse. Doubt I will do a hard canopy again. Maybe a soft topper some time but for now I like my open beds.

 

[TRINDU]

I have a range rider on my 96 Dodge. It's been on there for 20+ years that I'm aware of.

Paint is good. Some of the aluminum trim is oxidized so the paint is flaking off. Few rivets popped out of the rear hatch.

I will say its waterproof. PO did have 3/16 bed rails on it with gaskets above/below. May have something to do with it sealing well.

Edit: I'd want something set up to easily mount and remove said topper. No way I'd deal with one permanently attached to my only pickup.

 

[Aggie06]

Softopper on my truck. I do like you can roll up the sides if you need to.

 

[Tiha]

Been learning a lot, There is certainly a lack of superduty toppers around me.

Also learning about the profile, how I want it to look and fit. I am going to have to up my price range probably.

I can still pick up something decent in the $200-$300 range but I would have to drive at least 5 hours one way.

So that also puts me in the price range of a brand new soft topper.

 

[The Beens]

Been learning a lot, There is certainly a lack of superduty toppers around me.

Also learning about the profile, how I want it to look and fit. I am going to have to up my price range probably.

I can still pick up something decent in the $200-$300 range but I would have to drive at least 5 hours one way.

So that also puts me in the price range of a brand new soft topper.

That's close to what I did. 2.5 hour drive, one way from southeast Missouri to Union City, Tn to pick up mine. He was asking $750, offered him 5 benjamins and i'd pick it up the next day. I may have had to drive 5 total hours but I'm pretty sure I could get my money back out of it, if I were ever to sell it. There's something to think about for you too... they hold a decent value it seems.

There is actually a 1-2" width difference in the beds from like 04-12, then 12-18 (I think) are the same. The one I have was bought new for an 08, but it still fits my 12 nice.

 

[87manche]

That's close to what I did. 2.5 hour drive, one way from southeast Missouri to Union City, Tn to pick up mine. He was asking $750, offered him 5 benjamins and i'd pick it up the next day. I may have had to drive 5 total hours but I'm pretty sure I could get my money back out of it, if I were ever to sell it. There's something to think about for you too... they hold a decent value it seems.

There is actually a 1-2" width difference in the beds from like 04-12, then 12-18 (I think) are the same. The one I have was bought new for an 08, but it still fits my 12 nice.

every not beat to shit cap is worth $500 here.
If it's got glass in it, $500.
I'm only 20 minutes from the ARE factory if you want to get froggy. There's piles of them on racks outside the building.

 

[KacksterK5]

I have a Grandpa style super tall one that I got for free a long time ago. Loved having it on for wheeling and camping trips. broke the back window on a tree and it's been sitting in my yard for 5 years. Should probably just get some plexiglass and send it, but I haven't. It was a Leer, sealed pretty well. A grill fell over inside and pushed a window out, some WD40 got it back in.

 

[Tiha]

I figured at todays prices every hour of driving is roughly $30. So 4 hours away is $120. Not counting my time.

So what I can get here for $700, it needs to be worth my time.

I have ruled out finding the correct color. I need silver and that is just not happening. The one I found, well the paint was coming off anyway.

I think this first one is my best deal really. 3 hour drive. $150. Was on an 2003 F250, another thing I noticed my 14 tailgate is not wide like my 16 so maybe someone swapped gates at some point.

Really like the second one though. I like the profile of it. It is only $100 but back glass is broken. It is in my town. I bet $50 would get it.
I was watching videos about making your own rear windows. I think I could do it for $100. I think I would build an aluminum frame for all the hardware to attach to then glue acrylic to it.

Still don't know but at the end of the day it keeps coming back to that first one being the best deal at 3 hours away. I could do a little work, paint it and have a really nice topper. Easiest to get to the end result.

 

[FJC11]

Another vote for ARE, was happy with the quality of mine , bought new in 2004 for the dodge and zero issues with it.

 

[Gtrplyr78]

Looking at this one sort of local to me (2hr drive one way).
Think I should be able to load my atv with it on without major issues. If need be atv has a winch - use that to get it in there vs riding it in.

‘05 F250 short bed so it should fit my truck (same year / similar specs).

 

[Tiha]

Narrowed down to 2. Both 3-4 hours away but in the same direction.

Both listed for $200. Both say for F250 superduty. I think they are both leer.

One sliding windows, one hinged windows. I am hoping the guy with the green one doesn't flake out. It is from a 2008 so might even work with my tailgate.

Then maybe $100 in paint and I will be close to done with this project.

 

[Tiha]

Just picked this up. Thought it was a Leer but see no name anywhere.

Seems stronger than I imagined.doesnt fit bad but I wonder if the factory plastic bed caps are supposed to come off first.

Weatherstripping on bottom of door missing but no tailgate fit or clearance issues.

 

[Trick95]

Best deals are at used vehicle lots.

A few years back my Dad was visiting and we rolled by a used car lot. We see an identical truck with a topper in the right color. He swings in and offers the guy $500. Owner tells the sales guy to bring the truck around and grabs the forklift to help swap it over.

Can be worth it to toss an offer even if it's still on the truck if dealing with independent lots.

 

[Pukemaggots]

Spacekap

 

[Tiha]

Painted, mounted. Waiting on weather stripping for rear window where it meets the tailgate.

Need to wire up the 3rd brake light and interior lights.

Still don't know what brand this is for sure. But it came off a 2008. I think it would fit both pre and post 2008 tailgates with just a little rubber weather stripping change.