Nice work! I've been looking for a DIY topper for my truck to keep the dogs. I'll also add plenty of sound deadening/insulation as well to keep the road noise down. Thanks for posting!
Used not to be, we had a Cap place that's all they sold, was there for decades finally closed, just no buyers. Strange place totally outdoors, with stacking shelves, roof jetting out, free standing held by cables over head. We built one in the late 60s, and at that time, it cost way more to build. The windows were extremely expensive, plus it weighed more than an off the shelf.
@@markraciborski4289 Interesting Bthat they were more expensive in the 60's anyway you seem to know alot about these Im sure you have great work too! Maybe you could help me with a tips.. I already have a nice fiberglass 6.5 topper, however I am also 6.5 in height.! would like to raise it a few inches off the bed rail.. I would "assume" I could just do that with 2x4 or something, how would I close off the now larger gap from the tail gate? just curious. thanks again🙏
Sir, you saved me thousands of dollars. Your build is very ok, what would I do in addition, I would insulate on the inside with R12 insulation and poly on the top. I think of the cold nights when I will be ice fishing. Thank you very much for the idea. I will definitely build this truck cap myself and not pay the overpriced price for one from the store.
Great idea what you have done. I thought about building one like that only covering with the white plastic like material that you see in restaurant bathroom.
You can polish the rust on the hinges down with a green "Scotchbrite" nylon dish cleaning pad. Then, I would car wax over them, to prevent any new rust. cheap and easy
From experience, spar varnish looks nice . However, put a coat on every year to maintain it .because if the topper is left out in the weather , it's going to flake...( this isn't your grandpas spar varnish to use on a boat). They have taken a majority of (toxin) chemicals out . Basically pulling its teeth... a better choice is to fiberglass it .. Nice looking topper ...👍👍👍
I'm going to build one of these for my Ford sport trac's since they didn't make very many bed caps for them this would be killer to have for winter camping
Great job on the design and construction of the topper. I might have fiber glassed the whole outside so as to protect the plywood and then painted or varnished over the glass. Do you sleep inside the truck bed and if so have you given any thought to installing s insulation boards to both firm up the side panels and to provide insulation?
I have been planning to build a frame like that inside my fiberglass topper, there's nothing to hang anything and to strengthen the top for a rack on top
Great review of your canopy. Thanks for sharing! I have been stressing about how I wanted to build mine for my Nissan frontier, but your idea is the best so far. I have questions about the plywood sizing, such as 3/4 inch for the arches and the front, back, sides, and top of the canopy. In addition, what was the overall weight of the topper at the end?
Thanks! The top and sides are 3/16 Birch plywood, the centre frame, front and back is ¾ Fir. Not sure of the weight but I can lift it myself if I put it on my head and steady it with my hands. I'm not happy with the birch ply however, as it doesn't resist water as well as I'd expect, so don't spare the varnish or use a different kind of exterior plywood. I think 5 coats of good marine varnish should make it last a long time. BTW, the Frontier uses the same size topper as the Hilux, but try and find one!
Traced out the curve from the truck roof line, then made a smooth line using a tight string on the plywood , then cut with a handheld jigsaw. A little belt sanding cleans em up nicely.
People charge $50-200 for nice used fiberglass toppers all the time. Nice job building this but people practically give them away for anyone interested.
@Tibiansgarage I hear what you're saying. If you have the time, I support that. I currently have hundreds of projects that are a larger priority, we have 5 children and we homeschool, I work 1000 miles away from my home full time, and if I ever get free time, I have dozens and dozens of hobbies.
Столярная работа сделана масштабная. Но Тяжёлая и громоздкая конструкция получается. Теряется много места в объёме кузова. Каркас из метала целесообразней
All I had to work with in the Baja... have to remove the gasket and do a proper glass layer, when I'm back up north. Worked great in the meanwhile, just need some bailer twine to finish the job up properly!
Well gorilla tape will do the job believe me, had an older 5th wheel that had some sheet siding issues on the sides where they met the front in the sleeping area above the pin box. Looked back in the mirror less than 50 miles down the road on an around the country trip in 2018 after paying a guy to rebuild the front and could see insulation! Stopped at Walmart and bought a roll of white gorilla tape and ran it down both sides on the seams and then short horizontal pieces across the seamed area. Lasted for 52 days without leaking.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Great design. Best presentation on how to build.
Nice work! I've been looking for a DIY topper for my truck to keep the dogs. I'll also add plenty of sound deadening/insulation as well to keep the road noise down. Thanks for posting!
Thanks
Wow this is great thanks for making this tutorial really helpful gives a lot of confidence for me to try it myself
I enjoyed your video.. your Canadian A guy from Brampton Ontario 😊 Cheers
Thanks for sharing. Now, I'm thinking of building my own for our 2023 Tundra.
I am SO going to copy this (with maybe a modification or two)!
Me too
Thanks for sharing this! Think I’m gonna use ur shell and instead of plywood I’m gonna try a canvas wrap!
Could you post about it or share pics/video? I want to do the same thing!
Great looking camper and idea!
Thanks!
Awesome build Bob! ❤
Awesome build
Great job! I've been thinking of doing a similar project! Thanks for the motivation! Cheers.
thanks
The woody Morrison looks sweet as. Hello from nz.
cheers!
Its criminal how much they charge for camper shells.
Used not to be, we had a Cap place that's all they sold, was there for decades finally closed, just no buyers.
Strange place totally outdoors, with stacking shelves, roof jetting out, free standing held by cables over head.
We built one in the late 60s, and at that time, it cost way more to build.
The windows were extremely expensive, plus it weighed more than an off the shelf.
@@markraciborski4289 Interesting Bthat they were more expensive in the 60's
anyway you seem to know alot about these Im sure you have great work too! Maybe you could help me with a tips.. I already have a nice fiberglass 6.5 topper, however I am also 6.5 in height.! would like to raise it a few inches off the bed rail.. I would "assume" I could just do that with 2x4 or something, how would I close off the now larger gap from the tail gate? just curious. thanks again🙏
Indeed... They want $8500 for my Colorado. Nuts.
Honestly..
@@leegmc1985$5000 for a commercial shell for may tacoma here, just a blank shell with no windows and some doors
thanks for sharing Bob!
Glad you used polycarbonate/lexan for the window instead of acrylic/plexiglass.
Excellent build
This is awesome thank you for sharing!!!
Sir, you saved me thousands of dollars. Your build is very ok, what would I do in addition, I would insulate on the inside with R12 insulation and poly on the top. I think of the cold nights when I will be ice fishing. Thank you very much for the idea. I will definitely build this truck cap myself and not pay the overpriced price for one from the store.
Glad to share and see your inspiration! I'd love to see your project when it's done.
Really enjoyed. Great job @
Very nice build.
Very nice job
Great idea what you have done. I thought about building one like that only covering with the white plastic like material that you see in restaurant bathroom.
Awesome!!!! Thank you.
You can polish the rust on the hinges down with a green "Scotchbrite" nylon dish cleaning pad. Then, I would car wax over them, to prevent any new rust. cheap and easy
Thanks
Great job bro , i am in the process of just building one for my Isuzu D Max Diesel 😁😁🤘🤘
Great Job!
looks great
Great job !!!!
Nice work 👍
Badass, Bob
From experience, spar varnish looks nice . However, put a coat on every year to maintain it .because if the topper is left out in the weather , it's going to flake...( this isn't your grandpas spar varnish to use on a boat). They have taken a majority of (toxin) chemicals out . Basically pulling its teeth...
a better choice is to fiberglass it ..
Nice looking topper ...👍👍👍
Bob, well done! I’m curious if you built out the interior with bed etc. If so, please give us a look. Thanks for sharing. Stan from Tennessee.
Just used for hauling stuff. Nice and secure
I'm going to build one of these for my Ford sport trac's since they didn't make very many bed caps for them this would be killer to have for winter camping
Have a small pickup and planning on building a topper from tubular steel and aluminium sheeting. Sealing is my only issue.
I just got my short bed silverado truck topper estimate at 3500 bucks for some fiberglass, Gonna build my own out of ply and pine.Thanks
That is awesome. Thank you sir.
This is a great video
Great job on the design and construction of the topper. I might have fiber glassed the whole outside so as to protect the plywood and then painted or varnished over the glass. Do you sleep inside the truck bed and if so have you given any thought to installing s insulation boards to both firm up the side panels and to provide insulation?
You get extra thumbs up for the "what is that- $20 US?" 👍👍👍
he was exceptionally fluent in giving dimensions in inches, and distances in Km... :D
I have been planning to build a frame like that inside my fiberglass topper, there's nothing to hang anything and to strengthen the top for a rack on top
Great review of your canopy. Thanks for sharing! I have been stressing about how I wanted to build mine for my Nissan frontier, but your idea is the best so far. I have questions about the plywood sizing, such as 3/4 inch for the arches and the front, back, sides, and top of the canopy. In addition, what was the overall weight of the topper at the end?
Thanks! The top and sides are 3/16 Birch plywood, the centre frame, front and back is ¾ Fir. Not sure of the weight but I can lift it myself if I put it on my head and steady it with my hands. I'm not happy with the birch ply however, as it doesn't resist water as well as I'd expect, so don't spare the varnish or use a different kind of exterior plywood. I think 5 coats of good marine varnish should make it last a long time. BTW, the Frontier uses the same size topper as the Hilux, but try and find one!
@@bobdupee4532 I think fiberglass or poor man's fiberglass would seal the ply much better then a coat of rhino liner maybe?
How'd you get a Hilux.... In Canada
I was thinking the same. A quick google says they don't sell it in canada
Very nice! How was the trip in Mexico? Any problems?
Nice work. What did it cost you? It's nearly impossible to find a great condition shell for 03 SR5 Access Cab for under a grand.
Thank you for your geat video, what means did you use when cutting and drilling the Plexiglas to keep it from cracking?
The lexan is really tough and doesn’t crack like plexiglass. I cut it with a fine tooth blade and scroll saw.
Great video! Where did you buy your locking door handles?
Amazon though they should be available at some big hardware stores
Didnt know you guys got the hilux in canada
We don't, was looking for this comment, he must've imported it
What you use to seal the wood?
Uncle Bob, dude🎉 ill be doing this! Way cheaper than buying from leer here inthe USA
How long did it take you to build camper top?
BRILLIANT MATE...
Why did bed cap shells fall out of favor? We always had one, never interfered with using the truck, extremely usually bad weather, shipping, etc.
Good video..
I'll send picks I haven't started but oh I have ideas
How do you cut the curve (the roof truss).
Traced out the curve from the truck roof line, then made a smooth line using a tight string on the plywood , then cut with a handheld jigsaw. A little belt sanding cleans em up nicely.
thanks for sharing!!
Well done.
thanks, worth the effort I can say
Wow! That’s great…
Nice.
Hope that Lexan does not expand and warp, waver, when the sun warms it up, and the night cools it down
Its gone through the Baja and back, no problemo!
People charge $50-200 for nice used fiberglass toppers all the time. Nice job building this but people practically give them away for anyone interested.
But why not build it yourself. Bragging rights, a fun project, custom made, etc
@Tibiansgarage I hear what you're saying. If you have the time, I support that. I currently have hundreds of projects that are a larger priority, we have 5 children and we homeschool, I work 1000 miles away from my home full time, and if I ever get free time, I have dozens and dozens of hobbies.
Bob, They Steel your Tools by Removing the Pins from Your Hinges… thanks.
Столярная работа сделана масштабная. Но Тяжёлая и громоздкая конструкция получается. Теряется много места в объёме кузова.
Каркас из метала целесообразней
Fuck! I shouldve done it this way instead of aluminum!
I recommend a bit of weatherstripping over your back door, keep rain out
Thanks, did put some 1/4 x ½ foam strip around, seems to do it OK.
hello bob
I'm just going to Gorilla tape the whole thing🤔
Good job too many insignificant details though
I wouldn’t say to many details. Because this is actually perfect for someone who wants to make one, helps to have more info than not enough.
Why is boomer whispering. The ad before was twice as loud. And it’s on max volume
I can’t help you here. RUclips controls all the ads.
duct tape lol lol really
All I had to work with in the Baja... have to remove the gasket and do a proper glass layer, when I'm back up north. Worked great in the meanwhile, just need some bailer twine to finish the job up properly!
Well gorilla tape will do the job believe me, had an older 5th wheel that had some sheet siding issues on the sides where they met the front in the sleeping area above the pin box. Looked back in the mirror less than 50 miles down the road on an around the country trip in 2018 after paying a guy to rebuild the front and could see insulation! Stopped at Walmart and bought a roll of white gorilla tape and ran it down both sides on the seams and then short horizontal pieces across the seamed area. Lasted for 52 days without leaking.
$500????
Plywood cost was through the roof when I did this...
Brace like screws are ANEALED.
What is weight of shell?
Not sure but I can carry it on my back by my self. Maybe 50 lbs?