Shell canopy thoughts

[bchap05]

So I've been watching for a used color matched modern styled shell like a leer qx or xl or snugtop sport for like a year. I hate having my dogs in the cab thus main reason I want one. I quoted leer and they wanted $2400. Finally found one used for 600 but it's not matched. I ended up buying it figuring i can paint it for way less than 2400 total.

First issue is I have a quad and the guy had a reg cab. Beds are are the same size 6'4 but the cab angle is slightly different. So it has a uneven gap I didn't notice until I got home. It's not that bad I'm probably the only person that will notice. And you can only see it from the straight side view. But it annoys me.

So I could resell it. Which sucks because it's a nice shell for the price. And wait forever again for a quad shell at a good price.

Or just say screw it and deal with it, get it painted or wrapped.

From what I've seen I'm expecting 300-600 range for paint. Any ideas on wrap?

I also have done full paint prep before. Granted it was 20 years ago. How hard would it be to spray myself? And being that it is already painted how far do you have to go as far as sanding it down for a repaint?

My truck is max steel and shell is black. Honestly in the shade or dark it looks matched but obviously in sun you can easily tell it's not.

 

[JB1]

Post a side view pic

 

[slim chance]

we both have the Leer caps and like them ... i had a cap repainted 2 yrs ago and Leer charged me $500 ..

 

[bchap05]

Took it out and tried to flex it to ensure it wouldn't hit, but as you can see from side you can't see extra gap.

 

[bchap05]

Side shot. Like I said its not that bad and most wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out. But the cab on the regular cab must lean further forward as the shell gets close up top before the bottom creating and uneven line. It still is sealed on all edges as the beds are the same size.

I don't know that it bothers me enough to go from $600 to buying a new one that fits at $2400.

 

[slim chance]

you are right, without you pointing it out i would not have seen it ... IF you like the cap otherwise, i would keep this one

 

[TatertotScott]

Try a bedliner or plastidip to paint a better color.

If you want factory color match, you need to wait until 70 degrees,moderate humidity, and will cost 100-300 to paint yourself. Double it for a professional shop.



Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[bchap05]

you are right, without you pointing it out i would not have seen it ... IF you like the cap otherwise, i would keep this one

Thats what I'm leaning towards. 600 was a good deal and its not that noticeable. So if I can keep the paint cost down that will help me justify it fitting like 90% instead of 100%

 

[bchap05]

Try a bedliner or plastidip to paint a better color.

If you want factory color match, you need to wait until 70 degrees,moderate humidity, and will cost 100-300 to paint yourself. Double it for a professional shop.



Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Cool thanks! It's been forever since I've done paint work. My first car when I was 15 I sanded, fixed some dents, did all the prep, final prep, and we sprayed in a garage that we tarped off basically making a paint room. But I had a family member that worked for a body shop do the spraying. It came out looking awesome. I've never sprayed myself. A shell with windows this big doesn't really have that much visible paint surface. I basically need the sides and back to look good. If the top wasn't perfect oh well you will never see it.

 

[McBroom]

I want a topper for my truck but can’t find a used one that actually fits and at a good price. Used...
The canvas one would be awesome.


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

 

[bchap05]

I want a topper for my truck but can’t find a used one that actually fits and at a good price. Used...
The canvas one would be awesome.


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Like a softtopper? I thought about those. I like how they are easily removed and don't weigh as much being I prefer how my truck looks with no shell. But decided for me it would be too much of a hassle to put up every time I wanted to put my dogs in back so I wanted a more permanent one. And if I'm leaving it up I prefer the look of a hard top over soft top.

One of my co workers knows a paint shop guy who does side jobs on the weekend at the shop so she's going to see what he would do it for.

 

[gofishn]

that looks like my crew cab angle, my topper has same angle too.

I would not paint that thing. only ones who are gonna notice are ex body guys and you.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Like a softtopper? I thought about those. I like how they are easily removed and don't weigh as much being I prefer how my truck looks with no shell. But decided for me it would be too much of a hassle to put up every time I wanted to put my dogs in back so I wanted a more permanent one. And if I'm leaving it up I prefer the look of a hard top over soft top.

One of my co workers knows a paint shop guy who does side jobs on the weekend at the shop so she's going to see what he would do it for.

I wish i could have found a decent hard topper for $600 like you did, i looked everywhere here in Socal for about 2 months but didn't have any luck. Everything for that price was in such a bad shape it wasn't even funny. If that is your truck couple of posts before, i wouldn't even touch anything on it and spend any more money heck i'd have left the same one you have in the same color for my Silver truck, seems in great shape.
The two i found in what i could say were good conditions were blue or red, and i didn't want to spend the money restoring the back window, interior and painting, as i was going to get the price bumped up to around 1200-1400.
I went with a softper brand new and have no regrets. Hard top will be more secure if you leave valuables back there, or maybe if you want hang things drectly to the top inside, perhaps mount a rack on top of the hard top. I only need the cabin space when i go camping by my own or with the family. it'll take about 3 min to fold or take completely off, and my chit remains dry if it's raining, though is not 100% leak free because of my damn stake holes are opened at the moment. Asides from that the only valuable is holding is my full spare, my puppy loves to get in there when we're camped somewhere sunny, same with the kids, and i don't have to drag extra weight all the time, the spare is pretty much 100lbs already, the softopper is only 30lbs.

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[McBroom]

Like a softtopper? I thought about those. I like how they are easily removed and don't weigh as much being I prefer how my truck looks with no shell. But decided for me it would be too much of a hassle to put up every time I wanted to put my dogs in back so I wanted a more permanent one. And if I'm leaving it up I prefer the look of a hard top over soft top.

One of my co workers knows a paint shop guy who does side jobs on the weekend at the shop so she's going to see what he would do it for.

Yes the softopper is what I want as I’m also thinking about overlanding and Texas desert off-roading and trail rides


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

 

[Sled Freak]

Side shot. Like I said its not that bad and most wouldn't notice unless I pointed it out. But the cab on the regular cab must lean further forward as the shell gets close up top before the bottom creating and uneven line. It still is sealed on all edges as the beds are the same size.

I don't know that it bothers me enough to go from $600 to buying a new one that fits at $2400.

I dont think that looks bad at all. The gap is noticeable if you know what your looking for (most won't) but the color is to far off. I wouldn't spend the $ to paint it IMO.

I bought a used topper in January. $500 but does have some cosmetic issues but i can live with it. No the right color either but again, not a concern for me. Only plan on running it during winter months to keep my dogs out of the weather. Works perfect for this and keeps my cab fur free lol.

I wanted a soft topper but being in Canada it wasn't feasible. Wouldve been within a couple hundred of a new base leer I'd guess. Love the idea of them though.


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[dearchristopher]

you could always sell and keep your eyes peeled for a 3rd gen. Mine is from a 3rd gen 2500, dropped right on the truck. i did have to mod the rear glass, but i love the damn thing.

if its not flexing into the cab, i say keep it. it looks great.

 

[bchap05]

TE="dearchristopher, post: 1966079, member: 35968"]

you could always sell and keep your eyes peeled for a 3rd gen. Mine is from a 3rd gen 2500, dropped right on the truck. i did have to mod the rear glass, but i love the damn thing.

if its not flexing into the cab, i say keep it. it looks great.[/QUOTE]


Interesting didn't know a 3rd gen would fit. That's a good looking shell! I'm thinking of trying to find some type of rubber to fill some of the gap similar to how the bed and cab have a gap filler. Maybe I can just buy some of the bed rubber as that would work well

 

[greatwhitegoat]

I wish i could have found a decent hard topper for $600 like you did, i looked everywhere here in Socal for about 2 months but didn't have any luck. Everything for that price was in such a bad shape it wasn't even funny. If that is your truck couple of posts before, i wouldn't even touch anything on it and spend any more money heck i'd have left the same one you have in the same color for my Silver truck, seems in great shape.
The two i found in what i could say were good conditions were blue or red, and i didn't want to spend the money restoring the back window, interior and painting, as i was going to get the price bumped up to around 1200-1400.
I went with a softper brand new and have no regrets. Hard top will be more secure if you leave valuables back there, or maybe if you want hang things drectly to the top inside, perhaps mount a rack on top of the hard top. I only need the cabin space when i go camping by my own or with the family. it'll take about 3 min to fold or take completely off, and my chit remains dry if it's raining, though is not 100% leak free because of my damn stake holes are opened at the moment. Asides from that the only valuable is holding is my full spare, my puppy loves to get in there when we're camped somewhere sunny, same with the kids, and i don't have to drag extra weight all the time, the spare is pretty much 100lbs already, the softopper is only 30lbs.

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Very nice setup. What's the dimension when its folded?

 

[brianw0048]

you could always sell and keep your eyes peeled for a 3rd gen. Mine is from a 3rd gen 2500, dropped right on the truck. i did have to mod the rear glass, but i love the damn thing.

wonder what other models will fit - I've heard the F150 is close in size but not sure how well it would mount up.

 

[bchap05]

wonder what other models will fit - I've heard the F150 is close in size but not sure how well it would mount up.

I'd be interested to know as my buddy is also looking for a shell. Funny the snugtop dealer finally emailed me back today and quoted me $3200 for a super sport. I'm like I'm good with my $600 dollar one haha. Could buy 3 of them and get them all painted for that price.