To Shell or not to shell, that is the question!

[SargeFirstClass]

So I need everybody's help here. Some time ago I ran a 2009 Leer 180 camper shell on my truck. Now, as you can see I have a 4th gen. It fit, well OK but not great of course. So I sold it and went back to a tool box. Now, I have come across a Leer 122 that is the right color and made for my model and style truck but man is it tall! I do off road and could use the head space of this tall shell to sleep inside instead of getting yet another item to stuff on top, like a folding tent. I think in the long run it would all be as tall as this shell anyway. Sorry, babbling a little here! LOL Anyway, your opinion goes a long way.
A. Go without a shell and keep using a bed cover.
B. Go with the Leer 122 after she is cleaned up and put on right.
C. Keep looking for a cab high or another mid high shell.

Thanks as always. The minds of the many outweigh the minds of the few, or the one!

 

[McBroom]

Go with the one in the bottom pic. The tall cap(2 windows)
I'd be interested if it was for a 6.4 bed.

Blue Mule

 

[Razzman]

Personally I like shells if they're cab height and clean lines, that said i love the look of the 4th gen without one. BUT ultimately it's your decision on what works best for you. Obviously storage and getting to your tools is an important factor and if the price is good and it works for you then do it. Doesn't matter what others think.

 

[huntergreen]

I doubt the high rise cap would hinder your off road travels any more than some of the lifts and larger tires I have seen. If you want it, go for it.

 

[Pull Ya]

If your off-roading doesn't present a problem height-wise I don't see any problem with it. It sure would prevent you from parking in a normal garage or a parking structure downtown, however. I also like the cab high shells better but more for looks than anything else. Like someone else said--your truck do what you feel is best for you in your situation.
Jay

 

[69GWC]

Always like them and like cab high more. Nice thing is you can take them off and it gives the truck a new look..lol

Your truck looks good either way.

 

[Josh keller]

Wish I could find one to fit mine that wasnt super expensiv . Had one for my old ranger and would just put it on for trips.

 

[Pull Ya]

Wish I could find one to fit mine that wasnt super expensiv . Had one for my old ranger and would just put it on for trips.

I think there was one for sale in the "for sale section" not long ago. You might take a look.
Jay

 

[gofishn]

Had a Topper, like the high ones, on my 1979 Ford F-250. Positvely loved that topper. WOuld have got another, for this truck but it would not clear teh garage door. so Cab is what I have.

I do not offroad much, now. Back when I had that 79 F-0250, I went everywhere, constantly hunting the best kept fishing holes. all kinds of timber and thru all kinds of terrain. had a few branches rub the topo but the top is so high, no one ever got to see the damage, unless above me on an overpass.

I say, its cheap, it looks good and the added hieght is simply fantastic when you got to crawl aroudn inside the thing.

 

[JoshR104]

Shell it up although I prefer the roof height caps.

 

[Octane]

Spend a fortune on a top then a few years later you find them for 50 bucks. I still got a mid hi top for a S10 from 25 years ago. Cant give it away.lol

 

[gofishn]

Spend a fortune on a top then a few years later you find them for 50 bucks. I still got a mid hi top for a S10 from 25 years ago. Cant give it away.lol

Same can be sdaid for The Truck. Don;t imagine a 25 year old S10 would have much demand either.

 

[Octane]

Same can be sdaid for The Truck. Don;t imagine a 25 year old S10 would have much demand either.

Aint that the truth! Lol

 

[SargeFirstClass]

Well, here is what Im going with in preparation of a sort of overland rack type of thing. I like new and repainted with no dents Husky tool box and a Thule T-Rac Pro2 with a cantilever. I like it because I can take it off when I want or adjust it, I can still use my bed floor and with the tool box I have storage. I think I will be able to craft a mounting system on the sides for a side box, maxtrax mounts and water and fuel cans, etc. Ill post next week when I get it all working beautifully together!

 

[SargeFirstClass]

So, here is the project so far. I am waiting on the side rails to secure the front and rear bars on each side, and allow for securing things like shovel/axe/hi-lift, or maxxtrax or similar or something like roto cans. I also am looking for some type of bed cover that will fit in between these bed rails. It is coming together! I have to shorten those rails though, way too tall! Ive marked where I am going to cut them. I hope I can still thread the inside bolt locations in each of the base cups!

 

[17Delmonico]

I'm a fan of toppers. I had a full-height ARE top on my Dakota, and I have the mid-height LEER for my 2017 1500. The ones that are taller than the cab allow bikes to fit upright. I like the extra space in the taller ones. I can't picture an extra foot of height (or less, depending on the cap) would cause any issues off-roading. It might get scratched more from branches. If you're camping in it, you'll appreciate the extra head room.

 

[SargeFirstClass]

Heres something different! With that project going in the bed, the adjustable TracRac took away my HAM and CB antenna mounting locations, so I took the ways of the Australian off-roaders and mounted both antennas on the grill guard! Took two light tabs and welded them up. Looks different but even with not much of a ground plane they work nicely! Also notice the fog lights are yellow, I got some yellow fog light film from Amazon and put
them on there instead of trying to find some yellow ones to fit those odd size holes and mounts. FAB FOURS now uses LED lights too. They work perfectly! I tried them out all last and this week in the lovely rainy and foggy weather in SEMO. Nice! Although I noticed on the CB the antenna was picking up a full peg meter of noise from the fog lights. I gotta fix all the grounding on the radio, antenna and the lights and get that noise gone! I still gotta get those TracRacs cut down shorter for a future bed mounted tent and I have two more aluminum top rails to make side mounts for things like Hi-Lift, shovel/axe mount, and maybe some roto cans some day. Only can do so much on Army E7 retired pay!

 

[SargeFirstClass]

Here it is! I went with the used Leer 122 which is made for the 4th GEN RAM so there are no fitment issues to deal with. The only issue I have is the bottom of the door does not meet the tailgate, the usual issue. I am contacting Leer to try and get the cap that goes on the bottom of the door, or the old design of the cap that goes on top of the tailgate. A small thing to deal with. It has to be painted bright white later but all in all it is in great shape.

 

[Roadhouse]

Ehh... Not a look for me but it's your truck.

 

[SargeFirstClass]

Ehh... Not a look for me but it's your truck.

The truck, or the shell, or both?

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