Topper Shell

HeatXfer

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Jan 15, 2024
Threads
2
Messages
59
Reaction score
127
Location
Nor Cal
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCrew
Occupation
Retired Pipefitter & commercial HVACR Tech
I had a Brahma camper shell (molded plastic) on my '87 Nissan Hard Body for 15yrs. It was very tough and super light - less than 100#s - I could slide it off the truck and walk it into to my back yard whenever I wanted to load dirt bikes or anything taller than the shell. Every modern topper I've looked at is about 200#s, I'm not carrying that into my back yard, and my garage has a low ceiling so that means no ceiling hoist for storage. I'd love to find an old Brahma or a 'Stampede' knock-off.

In the end I compromised: I took my Dad's 20+yr/old Voyager car-top carrier and a set of Inno (Japanese Thule knock-off) bed clamps & cross bars to make a 60# quick-release weatherproof gear carrier.
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I added 1" HDPE blocks to raise the bars to clear camping gear tubs I slide into the bed.
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The bars are clamped using cap screws, a PITA to loosen, so to make it easier to pull the whole rig without tedious disassembly I swapped the screws on the passenger side clamps with bicycle seat post cam locks. Pop the cams and the clamps slide down the bars so I can slide the rig off one side of the bed.
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I replaced the old flimsy stamped padlock hasps with rotary shipping crate clamps (pardon the funky pop-rivets)
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I added a gasket to the lid to weatherproof, gas-assist springs to hold it open and straps to limit lid swing.

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The whole package cost me $160.
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