CAPS, any suggestions??

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I know this one comes up from time to time, but I thought I'd ask again.

I have a shortbed 4x4 and am very hard on it. What type of fiberglass cap will have the best longevity in a rough and cold weather environment??

What brand will have the best factory color match?

What brand will be easy to find in New England?

Any suggestions on which ones have the best water tight seals?

Thanks in advance, I need to find one and have it in my hands in the next few weeks for a drive across the country.

Thx


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Green Monster's cyber garage (and TDR multimedia sandbox)
Yahoo messenger: davidc3y

 

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Dave, next time you are down in B-town, check out Catamount North and look at the ARE caps. My Father has one of thier fiberglass units on his '97 and loves it. The color match is PERFECT. It has stood up very well to our lovely VT winters and construction abuse for almost four years and looks new. Nice lockable full length flip up side windows and a sliding window up front that matches the sliding rear window on the truck.

Tip - get the Line-x done before you put the topper on. He took his cap off a week ago to have it done and there was no paint left on the rails, despite the worthless foam tape that had long since vaporized.

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'00 2500 reg cab LB 4x4, 5spd, LSD, Van Aaken, 275 injectors, regulator boost fooler w/elbow, combo boost/egt guage, line-x, alumasport diamond toolbox, vernier idle controler, cold front, Warn front receiver, ventvisors and stepguards by autoventshade, OEM foglights, Super H headlight bulbs, my own "brite box", hide-a-hook, loadsaver, G-tech, name a factory option - I don't have it!

 

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Are you coming through Indiana on I-70? Just thought we could meet up. Plus Dave Mitchell is not far off of 70.

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'98 ext cab 4x4. Skyjacker 4. 5" lift w/ 36" swampers. 370 injectors, pump done right, Scotty air, HX40 18. 5 housing, JRE stage III fuel plate, McLeod dual disc street clutch-"Mitchellized", ISSPRO gauges, 4" black smoke puffin'-hear me CUMMIN chrome stacks. A member of the best brotherhood around-TDR.
**Skyjacker raised**
**Cummins praised**

 

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I agree on the ARE, bought one in '96 for my other truck, and it has been great. It looked like the strongest one at that time. Still have it but hasn't been on the truck since I got the 5th wheel.
Larry

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Ram Rod
'01 3500 white quad cab sport 4x4 ETH DEE SLT+ 4:10s posi Pac brake tow/camper pkg.
35' holiday rambler 5th wheel

 

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David
Check out my ARE cap for the short bed.
I had the rear door option added.

Ron http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=589847&a=4308659
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Ordered on 2/7 in my driveway on 3/24 2001 2500 SLT+ 4X4 Auto Cummins, 3. 54,Quad cab,Short Bed,Camel Leather, White Exterior, Sliding rear window, Camper Special Group, Towing Group,A. R. E cap with rear door, 25'Dutchman camper

[This message has been edited by Sandmann (edited 06-05-2000). ]

 

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I have had a Raider canopy, built in Canada, for four years and I'm very happy with it. Driftwood color is a perfect match and it fits exactly with no leaks. They will build it with any window/door combo you like. About all I can do to direct you to them is give you the dealer I bought mine froms'phone #5097828171. I'm sure Raider has a web site(doesn't everyone?)it's just a matter of finding it.

 

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I've been extremely pleased with my Glasstite Vision II canopy (as we call them in the NW... except Andy, he still refers to them as camper shells... we'll have to work on him a little bit). #ad
Glasstite also produces a less expensive line of canopies named Raven. Glasstite is located in Dunnel, Minnesota and have been producing top quality canopies for many years, delivering them to all parts of the US. Heck I even bought one of them back in 1980 for my new (then) 4x4! Black of course!

Several months ago I experienced a problem with my Vision II, the EXTREMELY LARGE, and HIGHLY contoured FRAMELESS backglass exploded into a million little pieces as I was raising it. Whoa! #ad
A call to Glasstite revealed there had been other occurances of this. Even though the warranty specifically states non coverage of glass (the same with all canopy manufacturers), their corrective measure was to replace the frameless backglass design with a fiberglass framed assembly that had a smaller backglass inset within this framework. It looks really cool, and the best part... . it cost absolutely nothing! This also included a warranty repaint as there were chips in the paint from the exploding glass (as well as a small clear coat problem that I had been reluctant to have fixed).

The reason I'm relaying this to you is because Glasstite is a very good company to deal with as well as building one of the highest quality canopies on the market.

The Vision II only has one option, the rubber bulb seal ($25. in 1998) used if you frequently remove your canopy (it also seals better than tape). All other "options" are standard, such as interior lining (in three color choices no less), choice of solid window, slider window, or no window (utilizing a boot seal instead), EXTREMELY dark tinted windows all around with screens on the opening ones, plus their trick rear "door" rail assembly that allows the "door" to be pushed up and back over the roof of the canopy for easier access into the back of your truck. Sweet! #ad
The opening is actually larger than with the full rear door assemblies currently offered by other manufacturers.

All in all, I have been extremely pleased with my Glasstite canopy. #ad


SnugTop also builds some of the finest canopies on the market, also delivering them Nation wide.

Just thought I would add a couple other quality manufacturers to your list.

 

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Dave, I have had three Leer shells on three truck and they have all given great service, the one I currently have has been super.

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Dee'sel
97 2500 Club 4X4 3. 54 LSD 5 speed, K&N Air filter RE0880 & Psychotty,
TST #11 all the way forward, #12 for winter, AFC spring kit,
TST EGT gauge & TST 0-60 boost gauge in A Pillar
Silencer Ring removed, Cat-be-gone, 4" exhaust from down pipe,
Dynomax 4" bullet, Crome 4" turn down, AmsOil 80W-90 in Trans,
Lund WInter front, Leer Cab Level Shell, 235/85R16 Goodyears
NRA/USPSA member and proud of it

 

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Love my ARE lid!!!! Fit and color match are great! I picked ARE because of this forum!! #ad

Ordered through Truck N Stuff if you express it you'll get it in time.

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Jim

Patriot blue Y2k 5sp Stealth 2500 (markings removed) QC SLT+ leather camper TT lsd 3. 54 4x4 hd xfer case Geno's dual gauge, (soon to be added "Stealth DD IIM's and boost module) ARE lid & bedrug liner

 

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David, the ARE's are hard to beat and hold up well on 4X4's. I have the CX series and am very satisfied. regards Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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David, I have a Raven Highrise cap on my truck. It's color matched to my truck, and came with a built in third brake light and interior light. I like it because it slopes up from the back of the cab, and has a full width window across the sloped part of the front roof. The extra head room allows me to put an ATV in the back no problem. These caps are made by Glasstite. I paid a little over $1500 tax and installation included. Look around to see whats out there. I hear Snugtop makes a good cap for 4 wheeling. As far as ARE caps, my brother has one on his '96 1500, and has had two side windows shatter even though he slid them closed very gently. When he complained to the local dealer, he was told glass is not warranteed. While he was there he told me there were six trucks with shattered side windows on their caps. Go figure. -Glen

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1998 12 valve 2500 Quad Cab, A/T, 4. 10, Deep Amethyst, 4. 5" Skyjacker Double Flex lift kit, 36. 0"x14. 5"x16. 5" TSL Super Swamper radials on 16. 5"x9. 75" Weld Typhoons, Speedliner spray in liner, Raven high rise cap, J&J stainless steel Nerf-N-Steps

 

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I forgot to mention in my previous post that the last two canopies I purchased were Leer's (within several months of one another), one for my previous 4x4 and another for my wife's 4x2. I experienced problems with BOTH of them! #ad
Leer provided LOUSY customer service AT BEST! After having a finish problem on my wife's canopy unresolved with Leer, I told them it would be a cold day in Hell before I purchased anything else from them! Still #ad
! One thing's for sure, if I get screwed by a manufacturer, I WON'T BE BACK!

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (BLACK) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille, '00 Sport headlights with PIAA Super White 9007/9004 bulbs, 4-2-7+4 Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Bosch 275 hp. injectors, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, BLACK '00 valve cover, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, BD LV V10/Cummins hybrid TC and valve body, BD modified transmission front pump and PressureLoc, plus many other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 06-06-2000). ]

 

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I like the SnugTop. It fits very well with a lip inside the bed rails so it doesn't wiggle around and wear off the paint. It Has a good rubber seal on the underside that is built in. No crappy foam tape. No holes drilled, no afterthought clamps, just some nifty "J" hooks as they call 'em.

I am always piling gobs of Windsurfing gear on the top of it as well. Two guys can easily walk around up there while securing all junk on the rack.

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98. 5 2500 QC LB 4x4 5spd, white. BFG 285x75x16
Cummins 24v w/ TST PowerMAX w/EGT and Boost gauges on A-Pillar.
VanAaken CPC. K&N In the factory air box. Stock Injectors, Stock Exhaust (complete with rattling baffles in muffler).
SnugTop, JJ Stainless Running boards, Tow Hooks, Bushwacker Street Flares, and a Cup Smoothie.
60,000 miles (5/18/00)

 

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I have a Raven Cab high, it is built by Glasstite, it's white and matches my truck very well. I had side tool windows put on it and it comes with carpet inside headliner, molded brake light, interior light, tinted windows, slider between cab and Cap. Cost was $1,167. 00 installed. I looked at a lot of Caps before I bought this one. It is a high quality Cap. It is made in Canada. I live in North Idaho, don't know if there is a distributor in the east.

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99 Quad Cab, Long bed, 4x4, 5-sp, fully loaded, 58,000, Stainless Nerf Bars, Pro-flap mud flaps, Rhino Liner, Raven Cap, Trailer package.

Cooper 285/75R16 Dicoverer A/T next month, and a Power Edge the month after.

 

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BIG BOB, Glasstite (and Raven) canopies (caps, tops, toppers, camper shells) are manufactured in Dunnel, Minnesota.

 

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I have a Leer 122 High Rise, and I love it the color matches perfectly and I can stand on the roof of the camper no problem (I weigh 235lbs) so it is very sturdy. Unlike an above post I had no customer service complaints about Leer. The only brand that I would stay away from is Brahma, their color matching sucks real bad!

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2001 4x4 High Output 6-Speed, Driftwood, JRE 4" Exhaust, Van Aakan Box, Leer High Rise Camper, Custom front and rear bumpers, truly offensive bumper stickers, more to come soon...

 

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HEY JOHN, YOU ARE RIGHT! I WAS LOOKING AT SEVERAL CAPS ONE OF WHICH WAS RAIDER, RAIDER IS MADE IN CANADA. THANK FOR CLEARING THIS UP.

 

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I use a steel Gemtop. I bought steel because I carry about 400 pounds of boat on top of my canopy. Aluminum and fiberglass break under the load.

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Glen Eaton
2001 2500QC SLT LB 5sp 4x4 Garnet, Line-X, Steel GemTop, Karry boat loader, VDO gauges

 

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I just put an ARE Z-series cap on my truck. I got one of the first ones for the 8ft box as they just started making the z-series for the long beds. It has the carpeted ceiling which matches my Bedrug great. I also opted for the remote lock tied into the trucks system(extra $149 installed). The top fits well and curved rear window looks great. I especially like the latch system for the rear window. It latches from just closing it instead of closing and then turning handle.