1st Gen camper shell buying info

Read this before you bother: https://www.tundras.com/posts/2379108/

Note the seller says a window is busted out. On normal campers, i.e. with bolt-in windows, side windows run over $300/ea. That looks like a Leer 100XQ, they have the weird wing windows which may be glue-in type for the larger portion and more $$ than normal *IF* you can even get it. Cab side windows are equally spendy, rear door is often upwards of $400-450. The price is way too high if it needs new windows, the seller is probably ignorant of how much replacements cost.

 

PS @Vader03 - You can look up the window cost by getting the seller to give you the serial number of the shell, which should on the rail, driver's side, near the door latch (or just under the window) for Leer, on a metal plate. You can call any authorized Leer dealer in your area (you can lookup that info at the Leer site), and they can look up the parts and cost using that serial number. This would be a great bargaining piece, to know the cost of the window. I doubt the seller is aware OR they are very aware and looking to bail after finding out how much they cost. Install is usually 50% - 150% of the part cost. Higher if the window isn't a simple bolt-in, or is larger size, i.e. if that side window is only sold as a 1-piece, and you can't replace individual sections.

 

This is the twat selling at 75

 

Oh no, damn, you’re right

 

Yeah F that dude. All my homies hate that guy, who advertises for $75 needing $500+ in window replacements, then tries to say it's worth $1k but he'll sell it for $300. What an egregious, raging, flaming asshole.

One good thing about it, though. At least they let you know they can't be trusted to buy anything from BEFORE you make your way out there. But the fact they omitted details about the smashed window(s) at first, then jacked up the price more than 10x is absurd. At least they came down, still not to a reasonable price, but ...

Yeah. F that guy.

 

Salsa red shell, priced high buts looks good in photos. Wonder if it’s cheap paint, you can see some wearing and scratches

are those notches cut out factory?

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Based on the background it’s a dealer, so likely a full refurb. A lot of those places have resources in-house to refinish, and will even refinish your cap for you. One north of ATL I found claims to do full repaints for $400. That looks like what I see over here for markup on a used cap from similar places. Cheapest I could find over here was about $200 more than that.

 

White, way up in N. GA (almost Chattanooga TN) maybe ARE brand camper, for an AC but on a DC, with windoors, and it's been repainted, poorly, no carpet. But for $400 it's actually not a terrible price.

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I must have a different view on this because I think $400 for a functional topper is a steal, especially if it's the color you need. These things are going to continue to get more rare as time goes on.

 

Truth. I would have paid $500 for mine and still thought I made out

 

Paid $400 for mine and had to replace the lock and the struts. Needs a new 3rd brake light, new interior lighting and new seals for the windows.

 

Mine leaks where it meets the top of the cab. Need to figure out a seal option. The water pipe insulation isn’t working for me. May have to upgrade to pool noodle.

Also bought some ratcheting tow straps on sale so will mount those up in the garage this weekend for my camper storage option. Will post pics when done if it works / post smashed camper shell pics if it doesn’t. (Will sell for $75 or $300 haha!)

 

I got my third brake light from an authorized Leer dealer near me and it’s been great. Not all red like I wanted - it’s clear with red LEDs - but it got the state inspection sticker and a year warranty so I’m good with it.

 

I mean I paid $400 for mine, also, and I was cool with it. Needed some work. I don't think it was a steal and at this point, I've got $$$ in it. Still not willing to paint match it yet.

I think this one maybe JASON brand? Anyway, white, for an AC, loooooong windows but no windoors. Has keys. Near Charlotte NC. $600. I'd rather have that probably-an-ARE cap with windoors.

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I'd gladly pay $500 for a turnkey hard top in white.

 

paid $250 for mine an sold my ladder rack for $250. Sanded and primed for his weekend.

 

AC ARE Cove Springs, AR $450

 

Is the difference I see in very similar toppers, from the same company, more in the install, or did some models fit better than others? I'm talking about the very slight overhang/not-quite-flush rear corners I see on toppers. Toppers meant for the trucks they're on, not when people are using a AC for the DC, etc. Mine is similar. Pushed to the limits up at the cab side, the rear corners stick out just a little. I think almost entirely cosmetic, but still...








Where this one is perfect. I feel like I've seen both perfect fit and corners-sticking-out on similar ARE toppers.

 

Best guesses:

Top white cap looks like an ARE brand to me. You see overhangs front and read because it's an AC cap (longer bed) on a DC truck (shorter bed) so it overhangs on both ends.

Bottom black cap is an ARE brand. Tou see no overhangs because it's an AC cap on an AC truck.

Middle cap is a Century brand cap. They definitely don't use the same mold or measures as ARE brand caps. It's entirely possible also that it may be an AC cap on a DC truck. I don't know enough about their caps to say.

Everything I know about caps is from digging up brochures online, and looking at them in-person while hunting/shopping for mine.

 

Interesting.

Well the middle photos, black topper on white truck, are mine. AC. Also bought off an AC Tundra. Which doesn't mean anything.

A little too faded to see much, but obviously it's for a Tundra, and can't be for a DC or RC. Century must just not have had their heart in it the way ARE did...

 

For reference, here’s an AC SnugTop on an AC

 

Nice finger hole

 

Another perfect fit. Oh, the things you learn after buying a topper.

I know Century toppers are quality, and I'm happy with mine. But the slight mis-fit does catch my eye, in the wrong way.

 

Yeah I need to start getting reflections of my finger in my photos

 

Ah yes, I see the tail lights now. Yeah, it may just be that Century had a shittier mold, or it was an old mold? Dunno. You don't see a lot of CTC caps down here, so I haven't seen as many as I have LEER or ARE.

I also see your cap is a solid 20yrs old. Many of the companies now are designing with bedside overhang, which makes fitment errors disappear.

 

Yeah. The overhang was a genius invention. Like wheels on luggage. How'd it take so long for that lightbulb to light up?

 

I'm guessing it took 'em a while to figure out how to create it in a way that makes it crack-proof. Even mine has a stress crack. There's a lot of pressure on that lower arch when the cap is laying on a flat surface.

 

If I remember correctly other than the clear coat its in great condition. DEAL on that one.

 

$600

 

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