Here's my problem.
My truck: 1997 F250 Extended Cab Long Bed. 7.3 Powerstroke.

What would be dimensions for a truck cap for my truck? I bought a POS a few months back which luckily seemed to fit. Want to trade up to better now. When I measure the one on there now which seems to fit nicely to the bed size, I am getting an overall outside width of approx 72" and a length of about 99" with a slight rake to about 100" at the top peak. No rubbing or contact issues with rear side of cab and rear hatch lines up with tailgate nicely. But I have no info as to what brand, year, size truck it came off.

I have looked at a few caps and the dimensions differ. I saw one yesterday that came off a 2000 GMC that seemed to match in length but the width was shy by about 2"???

Saw another this morning that came off a 2000 or 2001 Ford Long Bed that also seemed to be OK as far as length but I am again coming up with a width of about 70". Again about 2" narrower than the one I have.

What exactly should I be looking for? Will a newer Ford body style cap fit my truck? Are long bed cap dimensions the same across brands? Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc.

Sorry to be so stupid on this but this is my first truck and I am still learning the ropes. Any input or advice deeply appreciated.

 

97-older longbed Fords will fit. Newer trucks have different dimensions, as you have noted.
I'm not sure about other makes, but in general the same rule applies-the newer trucks have different bed sizes

 

No, and even if they were close the front of the cap is shaped much differently with the duck bill at the bottom to match the shape of the newer trucks, you need a cap with a flat front.

No, different lengths and widths and also different flair rate front to back. That said you can get away with using a cap designed for a chev but not a dodge.. they were much too wide.

 

On my sig f250, I put a contractor cap off of a newer Dodge, not sure what year. There might be some pics in my gallery. It works but the cap tapers to smaller in the back where my bed is straight, so it looks a little out of wack.

 

oooooooooops don't mind me.