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How do these toppers typically attach to the bed? Are they bolted on or do you use clamps? I picked up what I think is the same topper but for a short bed a while back and I need to throw it on the truck before I move for work and have to leave it for a while
Yes to both answers
I have seen them bolt & nut held to the bed.
I have also seen clamps made just for holding the top on to the bed.
I would say if you need something like "now" pick up 4 "C" clamps and blocks of wood to fit under the bed lip.
Just check the clamps a few times to make sure they stay tight.
thing is if you sell the top and keep the clamps you now have them for something else like pushing in the piston on brake calipers
Dave ----
Here's a J hook that came with the Ford canopies. They hooked into one of the holes down in the stake pocket.
That's kind of what I was getting at, what would have been used from a dealer or whatever. I'll probably end up using a j hook/clamp similar to what SlikWillie posted as they seem to be ubiquitous
I also just searched for some J hooks similar to those in the pic and you can buy a generic j hook like that but I'm not sure the geometry would work
I've gotten two of those factory hooks. Impossible to find new and used. That's why I went with the aftermarket ones.
I had all four holding mine on.
I wish I had pictures of my topper.
It was cracked and spit all over the place, especially in the front under the window.
All three windows slid open and the two side ones had screens.
It was sitting in a backyard in Denver on a pair of sawhorses when I bought it in 1985-86.
It was like new and I paid $300 for it.
I'd love to find another nice one.
For some reason I think off-roading was hard on it.
Did you ever get your topper done?
What product did you end up using where the original gel coat was baked off?
I just got my topper pulled apart, the lift arms off My 75 F250 topper are a little shorter than the arms off my 74 bronco. Did you use early bronco lift arms? I still think I'll try the hydraulic arms designed for an early bronco. I worry a little that the F250 liftgate is heavier than an early bronco.
thanks
Even as rough as my 1979 was I sure regret selling it.
I bought that shell when I lived in CO back in 1986, I paid $300 for it.
All 3 sliding window, side window screens and all 4 J-hooks.
Damn.
I'm sure that someone who did fiberglass repair could tell you how to prep and repaint it.
I am pretty sure this was the day I bought it.
Last edited by Rubiranch; Jan 5, 2026 at 11:24 AM.
Been times I wish I had kept mine, it was sanded, etc ....and painted in 1989 with the truck, was after I had fixed the two cracks and replaced the aluminum door frame with steel.
It normally used 3 clamps each side, I used three 3/8" eye bolts to give me tie points too.
Nice looking truck below, is not mine, but I used it only to illustrate.
Last edited by tbear853; Jan 7, 2026 at 08:53 AM.
Reason: added picture
Did you ever get your topper done?
What product did you end up using where the original gel coat was baked off?
I just got my topper pulled apart, the lift arms off My 75 F250 topper are a little shorter than the arms off my 74 bronco. Did you use early bronco lift arms? I still think I'll try the hydraulic arms designed for an early bronco. I worry a little that the F250 liftgate is heavier than an early bronco.
thanks
I wish I could say that I had completely restored my topper. But, I have honestly done nothing yet. I have a boat load of other priorities to handle first. The topper is currently on my '78 F150 and the bed is sadly being used for storage of parts for my '75 F250. It will get there. Just need time.
Not all toppers came with that trim piece between the two pieces of side glass. Some had one long piece of glass. Although that maybe harder to find than the plastic strip, which you could use any H strip that holds thin paneling together at the joints. FRP paneling comes to mind.
The yellow color in the compass emblem is the gold plate color on the back side of the clear plastic.
A couple years ago, I found a Deluxe topper that a limb fell on. Guy wanted $100 for it. He was one of those hard to reach guys on FB Marketplace. Our times never worked out to go get it. Plus, he lived 5 hrs away.
