I was brainstorming the idea of throwing a camper shell on my truck. But, I have diamond plating around the rim of my bed. I really don't want to take the plating off if I don't have too. Do you know what's intailed in installing a shell?? If it's easy enough, I could take the plating off myself. I don't need a fancy shell, it would just be to carry the brats back there when we go on a trip.


"Blu" 78 F-150 4x4
400c, 35" mud king tires
4" lift
Husbands reign; Wives govern

 

Should be no big problem. I would glue carpeting to the bottom of the shell to protect the truck. Then for securing the shell lot of people use "C" clamps to secure shell to truck bed. More secure way is to drill holes and secure with bolts , washers and nuts. But you may not want to drill holes in the diamond plating.

 

Some of the places that sell shells sell these nifty little clamps to hold them down with. Don't drill the box sides. My truck I have now has had ladder racks, campers, toolboxs, shells, you name it on it. my bed rails look like swiss cheese lol.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

I hate when people drill and destroy sheetmetal

 

Bigblu, DON'T DRILL IT !!!! get the shell and put sticky back foam rubber on the shell and buy the clamps for it they work great. My truck had a cap on it and they drilled it so I made aluminum bed rail caps (I'm a sheet metal worker) it covered the holes and looks pretty good, but if I ever put a cap back on I would clamp it. it's fast and easy and best of all strong without holes. John

 

Both Nomad and Leer make caps that extend down over the bed rails. I have owned both and prefer the Leer. Both were held on with clamps installed by the vendor and work well. With the bottom of the cap extending down over the rail you get a better fit when bedrails are installed. Both caps retail for about $1,500 and come with carpet and interior lighting.

 

Don't drill, CLAMP!!!! You can get the tape seal from a camper shell dealer of even your local home improvement store.

 

If your going to haul your kids back there be very careful ,make sure your clamps dont vibrate loose,also they can get affixiated if you dont have some fresh air comming in,so you'll want to buy a shell that has windows that open.

 

HI Dex ,I noticed you have been visiting our dungeon.

This thread is 3 years old,let's hope he's got it fixed by now.

Welcome to FTE!

 

Tried wirinng up the 3rd brk light on my capmer top, needless to say I can't find the right connection, turn signal hits 3rd light too, but other than that, its fine. Any suggestions?

 

Wire your brake lights from the switch ... Not tap into the taillight wiring ... Surer that way ...

 

This may be an old thread but still very useful info for those that are considering a cap. Clamps are the best way to go, use three on each side.

However, for obvious reasons, you can't clamp a cap to a flareside truck. I put a great looking fiberglass cap on an '84 flareside back in '84 and much to my dismay, drilling was required. The cap and truck were sold together so it really didn't matter.

Tim

 

No longer legal to haul people in the bed of a truck in PA. Or New Jersey- lucky to have talked my way out of a ticket in that fine state when pulled over while taking my kids 15-20 blocks down the road while vacationing at the beach.

 

Not supposed to here in Washington either ... Cargo compartment ... No seats or seat belts ... But people get by with it anyway ...