camper shell question
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Az
camper shell question
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
"Blu" 78 F-150 4x4
400c, 35" mud king tires
4" lift
Husbands reign; Wives govern
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
camper shell question
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.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Stanton, Suffolk England
camper shell question
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
Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
camper shell question
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
Junior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
camper shell question
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.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
Don't drill, CLAMP!!!! You can get the tape seal from a camper shell dealer of even your local home improvement store.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 245
Likes: 3
From: north minnesota
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.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 39,979
Likes: 1,512
From: Maine, Virginia
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
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
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
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.
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