That topper is awesome! I haven't seen that style in a long time.
Why does no one use a high truck shell?
- Thread starter Willingham
- Start date
Same. I looked for a long time, this wasn't 100% but the price was right.
Bent door came off, toolbox half cut out, and became a dog window, wired lights and outlets in along with a separate small solar system so it doesn't feed off the truck.
Currently sitting here drawing on an interior skeleton that will hold a full exterior roof rack. Those outboard bike racks work pretty well, so I need 4 kayaks and 2 inflatable paddle boards on top!
Something like this with a separate section over the cab, or possibly overhung like a ladder/lumber rack.
Or, I still can't fully shake the idea of hinging one of these, GoFast style....
Bent door came off, toolbox half cut out, and became a dog window, wired lights and outlets in along with a separate small solar system so it doesn't feed off the truck.
Currently sitting here drawing on an interior skeleton that will hold a full exterior roof rack. Those outboard bike racks work pretty well, so I need 4 kayaks and 2 inflatable paddle boards on top!
Something like this with a separate section over the cab, or possibly overhung like a ladder/lumber rack.
Or, I still can't fully shake the idea of hinging one of these, GoFast style....
I've got a Caravan Journey on order. Stopped by in Reno to check them out first. All steel, double doors out back, 'Windoors' on the side that swing up and have sliders in them also. Very tough one piece with 5 cross ribs. Should be able to hold a 350# boat on a roof rack. The bed on my new RAM is 21" to the rails and the canopy will be 6" above the cab at 29". So, it will have a ceiling of 50". My friends older ford van, which I've had many, has a ceiling height of 52", so it should be very useful. I don't think it will look like an old man's truck, it will look like a contractor or a Sheriff.
Having a white, four door, shortbed pickup is like having it camo'ed, almost invisible in the crowd.
Having a white, four door, shortbed pickup is like having it camo'ed, almost invisible in the crowd.
purdytj
Observer
Form follows function!
I originally bought this "Raven" high top for $200 on Craigslist when I first bought the truck 3 years ago. I put Herculiner on the whole thing to prevent slipping when walking around on top and because the color did not match the truck. I also Herculined the nerf bars, fender 'flares', mudflaps, and rear bumper to match. I have a Fantastic Fan on top for me and/or for the dogs in summer. The drawers are plywood and only on the passenger side to leave the driver side for the bigger dog kennel. Above the drawers is the sleeping platform that extends over the 100 gallon Transfer Flow auxiliary fuel tank (1500 miles of range, baby!).
Extra covered space for those Costco runs...
No fancy drawer guides - just slides along the wood (upper drawer) and bed mat (lower drawer).
Original installation of the platform - the lower 2x4 cross beams are now trimmed (ski photo above is more recent).
I originally bought this "Raven" high top for $200 on Craigslist when I first bought the truck 3 years ago. I put Herculiner on the whole thing to prevent slipping when walking around on top and because the color did not match the truck. I also Herculined the nerf bars, fender 'flares', mudflaps, and rear bumper to match. I have a Fantastic Fan on top for me and/or for the dogs in summer. The drawers are plywood and only on the passenger side to leave the driver side for the bigger dog kennel. Above the drawers is the sleeping platform that extends over the 100 gallon Transfer Flow auxiliary fuel tank (1500 miles of range, baby!).
Extra covered space for those Costco runs...
No fancy drawer guides - just slides along the wood (upper drawer) and bed mat (lower drawer).
Original installation of the platform - the lower 2x4 cross beams are now trimmed (ski photo above is more recent).
Do you have any more pictures of that cap? I have the same one on an old dodge diesel and It’s great. I have mine insulated with a couple lights wired up but I’ve been trying to figure out how to get some windows in there. Your solution is pretty neat.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Function follows form.
Mighty Dodge Ram
Explorer
Did you order the slanted sides or straight? I really like those Caravans.
Mighty Dodge Ram
Explorer
Is that rack custom?
Mine is just 3/4" square steel welded into a square and an old piece of galv hog panel poorly welded to it.
Holes through this side and self tappers into the aluminum. Much sturdier than I expected....
The cover I sewed myself out of the cheapest sunbrella style fabric the local store had. Snaps are self tapped and the straps are cheapo load straps I cut off and screwed in.
The interior tool box ran the length but I just used a cut off wheel and a scrap piece of aluminum to anchor it to the top brace
MR. ED
Observer
If I knew I was going to keep my truck forever I’d drop the money for a caravan. Been coveting them for years. Nice choice.
purdytj
Observer
I did not make it, the rack was on the truck when I bought it. It is adjustable laterally and bolts down to the top of the bed rails. Sorry, I do not see a brand name on it but it has been super functional and is very sturdy, probably originally intended for lumber.
Mighty Dodge Ram
Explorer
Thanks for the reply!
The owner had a good tip. He said the straight sides looked funny on the short beds. Because, it was just as wide as it was long. The tapered sides made it look cleaner.
I didn't like their roof racks. They bolted on and really stuck up. One reason I wanted to look at the Caravan Canopies was to see the internal ribs. There are 5 ribs, 'hat' shaped with easy flat places to drill. Now I plan on mounting some thin 80/20 extrusion on the upper sides to give a universal place to clamp on roof racks only when I need them. Could be a mount for a awning also.
I like Purdytj's fuel tank in the bed. I've gotten used to having 50-60 gallons, so I can completely bypass fueling in some states (looking at you California) and hit the Reservation's. I'm going to weld up a 20-30 gallon cross tank and pump it into the vent line of the main tank. Should only need to be 65Lx12wx12h, I'll cut an opening in the canopy to install a filler and drill a hole in the bed for the transfer hose. The accessory 50 gal tanks are $1400, I can get this done for about $150.