hey everyone! new here. i have a lot of work to do on my new little pickup but first order is finding a used, cheap camper shell that fits. my first question is, if i find something, how do i attach it? it seems like a common way to do it is with clamps but will that work when the bed looks like this?




most shells clamp on the inside, right? not on the outside? does this mean i have to find a shell that works like this? or will i have to be prepared to drill holes in my truck and use bolts when i go and look at a used one? or can i use the rings in the four corners of the truck, or does that only work on certain types of camper shells?

i'm trying to save myself more headaches after already going and looking at one that didn't fit because it was for the extra cab and it didn't fit for other reasons.

any help?

thanks!

 

Welcome to Yotatech!!

The bed you have on your truck is a "Japanese style" bed where the upper rail is rolled outward. As far as I know, the actual rail dimensions are the same between both styles of beds.

With this style of bed, the clamps will NOT work because there is nothing to clamp to (inside or outside) . Also, the hooks in the corners are for securing items in the bed and I cannot see a way to safely secure a canopy to them.

This leaves you with drilling into the bed rails unless someone has come up with a clever solution.

If I remember correctly, you will need a canopy for a regular cab that is 76" x 60"

Here is what my 1987 truck looks like with a steel Gem Top canopy on it. You can see that this canopy has been on a few different trucks because of a few holes already drilled into it.

 

hey i know this is 5 wks late reply and maybe better via pm instead of bumping it up but i wanted to say thank you! big help, got a shell that fits from craigslist for $100 and bolted it on. works great! thanks again, love this community!!! i've been learning so much from this place as i learn to work on my truck. i'm getting addicted....

 

You are welcome!

This is probably the best addiction to have! (Your bank account may say otherwise...)