J truck topper

[AKAMC]

Are there any other trucks out there that have the same size bed so a topper for them would ours? Looking for options...

[gte901m]

Old school dodge dakotas (1st generation) are about the same size, I believe.

[COLOFIREMAN]

Mine was kinda hard to find. Has to come off of a long bed 90's model Dakota. I found mine at a junk yard for $150.00 bucks.

Here's (http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd218/COLOJEEPGUY2K/074583010.jpg) and large picture of it.:cool:

[frank_c]

Old school dodge dakotas (1st generation) are about the same size, I believe.

yup.

may be easier to find a new 1st gen Dakota tonneau cover than a cap though.

[AKAMC]

Is that 1st gen Dakota an 8' bed? And would anyone have the bed width out side of rail to rail handy?

[frank_c]

there was an 8' bed or short bed on those Dakotas, and the difference width-wise was less than an inch compared to a J truck.

there was an old Dakota around the corner sitting and rotting. i stopped one day and measured the bed but that was three years ago and i have no idea if i even kept the scrap of paper i scribbled the number on. i don't even remember if it was a long bed or short bed, the Dakota disappeared not long after i brought my J20 home.

the rails for my tonneau bow in ever so slightly on the sides but the ends are a great fit. once the cover is snapped to the rails it's not noticeable at all.

i keep looking at the soft toppers that Bestop has on their site and wonder if i could mod it to work on the truck...

[AKAMC]

Thanks... I'm looking for the width for the J20 beds though so I can compare to the toppers I'm finding on line. I'd measure mine but I'm away from home at the moment

[frank_c]

and mine's in storage in Toledo so i'm not much help either :D

[Tornado230]

The box is 63 inches wide with a 3 inch rail width on both sides.
Length is 98 inches.
I am in the process of seeing whether or not I can acquire a new fiberglass cap for the truck, but don't know whether or not it will be a success. If it is, I know it will not be inexpensive.
I have an '82 with the factory fiberglass cap, which was made by Leer.
One thing that you will find if you get one that is a close fit from another truck. The cap for the Jeep has a slant in the front. Others are straight.

[HOOT]

I just measured my 81 J20 and it was 62 1/8" from flat to flat at the cab side.
My factory aluminum topper measures 62 1/2" outside to outside.

[gte901m]

i keep looking at the soft toppers that Bestop has on their site and wonder if i could mod it to work on the truck...

Me too.....I would love a soft top on my J20.

[red mistress]

Oh man, we're talking rare birds for the Leer topper.

Probably the rarest Jeep J-truck accessory ever made.

Were the Leer toppers a dealer option?

The rear also slants, reminds me of same angle as Wag tailgate.

.

[frank_c]

Me too.....I would love a soft top on my J20.

i'm looking at the installation instructions on the Bestop site...i bet we could do it. there's a coupler in the center of the bows, we'd just have to trim the ends and the coupler should hide the cut ends.

it's got the measurements listed, "measurements between rails should be 63 1/2"." wouldn't have to trim much at all. i'm looking at instructions for #76315. there are two tops for 8 foot beds, 76315 and 76317.

now i REALLY want to try it...got to find $800 somewhere...

[AKAMC]

I want to see a picture of that Leer topper... Wonder if they still have the molds???

[gte901m]

Frank_C,

I've thought about the same thing, but if you narrow the bows, wouldn't the top hang down too far on the sides?

[frank_c]

now that i know the Bestop instructions say the width measurement should 63 1/2, and we're at 62 1/8"...i stink at math :D, what's that, between a half and three quarters inch of slack per side?

the top snaps to the bows, it won't be too loose there. wonder how slack the sides would be where the bottom slides into the belt rail. they show tension straps, maybe they'd take up enough of the slack. or maybe a thin spacer under the side rails, or extend the belt rail?

[gte901m]

Spacer may do the trick....

Who wants to try it:D

[Jay-ten]

Here are four pictures of the "Jeep by Lear" shell on my '74 J10

http://s632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/jay-ten/1974J10/?action=view&current=oct03204.jpg
http://s632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/jay-ten/1974J10/?action=view&current=oct03203.jpg
http://s632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/jay-ten/1974J10/?action=view&current=oct03202.jpg
http://s632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/jay-ten/1974J10/?action=view&current=oct03201.jpg

[frank_c]

Spacer may do the trick....

Who wants to try it:D

i am frantically looking for items to sell. i'd put off buying new rear tires for my SRT but i'd still be $150 short. :D

[gte901m]

i am frantically looking for items to sell. i'd put off buying new rear tires for my SRT but i'd still be $150 short. :D

You only need one kidney to live:D

[frank_c]

you have more faith in my kidneys than even i do :D

[zmjeeps]

I have an alum topper for an 8' J-truck. Was put on in '78 or '79. Fits perfectly. Don't need it. Don't have any pics right now, top is in PA.

Zack

[red mistress]

Finally found the elusive fiberglass bed topper for longbed.

Only the second one I have ever seen.
Big thanks to memeber here JohnWog for selling Leer topper... and building such a great 4 pallet ....pallet. Topper survived trip from WY to TX.

Well built & heavy top. Has neat texture on very top of top where it would be too hard to wipe down & clean.
The rear of topper has built in "spoiler" guess to help with dust on rear glass.
Also note the recess in front of top for the cargo light ! :cool:

Going to install modern windows. :sawzall:
The front will be sliding (beer window) & tip in for cleaning .....
and side windows will swing up to access bed.

Also going to install CJ rear liftgate chrome locking handles.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/RedScrambler/photo-65-1.jpg