Caps, toppers, camper shells - ONLY!

[special-K]

Those California-built aluminum caps always had more angles, added styling. I like the sloped back. A typical design was angled out at the bottom on the sides to start, then angled in to the top. I don't have any pictures.

Here's another typical style. It was later that you saw them built with slanted sides curving into the top with flat front and rear. Straight up sides, curved front was the common design


Here is mine with the later design. It used to have the scroll on the plexiglass bubble windows

[factorystock]

Here is an interesting photo, we get 4 shells on pickups of similar vintage and manufacture. One striking observation is the similar rear stance of 1/2 tons ( both Ford and Chevy) vs. the similar rear stance of 3/4 tons ( both Ford and Chevy) all 4 are 2WD. We see why 1/2 tons are for shells, we leave the campers for 3/4 tons.

[tutone]

I don't know why I didn't try to snatch this one. I can look on FB but I do not have an account or any way to get hold of the folks. This one was about an hour and a half from me and not too bad looking. Hard to find swb topper.

[Steeveedee]

Older shells- here is the one my PiL put on in '73. The PVC rain gutter is there to guide rain water away from the boot, which was leaking. My wife's friends where she used to work told her that the shell could be rebuilt or repaired. I could have, but even if I saved all the aluminum skin and windows, it would have been more money (plus my time) to rebuild it. When she finally came to her senses, we got a new shell.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by tutone

I don't know why I didn't try to snatch this one. I can look on FB but I do not have an account or any way to get hold of the folks. This one was about an hour and a half from me and not too bad looking. Hard to find swb topper.

That's what I paid for my aluminum cap, $80

[tutone]

Originally Posted by special-K

That's what I paid for my aluminum cap, $80

I know the bedliner on a 67-87 is the same, so one could assume that a topper would interchange. Since my parts truck is not just yet roadworthy, i did not jump. Plus those domed windows were awfully faded. Not sure how good it would clean up. Anyway, it's gone and I talked myself out of it.

[special-K]

Yep, mine came off a mid-80s pickup. The ladder rack on my '72, which sits on L-channel three sides, I originally made for an '84. Fits right on there.

[Already Gone]

I bought this one the other day, truck isnt mine, and went 300 miles to get it. I'm not puttng it on my C10 but my, can I say this on here lol, 1976 Patinaed Dodge D100 pickup. I recenty put a tonneau on my C10.

[mtdave2]

any picts of the Longhorn caps? the 8 1/2 are hard to find, been looking for years!

[Steeveedee]

I bought a new one 6 years ago from Bel-Air Shells, in Garden Grove. My truck is a Longhorn.

[mtdave2]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I bought a new one 6 years ago from Bel-Air Shells, in Garden Grove. My truck is a Longhorn.

that is awesome! they are pricey though.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by mtdave2

that is awesome! they are pricey though.

Thanks!

Yup, but it's holding up. I hope I don't have to replace it anytime soon.

[68bowtie]

[special-K]

Check out that hold-down on the bedside.

[Mike80D]

Took a road trip to the Bristol area to pick this camper shell up yesterday. Today, I decided to stick my LR-78’s back on for a little more stability over the 215’s. Truck handles the added weight fine, but any larger and I’d want a 3/4 ton.

[68bowtie]

Looks great!

[Steeveedee]

Nice looking shell (and truck)!

[best view]

Thats is a great addition

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Older shells- here is the one my PiL put on in '73. The PVC rain gutter is there to guide rain water away from the boot, which was leaking. My wife's friends where she used to work told her that the shell could be rebuilt or repaired. I could have, but even if I saved all the aluminum skin and windows, it would have been more money (plus my time) to rebuild it. When she finally came to her senses, we got a new shell.

Do you happen to know how much your camper shell weighs?

[Steeveedee]

Unfortunately, I failed to ask, when it was installed. It is taller and heavier than the old one, and I get a bit of oversteer, which is especially noticeable when towing my travel trail- even with the equalizer hitch. I'm looking into a rear stabilizer.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Mike80D

Took a road trip to the Bristol area to pick this camper shell up yesterday. Today, I decided to stick my LR-78’s back on for a little more stability over the 215’s. Truck handles the added weight fine, but any larger and I’d want a 3/4 ton.

Topper looks great, blends in well to the color combo, nice nostalgic look. IMO, the small caps and blackwalls have more of a traditional truck look, whereas the whitewalls and full wheel covers were an attempt by the industry to get the pickup to be more acceptable in social circles.

[FleetsidePaul]

This is mine. It's been on there a long time judging from the crispy critter shag carpet in back. It came with the truck. It took me an afternoon to clean out all the junk that was back there.



Here it is when I bought it.

[CastIron]

Originally Posted by Mike80D

Took a road trip to the Bristol area to pick this camper shell up yesterday. Today, I decided to stick my LR-78’s back on for a little more stability over the 215’s. Truck handles the added weight fine, but any larger and I’d want a 3/4 ton.

That looks great! I had a similar one on my GMC when I bought it in 2000, but took it off and it got damaged in storage. It had been installed when the truck was new, and never taken off until I bought it. My bed is is really good shape because of that.
I'd like to build a similar one when I retire. I've been looking at these for awhile now:

https://www.glen-l.com/Camper-Plans/products/697/

[special-K]

I've been wanting to build a slide-in camper, like the Bayou in the link, no tail end overhang for towing. I'll design it myself and plan to build the frame from square tube aluminum. I've always wanted to do a wooden exterior cap as well, like an old boat

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

This is mine. It's been on there a long time judging from the crispy critter shag carpet in back. It came with the truck. It took me an afternoon to clean out all the junk that was back there.



Here it is when I bought it.

That is great looking!