Caps, toppers, camper shells - ONLY!

[jocko]

Nice one, welcome to the board.

[Steeveedee]

Niiiice!

[72 tigger]

Tb612- Could you start a thread with more pics of your truck please? Welcome to the group!

[special-K]

Aluminum truck caps/toppers/campers/shells are like window mfgrs. There are fab shops regionally that dealers order from. Some of the National mfgrs also do custom.

Jeraco offers caps for square bodies:

https://www.jeraco.com/classic-aluminum-series.html

They offer fiberglass, too:

https://www.jeraco.com/mid-rise-series.html

https://www.jeraco.com/high-rise-series1.html

There used to be places all over that made them. Might still be a few shops around if you do some digging in your area.

[Hotcorner]

Not exacltly “period correct,” but I like it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[special-K]

There's absolute period correct, like from same year or during that body style, and there is period correct from somewhere along the way. Like in the future someone might do a period correct LS-swapped truck with all the parts used, paint, interior mods, wheels being from the late teens we are in now. My cap puts my truck later in the '70s-early '80s when it was 5-10 years old. That's when a lot of trucks start being fixed up by the guy who bought it used. I don't remember lift kits coming on till about that time, and tires going over 32-33" on 4wds.

[Hotcorner]

Agreed. My topper might be period correct with the low budget re-spray on the truck. Judging by the condition and construction, etc, I’m guessing cap is from the 80s or 90s. It’s just a slightly educated guess.

Windows crank out and screens are in good shape. Was on a mid-70s F-100 before my truck.

[Already Gone]

I live in a small, (275,000 ) population City in Western Canada. It amazes me that every year I see 2/3/4 or more nice 67-72's that I've never seen before. Today at work at the Hospital I spotted this beauty in the parking lot with the cap on it.

[Already Gone]

Probably and old cap on this one..

[SKT]

[flipbr61]

my 1970 402 just love this truck

[PepperTreeGarage]

Originally Posted by flipbr61

my 1970 402 just love this truck

Nice!!~~Great Stance~~~~~

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by flipbr61

my 1970 402 just love this truck

Very nice

[jocko]

Originally Posted by flipbr61

my 1970 402 just love this truck

That's my idea of a period perfect camper shell. Looks great. Thanks for sharing.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Yup Tim, that '68 is definitely my style!!!!!

I just saw it cruisin' by at Carlisle last weekend. Cool little truck

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I live in a small, (275,000 ) population City in Western Canada. It amazes me that every year I see 2/3/4 or more nice 67-72's that I've never seen before. Today at work at the Hospital I spotted this beauty in the parking lot with the cap on it.

That is a well-kept truck. How about the rear bumper and the square body front?

Originally Posted by SKT

Attachment 1808363

That one is older than the truck. Probably early-mid 60s

Originally Posted by flipbr61

my 1970 402 just love this truck

You're not the only one! Cool beans.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by special-K

I just saw it cruisin' by at Carlisle last weekend. Cool little truck

That is a well-kept truck. How about the rear bumper and the square body front?

That one is older than the truck. Probably early-mid 60s

You're not the only one! Cool beans.

Square body front ??? Looks like a 71/72 GMC to me ....

[Hank49]

Really cool looking truck, are you planning on taking it to the Ol'Marais River Run Car show on Sept 15-16? I'm planning on going and would love to see it.

[70 shorty]

Do those old school toppers have any value? I've got one very similar to the one in post #13 that was on my short/step when I brought it home 14 years ago, and has sat on boards behind the garage since then.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

Do those old school toppers have any value? I've got one very similar to the one in post #13 that was on my short/step when I brought it home 14 years ago, and has sat on boards behind the garage since then.

It depends on condition. Our truck came from my parents-in-law. The shell was toast, and my FiL had put in broom handles and stuff like that to keep the roof of it from completely collapsing. My wife's work friends were all over it about replacing the bad parts. I put a car cover on it until she came to her senses. If yours has been out in the weather that long, it is probably junk, but who knows? Try and see if you can find a buyer!

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

It depends on condition. Our truck came from my parents-in-law. The shell was toast, and my FiL had put in broom handles and stuff like that to keep the roof of it from completely collapsing. My wife's work friends were all over it about replacing the bad parts. I put a car cover on it until she came to her senses. If yours has been out in the weather that long, it is probably junk, but who knows? Try and see if you can find a buyer!

There's an old saying "something is only worth as much as you can get for it"

So while the old shells might be rare, it doesn't seem like too many people want them anymore. So, even in good condition it still might not bring in a lot of money.

All that being said, if it is "junk" you could still possibly save the windows, doors, metal trim, skin, etc... and build a new frame, or give the components to someone willing to use them.

[Steeveedee]

I considered doing that with the old shell, but by the time I bought the rest of the materials, it would cost close to what a new shell cost, and all my labor would be free. So I scrapped the old one and bought a new one.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I considered doing that with the old shell, but by the time I bought the rest of the materials, it would cost close to what a new shell cost, and all my labor would be free. So I scrapped the old one and bought a new one.

I would only do it so I could save my blue bubble windows.

[70 shorty]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

It depends on condition. Our truck came from my parents-in-law. The shell was toast, and my FiL had put in broom handles and stuff like that to keep the roof of it from completely collapsing. My wife's work friends were all over it about replacing the bad parts. I put a car cover on it until she came to her senses. If yours has been out in the weather that long, it is probably junk, but who knows? Try and see if you can find a buyer!

I hate to say it because there's obviously some love for these toppers here, but I couldn't get mine off my truck fast enough! The only reason I've held onto it was in case I ever actually needed it, and then I'd take it right back off again.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

I hate to say it because there's obviously some love for these toppers here, but I couldn't get mine off my truck fast enough! The only reason I've held onto it was in case I ever actually needed it, and then I'd take it right back off again.

I personally didn't want it either. I want to use it as a truck, not a camper. But it's what her family went camping in since '73, so it means a lot to her. Some things just aren't worth the candle, to argue about. I'd like to buy an old step side to use for all the knocking around town I do. I bought a new 2016 Kia Forte before I realized that I'd really rather just have an old truck. It doesn't even have to be pretty, just sound...and have AC, even if I have to put it in. It's hot around here!

[jocko]

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

I hate to say it because there's obviously some love for these toppers here, but I couldn't get mine off my truck fast enough! The only reason I've held onto it was in case I ever actually needed it, and then I'd take it right back off again.

I'm sorry, your post belongs in the 'I hate camper shells and toppers thread'.. (Ha just kidding). Understand what you're saying - and 15 years ago, I probably would've said the same thing - but for some reason, there is a certain nostalgia associated with them for me from back when they were new, and a LOT of people added them to their trucks back then, even thought they eventually got rid of them. And you don't see them on many restored or hot rodded trucks, so maybe that's part of why they seem very authentic. Who knows.