Camper Shell/topper replacement window? Plexi-glass?

[SouthPaw]

Finally scored a topper for my old Toyota but the rear window was missing. Has anyone used plexi-glass as a replacement or have a cheaper alternative? Right now it just has a piece of rubber belting covering it. The replacement window I found was around $700. I can probably find the struts and latches pretty easy but the glass isn?t cheap.

https://i.postimg.cc/YCDh074p/781-FA6-A3-EFAC-4-B4-C-8-F1-F-E27168-B7-A66-F.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


https://i.postimg.cc/fyvbNQnQ/CC97-A292-57-CA-4880-9-F60-D561-C733-D12-B.jpg (https://postimg.cc/WqhVGK15)

[Great-Kazoo]

Who's topper is it? If it's a leer, GFL getting their vendor in greeley to help.


Honestly for the $700 you could buy another topper. Glass wise, if no one in the greality area can help, try Doug @ Moreys in Vindsor, ya.

[SouthPaw]

It?s an A.R.E. brand.

For whatever reason, these first gen tundra toppers are a hot commodity. From the research I have done, they only fit these trucks so it makes them a little hard to come by.

[Great-Kazoo]

so what are the 1 gen production years?

[OtterbatHellcat]

Get a sheet of lexan MR5 minimum, up to 10 I believe.

We used to use it as windshields in our race cars, and it's very strong.

*I am NOT a plastics expert, just offering an option/opinion*

[theGinsue]

I have a hunting partner whose topper back glass got busted out (It too was on a Tacoma). He replaced it with a heavier gauge plexiglass. He had that config for at least 10 years without any issues before trading in the truck for a Tundra.

[FoxtArt]

I assume the glass itself should by replaceable - you can take the seals/stripping etc off right? If so, ask a couple local glass companies to see what they'd charge to do the shape in a tempered glass. At minimum I think it would shave a couple hundred. If it was attached to anybody's bulk order of any other glass it may not cost more than $200, but sadly you probably don't have that luxury. (and we just put a massive order in for glass a couple weeks ago...)

Ofc like others have posted, plastic is a good option too.

[Martinjmpr]

The problem you're likely to have is that the topper had a curved, all glass lift gate. You may have to get creative with weather stripping to get a flat piece of material to seal.

This is the reason why when I buy a truck topper I always get the kind with the flat rear glass surrounded by an aluminum frame. Much more difficult to break and if it does break, any glass shop can repair it cheaply.

Those all-glass curved lift gates look great but they are hella pricey to replace. It's not like an SUV where you can source a replacement from a junkyard.

[Erni]

Use polycarb aka lexan. Skip plexi. Make sure it is uv treated. Colorado Plastic Products in Louisville is my go to place. They can also cut to shape if you want to pay them. But lexan can be cut easily with a circilular or other saw, and does not crack easily unlike plexi. This assumes its a flat or curved in one direction plate

[SouthPaw]

so what are the 1 gen production years?

2000-2006.


I have a hunting partner whose topper back glass got busted out (It too was on a Tacoma). He replaced it with a heavier gauge plexiglass. He had that config for at least 10 years without any issues before trading in the truck for a Tundra.

Kind of what I was thinking. Should be more durable in the sense that it won't break as easy.



The problem you're likely to have is that the topper had a curved, all glass lift gate. You may have to get creative with weather stripping to get a flat piece of material to seal.

This is the reason why when I buy a truck topper I always get the kind with the flat rear glass surrounded by an aluminum frame. Much more difficult to break and if it does break, any glass shop can repair it cheaply.

Those all-glass curved lift gates look great but they are hella pricey to replace. It's not like an SUV where you can source a replacement from a junkyard.

To my untrained naked eye, it does not look like it would be a curved piece of glass. The seals are still there as well as the locking points for the latches (not handles). I think my best bet may be to find someone that has a similar topper so I can copy it. I think there is a local glass company that does cut plexi-glass on site but not sure how creative they get.

[earplug]

For less then 700 buck get a back up camera.

[mpatch]

Make a template and there's a place in NE FC that will cut you a piece of Lexan to match.

[waffles]

As a first gen tundra owner still looking for a decent topper I feel your pain and will definitely be looking at this for your solution.