One thing I wish I never did was sell my ARE Z series camper shell. Never knew how much I really needed a camper shell until I got rid of it. But also didn’t want to dish out $4500 for another one. So I went hunting, and I found one! The amount of gas I used to go pick it up cost more than what I paid for the topper. ($100)

The only problem, my truck has a 5.5 bed and the camper was for a 6.5! No biggie. Time to fabricate!

I’m only able to cut and align everything for now. I’ll be able to resume fabricating when I get back from my deployment. Im pretty good with fiberglass so this will be a fun project. The most expensive thing is getting new side gullwing windows and a rear window since they were in bad shape. The front glass is still usable luckily. But all in all, it will still be way cheaper than a new one. Or even a used 5.5 topper.




It was vinyl wrapped blue




Slight change in body lines but it won’t matter since the raptor liner paint job will cover little imperfections



flush mount rigid SR-Ls for the 3rd brake light and flush mount rigid SR-Qs on both sides for 360 lighting. I’ll also have two antennas on top for Sirius XM and cellphone signal booster. (Making it road trip ready)

What are your thoughts? Also I don’t care if you don’t like toppers. This post isn’t for you

 

You gonna just stuff the crack with Matt ,I think I would glass in a strip of thin plywood on the underside overlapping the cut for a little more support but its looking good

 

The roof has a hollowed core with cardboard as a spacer. I’ll be putting steel rods in those voids to help reinforce the two halves.

 

Impressive to say the least. Thank you for your service.

 

Just a little progress report. Had to wait for the windows to come in before I started fiberglassing. To insure proper fitment.

Next is a little bit of bondo work. Doesn’t have to be perfect for the raptor liner paint job. Then install the windows. Hopefully I’ll be done before memorial day weekend!!

Window is just test fitted in. Side and rear windows are solid aluminum for added security.

Modified the 3rd brake light. I’ll have 2 rigid industries SR-L series lights. There’s a red halo that’ll act as my brake light and I’ll also have around 3,000 lumens of light to rear at the flick of a switch.