Hey,
Just joined this forum...
Have an 83 s/b 4x4 and want to put a shell on it. They seem pretty hard to come by around here (Oakland) with latter shells plentiful.
Are there other years or models that will fit and look nice?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Evan

 

measure the bed rails lenght and width, then measure the shell before you buy it. most all shortbed minitruck shells should work

 

Yeah Ive already thought of that...
I know that the next model up has a slight angle on the cab where are first gens are 90 degrees straight up.
Any one put a 2nd or 3rd gen on? Did it look funny at the cab?
Or any other shells that looked good?
Thanks
Evan

 

Check the classified sub-forum I think there was a 1 gen being parted there that had a period correct cap for sale.

 

Shells for our trucks are a serious pain to find! That's been my experience anyways. I bought a shell from a junkyard and put it on, and it was about an inch too long, and an inch to high at the cab. I sold it to a guy with an '86 and it fit perfectly...
The 1st gen beds are about an inch shorter than the next model Toyota, and after that they stay pretty consistent. I could put a shell off my '86 on a '93 no problem. Not so with my '83.

Eventually I'll just have to put one on that's too big, I guess. Good luck though, they are out there!

 

I can't find that classified ad either...

 

This is a bit off topic but, be sure to measure your bed dimensions. I don't know but Toyota may have made an extra short bed available for the '79-83 models. I just ended up buying another shell this afternoon off a 1970 2wd (obviously) shortbed Toyota pickup, figuring I was golden, and as soon as we started to set it down on my truck I could tell...about an inch too long. At this point that's ok, it was the right price, right color, and I just need a topper and don't care so much anymore if it's a bit long, but it sure is annoying to not be able to find a topper that fits right.

My bed dimensions are: ~73" long
-----------------------~59-60" wide
-----------------------~19-20" height to the top of the cab from bed rail

It's that 73" long that's the biggest issue...although it sticks out a little on the sides.

 

I just saw a nice one for your truck ('79-'83 shortbed) on Craigslist (SF Bay Area) for $50 not two days ago. It seems to be gone now.

Be patient and pretty soon you'll have camper shells coming out of your ears.

 

Yeah I called that guy turns out it was a long bed

 

PM Sent

 

I have a short bed camper shell that came off an 83 and is currently on my 82. Its a Vista, tan in color, new shocks and locks, cab high, dark tinted windows. If interested let me know. thanks

 

Can you deliver to Montana?!

 

next time im in the area I'll let you know

 

Perfect!