... Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am looking to buy a 1982-1983 pickup and have found amazing amounts of information on this site to guide my search for a truck. Thank you!

What I haven't seen is a place to buy a camper shell, which is a MUST-HAVE for me. Ideally, I would like to buy a truck with a shell already installed but if I can't, what are my options? I looked in the "salvage yard" link section but didn't find anyone selling a shell. I know I could post a wanted ad here, but they seem pretty rare.

Are they as difficult to find as its seems? Also, are shells from 1981-83 only interchangeable or will other year models work as well?

 

Where are you located? I have a white camper for a short bed that I took off my 83 shortly after buying it. I'd be willing to sell it cheap. I'm in west Texas.

 

79-83 are interchangable , as long as it's short to short -or long to long

depending on your location ? .. I live about 15 mins from 2 canopy/topper/shell manufactures .. so there readly avaliable NEW .. I installed one on a frame up I did a few years back .. as for used .. dont know , ya just gotta look


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look on craigslist in your area

 

Slacker should come up with a custom 4runner and pick-up topper. I like the pop-up high top campers but they don't make one for a 4runner. Looks like I have to build one myself.

 

I see alot of 1st gens with shells, prob 50-50 on with and without. Think it was a popular thing.

 

I might have to give you a ring about this!

 

I have had friends that couldn't give away 1st Gen canopies...

 

I'm in TN and DEFINATELY won't be buying a long bed. 6' is plenty of room. Just need a roof over my head. Never had much luck selling OR buying from Craigslist. Just mulch, used washing machines, 1980's ATV's and Firewood...

 

I have not been able to find one in Montana. Anything pre-79 won't fit, anything post 83 won't fit. But pretty much anything else, up to the recent gigantic Tacomas, is interchangeable with each other. Oh well...

I eventually had to buy an aluminum topper (which fit the 78 it was on perfectly...), and cut 2 or 3" off of it. Now it fits perfect...These 79-83's were just a little shorter than all the other Toys.

 

message sent

 

After scouring Craigslist for over four months all over NE Oklahoma, I finally found a shell for my '04 DB cab. Apparently shells for DB cabs, especially pre-2005 are pretty rare. But I DID see quite a few 1st gen-ers out there in my area. I'm sure you've heard it plenty already, but patience will pay off.

 

I've got a mint one off my 94 short bed that I need to list on Craigslist. I wonder how much I should ask?