I am looking at buying a fiberglass campershell for my 02 Tacoma x-cab 4x4. The shell is coming off a 96 Toyota 4x4. Is there a change in the standard short bed from 1996 to 2002? Can anyone even say if this shell will fit? Any input would be beneficial. Thank you in advance!!!!!

 

I am not sure. I would call around to canopy places and ask. I know my 93extra cab shell will not fit a 93 reg cab.

 

Dlouble check the seals and make sure they're not cracked or dried out, especially around the rear sliding window at the cab. That's where they are the most prone to leaking.

Stay away from the j-hooks, use the bolt attatchment instead. The j-hooks move and wind up bending the lip under the railing.

 

My Snugtop shell uses J hooks, never had a problem with them. It stays tight no matter what, I've never had to retighten them, ever. So the bottom edge of the lip gets turned under a bit, so what. You can't even see that part unless you're lying on your back in the bed and looking for it. It's a hell of a lot better than having to drill holes in the bed rails for bolts or use those stupid c-clamps that always work loose.

 

I agree the c clamps are terrible. Hey, if the j-hooks work for you, great. But nothing holds the shell firmer in place than good 'ole bolts.

 

As already suggested, call a local truck shop to make sure no problems. I didn't stay up on Taco's but as long as the cab lines are the same and the bed is same length you should be fine. The reason I mention the cab lines is you don't want 'dog ears'; this is where the shell sticks out further than the cab.

I used C clamps on my truck and never had a problem with them loosening up or moving. I also had an over-the-rail bed liner with cutouts for the clamps.

Brand names haven't really been mentioned, but I really liked my A.R.E. shell