Check out my gallery for pics. I got a century royal cap with my truck when I bought it. They aren't that expensive and the windows don't look like that "universal" fit. Itnlaso has the lip over the bed rails so it looks nice and clean.
I just picked up a Leer off Craigs list for 500.00. I had heart attack when I priced out a new one.They wanted 1800.00.It was silver when i bought got it squirted grey for 200.00.IMO Leer is the way to go.
I have an A.R.E. Z series and I love it. Some people try to avoid the SUV look but on my white truck with the dark windows it really looks sleek. I test fitted a Leer with the "normal" cap windows but didn't like it as much. Some of it might have to do with the cap being taller on the 03 as opposed to the newer style trucks. Everyone has their own opinion but when I was researching for mine, a lot of people recommended the A.R.E.
my topper is made by Astro, which i believe is now ATC
Quote:
2k7screw: I just picked up a Leer off Craigs list for 500.00. I had heart attack when I priced out a new one.They wanted 1800.00.
my old boss had the same truck as mine but metallic green, he wanted to get rid of his topper quick cuz our GM was complaining about it sitting in the back of the building... i offered 75 bucks for it and he took it! had a $120 spray job and looks like new! a new one for a long bed truck, 1800 minimum for a CHEAP one! not including tax! i would have loved to have a leer but couldnt pass that deal up!
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'95 F150 XLT reg cab long bed, 5.0L, 147k miles, built 4R70W, 3 inch P.A. body lift, 6 inch Rough Country susp. lift, 35X12.50 MTZ's, 15X10 ***** Cepek's, true dual exhaust, Hooker long tube headers, Super 44's, no cats, K&N intake, Optima red-top, clear lenses, white faced "glow" gauges... may the 302 R.I.P. 351 swap started!
Last week I bought a 2002 F150Supercab Lariat FX4. I needed a cap quick and the only ones that would fit in my home town were a used white $700 ARE and a used red $275 Leonard. I bought the Leonard since I had to get either one painted blue. The Leonard needed new struts on the rear window that cost $30 at the dealer. It also needed keys. A locksmith provided 3 keys for $8. I loaded the truck and traveled 1209 miles over the weekend to my new contract job. I haven't checked to see what it will cost to get it painted. The Leonard looks like a good top. It had been on a 99 F150 Supercab.
I bought a matching Leer camper top for my 2000 F150 Supercab XLT 4x4 that I bought new. It costs $1259 in 2000. It was very nice. I ordered it with contractors side windows (hinged at the top and could be opened for loading stuff in the sides).
Another vote for the ARE Z series. I can appreciate the cheapness of the Leers, but I bought this one for the ultimate quality and near perfect appearance. No visible hinges, seals, or window gaskets, excellent overall fit, and heavy duty construction make this one the best cap I have seen yet.
I don't have any pics without the ladder rack, but it pops off in seconds. The Yokohama track system is a very nice option:
I bought a Raider last year and it was a piece of cr*p. I sent it back and they've sent a new one but it doesn't look much better, and some things are actually worse. The old one had wrap over rails on the inside. The new one doesn't. That means I can't use their special U clamps, which are one of the features I liked that made me buy it in the first place.
I think they've sent me a Century with a Raider sticker on it.
They like to grind off all the fibreglass on their front corners too. I specifically asked them not to on the replacement, but they've done it again.
I'm not impressed.
Unfortunately, they've got my money so I'm screwed. If I had seen either one of these on the lot, I never would have bought one.
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