has anyone ever replaced there back window with a compression boot between the truck and cap on a 97 to 03 f150.. i have a 01 supercrew and wanna do this but figured i would check to see the good and bad things about it done a couple other trucks before but never a 97 to 03 f150

 

I will be curious to see what you hear. I bought a new Supercrew and I am shopping truck caps. I was planning on getting the compression boot instead of the glass window, but the guy at the cap dealership talked me out of it. He said that over time the boot will eventually still leak, and that it will rub the truck body. He said that this friction between the boot and the truck body will cause the paint to wear and possibly lead to corrosion.

 

I never really saw the need for a compression boot? I've had caps on both my 06 and 12 and both had the removable sliding front window. In the case I need to carry some extra long lumber with me I just open both sliders and put it into the backseat.

 

Plus, heating or cooling is going to be a bear without a window in the cab. Probably moreso in somewhere like the OP's state Florida. If using for camping, etc. I've had good success using a 26" bike innertube, and filling just enough to seal and keep out the bugs.

 

My original thought for wanting a boot was due to the fact that my main reason for even having a cap is to transport my dogs. I thought that having a boot would allow me to create a connection between the cab and bed which would prevent rain/snow/heat from seeping in as well as allow for heated/air conditioned air to get to the dogs. Realistically, I don't think that warm or cool air would actually make it to the bed from the front of my supercrew cab. I think I'd be better off mounting an electric heater in the bed. Not sure how to tackle the summer months.

I can't speak for the OP and why they considered a boot, though!