Atl-atl's Dodge Ram 2500 Regular Cab Long Bed "documentation" thread.

[Atl-atl]

You know.....you slap a cargo basket on top of that topper- and I mean one that covers pretty much the entire surface of your topper- and it'll look pretty good. It would make the shortness of the topper far less noticeable. Here's a pic of mine- not a good one- but you get the idea. It's a Yakima Mega-Warrior with the extension. I got it CHEAP on Craigslist. But- I don't think your top looks all that bad on your truck.

I do really like that look. I think it will help with the height situation if it bothers me. How did you mount it to your topper and how did you seal it? Is your topper reinforced to handle a roof rack? Mine seemed pretty flimsy when I was moving it around in the grass while taking the windows out. Side note, I think since this topper is a little lower than the cab my truck might still fit in the garage, which I have been cleaning up and organizing (finally) since moving in so we can fit two vehicles inside. Im going to try pulling it in this week and see what happens.

 

[Seabass]

I got on Amazon and ordered me a bag of hockey pucks. They were perfect. I just placed them in locations that set the pitch where I wanted it. I placed a bead of Lexel caulk around each puck between it and the top. I used U-bolts and drilled through the top. I didn't add any support. I never thought it was needed. I don't carry anything heavier than a couple kayaks or mountain bikes. However- I use a chain hoist to lift my topper off my truck (I often take it off so I can hook up my gooseneck horse trailer) and I stand/walk all around my rack. I'm a big guy- 6'3" 250lbs. My top holds me fine.

Here's the best pic I could find that shows my hockey pucks.

 

[Atl-atl]

I got on Amazon and ordered me a bag of hockey pucks. They were perfect. I just placed them in locations that set the pitch where I wanted it. I placed a bead of Lexel caulk around each puck between it and the top. I used U-bolts and drilled through the top. I didn't add any support. I never thought it was needed. I don't carry anything heavier than a couple kayaks or mountain bikes. However- I use a chain hoist to lift my topper off my truck (I often take it off so I can hook up my gooseneck horse trailer) and I stand/walk all around my rack. I'm a big guy- 6'3" 250lbs. My top holds me fine.Here's the best pic I could find that shows my hockey pucks.

That looks surprisingly good. Sometimes the most simple solution is the best. My topper is definitely not strong enough for me to stand on hah. I guess Ill see how I like it once its white and decide what to do then. Unfortunately I found out today that my friend of a friend who is going to paint it went out of town for two weeks. So Im stuck with the dilemma of waiting(not my style hah) sanding it myself and finding another shop to paint it or buying a spray gun and figuring out how to paint it myself.

 

[ramsport59]

Here all I could find was 3rd gen caps. Which are 1.5" then a 2nd gen cab!

Rick

 

[Seabass]

Here all I could find was 3rd gen caps. Which are 1.5" then a 2nd gen cab!

Rick

NICE!!!!!!!!

 

[Atl-atl]

Here all I could find was 3rd gen caps. Which are 1.5" then a 2nd gen cab!

Rick

NICE!!!!!!!!

^^^What he said^^^

Your truck looks awesome ramsport59, even if the cap is a little tall. I think Ill be happy with mine when its painted white and all fixed up, even if its a little short. If not, Ill sell it and keep looking for a 3rd gen one.

 

[Atl-atl]

Found a tag on the inside of the camper yesterday so I cleaned it off and its a serial tag. Looks like the topper is an older Century Cap. It looks most similar to todays Ultra Sport model.

The back window even has stickers on it still from the assembly place for all the glass. Pretty cool this stuff is still in tact. I might try to contact Century and see if I can find out anything about the cap. Like if I can get a locking handle for it, although my tailgate doesnt lock so Ill have to get the rolling also. It never ends does it?

Got all the glass cleaned up and in the garage; no scratches, nicks, cracks or anything that Ive found yet. Ill try to touch up the black aluminum trim and repair the screens that have a few small holes. Im still blown away about the condition of this thing considering the guy told me it had been stored for years under the tree where I picked it up.

 

[Atl-atl]

Well I have one more reason to like this topper. The truck fits in the garage with it on!!! Its so close that I bet a 3rd gen topper wouldnt fit. Maybe it will stay!

I call this one "size discrepancy"

I am now a tennis ball person.

Nice thing is theres walking room all the way around the truck, even with the garage door closed.

Got all my nuts and bolts organized in labeled bags ready for reassembly. Also got all my spare parts cleaned up and organized and got a new roll of seal tape stuff.

 

[Atl-atl]

Well my paint guy was out of town for two weeks but were finally making some progress!

 

[Atl-atl]

This morning I cleaned up and flattened out my bed rails. Installed foam sealant tape and threw that ********** on.

And done! I have to say Im only about 75% happy with it. The paint is not matched, its close but its something they had extra at my buddies shop which is part of the reason I got such a good deal. Also the fact that the contours aren't perfect kinda gets to me. Considering Im in it for a total of only $300 so far makes it OK but I think in the long run Id rather have an actual 3rd gen topper. Ill probably keep looking and if I find one buy it and sell this one. I cleaned all the windows and had to tweak the back window to fit with the shape of my tailgate but it closes and latches so Im happy. The only things left to do are wire up the 3rd brake light and the interior light. Ill probably find an LED strip instead of the crappy halogen bulb that came with it. Also I need to figure out a way to lock it and my tailgate but thats at the bottom of the list right now.

Added a pic of the inside, for now...

 

[Regcabguy]

This morning I cleaned up and flattened out my bed rails. Installed foam sealant tape and threw that ********** on.

And done! I have to say Im only about 75% happy with it. The paint is not matched, its close but its something they had extra at my buddies shop which is part of the reason I got such a good deal. Also the fact that the contours aren't perfect kinda gets to me. Considering Im in it for a total of only $300 so far makes it OK but I think in the long run Id rather have an actual 3rd gen topper. Ill probably keep looking and if I find one buy it and sell this one. I cleaned all the windows and had to tweak the back window to fit with the shape of my tailgate but it closes and latches so Im happy. The only things left to do are wire up the 3rd brake light and the interior light. Ill probably find an LED strip instead of the crappy halogen bulb that came with it. Also I need to figure out a way to lock it and my tailgate but thats at the bottom of the list right now.

Added a pic of the inside, for now...

Looks like a Bedrug or spray on liner is appropriate. All it takes is too much money. 37's sure look good.

 

[Atl-atl]

Looks like a Bedrug or spray on liner is appropriate. All it takes is too much money. 37's sure look good.

I would love to get a bedrug but couldnt get one same day since we camped last night! Also, I don't want to spend $400 on one right now hah. I did pick up a cheap plastic under-rail liner on Friday which is good enough for now, especially when you just fill it up with bedding and pillows! Ive been trying to convince myself to go down to 35s since the 37s are completely unnecessary but I cant get myself to do so because they look so good!

 

[Atl-atl]

Speaking of the bedliner. Here is the plastic liner installed. Also found a writeup on here for wiring up some IKEA LED lights. Turns out they are 12 volt, you just have to ditch the transformer they come with and hard wire them. Its four individual 1 foot sections that you can link together, each with their own 8 foot long cord for $20!!! I bought two sets, hardwired them to the battery with a fuse and a switch mounted just inside the tailgate so you can reach to turn the lights on with the tailgate up or down. Pretty pleased with the way it came out for $50 worth of lights and a toggle switch. I simply put sticky backed velcro on the light strips and it sticks to the carpeted interior really well. I do need to tidy up some wires since I threw it together quickly but Im happy with it for now.

Already tried it out last night. Definitely need a better "mattress" for the bed hahaha. #soreback

 

[Atl-atl]

So I installed a keyed handle on the back window today. I was pretty excited when I stopped by the local Century Caps dealer and found out the handle is the exact same dimensions, threads etc. as it was nearly 20 years ago when my top was manufactured! Also it was only $20! The bad news is theres no way to get a factory lock for my tailgate that uses my same ignition key. Ive searched high and low and called the dealership to see if one can be pieced together using factory parts and was told no. I guess its possible the parts guy was wrong, another guy at this same parts dept. recently told me my truck was flex fuel compatible and its not so... I might be making a trip to some local junkyards to see if theres a keyed tailgate that I can swipe the handle out of and stick a new lock core in thats keyed to my ignition. Otherwise Ill get an aftermarket one from Amazon for $20 and just deal with 3 different keys for the truck. Not ideal but worth the hassle to have locked storage.

Anyway, the back window of the topper overlaps the top of the tailgate about 2 inches, so much so that you would probably break the plastic tailgate handle before you were actually able to open the tailgate with the window locked shut. I yanked on it pretty hard and it did not budge at all. Im relatively confident that it will hold up simply as the deterrent that it is. If someone wants your junk they're going to get it, a measly lock isn't going to save your stuff.


This picture makes the window trim look much more beat up than it appears in real life. I guess I need to clean it up and figure out how to touch up the black. Pretty sure its anodized and theres no way Ill be able to touch it up thats anywhere near matching.

 

[Regcabguy]

^^^What he said^^^

Your truck looks awesome ramsport59, even if the cap is a little tall. I think Ill be happy with mine when its painted white and all fixed up, even if its a little short. If not, Ill sell it and keep looking for a 3rd gen one.

I like those wheels a lot. I wish I could find some in San Diego ATL-ATL.