Passthru boot between cab & camper

[theMec]

I'm thinking of removing my rear truck window (the whole window) and the cab side camper window to create a passthru. I see a couple type of boots on the web. The compression (inflateable) type and the accordian type. Since the openings are quite a bit different sizes, I think I'd need a compression boot. I haven't found a large compression boot yet so maybe I'll have to make something equivalent .. like a foam boot.

Anyway, is this a good idea? Will the road noise kill me? Problems w/ leaks? Any other ideas?
Thanks, steve

 

[boblynch]

It can be done, but...

What camper are you using? Do you plan to use the truck off the camper? If so, what then? Many folks that have a small pass thru on larger vehicles confess that they rarely (if ever) use them.

 

[pray4surf]

I'm thinking of removing my rear truck window (the whole window) and the cab side camper window to create a passthru. I see a couple type of boots on the web. The compression (inflateable) type and the accordian type. Since the openings are quite a bit different sizes, I think I'd need a compression boot. I haven't found a large compression boot yet so maybe I'll have to make something equivalent .. like a foam boot.

Anyway, is this a good idea? Will the road noise kill me? Problems w/ leaks? Any other ideas?
Thanks, steve

Years ago.. I had a Toyota 4x4 with a shell. No front window on the shell, but it had a rubber boot collar. This rubber collar was neither inflatable or accordian shaped. I think it helped that both window openings were similar in size/shape. With the truck rear window removed, I had a padded 'pleather' cover over the sheet metal edges.

I actually liked having the pass-through. Because it was a single cab (1981), it was nice to reach through to the shell.

Only problem with it was the rubber boot had a tendency to rub the paint off the cab... I never had any leaks...And road noise was easily cancelled out by stereo volume - I don't recall if the noise level was any higher..

Here's an article that I found http://www.belairtonneaucovers.com/generic.tpl?PageName=29

Good luck!

 

[theMec]

@boblynch: The camper shell is a bolt on, not a slide in. It's a Callen Camper if that means anything. (Yeah, it's new and I need pics.) I'm not planning on taking it off often if ever. My daughter and her friends - or is it fiends ;-) will definitely be using it ... if I do it.

@pray4surf: thx for the feedback & link. I'll check it out.

 

[theMec]

I checked out pray4surf's link. Looks like the newer trucks will leak w/ a passthru .. I guess I'll dump this idea. Thanks.

 

[G100]

I am looking to put a boot on my rig as well and have been looking for days for a quality boot. I have fabricated up a 48" wide rear window that rolls down behind the rear seat of my extended cab T100, power window of course. I have been all over the internet trying to find a good boot, I don't like the accordian type, I want a compression boot but something that is thick and will block out some road noise when driving with the rear window down.

I found this on another forum, very close to what I am looking for, I just need it to be 48" long 14.5" high. I am thinking a bead of some silicone should prevent any leaking.