Truck canopy mods

[nucktaco]

Hey all!

So planning a bit of a 300k refresh for my tacoma this winter. Part of this will be adding a canopy, building a rack for my roof tent and building some slide out drawers for the bed.

I scooped a free canopy from work that was being tossed. It currently has slider side windows though I’d love to switch to a windoor design, build toolboxes and possibly store Jerry cans in one side and store my chainsaw and recovery gear in the other side.

Now for my question. Has anyone built their own “windoors”? Either glass or aluminum/fiberglass?

Looking online all replacement windoors are glass and are 450+ USD. I can add 30% for exchange plus shipping and my free canopy becomes a 2k ordeal by the time I’m said and done.

Pic attached of currently setup and the free canopy

 

[Happy Joe]

Haven't done home brew canopy windows, but I have done DIY replacement Jeep soft top windows;
Plexiglas , IMO, is a bit too fragile and makes overly sharp spears when it breaks. I can recommend using U-V resistant treated Polycarbonate (Lexan) for windows (the non U-V resistant poly turns milky in a few years) as it is very difficult to crack, and can be cut using hand tools. Its downside is that it is very soft and scratchable; I did find a cleaner that worked pretty well on polycarbonate at a small airplane supply (sorry don't remember the product name) that allowed cleaning the window with minimal scratching.

Personally, I would try searching for a replacement non sliding window, or getting a replacement glass custom cut out of 2 layer safety glass, if U-V resistant Polycarbonate is not for you.

Enjoy!

 

[02rangeredge]

I replaced a window in my aluminum cap, go with as thick a material as possible, I seconding lexan, I went with 1/8 inch thick (2.5mm) it's not fragile at all, can be cut with a band or jigsaw, but my aluminum cap has flat sides I don't know if your glass is domed at all

 

[The Artisan]

I am using 1/2" Makrolon for my windows, tough and uv resistant. It is expensive but worth it.
Kevin