I have opportunity to pickup a used Leer 100R shell for under $400. It has the sliding side windows instead of windoors. Can it be changed to windoors? If so how much approx? Also, the front window is only sliding, not folding down.. Do those two windows get dirty easily once the shell is attached? Also, it's a white shell and my Tacoma is silver.. I think it's a doable color combo eh?
used Leer 100R opportunity. Questions..
- Thread starter ywen
- Start date
AlwaysExplr87
Member
From what I have read the windoors are slightly smaller than the sliding windows so they cannot be traded out. I have the sliders on my shell and dont mind not having the windoors or tip out front window. It would be nice to have the windoors but like you I bought my shell used for a good deal and can't really complain. Also, Its not to bad to clean between the glass. I used rain x on both windows before putting the shell on and they seem to stay cleaner, I have had my shell on for over a month with alot of dirtroad travel and they are still just as clean as when I put it on. White and silver isn't to bad, you can probably get it repainted pretty cheap though.
Edit: What year model and bed configuration are you? If you have a pre 05 I would wait because you can find them all day long on craigslist its just a matter of being patient and finding the one you want. 05+ not so much.
Edit: What year model and bed configuration are you? If you have a pre 05 I would wait because you can find them all day long on craigslist its just a matter of being patient and finding the one you want. 05+ not so much.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
For me, the windoors are so nice they are essential. I would not buy a topper without them.
Sliding front window is fine, it does not get that dirty between the glass. Mine is removable and it rattles on rough roads.
Sliding front window is fine, it does not get that dirty between the glass. Mine is removable and it rattles on rough roads.
washington taco
Explorer
I purchased mine used for 200.00. Color match paint and roll of seal was 300.00. Total 500.00. No windoors and wished I had them. 400.00 is to much money, low ball him and explain the costs after the fact to match your truck. Also check the high mount brake light I had to repair mine for another 25.00.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I'm a little surprised that you're having difficulty finding a shell - I found both of mine pretty easily. Of course, Tacos are very common here in CO.
Here's a hint: Post a "wanted" ad on CL. I found both of my shells this way.
As for the Windoor dilemma, I feel your pain. A new shell with exactly the configuration you want (windoors, lining, etc) will run you probably close to $1500, so finding a shell for <$400 is a pretty good deal.
Now, if it was me, I would go for the inexpensive used shell, because while Windoors are nice, IMO they're not ~$1,000 nice. Also, again, if it were me I wouldn't waste any money on paint. A white shell on a silver truck doesn't look that bad.
Then again, I try to be as frugal as possible, reasoning that the less $$ I spend outfitting my truck, the more I can spend actually using it.
It all comes down to "what you can live with." Some people have to have exactly what they want or they'll be miserable.
Me, I can live with "good enough."
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
BTW, I'm not a tinfoil hatter but I wouldn't be surprised if the whole "windoors are smaller" excuse was a load of BS.
Since they probably make all the shells from one mold, why would they make the ones with the windoors have smaller window openings? That would require separate molds for the windoor-versions of the shell.
Seems a lot simpler to assume that they have just made a business decision that
(a) it's not worth the time and effort to try and remove and reinstall windoors (problems with leaking, difficulty of removing the old windows and installing new ones, etc) and that
(b) they'd rather sell you a new shell than make it cost effective for you to buy a used one.
Since they probably make all the shells from one mold, why would they make the ones with the windoors have smaller window openings? That would require separate molds for the windoor-versions of the shell.
Seems a lot simpler to assume that they have just made a business decision that
(a) it's not worth the time and effort to try and remove and reinstall windoors (problems with leaking, difficulty of removing the old windows and installing new ones, etc) and that
(b) they'd rather sell you a new shell than make it cost effective for you to buy a used one.
climber-420
Adventurer
Instead of painting it, use duck tape, alot of it.
Casper
Adventurer
Leer windoors are the same size as there sliding wondows. I was going to get a set for my shell before I decided to sell it. Quoted a price of $250 per side installed. That was about 4 months ago.
If you want to make sure, on the inside of the shell on the left side (looking in from the rear) there should be a metal tag with a number on it. Take the number down and call a leer dealer. They will tell you what you want to know.
As for the color, that would be up to you, however I don't think the white and silver look bad together. But thats just an opinion. :wings:
Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:
If you want to make sure, on the inside of the shell on the left side (looking in from the rear) there should be a metal tag with a number on it. Take the number down and call a leer dealer. They will tell you what you want to know.
As for the color, that would be up to you, however I don't think the white and silver look bad together. But thats just an opinion. :wings:
Cheers,
Josh
&
Porthos
:smiley_drive:
AlwaysExplr87
Member
O yea, I agree. It makes no sense at all to me but then again it is just what I have heard and read online, no actual experience.
To the OP, you might want to try using something like craiglook.com or searchtempest to search CL easier. In the few months it took for me to find my shell I will say that the ratio of 1st gen shells to 2nd gen is 10:1 and you should have no problem finding exactly what you are looking as long as you dont mind driving an hour or two and are patient.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Do you guys really use the windoors/sliding windows that much? When I had my shell, I can't remember a single instance where I used them---they remained shut all the time. If I had a dog, maybe that's the only time I'd probably open them. And even at that time, I'd prefer sliding windows anyway, because you can't have the windoors open while on the move, right? Unless you really hate your windoors?
BTW, I can find shells for an extended cab all day long for $2-300. Maybe even cheaper.
BTW, I can find shells for an extended cab all day long for $2-300. Maybe even cheaper.
On craigslist? Within a specific geographical location?
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Some on craigslist. Some on a local classifieds site. All local to me. Don't know where you're at.