Here are a few images to clarify some questions about the wooden topper. It is not a work of art. It was to be used for a single field project last summer but now I really like it so it will be a permanent part of the rolling home.
Here’s the overview sans roof rack. It has received about five more coats of spar varnish after a good sanding. It is built from recycled lumber so there is some small shrinkage checking and a little discoloration from some mold or fungus but it hardly visible.
Tacomas really suck for attaching racks and toppers for a couple reasons. The top rails of the bed are plastic over some fairly unsubstantial metal and there are no stake holes. There is however, the nifty rail system inside the bed that is secure. To attach this topper, I used some construction straps from the Big Box Store which are screwed in behind the rails. This is the forward view, blemishes and all. The rope is for hanging up wet stuff like towels, swimsuits, etc.
Here is another strap at the aft end utilizing one of the bed bolts in a reenforced spot.
And finally, here is an image of one of the knee braces that are screwed and glued to the frame to strengthen the door area. I hope this helps if someone else wants to construct something like this.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 
I was wondering what is in the back box next to the stovepipe?
Covey (musingsinhtx on tumblr)
The kitchen…
Thanks for the update!
I know its an old page but how is it holding up? Does the varnish need to be redone every so often?
It’s holding up well but gets redone every year or two. I live in an extremely harsh environment for varnish and wood.
Im thinking of building one for my truck, since its 15 yrs old n hard to fine a
cap that will fit. Is there anything you would do different if you were to build
another one? Looking for ideas
How much do you think it weighs? I’m tempted to build one for my Silverado’s 6.5 foot bed but would need to take it off to haul some stuff.
I can get inside and walk it off. I would say it’s about as heavy as my old full-size fiberglass. Those get heavy from all the glass windows.
Any photos of the top of the truck cap? All the photos are nice, but I haven’t been able to find one of the actual top exterior of the cap! Just trying to understand how the tar paper and truck canvas intersect with the wood, for drainage, etc.
Thanks!