Fantastic hit/miss process. Thanks for sharing your steps. I’m going to be doing something similar for my stealth truck camping adventures too. The paper stenciling is a really smart way to get the exact window dimensions. I’ll definitely be using that method now too!
I was skeptical about the stenciling because I’m a perfectionist. It turned out pretty well though because I still ended up making them bigger than the stencil! Good luck on your build man!
Looks pretty nice! If you ever do a second attempt for whatever reason, if you prepare your lamination (gluing the layers) prior to cutting you'll save yourself the tedious alignment phase with your nicely cut out pieces. Just have some acetone to wipe your shears with afterwards. If you have a sewing machine if you do a little bit of quilting (diagonal stitch grid), it not only helps secure the center area, but makes the panels wayy more flexible and easier to store. Good work!
We actually do have a sewing machine! I was thinking the same thing, but I think I need some heavier duty needles to pierce through that rubber backed fabric and the reflectix. Love the idea! Thank you!
@@ConnorLee any upholstery weight thread should be good. v69 thread with a size 18 needle is my go-to, either that or v92 thread. If you do get thread, bonded polyester is nice since its strong, and at that weight of thread it's also very capable for making bags/straps and not falling apart on you, versatile so you can use it for more than one project.
Those window blackouts are fine, no need for a do over, thanks for sharing. I done my Suburban door windows with reflectix, light gray felt for the inside and black felt for the outside with the reflectix in the middle. The window frame is hook velcro and it sticks lightly to the felt of the blackouts. The door blackouts have a strip of magnetic tape that my interior lights stick to and are controlled by a remote control. My larger cargo windows are from a company called Heatshield and I glued on black felt for the outside and the inside is a white. The white helps with illuminating the interior and is over my cooking area so its easy to wipe clean if it gets gunked up from cooking. The cargo blackouts are press fit into the windows. The black felt has 0 reflective properties and just looks like tinted windows.
What a killer setup! I’d love to see pictures of you want to send them my way. Email: elevatedautodetailing@gmail.com or IG: @elevated.media The magnetic tape is a really good idea. I’ll look into this option for sure! Thank you for watching and sharing your experience! Love to hear it
7:25 OUCH!! I received an injury in almost the same area at this timemark. My cat was in my lap when I quickly closed my legs together and yelled "NOOOO!" at 7:25. (time to trim her claws). Great, informative video. I'm thinking of doing something like this on my Snugtop on 2000 Ranger.
Hey bud your videos have inspired me. I just got a 98 Tacoma I’m headed to Tampa this weekend to pickup the same topper you have. I didn’t realize how hard they are to get, I’ve searched all over and most are junk. I love your build it’s perfect. I hope you don’t mind me copying your set up. I’m subscribed and like all your videos you make. Thanks man.
Don’t mind at all! Cant wait to see it! Send me a pic on IG! They are hard to find but if you’re up for a drive, which it sounds like you are definitely opens up possibilities. Good luck on the build. Let me know if you have questions.
7:25 Poor Bugger hahaha. Maybe some velcro on your tailgate and under your shoes so you dont do that again. But otherwise, good video of showing how to do this. I like the double side and felt on the inside. nice touch.
Liked your in depth video and how you explain your trials and tribulations. At the end you make a statement about sewing. There is a fellow youtuber called Suboverland who converts older Suburban's into off-road camping machines. His wife makes these wonderful sewn black out shades that are tight fitting. Also seen others (as you my have too) sew in small rare earth magnets that align to the screws that hold the window in place. One other thing that maybe the community might help with. We know that reflectix has an insulation value and if sewn between two other pieces of material, will give you that stealth effect plus a nice firmness. But are you losing some of the insulation value on the exterior side due to covering up the reflective side? This has been a question I've had after watching similar videos on black out. Oh, nasty ballshot dude. Cheers.
