Dual cab canopies

1. I have found lift up windows to be much more practical than sliding.
2. Equal to Flexiglass? If you look around, you will find the most popular brand around is ARB so they must be as good, or better.

G'day new boy

I'm with Sand Man on the lift up windows - far more practical !

All and any other info you need including prices people paid can be found on Newranger.net - forums

I have an XLT auto and reckon it's a great vehicle !


Cheers

Gazz

I have found lift windows to be best but sliders are handy if you have a dog BUT now you can get best of both worlds with tilt windows with built in sliders

I selected lift up as that was what most people recommended and I'm happy with that decision.

Lots of choices with canopies. I decided on a steel canopy from Opposite Lock (SMM or Razorback). I liked the construction and the way it closes on the tailgate.

It also is connected to the central locking of the doors, very handy!

Our canopy ordered with the BT 50 is made by EGR http://www.egrauto.com/category/filter?category=canopies
which is the brand used by Mazda. We have the one with load carrying capacity of 150 kgs so we can carry the tinny and our boat loader.

Also we opted for lift up windows for easy access and so far love it. We had a canopy vent made by ARB put in at the front driver side to help minimise dust but haven't really been off road to test it out too much yet.
regards,

Heather

i had a new triton dual cab with fiberglass canopy ,it had only a centrally located locking handle in the rear glass window ,it would never lock both sides of the glass and it used to come open when driving.
Mitsubishi changed the canopy twice it never worked properly,i think there is too much flex to not have locking handles at each side.

My last vehicle (Colorado) had a flexiglass canopy with trade racks (internal support). My current vehicle 2013 ranger twin cab has the ARB textured canopy with trade racks. I do not think I would be exaggerating if I said the ARB canopy is at least twice as good as the flexiglass.
You get what you pay for with canopies.
As mentioned, sliding windows are for ventilation and that's about it. Lift up windows are mandatory for any tourers over 25 years old whose knees don't like crawling around inside utes.

Thanks everyone for your reply's. I live in regional w.a. centre and the undermentioned are some prices got today
Ford $3950
ARB
Grain finish with racks $3991
Smooth finish with Racks $4222

Independent 4wd centre
Flexiglass Perth fitted $2642
Bull bars prices are also wide spread
These things are sent to test us
I,m waiting on the deal now as I,m trading a 1973 MGB which has thrown them into a spin

Having had 4 dual cab 4x4 with canopies lift up side windows are the way to go as it gives way better access to the side and front of the canopy. I don't bother with any other manufacturer other than ARB. I have never had an issue with the canopies and while they don'y have centrallocking and all that other stuff that suits me fine. There is enough electronics on these new vehilces to give you grief without adding to it.

Itmight have been poined out prevously, but both Ford and Mazda have relatively light weight materials which make up the ute body and many have cracked. This is especially the case if racks are fitted. My 2012 BT 50 canopy has full support which spreadsloadacross the top and down the sides of the ute body should reduce the likelyhood of cracking. I hace a smooth canopy which matches the look of the vehicleand is easy to clean. It will show scratches more than a grained canopy.

I have the ARB bull bar which is very nicely made and well finished. The ARB gear probably costs a bit more but I am confident in the equipment.

I have an Alpha canopy (Caddy). When I was looking, this was the cheapest fitted, it is also better than the the Flexi and ARB ones I looked at.

http://www.utecanopies.com.au/ranger_px_dualcab.html

I had sliding windows, but it depends on what you want, you could always have the drivers side a slider and the passenger side a lift up

I bought a 2006 Hilux second hand which came with a Flexiglass canopy with lift up windows. I can't get the damn thing sealed against water. The seals around the window frames were crap. I resealed using silicone but water still comes in around the edge of the window and down into the tub. Also, if you have the windows open when it is raining, all the runoff runs into the tub. Not a great design.