Thread: Canopy or hard lid recomendations

Il be in the market for a mid range hardlid or canopy for a 2025 ranger soon. Anyone got any suggestions or thoughts on brands to look at or stay away from?

Get a hilux


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Yeah, nah... But having said that not convinced on the new ranger for a couple of reasons too.

For the question at hand though, I'd be looking carefully at a few things - firstly a hard lid is only as good as it's hinges lock setup and mounts and if you need to carry something taller than the lid height how do you secure the lid? Can it go on the lid? Some are better than others in this regard although to be fair I carry gear that's taller than the tray sides all the time and wouldn't entertain a lid at all for this reason. As far as locks, anything for me must be set up so that it works off the central locking. Anything else is a pain in the arse now.

Canopies - must be watertight with the door and side windows up. Nothing worse than opening the thing up in the rain and having the rain fall straight through the hinges into the gear you want to stay dry! Good internal lighting is another must.

You're reasonably close to some good installers and some good manufacturer's - a factor in your decision apart from cost is availability and delay in getting the thing so it can be fitted. It will also come down to who your vehicle dealer recommends and installs for - have a look at the work they've done and see if you are happy with the quality of their work and then crawl all over the lid or canopy and see if you like it.

I hesitate to recommend 'brand x' as the installer makes or breaks the deal on this, and I've seen some shite jobs from people who were very highly recommended but either gave up on that one or did it on Friday avo!

I would have loved a hilux but found a good deal on an ex demo ranger with 3000km. The price for the as new ranger with 5 year warranty was less then the price of a 2020 hilux with 90,000 km and no warranty so decided to give it a go. Will more then likely sell in about 5 years with 50k on the clock

if you go canopy make sure the back window is the type with a full frame around the glass many dont we had a number shatter in my old job without a frame there is nothing to support the glass or perspex what ever it is - at least a frame around the bottom where it contacts the tail gate not cheap to replace worse when Bubba puts a piece of timber out the back and drops the back window on it ( not me I just heard the bang from inside the office to see the staff member standing there thunderstruck with glass everywhere )

Take a look at ARB Canopies. I've got the Ascent model, I've owned a few brands over the years and they all leaked and started to fall apart way too soon. The ARB is very well built.

Do the hard lids change much over the Ranger years?...I know of one but of course it will be off an earlier model than a '25

Originally Posted by zeropak

Take a look at ARB Canopies. I've got the Ascent model, I've owned a few brands over the years and they all leaked and started to fall apart way too soon. The ARB is very well built.

Dont buy the classic tho they leak like a pasta strainer. I has 3 of them under warranty plus many other visits to look at it, reseal, re do windows

They said it was the ute not canopy, ended up getting a refund went with a ute master and no water problems

Originally Posted by MSL

Get a hilux


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D-Max

I had a Defender hard lid put on a new Ute. No complaints, but go for something with rails if you think you are going to use them for bike racks etc. Also consider weight rating if you think you might want to put a tent on it at some point.

Originally Posted by 199p

Dont buy the classic tho they leak like a pasta strainer. I has 3 of them under warranty plus many other visits to look at it, reseal, re do windows

They said it was the ute not canopy, ended up getting a refund went with a ute master and no water problems

+1 we run a ute master hard lid really happy with it

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Originally Posted by Nick.m

Il be in the market for a mid range hardlid or canopy for a 2025 ranger soon. Anyone got any suggestions or thoughts on brands to look at or stay away from?

You probably need to decide early on whether you want a canopy or a hard lid. They are poles apart in function. Utemaster make great hard lids. Their canopies are also excellent but the pricing is at a completely different level to even a high end fiberglass canopy. they are also quite a bit heavier. Narrow some if this down and your choices will diminish and make the selection easier.

I’ve got a Mac hard lid I’m keen to sell Nic and I’m in Taupō

The canopy I got with the ranger in 2013 was a Fleetline Ultra - it wasn't cheap then and technology has moved on in terms of lock kits, central locking, lighting etc. But it has never leaked!!!

Ive got a Crown, nothing to write home about. I does a good job of keeping dust out - zero water issues.
I would love a Ute Master - their roof capacity is awesome, ladder for racks provides HEAPS of tiy down points and access is amazing, being able to fully open the sides