We have some grand ideas for a pretty schmick drawer set-up in our secondhand HiLux, along with a lithium battery system, fridge and a bunch of other gear for the tray. But first, we need somewhere to house it all. In other words, we need a canopy.

Bossco (↗) has been straddling the lines between practicality, functionality, looks and price for a while now, so it was a no-brainer to throw one of its alloy canopies, complete with the optional roof rack, at the HiLux.

We hit up the Bossco website (↗), made our selection and started dreaming about what improvements, if any, a lightweight canopy – along with some aggressive rubber – might make to our budget brawler. But first, we needed to get everything bolted in place.

Rear view of a white pickup truck with a dark cargo canopy and roof rack, showing the tail light on the left and rugged hardware on top.
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DIY installation

One of the unique things about Bossco canopies is that they arrive as a flat pack and require some assembly before being bolted into place.

While Bossco says installation should take half a day, we must be a little slow because it took us a full day. If we ever have to fit another one, we could probably knock it over in a few hours, but if you’re a first-timer like us, budget a full Saturday to get it done.

That said, it’s a straightforward process and there aren’t too many hurdles to overcome. It all comes together with a combination of bolts, Nyloc nuts and silicone sealant to make it waterproof, all of which are supplied as part of the kit. We took our time and made sure the silicone was applied thickly and evenly to ensure no water could get in.

The wiring came pre-terminated with Deutsch connectors, so installation was as simple as finding an earth, brake-light power feed and reversing-light feed from one of the standard taillights.

Worker in a black hoodie crouches over a large black metal frame, assembling it in a cluttered workshop with motorcycles and a white pickup in the background.
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First impressions of the Bossco canopy

Personally, we reckon the canopy looks tops. Its boxy shape suits the Luxy’s lines, while the black finish breaks up the sea of white bodywork nicely and matches the new Dynamic steel wheels.

In fact, the day after fitting the Bossco canopy, the heavens opened and we were treated to a deluge that had us expecting an old bloke in an ark with a bunch of animals to float by. The upside was that not a single drop of water got inside. Score one for Bossco – and some careful silicone-gun work, eh?

White SUV with a black roof rack parked by a muddy riverbank in a forested area.
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Off-road performance

While assessing a canopy’s off-road performance isn’t really something you can do with a straight face, we can say the Bossco was easily accessible through its three large, strut-assisted openings.

That’s definitely appreciated when camping or frantically scrambling for the tree-trunk protector while stuck in a boghole – allegedly. To be honest, we were a bit nervous about fitting a flat-pack canopy. Surely it would be leakier than a Land Rover and as flimsy as a cheesecloth bashplate. But it surprised us on both counts.

It is yet to let in any water or mud, has rubbed against multiple trees without sustaining damage and has supported two blokes standing on the roof rack to take photos. Together, they would have been nudging a couple of hundred kilograms.

Rear view of a white Toyota Hilux with a black canopy, roof rack/line and dual LED lights on the rack against a forest backdrop
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We’re not suggesting you load any roof rack with that sort of weight, but it’s reassuring to know the strength is there if we decide to fit a rooftop tent down the track.

Once installed, it really is a great option for any ute owner. There are LED brake and reversing lights, which could easily be wired to a switch and used as camp lighting, as well as an LED interior light. The doors are heavy-duty and have internal bars for bracing or hanging a tea towel while cooking at camp. Plus, they look staunch, and we need all the tough points we can get, so that’s appreciated.

There are plenty of opportunities to customise these canopies to suit your needs, and we’ll be doing just that before long, so stay tuned.

FAQs

How much does the Bossco alloy canopy cost?
The Bossco alloy canopy has an RRP of $3499 (↗).

How long does the Bossco canopy take to install?
Bossco says installation should take half a day, but we took a full day. First-timers should budget a full Saturday.

What are the key features of the Bossco canopy?
The Bossco canopy features three large, strut-assisted openings, LED brake and reversing lights, an LED interior light and heavy-duty doors with internal bars.

MORE Follow our N80 HiLux build!