Show me your shell!

Thanks for all of your pictures and info. I need some advice on caps. I originally planned to buy an aluminum tool box, started considering a tonneau cover, and realized that a camper shell would be my best option. My preference so far is towards the ARE Z series for my short bed DC Tacoma. The dealer is 1/4 mile from my work location. I will easily spend between $2500 and $3000 with the options I want -pretty pricey for sure. I see several posters with the removable sliding front glass (my preference so far) but I see no one using the "no front glass with gasket" option. That would seem to remove the hassle of cleaning the dewy or icy residue that might settle between the truck and camper windows. Is this an issue? I also wondered if using the gasket method was ill advised as it might be a hard seal to maintain over time. I can't imagine how they fasten the gasket to the truck cab securely. Any advice is appreciated.

 

Years ago I had an S-15 and an aluminum cap that both had sliders. I had a removable/inflatable gasket that went inside the slider openings. It was awesome for camping because I could squeeze through it into the cab in the morning and fire up the heater with the dash vents aimed straight at the opening. The Taco's rear slider opening is so damned small that's not an option now. The gasket option that ARE offers makes me wonder about paint contact/rubbing over time which would be a bad thing. Dunno. Their site also says that they can't guarantee a watertight seal with it (down in the fine print). Also, I live in the desert so can't help with any dewy/icy issues between the two. Sorry I can't help more.

I looked at the Z series before I bought mine. Nice caps, but not sturdy enough for my needs. The one piece of advice I think is most important about deciding on a cap is deciding how much weight you may/may not ever want to put on top. If you buy a standard cap now, you're stuck with it's carrying capacity later on. With the price of these suckers, it's definitely better to be sure up front.

 

I think I am going to change my screen name to jealous!!

 

Nice score RS! If you get tired of the white, you can always have a body shop color-match it too. Probably wouldn't even cost that much especially if you do the prep work for them. Good find!

 

Well....this is what I have been using since I sold my 100R....



It's an ARE MX series cap. It is the cap that you see running around with one of those full rear hatch doors that replace the tailgate. It has the little door that you could walk through although mine did not come with it but rather a regular glass lift gate. I am now selling it to replace it with this!



My new XQ that I got a screaming deal on! I will strip it down and prep it for paint myself as soon as I get it. Then it's off to the paint shop!

 

Here's mine, i believe its an ARE (Used truck). It has a roof rack but i had it off when i took this picture.

 

With ARE being very convenient 2 blocks from my work, I'm wondering if the Z series is worth the price difference above the CX series. We're talking base price of about $2250 vs $1550. Since I will be buying the keyless lock anyway, is the Z series looks worth over $700? Can anyone shed some light here? Also, Leer as a local alternate - perhaps that's my best buy. What do you think?

 

here is a pici of my truck with a new ranch sierra topper on it

 

i paid 1700 bucks for this z series here in massachusetts...nice cap

 

I just made the deal for the ARE Z series. Options added include: front slider tilt window, keyless entry, dome light, and Yakima roof rack. It pays to negotiate - originally $300 higher, the dealer down the street ended up giving me a price about $150 cheaper than his competition. The Z will likely be shipped and installed in about 4 weeks. Yeah, I know... everyone wants pictures and I will comply when it arrives. I certainly appreciated everyone else's pictures in making my decision.

 

id like pics of the yakima rack. im thinking i wanna install one on mine

 

ARE hands down, mine fit perfectly and the paint was top notch plus they were nice to deal with, recommend to anyone

 

mine was only 1200 with sliding windows on the sides and front, a dome light, 3rd brake light, and install. color match its perfect....well atleast after i finally washed the dirty truck.

 

hey how much room do you have between bottom of the front of your roof rack and the roof?

 

I'm at work right now so don't quote me on this, but I would say just enough room to squeeze in the cleaning rag that I use when I clean it or about 3".

 

Ok so the new (to me) XQ came in. I shipped it from SC to Denver and have to tell everyone that you would not believe how cheap it is to ship freight right now! Now even though this thing was packaged flawlessly....it still sustained some damage. First the corner was chipped, then there was a paint chip in the back but most important was the spider cracks on the passenger side in the middle of the cap below the window. Not only did I have a right to file a claim with the shipper but I also made sure to insure this thing to the hilt! Shipper told me to fill out the paper and include an estimate from a credible repair shop. So I went to the Leer dealer! How could they argue with them! I will get the damage repaired by them and struck a great deal to have the topper color matched. I do have to say also that this cap weighs twice that of a 100R! In fact...I can't believe how heavy it is! Most caps can be moved on and off with 2 people. This cap should have a fork lift or 4 guys that would still struggle a little!

 

Nice! Congrats and here's hoping they don't give you any crap when it come time for them to cut the check!

 

here is my 2007 Tacoma TRD with leer shell

 

Good score!

Seems like you're being taken care of well, hope it gets done nice and quick! Post pics when it's done.