2016 shell pics?

It's useless, get good lighting in your cap.

 

I figured...oh well

 

With my Cx series it shines through just enough to see at the very front of the bed. Definitely need dedicated shell lighting.

 

I think the LED one in my overland canopy works great. I'm not looking to light up the world, just enough to see where my gear is.

 

He was asking about the cargo light on the rear of the cab, not the one in the canopy.

 

Yeah this. I've only had my truck a couple days now, and have been pleased at how well the cab light works. Sounds like it's separate interior lighting for the future shell though.

 

My cap came with a decent light in it, but it is right above the door, so I'm thinking I might cast some bad shadows climbing in to grab things out of the back. I am planning on adding some type of rope lights along each side to fully light it up.

 

Gotcha, misread what he was asking for.

 

This was my concern as well, and why I was looking for an aftermarket solution to the lighting in the shell. When I thought about it and saw how much light the interior light produced, I do not think, I will need anything more as I won't be crawling in and out of the cap to get my gear/etc, I barely fit in the shell as it is, kidding, but I won't be up in there crawling around. I plan on installing a drawer/slide system into the bed of the truck for my diving gear and camping gear, and to carry everything else I have jammed into the cab. I'm that guy on a job site when you need some rare tool, I have it. I learned a long time ago to be prepared thanks to a good solid up bringing by the old man, although, I may have taken it a little to far though.

Anyways with regards to the LED strips, you should easily be able to wire this directly into the dome light on the canopy. You can buy the LED strip lighting at most hardware stores for relatively cheap, cut to the size required, and wire it in. The ones we had here ran off of 12v, so it was basically just connect it to witch in the overhead light and voila, or as others suggested to me get the ones with a USB connector and connect it to battery bank. Velcro in place and you have another switched source for lighting. I'd look at the luminoodles (Amazon), slightly more expensive, but are so much more robust, then the standard LED strips.

Steve

 

Can the badging on the rear windows of an ARE be removed?

 

yes, its just some regular vinyl, mine came off super easy. there was a bit of residue but it came off with some glass cleaner.

 

Is anybody seeing an increase in mpg's. My local dealer said cab highs give 8% better fuel economy, and tonnoeau covers give 5%?

I'm really liking the Leer XR's.

 

Leer 100R, pet screen was a must and headliner was free. I regretted not getting the Thule rack on my last cap...so far so good, no problems whatsoever

 

Personally, I do not believe any of the dealers with regards to this. The increased weight of the cab on the truck would neglect any potential gains in aerodynamic efficiency, of which I believe there is zero if you look at how the air flows over and around a pickup, same with Tonneau covers as the air actually flows over the back of the pickup. Although they like to claim there is a fuel efficiency boost, I have yet to find any actual scientific proof, not sponsored by the canopy manufactures of this being the case. More then likely it will hurt your fuel efficiency around town and be negligible on the hwys.

 

I heard it said that Toyota was required to deliver X percentage of Tacomas w/ OEM tonneau covers in order to realize a certain fuel efficiency standard for the model.

 

Interesting, I'd like to see more information on that. I've only found that in comments in articles regarding fuel economy, never anything solid. That being said, if it is true, I would like to see the test results they have on it.

Regardless, having a tonneau/canopy is almost necessary when using a truck.

 

Cool thread, awesome forum. I just put this shell on last weekend. Sorry the pics aren't so great. Took them on a cold morning in Skagit County, plus I've been snowboarding a lot so my truck's super dirty.

 

Getting my are v series put on right now

 

Great customer service and experience with SoCal Truck Accessories in Santee, CA. They ordered and installed my new A.R.E. Z Series shell yesterday and I love it! If you are in the San Diego area and looking for a shell, I would highly recommend both the A.R.E. Z Series and install/service from SoCal Truck Accessories. Here are a couple of pictures. The paint match is PERFECT and even came with a small bottle of touch-up paint for minor scratches.