Project A.R.E. DCU Topper w/ Ambulance doors/toolbox.

Brake light is super easy although it does require minor drilling to the bed. The other lights aren't that bad either. Thanks! Ill post some up later, its super comfy and does not feel cramped. I also have a bed platform as well so it works with providing tons of space.

 

So for the front I ended up getting some exterior siding sealant Dynaflex ultra and a piece of solid pvc trim that I cut down to 58.5x2x 3/4. I also secured it down with 5 screws and filled in any crack with the sealant. On the underside of the camper I scraped off any old foam tape and replaced it with a rubber gasket seal. Rubber is superior to foam.

$29 ESI Super Cap Seal 20 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 20' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps 200 lbs or less

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NCC0SY6?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
That’s the link to the seal

 

Just a suggestion...I removed the plastic bed caps, which left a series of large holes on top of the bed sides...I covered the holes with aluminum tape approx 1 1/2" wide. Then I laid weatherstrip used for caps/toppers on top of the aluminum tape & installed VooDoo 1/8" steel bed caps which are perfectly flat. I see now they offer these caps in aluminum. For the front bulkhead I had a metal shop make a square u shaped cap the sits even with the the caps on the bed sides....NO Leaks! - There simply isn't anyway to seal those plastic factory bed rail caps...

 

Thats another route you can go, I didn’t want to mess with having to replace the bed caps so I removed them and sealed the underside as well with exterior siding sealant as well. No issues yet and have had this set up for about 6-8 months

 

Tacomabaja12.....Very curious....How well does your truck perform with the height of that cap?, doesn't that create a significant wind resistance?

 

It does and I do lose a few mpgs but I’m eventually going to turn it into a cab over to solve that problem but over all beats having to set up a tent so I can’t complain.

 

Oh OK - a work in progress...and I'm guessing you have the 6 cyl. My build is on a 4cyl. 4X4 access cab, so I'm almost paranoid regarding the weight factor. Trying to keep build & interior contents under the 1000.lbs limit

 

Yeah V6 and I think the camper alone is roughly weighing about 350 or so and with everything else I have in there (bed platform, supplies and food for two as well coolers and a grill/stove I think I hover some where around 750- 900lbs if I had to guesstimate with the camper included

 

Looks like a good solution. I like the idea of the rubber seal. The pvc trim piece would be a good option. Not sure why toyota didn't make the bed bulkhead the same height as the bed sides.

Also like the idea of running the voodoo type aluminum rail tops from @03mauderman since my DCU is a bit narrow for my truck bed, would give a bit of insurance that the topper is more secure. I have the 2.7 as well and weight is a concern, that's why I took off the steel toolbox, surprisingly a few pounds makes a difference in how the truck handles the load.

I may ad some more u-bolts as tiedowns to be safe.

Thanks for the suggestions, post up some pics of your DCU's on your trucks.

 

Actually the bed sides are the same size as the bulkhead, its the plastic caps that make it higher...I have basically given up on finding a used DCU to meet my requirements, and have priced out new one from several dealers. Its a bit expensive but will fit the bill...All the ARE/Leer dealers said no guarantee on water leaks, by design of the Tacoma. Water & dust is a real issue on a camper build...So you have to get it right in the beginning....and remove those factory plastic caps.....

 

@03maurderman what were you looking for in a DCU that you can't find used?

 

Here's a couple pictures if mine, the finished product as well as some steps I took in finishing it.

 

What am I looking for?...DCU with barn/ambulance doors...most likely 23" height, which will be 3-4" above the cab. windoors with sliding windows left & right sides. Drop down front window with slider, insulation liner, refinished in same color as truck (silver)....Now the good part...the build will be a single bed on one side, center isle, the other side will have a counter from front to rear, with a sink & two burner stove, storage below, will be tight but I'll make it work... Dometic fridge, diesel heater, 200w solar panel with electronics to be determined. Aluminum roof rack. with LED's mounted Front/rear/sides activated by motion detectors. 4 security camera's for 360 degree view, from inside, on a multi function TV. External collapsible antenna. Going to put a rear roll out awning above doors, a home made shower pipe the length of the roof rack with traction boards & maybe a storage box. Considering an Aluminess rear bumper (pricey) with swing out arms for rotopax gas/water, storage box on the other side. Two 5 lb propane tanks mounted high on the rear of the cap for safety reasons. Air compressor under the hood, modified front bumper with winch....Full undercarriage skid plates. No suspension mods other that stiffing up rear springs...not doing any rock crawling.... A place for everything & everything in its place.... The goal: cross country road trip, perhaps Alaska....But before all of this happens, I'm lifting the bed off the frame and going to spray foam insulation on the bottom of the composite bed tub...I'll post pics when the time comes......

 

Sounds like fun man

 

Well this road trip is on my 'bucket list' for a very long time - got an issue to get through, but I'll get there...

 

Mauderman, try to be more specific next time.
Now that's a man with a plan! Looking forward to the pics when you get all that set up. Just curious, how much is the new Topper that your ordering and have you considered air bags in the rear that you can adjust according the load vs. the load springs?

 

Is that a pink whip in the second pic? Asking for a friend.

 

Well.. The price of the cap came in at around $3200.

 

No lol that is an extension cord. I only had the one at the time.

 

Whip ??? - picture swinging that, in that tiny space!!...lmao