Show me your shell!

picked up the ARE 2nd hand today, perfect fit and color match. Now for the rack and interior setup.

 

Myself, I think it's one of the best if not The Best. It looks like nothing else, it's incredibly strong, it's metal (409 stainless) and it's got a positive air pressure roof filter. I think the fiberglass caps try too hard to make a truck look like an SUV. RSI Smartcap and this particular model I got (EvoA), the Adventure has molle provisions so one can attach molle bags, pouches. Being metal you can attach lights that have magnets. Another advantage of metal vs fiberglass is no worries about cracking, so if you want something that will last and not pretend to be an SUV (got a Honda Pilot 4wd) Rock Solid Industries (RSI) is the cap, or canopy as we call them in Alberta Canada. There is also RLD (stainless also) but to me looks too upright, kinda square'ish and Alucab. RSI, RLD and Alucab (aluminum) are all made in South Africa, to me this adds a touch of exotic...

 

I love mine. Been running it through it’s first road trip this week and it’s been stellar. Water proof, strong, stylish, magnetic. It fucking rocks.

 

The finest!

 

Anyone have a 3rd gen long bed topper in black?

Located in Denver, CO.

 

mine finally came in. Still waiting on the rack

 

SnugTop SuperSport shell on my 2018 Tacoma SR 4x4 Silver Sky.

 

No recommendations from personal experience but there are 2 that i know of on 82nd Ave about 3 miles apart. One is a Leer dealer and the other a dealer for ARE. Correct , Oregon has no sales tax.

 

ARE roof rack options that gel with the OEM DCSB roof rack? Pre-cap I installed the OEM rack, and I love the look- but it doesn’t add much to functionality, and after finding a topper for a steal in Atlanta (with rails removed) the OEM truck rack seems out of place. The uneven line is killing me, so I’m wondering if anyone has either: suggestions for an ARE rack that matches or continues the aesthetic of the OEM- or thinks I’m better off going slick top all the way back.

Prinsu is calling me, but I’m not quite that liquid at the moment

 

Go stealth with Rhino ditch tracks on the cab instead of rails that stick up.

 

I'm waiting on my Alucab...will post pictures soon fellas!

 

I have a very similar setup, Fast1. I just got a mid rise shell but it looks like you have more of a lift in the rear, even with your shell.
Did you upgrade your leaf springs?

Thanks

 

I have the Bilstein 6112 front /5160 rear with ressies combo installed, 5/4 clip in front and a 1" block in back currently. 265/75-16 Michelin Defender tires, about 1" larger in diameter than stock.

Mine retained some rake with this set up. About 1/2 of the stock factory rake.

Photo with the box empty and Leer mid rise installed




The suspension kit worked very well off-road in the mountains of CO plus I use ultra light camping equipment in the shell (including a cot) and did not do a build out to keep overall travel weight down. I drove most of the COBDR in CO and covered at least 600-700 miles of dirt roads/trails before driving almost every route in the San Juans out of Telluride, Ouray and Silverton. Kyte Lake out and back along with Yankee Boy Basin were the most difficult as were the tight switch backs of Alaska Basin.

 

Good to know. I got the same Bilstein combo (3/4 clips) too.
Again, I just got the shell this past weekend and I noticed about 1-1.5inch sag in the rear. I'm just beginning the research on how to gain that 1.5inch back.

May I ask why you went with the block instead of a AAL or an upgraded leaf pack?
The truck rides fine with the 1" block and the 6112?

Thanks a lot man. We have a similar setup so your advice is worth a lot haha.
I'll post pics later. I'm working right now

 

My set up rides better than stock, especially offroad. I'm reluctant to add any type of AAL or upgraded leaf pack at this point until I need something different. My springs are not sagging nor is the a$$ dragging, even with my camping weight inside the shell and truck. The heaviest items I carry is a 7gl filled water jug in the bed and an Engel 35 qt with ice/food behind the pax seat. All the rest is extremely lightweight backpacking/climbing equip.

Everyone has different needs and one should assess what they plan on loading their truck with and determine what would serve their purposes.

Doing some dirt roads at a good clip

 

Interested in this thread too!

Ed

****

 

Finally got my ARE MX after waiting for 5 months....
Stoked on it

 

Great looking build!!