Show me your shell!

I don't have a topper yet for my Tacoma (soon I hope) but I had one on my Ranger.
I bought a wire rope hand winch from harbor freight, mounted it to the wall of the garage and routed the wire through pulleys up to the ceiling. Then I made a simple 2x4 frame shaped like an "I" with straps on it.
Back into the garage, lower the frame and straps onto the topper, unbolt topper and loop straps around it, winch it up and drive out.
One man operation that took about 10-15 minutes. Solved a lot of problems for me and the topper stayed up in the ceiling for as long as a year at times.

 

That plane is badass.

 

I hope people don't mind me asking here, but since it is a shell thread:

In looking for a shell my my taco, I found this...

A.R.E CX topper (made in 2007):
Color matching
Sliding front and rear windows
Locking rear window
Rear taillight
Inside dome light
Inside carpet

Decent condition, but has some scratches and wear, but I feel like they are asking alot: $600 + tax. Does this seem like too much? My big issue is that its not a high top like my ideal would be, in addition to the cost...

Truthfully, i think my comfort level is around $400, but finding a good one in that range (actually, finding any used one at all) is really tough. And a new one is just right out (don't have 2k to drop)..

 

I have no idea what those are going for new, but I'd suggest contacting an ARE dealer and asking them for a quote for that specific cap/outfit. That way you'll know just how good of a deal you're getting on the used.

 

The only problem is, is that the local deal that ARE lists, IS the one selling the used cap... DOH! I don't know if i would trust them to be fully honest on a quote.

But aside from that, i am more curious what other people think in terms of cost in general.

 

I put a Leer on my Tacoma and really enjoy it. I enjoy camping have slept in the bed and found the Leer keeps it very comfortable and warm on the inside.

I would highly recommend a Leer and given a choice for another pick-up, I would go with a Leer again. I did have one problem with the third brake light but Leer was more then happy to replace it, no questions asked.

Thanks All,
Red Dream

 

My Z series was around $1100 installed, new so yeah $600 for it color matched is a good deal. Mine has all the components that yours does except that my window folds down in the rear. The most expensive part on a shell is the rear window. I was told by A.R.E. if I break that, it's $800 from A.R.E. to replace. Hope that helps.

 

Yikes, $800! That #$%% had better not break. When you say rear window, you mean the one at the cab, right? Not the one at the tailgate? That's the one I would have thought to be more expensive.

Mine was $2400 installed (for an MX, side doors with vents, carpet, fold down rear window, and roof rack). I would have taken a $600 deal had I found one.

 

ugh.. I walked away because it seemed like too much.. that will teach me (sold 10 min) after I left....

 

Snugtop XTR with all options. Love it.

 

My Saga continues - i have a chance for another ARE (again, not above cab height like i would like, but...) for half the cost of the previous. Only problem, its not color matching (same features as before, except the addition of a fold down front window).

This time though, i DON'T think i am passing it up. If i don't like it, i am sure i can either sell it, or paint it (and selling is certainly an option, if an ARE MX or Leer 180 came along that I liked)....

 

Well, it took me a little bit of driving, but I think I found myself a great shell:

ARE CX (two years old)
Facotry Yakima landing pads
Sliding side windows w/ mesh
Sliding and Folding front window
Carpeted interior
LED lighting

All for $300. Sure, color doesn't match, but it could be worse.. and the condition is amazing. I now happily join the ranks of ARE topper owners..

The obligitory pics:

 

Used to have a Century with a con ferr roof rack, spare and 2 5gal cans... i would not recommend this much weight (off road) unless you have a reinforced camper shell (which I didnt)


But it cracked on my alaska road trip.. too much weight with dirt roads


Custom opening and closing the back door

 

Waiting for my snugtop Rebel with vented windoors to show up.

 

I went back and forth a lot in deciding what I wanted to do for the sleeping platform. I wanted it easily removable, height adjustable, and minimal weight/materials. Here is what I came up with (I can put it in or take it out in under 4 minutes).

Pictures are as follows:

1. Truck with ARE MX Shell and Thule Cargo Bin
2. Truck bed with BedRug
3. The equipment used for the Sleeping Platform
4. The support system for the bed in the high position (approx 13 inches of storage space underneath).
5. Bed in High Position
6. A view of the support system while bed is in high position.
7. Simple Curtains attached with Velcro
8. Support system of bed in low position (the same center supports are used).
9. Bed in the low position (approx 9 inches of storage space underneath).

 

Crom,
Nice shell. What made you go with the above cab-height model?
See you in DV!

 

I'm looking to get a shell for mine, specifically the Leer 100R. A question though, does the rear window effective lock the tailgate? Or can the tailgate still be opened when the rear window of the cap is locked? I have a backup camera and no way to lock my tailgate as it is right now.