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New Tacoma...What shell should I get?

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by Fullyotto, May 11, 2017.

  1. May 11, 2017 at 11:19 AM
    #1
    Fullyotto

    Fullyotto [OP] New Member

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    so I am waiting to pick up my new Tacoma extended cab and I want a shell. I want to put surfboards on top and dogs in the back. But I also want to be able to buy and move (in my truck) everything at Lowes....Basic dude stuff I guess....
    Options? Include some pics if you got'em.
    Thanks!
     
  2. May 11, 2017 at 11:21 AM
    #2
    boogie3478

    boogie3478 Well-Known Member

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    All the mods
  3. May 11, 2017 at 11:23 AM
    #3
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    Just east of crazy, NV
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    Color matched door handles, Weathertech floor liners, bed mat, Durafit seat covers, tailgate clamp, 2016 TRD Sport 17" wheels with Yokohama Geolander AT tires , Toyota exhaust tip, Toyota/Yakima bike rail mount, Toyota wheel locks, Toyota hitch cover, Redline hood struts, unifilter on air pump.
    Welcome to TW!
     
  4. May 11, 2017 at 12:36 PM
    #4
    gonzale20

    gonzale20 Well-Known Member

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    Few pics

    20170511_142639.jpg
    20170511_142634.jpg
    20170511_142619.jpg
    20170511_142605.jpg
    20170511_142538.jpg
     
  5. May 11, 2017 at 12:37 PM
    #5
    gonzale20

    gonzale20 Well-Known Member

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    That shell is a ARE V series, windoors, led running lights, and tracks for roof rack.
     
  6. May 11, 2017 at 1:06 PM
    #6
    boogie3478

    boogie3478 Well-Known Member

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    I expect follow-up night pics with the leds turned on. :)
     
  7. May 11, 2017 at 1:47 PM
    #7
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    After exhausting all research avenues, I recently ordered a Leer 100XR. Wanted the sliding side windows for the dog, but I like the frame-less back glass and single latch in the middle. Ordered it last Saturday, with roof rack tracks, headliner, removable front sliding glass & a Leer Locker. OTD price was just under $2500.

    HOWEVER, I was called by my camper shell dealer, and Leer informed him that the Locker was not available for a DCSB Tacoma. After repeated attempts to contact Leer directly, I was refunded the locker price + tax. The locker is made in both a 50" drawer and a 60" drawer, both being 36" wide. The locker was the main reason I ordered a Leer. Here's hoping the shell exceeds all other expectations when it gets here........
     
  8. May 11, 2017 at 1:59 PM
    #8
    cheuer

    cheuer Well-Known Member

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    Short bed is still 60" long, so I wonder why the 50" drawer wouldn't fit...? That sucks.
     
  9. May 11, 2017 at 2:12 PM
    #9
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    Can't get Leer to return my calls or emails, I'd like to know the same thing.....
     
  10. May 11, 2017 at 4:09 PM
    #10
    SR5 BRI

    SR5 BRI Brian Good Sport

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    Get the nicest one you see that will do what you need mostly what you can afford20170430_110117.jpg
     
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  11. May 16, 2017 at 5:43 AM
    #11
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    Finally got a message back from Leer. Said that due to the curvature of the roof, the drawer can't be installed.
     
  12. Jun 1, 2017 at 4:51 PM
    #12
    BrotherBudro

    BrotherBudro Well-Known Member

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    Leer 100XR, Dual Battery, Dog Platform, Sleeping Platform, Ham, CB, Light Bar, Rear Lights,

    How long until it gets here? I am considering the 100XR on my Taco, would love a full report.
     
  13. Jun 2, 2017 at 7:35 AM
    #13
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    It took 2 full weeks to come in. Dealer told me 2-3 weeks. Also, I mis-quoted the price I paid. At the time of order, with the Leer Locker, the shell was just over $2900 tax and all. After being refunded for the locker that they couldn't install, it wound up just over $2100.

    The only "problem", if you could even call it that, I had to tighten the backing nut on the center handle. The handle wouldn't stay straight. After you opened the back glass, the handle would be a little crooked, as in not horizontally level. Aside from that minor adjustment, its flawless. Putting the roof rack on this weekend. I'll post a better picture when I get it done.
     
  14. Jun 2, 2017 at 7:38 AM
    #14
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    The only pic I've got..... Leer 100XR

    IMG_3024.jpg
     
  15. Jun 2, 2017 at 8:19 AM
    #15
    BrotherBudro

    BrotherBudro Well-Known Member

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    Leer 100XR, Dual Battery, Dog Platform, Sleeping Platform, Ham, CB, Light Bar, Rear Lights,

    Look great! Thanks for the response.

    Have you tested the "water-tightness" of it yet? That's my biggest worry right now because I plan on sleeping in it and have heard some horror stories about the 3rd gens + toppers.
    Do you happen to know what kind of prep-work the Leer dealer did, before they installed the top?
     
  16. Jun 2, 2017 at 8:22 AM
    #16
    maxus

    maxus Well-Known Member

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    I kinda watched the install. He made sure to fill the gap on the front bed rail corners with weatherstrip. Haven't really "tested" it yet, but haven't noticed any leakage from rain. I'll post updates periodically.....
     
  17. Jun 2, 2017 at 8:24 AM
    #17
    BrotherBudro

    BrotherBudro Well-Known Member

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    Awesome. Please tag me, PM me, or something when you post updates. I'll try to keep my eyes out.
     
  18. Jun 2, 2017 at 8:57 AM
    #18
    JimE2017

    JimE2017 Member

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    DSC_0010.jpg

    2017 Limited with a BedRug to be easy on my knees what I do is spread a tarp over the BedRug to keep it mostly clean. Shell is a Century Ultra Sport. I when and sprayed some flex seal to keep the water out.
     
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  19. Jun 2, 2017 at 9:12 AM
    #19
    trabo

    trabo Well-Known Member

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    I just ordered my shell the other day. I did quite a bit of research, but I was mostly going for looks.

    In my opinion, the Snugtop SuperSport and Leer XQ100 look the best but I couldn't justify them over the Leer XL100 on price. I felt the solid framed windows look pretty good on both Leer models, and the flip out windows are a little safer than a single sheet of plexiglass that bends outward.

    That said, I was all set on my XL100 until I examined the hinges of the three systems, including ARE.

    The ARE Z-Series hinges on the rear window are about 600 times stronger and more quality than anything from Snugtop and Leer.

    The ARE Z rear window also has no tabs where the window is mounted to the hinges/handles so it looks slick.

    Top it all off with the ARE Z-Series being cheaper than both Leers and the Snugtop... I was sold.

    Here's a video for you on the hinges:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3HR4Yz6LdY

    Leer 100XQ: ~$2600 OTD
    Leer 100XL: ~$2400 OTD
    Snugtop Supersport: ~$2800 OTD
    ARE Z-Series: ~$2300 OTD

    There are threads on here to check the styling pics, but a lot depends on the function of the side windows. The windows that flip down don't look as good in my opinion and I really don't have any use for them. If that's your thing, the models you'll want will probably differ, and I bet Leer has the best look accompanying functional windows.

    The Z-Series rear slopes down pretty quickly, but the window is cut to match so it looks pretty good.

    The XQ has a taper at the front to match the taper of the rear quad cab windows of the tacoma, and that's unique and pretty slick looking imo. The solid frame window of the XQ is pretty slick but it hardly opens and the actual function of it opening is by bending the whole piece of glass.

    The XL has a solid frame side window as well but the end of it separates and flips open. The styling is a little less sexy but still nice, and like I said, I couldn't justify spending more on the XQ window knowing it could shatter.

    The supersport looks nice as well, but I think SnugTop bubbles the very end of their shell a lot, and it looks like the slope doesn't match the Tacoma styling to my eye.

    In the end, it was the quality of the hinges of the ARE, the fact that the styling was still very good, and the cheapest price.
     
  20. Jun 2, 2017 at 9:26 AM
    #20
    MTBX

    MTBX Member

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    Here's my recent purchase. Planning on putting in a platform, still should be plenty of room for dogs, cargo, etc. I got the flip up sliding side windows and flipdown rear slider. I highly recommend the flip-up side windows. First thing I did was take out the screens so dogs can stick their heads out.

    Oops - it's an ARE, forget the model, but their website has the info.

     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2017

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