Show me your shell!

Finally got my MX installed today Got to be there and watch, ask questions, Recommendations, inspect. Unexpectedly, the manager gave me an additional $55 off the price!!! Nicest manager I’ve met!!! Remember, these options were what I wanted and needed—-yours will vary. Yes, the front window comes down so I can clean in between cab and shell. Also there is an LED light above back window, which was powered direct to battery. I have another LED light to install above the windoor that has its own switch. Windows will get tinted darker, but not limo tint—5%. The name of my truck is Free Bird. If you have to ask......Lynyrd Skynyrd

 

Nice looking shell!

I notice that the base of your shell has a lip--was that a special order? I don't remember seeing that as an option when I ordered mine back in July. Is it a structural thing?

Also, why a windoor only on one side? Just curious--I had an ARE shell on my 1992 XtraCab, and it had dual windoors. I loved them so much that I paid the $400 to get them on my new MX.

 

The lip (molding) is not an option for the MX series 2nd gen. There is no choice.

The windoor was needed on the passenger side for personal reasons—mainly camping. I needed the ventilation on the drivers side, but did not need a windoor. For my size windoor with no ventilation window was only a $50 option. I hope I was able to answer your questions. Thank you for asking.

 

Bought my '15 with a shell in June but just now found this thread,so thought I'd share. l see aot of love for the MGM with the MX...not positive my model, but about to build out the simple sleeper platform in the near future.
Yakima rack came installed and looking for the right front rack to level up so I can carry our canoe.

 

It was an option on my CX, it's just molding is all. I did not have it on my previous toppers so when the dealer prepared the order and asked if I wanted molding I stated no.

Some like it, some don't. It might help keep less water out?

 

Leer 100XL comes with the 'suv style' vented windows that pop out but on the wesite can upgrade to sliding vented windoors apparently. Im guessing they look the same as the XQ. Does anyone know ? Any pictures of the 100xl with windoors or sliding vented windoors?

 

People that have the LEER vented windoors
Are having the vents even worth it, on the windoors? I can see if you have pets, but if you dont seems like no point. Might be different if they were on bottom of windoor so you could slide it back to grab or stash something easily
What do yall think?

 

Love it. Looks clean. My ARE MX is on the way and im thinking about an @upTOPoverland rack on the cab.

 

Had the sides and rear window tinted 20% on top of factory 31%? Very hard to see inside, yet I can see outside. This is what I decided would hopefully work so walk by thieves can’t see what is back there whether I’m home, camping or on the go. Next, I have an LED Light w/switch to install above the windoor, so I don’t have to open the rear for light when I access the windoor only. Did not take pics on window tint because it’s hard to get a good idea of how it came out. You got to see it in person. Will take pics of LED light when I get a chance to install.

 

Saw this today. Not sure what to make of it!

 

Talking about the windows that slide forward?



The dog loves em and if it's not going to rain I leave them open. Keeps the back ambient temperature.

The fold down front window is great for the pooch as well. He gets lots of air back there.

 

My 1995
Just got a 2015 AC MT, super excited. Now the decision on which shell if i cant find one used

 

I used carriage bolts for my shell tracks to mount a basket

 

This is not true. Everybody is not going with the A.R.E. MX. Tacoma owners are going with different brands and models that fit their needs. Some new, some new to them. The A.R.E. MX is similar to the Leer 180, The Leer 122 is similar to the A.R.E. TW. Then there is Snugtop models that are similar along with Century and others. I can’t speak for others, but my choosing the A.R.E. brand has everything to do with the dealer and the follow up/service/install/price. I saw someone today at the Post Office with an A.R.E. TW on their 2nd gen Tacoma. Looked nice. If you look through this entire thread, I think you’ll see more preference to the cab height models. The Leer 122 model looks nice also. Post pics of your topper.

 

Happy with my snugtop hi-liner.

 

https://www.rerack.com/whispbar-replacement-m6-t-nuts-8880237/
I got these track nuts from Rerack and some stainless bolts at the hardware store. Works well for attaching stuff to crossbars with tracks in them (like yakima hd and others).

 

Finally installed some LED strip lights to the canopy. They run off the USB ports on my Snugtop Rebel or my Goal Zero battery.

 

ARE MX came in yesterday, got installed today. Looks much better than expected since I haven't seen one on a 2019 cement short bed yet.
Only 2 weeks from order to install which is crazy.

Free carpet headliner and install was nice. I got the sliding front glass with fold down option, drivers side windoor and vented sliding window on the passenger side. Excited to build out a sleeping platform.

 

Well said. I chose ARE because of the price and dealer I have in Denver. My most recent post I mention it was ordered and installed within 2 weeks. The Leer 180 looks just a little better in my opinion compared to my ARE MX but honestly its such a small difference and I hadn't even come to that conclusion until after I ordered my MX (too late to care).

The real decision was based on whether or not I wanted the extra height, which I decided for my purposes of multi day camping in and sleeping in the back during ski season, I would appreciate the height. The ease of my transaction and install makes me feel I made the right decision, but both brands are great options though, as stated.

 

Looks really good. Makes me want to trade mine down the road.