New Tacoma...What shell should I get?

Watson.gp · Jun 9, 2017

MTBX said: ↑

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.

Click to expand...

Is it the MX? Great looking set up--it's making me rethink the order I'll be making in the near future.

BuddyS · Jun 9, 2017

Here's one for sale in MD... Looks like a good deal.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/6154567807.html

No connection with the seller. I just saw the ad the other day.

Sauzacoma · Aug 9, 2017

trabo said: ↑

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.
Click to expand...

Trabo, would you post some pics of your truck + z-series? I have the same truck as you (color as well) and would love to see how it all looks together. I'm leaning towards a z-series over Leer & SnugTop currently.

trabo · Aug 9, 2017

Yessir, I have some posts already up.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-us-your-3rd-gen-silver-thread.392249/page-94#post-15601207

There is another of the rear in the "what have you done today" thread. If you click on my profile and "threads created by", you'll be able to find them all.

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