Project A.R.E. DCU Topper w/ Ambulance doors/toolbox.

Suspension....Haven't given that much thought as of now...I'm ole skool, and back in the day, we just added leaves or a helper spring.... I did see some sort of a 'donut' mfg. 'TIMBREN' which is a passive spring control...not sure if that's what I need....Not inclined to airbags if it requires inflating maintenance, over a one time inflation....I will say this Tacoma's require a lot of mods to beefing them up...kinda like making them something their not.....

 

I added a long add a leaf to my rear suspension when I installed my lift on my 5-lug. It added 3" of lift and stiffened up the rear quite a bit. I was thinking of adding a set of firestone airbags, I've heard good things about them. The advantage is that you can add more air if your overloaded in the rear. With all the items that your thinking of putting in your truck it might be worth a look.

 

This is the approach I've been thinking about too if I decide to go with an Alu-Cab canopy, @03maurderman. Their Gen 2 kit includes a similar piece (L-shaped on theirs) to seal the front edge. They don't discuss the KB VooDoo bed rail cap idea, though. That application brings the additional challenge of sealing the tailgate, where those idiotic plastic bed caps make sealing even harder than usual.

Note the Alu-Cab Tacoma installation instructions show their mounting system for the Gen 2 C-channel bed rails. This looks like a nifty system and might give you some ideas, @sogafarm.

Another option for a Gen 2 front edge might be to get the same part from a Gen 3 truck. The composite bed interiors are the same between the two generations, with differences in the bed exterior, the bed rails, and the tailgate mounting area. The Gen 3 front rail is higher than the Gen 2 but otherwise looks like it would be a direct swap. (Note that I haven't confirmed that.)

 

@4xdog Thanks for the info. I didn't know the composite beds on 2nd and 3rd gens where the same.

 

The interior sheet molded composite (SMC) bed is the same between the two generations. The exterior sheet metal and tailgate are completely different, of course, as are the bed rails and metal around the tailgate mount. I suspect the C-channel rails on the sides are identical between Gen 2 and Gen 3. The front C-channel is about the same, but is mounted higher on the Gen 3 as far as I can tell.

 

I'm in agreement about installing the 3rd gen bulkhead rail on the 2nd gen.... I did my mod pre 3rd gen....Point is, its critical to get a perfect joint/seam between the side & bulkhead rails.....Also to consider that water will not only seep from the top of the OEM plastic factory cap, but from under as well....You can almost get a perfect seal around the rear door perimeter using the ambulance/barn door style, over the lift & tail gate...

 

Have really enjoyed having the dcu back on the tacoma. The dog loves it more than I do!

 

Oh those two guys peeking from the back of the truck are just precious....Real nice cozy house too....Did you say something about your cap???

 

Do you mind if I use a couple of your pics for a WTB ad? I’ve been on the hunt for one of these canopies for a while. Located in central WA