A.R.E DCU Build

I’m making some pretty good progress on my A.R.E DCU camping set up and thought I’d share. I didn’t take step by step pics but rather pics as I finished each part of the build
I picked it up on FB Market place for 500.00. Since I have the 2.7L weight was a factor so that’s why I decided on a DCU, plus I like the side doors. Here it is when I picked it up

 

Xlnt!

 

I decided on painting it with black Raptor Liner. Windows and doors were removed and I gave it two coats then after it cured gave it a couple coats of satin black, then painted the trim with dark gray

 

Since I’ll be camping out of the bed I figured I better insulate the best I can. It’s pretty easy to insulate one of these with foam board because they are pretty square and flat.
Before insulation…

 

The DCU is framed with 1” square tubing so the max thickness foam I could use was 1”.
After some research I found some 1” thick R6.5 foam board made by Sika, 30.00 a sheet at Home Depot.
I thought I could get away with one sheet but in the end was a 12”x14” piece short of finishing so had to buy a second sheet.
Roof, side doors, front panel and rear hatch are all insulated.

 

I’ll be finishing up the interior paneling, headliner etc. tonight and tomorrow.

 

@Brex69 -- what did you use for adhesive on the aluminum?

 

I just cut the foam on the small side and squeezed it in between the tubes then used foil tape on the edges

 

I got busy and forgot to update the thread. I got it finished. Unfortunately I didn’t take step by step pics. I covered the sides with vinyl wall protection material a friend had left over from a job and the top I used 1/8” hard board covered in carpet then screwed to the square tube frame.

 

Hey, i'm trying to find out where to buy those clamps for my FB marketplace ARE dcu. I have the t nut bed rails and t nut bolts, but not a compatible C clamp system. any advice on what SKU i'm looking for? Thank you! nice build.

 

I used these
AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

$32 AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZCYJ6T

 

thanks so much, definitely a better solution than what I was previously using lol.

 

Nice build out always had a soft spot for dcu caps you can grab them cheap they are light weight and honestly the best for camping over a fiberglass. I have the same wheels on my 2.7 super light at 17.4 lbs with 235/85/16 tires the trucks happy unless OEM pro wheels i have reps. I have heard some caps can shift around offroad so i put two extra clamps on the header rail in front of the bed havent had issues, do you know the weight on those dcu caps over say a 200-250lb fiberglass and any other plans with the powerhouse?

 

I actually sold the truck and the camper. As much as a legend the 2.7L is it just wasn’t cutting it on camping trips, hauling gear and all. I have a 2023 Off Road DC longbed now, but I wish I had kept the camper.
The DCU’s are really light, I’m guessing 120-140 lbs but they are made of really thin, flimsy material which is fine and all if you aren’t on rough roads much

 

Makes sense the 2.7 needs to stay pretty basic, i am much happier after i regeared it but with the stock gears and weight it struggled a bit