Anyone have an A.R.E topper on their 24 Tacoma yet?

I do. It doesn't affect the 360 view at all. Just the rear and bed views are blocked. They aren't used for 360.

Do wish I had an option to put a shell on the truck in the 360 image but that's well into "would be cool" territory.

 

I was hesitating on a shell because of the rear camera but you have me rethinking it. I really have no use for the bed view. I used it a couple of times at first because I could and haven't used it since. The shell would be far more useful to me than a novelty camera view.

 

I thought I'd miss the rear view. Between the small windows and beds, mid size trucks aren't known for great rear views and the digital certainly fixes that.

But... I've driven trucks and cars with horrible rear view for years. Plus, the digital always made me nervous. Felt like folks were too close to my new truck at drive thrus and stoplights. Don't have that problem at all now with my tiny view, out of multiple windows .

The big thing is, I still have a backup camera. I can do without the novelty of a perfect rear view. I just need to know that something is back there during forward driving. I get that with regular mirror mode.

 

Just do a relocate kit. I did the one from GGOffroad and it went great. I just did a trip to the beach with my family and had my bed/cap filled to the ceiling with beach chairs, etc... with no affect on my ability to see behind me. Plus it's clear. I'd recommend the suction cup mount for the rearview right now until someone comes up with a better solution. I'm working on a permanent mount right now for my cap, but angles are very specific between brands.

 

What model is the white one?

 

It's an A.R.E. V Series with the following options:

Carpeted liner
Double T handle rear window
Tilt down and sliding front window
Roof rails for an eventual rack

 

How is the fit? I have read there was some issues in prior years with the actual fit of the topper on the Tacoma bed. Thanks.

 

Fit is fine. I ran it through the car wash a few times before I put a rack on it. No discernable leaking. It doesn't creak or shift at all, though that may be more of a testament to the installer. It feels stable back there.

Complaints:

• The weather stripping on the rear window hung further than the window after install. And I mean like 2-3 inches of excess just hanging below the window. I'm not sure if cutting it back was the responsibility of the installer after mounting or if it was a manufacture defect. I had them cut it back either way.
• The t handles were VERY loosely adjusted. Would have been a mess had I gone off-road like that, with the rear window not securely held in place. Again, adjustable but I could easily see someone not doing so and really wracking that glass against the tailgate and shell on a hard bounce.
• The carpet job in general is lackluster. Visible fitting cuts near the cab where they didn't line it up quite right. Carpet length and thickness are somehow irregular. There are spots where it's almost shag while most of it is shorter pile.
• Sliding front window is terrifyingly thin. Scared it's going to shatter in my hand every time I open or close it. Doesn't help that it's super snug in its track. It takes intentional force to move it.

All that said, I'd go back and purchase the same cap again in a heartbeat. It looks great on the truck and, despite minor finish details, I'm happy I went with ARE.

 

More pics on a 2024 here. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installed-ordered-a-truck-cap.834434

 

This is what I was quoted for an ARE DCU.. Seattle, WA area


23” standard height $2699
Black exterior
Standard interior
Standard rear door with half window and security screen
$190
Standard full length side doors
No tool box
No front window
Lightning - 12V light with rocker switch, all 4 sides
$399
Ladder rack with center support and third leg
$399
No bed slide
Total $3687+tax

I’ve always liked the look and functionality of DCU model… But can’t pull the trigger because I Haven’t seen any (nor can the dealer) show/seen any pics

 

I've got a Century (Leer) Ultra Sport ordered with two windoors. $3400. One of the reasons I went with Century was that the windoors were $100 cheaper apiece. I find 'em quite handy.

 

With the visor on the rear window, they can't do a straight cap. I've seen one on a Maverick, they have a front slanting cab, the cap was straight with a widening gab between the cab and cap. Didn't look good. It was a company service truck, so they didn't care.

 

You get this mounted yet?

 

I have similar shell like @Road_Warrior's truck, but I usually get water spots on my rear window of my cab. I really hate to get into the shell to remove the window to clean the windows of shell and the cab.

So the 4th gen trucks with overhang, I think you won't get water spots on windows due overhang. This is my guess. If you get 4th gen without shell, then it is easy to clean. Since the shell is being dark color, which means it would be so hot in summer days and it's PITA to clean in the shell. Which is why I usually clean at nights which it cools down.

I don't need those fancy 360 cameras kit. I use side mirrors and backup camera, that's all I need. If I get 4th gen truck, then I don't care about 360 since I use same method that I used on 3rd gen.

 

Nope. I'll call Monday, which is six weeks.

 

ARE cap. just arrived and installed last week.

 

I think the A.R.E. shells look as good as any. I can't speak for the quality because I am still on the fence on buying one. I agree with Want-A-Taco in thinking the rear door is slanted forward a bit too much. But imo, the fit and finish of the shell doesn't detract from the look of the truck nearly as much as the hideous slanted rear bumper chopping off the lower corner of the bed!

 

What model is this?

 

Its a ARE V.
got a V bc we wanted the panel windoors, and the Cx(or whatever the other one is) was more expensive bc the seethrough windows were nicer, but we were going to remove them anways for the panels, so there was no point.

Its hard to see the diff between the two.