Let's See Your Caps

Looks great! Excellent build specs.

 

Here’s the better one during the daylight.

 

Newly purchased ARE CX Evolve. Spent a lot of time researching shells and was never able to find images of an ARE with side wind doors on a black Tundra. Let me know if any other pictures would help you. Or if you have any questions about ARE shells. I have some thoughts about quality and what to expect from one of these after finally buying one. ​

 

Looks great! essentially same spec as mine, except i'm silver.

That sticker on the back window and the edges come off very easily FYI.

 

Nice looking setup - what other shell manufacturers/models were you comparing the ARE CX Evolve to? Any regrets or changes you wish you'd gone with? Asking because I'm researching for a replacement for my GFC

 

Thanks! How did you remove them? Heat and/or floss string?

 

Rear window just use a razor blade. ones on the side were fresh enough i could peel them right off. You can use a heatgun to help loosen them up too if needed.

for any glue left over, i use 3M general purpose adhesive remover. Totally safe for paint, just spray it on, give it a few seconds and start wiping. If you wipe it all off and there is still glue, spray it again and repeat. It'll take it all off. you can use a metal razorblade to help on the glass. The plastic razor/scraper blades work well on paint with the adhesive remover.

I removed my trd bedside stickers and the door V8 emblem the same way, but that's up to you. Heat worked better on those since they had been on so long.

 

They only had an ARE and Leer dealers in my area. So it was between those two. I'm not sure if I'd make any changes necessarily but the fit & finish on this ARE is not the best in my opinion. Especially for how much it ended up costing. I am happy with the options and overall appearance.

Some of the quality issues:
- excess glue adhesive bubbles that are present on the roof where the tracks were mounted.
- There is fiberglass exposed in the front where the shell headliner meets the bedrails.
- One of the windows came with a scratch on it and grease all over the edges that is inaccessible to clean.
- The lighting above the winddoors don't turn on when opened (it may be a installation error of a harness or something. The dealer is going to take a look at it)
- There is also visible debris in the paint throughout the shell.

I am happy to post some pictures of these things for you to get an idea of the fit/finish. I don't think I'm being too nit-picky lol. For the amount these things cost, it sure seems like it's lacking good quality assurance before getting shipped out.

I did not like the horizontal style of the Leer winddoors and the Leer shells sit low to the point it cuts off the top mm of the TRD sticker. (Wouldn't be a problem if you don't have the sticker). So, if your not going to get too many options, and the cost not too up there, the ARE may not be a bad option. But I would definitely try to get some opinions on Leer. I can't speak to their quality. Unfortunately they both may be on par with each other. The guy at the dealer said ARE was recently bought and have had quality issues since.

 

I agree with these points. This is my 2nd ARE i've purchased new. They are still the best mod for the trucks in my opinion, but they aren't cheap.

The paint on both of mine looked great but is very thin/soft/damages very easily, easier than the truck paint.

The windoors are fantastic but the openings are still small-ish. Also as you can see, the mold is made for the sliding windows, so the windoor lines don't line up. Minor annoyance but you'd figure after all these years they'd change something. There is a model that starts with flat sides without the indentions but then it looks like the windows stick out more. No winning...

I had to adjust the rear window on mine quite a bit to get it to shut properly. When i first got it, only one side would latch at a time. Dealer was no help with that.

Overall, i love it, would highly recommend. but shop around and see what dealers you have local and what options are available. I've read one brand has the front window that completely removes which would be nice for the dogs in the summer.

 

what Lift and Suspension and Tire set up do you have?

 

Greetings, folks. Am looking at putting either an ARE or Leer cap on my 2023. Can't say I'm happy with how rear window looks where it rests on the tail gate. If you have a 2023 Tundra with an ARE or Leer cap, can you post a close-up of the rear window/tailgate interface, and/or tell me how much the cap window trim piece bothers you? Thanks.

 

Here are several. Not sure what your truck color is, but I have a Leer 100XR; I asked that Leer paint the lower window trim white and they did. My sales guy wasn't sure they'd actually do it. I go back and forth on if it was the right call. I like it from the back; from the side I can't decide. Hope these help, and if you want any others, just let me know.

 

Hi!

I am researching toppers for a 1794 5.7 bed.

Which brands have the tip down window near the cab to make it easier to clean the rear cab window and access the cab ? Any photos of what it looks like tipped down?

I have a golden retriever who is my ride-or-die partner and need to give him ventilation with side windows and access to the cab when driving.

Thanks for any brand/model recommendations you have.

These toppers sure have gotten expensive!

 

I am pretty sure most/all brands offer that as an option. I have it on my ARE MX (same as a CX, but mine is mid-high instead of cab-high). I think it added about $100-150 to the total cost.
That's for a tilt-down with slider built in. The window is not on gas shocks, it just swings down. If you are going to drive with it down you'll definitely want something to keep it secure.
Sorry, no pics.

 

Thanks, pal. These pics were exactly what I was looking for -- manufacturer's photos weren't cutting it. Does the trim on the bottom of the rear window bother you at all? On my '05, it was just a small piece of straight trim, not some bigazz piece of plastic, which in the '23's is necessitated by the curve of the tailgate.

 

It doesn't really bother me; the more I look around on other truck brands, it seems to be the standard approach from both Leer and ARE.

 

Anyone know if ARE shell rear glass doors are swappable between models? I have a cheaper door on my rear and curious if I can upgrade it to one of the nice rear doors.

 

I have an MX and I'm pretty sure it is the same glass as the CX. I recall seeing the label on it suggesting as much. I'll try to get a pic later.

 

word thanks man. I'll probably call a dealer and ask, my rear door is booty compared to the higher end glass rears.

 

SnugTop rebel. Got a good deal on it a while back.

 

Just picked up this ARE DCU used for $300. Took me 3 years to find a used one.

 

I added a cargo carrier to the left side windoor from a Subaru Ascent

 

Don't be jealous of my Toyobaru

 

Nice rig all around! I just ordered the BR Rapid wheels. What flares are these?

 

Hey guys, Apparently it is impossible to find a Crew Max with a snugtop Hi liner (or similar shell from Leer, ARE etc..) but I finally pulled the trigger on a Hi liner for my 21 trd pro and I am beyond happy on how it looks/turned out. So much room now I have no complaints! Enjoy!

 

@Ozgood03, how do you still like the LeerXR? Did you find they matched the paint pretty closely. How’s the fit and finish? I have an AG myself.