My ARE Z Series finally arrived the other day and had it installed. Took about 3 weeks, which isnt bad at all. I ordered all the options except the Yakima Rack, couldnt see spending $300 on something I would never use, although I like the look of it. Total cost was right around $1,900

Pro's:
ARE has a great warranty, lifetime replacement for the original owner with nay defects.
Fit is amazing, they really nailed all the lines, very impressive.
Water tight! I really blasted this thing good with water, no leaks at all.
Gasket-less windows, makes for a clean look.
Paint match is very good.
The cap sides "spill over" the gray plastic bed caps, none of that shows and is protected from fading.

Con's:
12v light is weak. In this day and age of LED's you'd think they would have a nice LED set up available. In the future I want to add a strip of LED's on either wall of the cap above the windows, that will really light up the inside, for now, the stock light will do.
Price. Again, nice product, but you pay for it!


I am overall very impressed with the fit and quality. My dad had LEER caps for years, but got an ARE on his new SD so I checked them out. If I had to do it all again, I may have gone with the CX Series. The "catch phrase" of the Z Series is to make your truck look like an SUV. This cap does that. Not sure im 100% in love with the look, I guess it will grow on me. One thing is for sure, it makes my truck look 10x as big was it was before. Not sure why, but it looks so much bigger/longer now.

Anywho, enough of my yapping. Here are some pics. Be glad to answer any questions. Comments and suggestions welcome! Should I keep the FX4 logos? Not a fan of the design at all (WTF Ford?) but think they break up all the gray a little bit. Might order a set of the 2012's, they look a little better. What do you guys think?

 

looks great. I had an ARE and a bedrug on my tacoma 10 years ago, but it only cost me 800 smackers from the dealer. Not sure I could justify spending the kind of coin they want for the ones these days, and the tailgate seems to bug me a bit in a way - but I miss the convenience for sure.

 

Looks sweet man

 

That looks great! Was just thinking about this when I was driving around today. And was wondering how it would look.

Might have to look into these...pretty slick!

Your right on the whole makes the truck look bigger.

 

Thanks for the compliments guys.

Its slowly growing on me.

Now that my family is growing, hence the reason for the new/bigger truck we need a new family vacation-mobile. My wife's Escape gets full to the gills for just a short trip to her parents in Baltimore, so this will be nice.

Never had a cap on a truck, always had a tonneau cover, so its new ground for me, I feel like a grandpa! LOL.

But, in my old age I see things from a more utilitarian perspective, so this was a good purchase. The few times a year I get a load of dirt, compost, manure, etc isnt a big deal to remove it.

Only have 300 miles on the truck, so dont really have a good handle on the MPG's or how this would affect it negative or positive. But, im not one to obsess over that anyways...

 

I'm looking to get a camping shell. Have you notice an increase in your fuel milage?

 

LOL, I think we posted at the same time, see my above post.

Only have 300 miles on the truck currently and seeing 15.6 currently with about 98% city and only a few highway miles.

Not sure of the weight of it as to how that will play into things, vs. the new airflow over the truck. Do not notice any changes in cab noise, always quiet as can be in there, I did have it on the highway today for about 5 miles at 65 MPH.

Will update this if I see a huge difference either good or bad.

 

I always get a kick out of the different names people have for these things, hence my LONG title of this thread.

Wanted to cover all the bases in case someone was searching. LOL.

 

Looks great!! Love having a topper and the ability to protect and lock up cargo, as well as use as a camper of sorts. Personally, I also like the SUV look it gives our trucks.

 

Your cap looks sweet! I had a ARE Z series on the last F-150 and loved it. I had it off more than on though.

The color match is right on.