Let's See Your Caps

I've been wanting to do something similar. I was thinking about a stretch type net, but I'm a little hesitant to unscrew the plastic nuts on the roof where you put your D-rings.
Did you just use paracord? Where did you find the rings and the net?

 

Yep, just shock cord and D rings. Bought them both on Amazon. Unscrew one at a time when you install the d rings and reinstall before you move on to the next.

PARACORD PLANET Bungee Nylon Shock Cord 2.5mm 1/32", 1/16", 3/16", 5/16", 1/8”, 3/8", 5/8", 1/4", 1/2 inch Crafting Stretch String 10 25 50 & 100 Foot Lengths Made in USA

$45 PARACORD PLANET Bungee Nylon Shock Cord 2.5mm 1/32", 1/16", 3/16", 5/16", 1/8”, 3/8", 5/8", 1/4", 1/2" Crafting Stretch String 10 25 50 & 100 Foot Lengths Made in USA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WGLMSNZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZT7K378TFZ1K1G6B8725?_encoding=UTF8

MOEBULB Cargo V-Ring Tie-Down Anchors Black Steel Bolton Trailer V-Ring Tie Down for Trailers Trucks and Warehouses Replacement for D-Ring Plastic Flush Mount Pan Fitting Tiedown 8-Pack

$14 MOEBULB Cargo V-Ring Tie-Down Anchors Black Steel Bolton Trailer V-Ring Tie Down for Trailers Trucks and Warehouses Replacement for D-Ring Plastic Flush Mount Pan Fitting Tiedown 8-Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZFFZCG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CHHWE0AH9VAN8R4FZV32?_encoding=UTF8

 

Thank you sir.

It looks like it comes in 50ft rolls as well. Should work out perfect.

Two more questions; What diameter did you go with? I'm leaning towards 3/16. Also, how did you get the ends on yours?

 

I used 1/4 cord so I could use these hooks.

10 Pcs Bungee Shock Cord Hook for 1/4 inch and 3/16 inch Rope Terminal Ends Tabbed S Open Hooks for Kayaks

$8 10 Pcs Bungee Shock Cord Hook for 1/4" and 3/16" Rope Terminal Ends Tabbed S Open Hooks for Kayaks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07281THQT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZBD54D074AMG2RTTABRW?_encoding=UTF8

 

Looks like those will work on 3/16 also. Thank you.

 

Will definitely be copying this, great idea!

Here's my progress on the rear bed system, still got lots of work to do. Soktok 100AH Lithium battery showed up

again here's the original concept for reference

 

How are you attaching those panels (like the counter top) to the aluminum extrusion?

Edit: I'll add some pics of my current extrusion project to make the post / thread a tiny bit more interesting:



This is version 2.0 of a sort of center console that goes in the middle of the access cab area (seats have long since been removed). Version 1.0 is a couple of plastic storage totes bolted together, with zip ties for hinges at the back. Not ideal.

There is a large bottom section for tall things like windshield washer fluid, spare oil, etc, then an open tray on top to throw stuff in as needed.



The sides will be made of 1/4 plywood in the t-slots, held fast with retainers like these orange test pieces I 3D printed. (I could just put the plywood in the slots as I assemble the framework, but I assume that will rattle and drive me bonkers, hence the retainers.)

 

Picked some of these up from Home Depot

 

Still waiting on the Thule Tracker rack for my topper (ordered back in February).

Got a call the other day from the dealer saying the parts were in, so dropped off the truck this morning for install.

When the dealer went to put on the rack this morning, found that the factory failed to send the rails on which the rack attaches to the topper. Needless to say, I am not pleased.

Dealer has been great throughout all of this. He's communicated with me frequently and kept me in the loop.

It's the factory that keeps sending the wrong parts or forgetting parts entirely when they do send stuff. I don't think its so much due to supply chain issues, but feel it is more due to incompetence at the factory. I'm about ready to say the hell with it and go without the rack completely, but then that would be letting the factory off the hook. Dealer said he had no issue refunding that part of what I paid, if I chose that route.

Dealer said one option would be to take the topper off, send it back to the factory, make them fix it, then send it back here and have it reinstalled. I'm not real excited about that option, especially when it could be months before I'd get the topper back, if at all.

Now just thinking of what to do...maybe a beer or two will help.

I'm done venting now...

 

I'm beginning to think that ARE had trainees build my cap...

1. The roof leaked on day one - sealed with Line-X under warranty.

2. One of the many screws holding the passenger window in place was installed incorrectly.
I opened the window for the first time about a week ago, and this happened when I shut it.







I am waiting for a replacement window to arrive.

 

If I remember correctly didnt they place a seam right on top of your roof too?

I have never understood that one at all,no big mystery that it would leak and almost like they just wanted to use extra material to make it instead of one clean new part.

When I bought my Swiss Top for my 2001 I wanted Windors instead of Sliders and I called the factory and they said I could switch them easily enough if I wanted to drive to the factory.
So I did and it was closed of course that day bt the foreman was there and said that we could still do it as long as I helped him so I jumped in the bed and away we went.

After this experience I have no trouble at all imagining the screw that broke your glass,not even for a second.

I imagined that they used templates to drill and mount the windows properly insuring a plumb and true installation but instead I learned that someone just gets in there and starts self drilling as many screws at random as they see fit as they move around in the bed. If they dont hit a solid place where the screw is drilled they just place a million or so more right next to it until they get a good spot and then just keep ripping through it till they decide it is done.

Not too inspiring at all.

 

Yep, that was the leak they sealed up with Line-X under warranty.

You can see the roof seam left of center.

 

I never forget someone getting screwed over by the Man!

Hope they replace the window of course and as you can see it is not a tricky installation or at least shouldn't be?

 

What model leer is that and windoors?

 

The things you can fit in a CrewMax with the slide down window and a drop down shell window: 14 ft prone paddle board….. and the shell rear hatch closes for the win!!!

 

It's the 100XR and their only option for windoors (that I'm aware of)

 

I wanted the Windoors on mine but it was another $800. I just couldn’t get myself to spend even more. These things are expensive as it is. Out the door it was already $3,200 if I remember correctly

 

That sucks. I would be pissed. This doesn't give me a warm fuzzy as I they are about to ship my A.R.E topper to the dealer.

 

At least you know of a few issues to look out for, inspect your new cap before it's installed.

 

Yeah, The dealer said he was going to inspect it before he installed it but I think I am going to hit a high pressure wand type car wash right after I leave the dealer when they install it.

 

I

I had issues with my ARE evolve, back wrapped glass door system leaked like a sieve and the latch system got stuck all the time. As for the other windows, they leaked to. I think it was made on a Monday or Friday or maybe by a trainee as well. I fought hard to get my money back after a year in a half of trying to fix it. It went all the way back to their plant and came back with absolutely nothing done to it! The battle was won, dumped the cap and Ford, now stepped into the Tundra world.

 

I 'should' give you some crap being a 65 YO grandpa but I'm one of those who don't give a rats ass.

 

It wouldn't surprise me. I just bought this truck and have already had a big fight just over the title. I hope the topper arrives, gets installed and everyone is happy but it doesn't always happen that way.

 

Just put this on. I still need to wire up the lighting.

 

Looks great

 

Installed today

 

Looks real nice. Makes me that much more anxious for mine to come in.

 

Looks real good.

 

Looks great! Thanks for the pics. I’m on week 13 waiting for mine.

 

I’m glad I got mine just before all this. Mine took 3 weeks to come in