Pics of the new camper

BajaTaco · 03-06-2004, 11:11 PM

I finally replaced my old leaky shell with a new A.R.E. - I was pleased to find that they now offer flip-out side windows with a screened slider. Pretty cool. I also got the flip-down front window, and interior carpet. I rebuilt my cargo deck, and finished it with carpet to match. I just recently took it on a mini-expediton to Mexico and used the camper for the first time. I must say, it's like a night-and-day difference to have the flip-out side windows.

***Corey*** · 03-06-2004, 11:23 PM

Dang skippy, that looks great!
If I ever win the lotto, I want a white TRD lockered Taco Extracab like yours to fix up with a shell and rack system.

JGage · 03-06-2004, 11:30 PM

That is really pretty cool.

Birdman · 03-07-2004, 01:00 AM

I think I'd probably bolt that thing to the bed if You're gonna put all that weight on it. Especially if you take it off road with a load.

Darren · 03-07-2004, 01:03 AM

Looks real good, Chris! Those are the first pics I've seen of your truck with the new shoes. I may have missed it on the other board, though. Yeah, I bet those windows are real nice, too.

After you took that second pic, did you throw those body bags in the lake?! They look a little, shall I say, peculiar!

At any rate, well done yet again.

outdoorfever · 03-07-2004, 01:13 AM

that looks fantastic! white is the best too..and btw along with the moonstoon sticker how about some patagonia and marmot! ~kyle

Bob_98SR5 · 03-07-2004, 01:19 AM

chris,

WOW! that is an awesome camper! makes me want to buy a truck just for the camper.

seriously, i've never seen or even heard of the flip up side cargo windows. its one of those things that you say to yourself "now why didn't i think of that?!?!"

great buy. i hope you get some good use out of it.

bob

jayson161 · 03-07-2004, 01:49 AM

truck looks great with that camper. just curious though, how much did it cost if you dont mind me asking? i need to get a new shell on mine that doesnt leak and it would be nice to have one thats flush with the cab so i can add a cargo rack like yours.
jayson

Tacoma Dude · 03-07-2004, 03:09 AM

Man oh man I'm glad I don't want a camper shell otherwise that would be ANOTHER mod that I'd want!
That looks really awesome! I was surfing your site last week and was thinking about how the Tacoma looks nice with the shell. This is even nicer!

BajaTaco · 03-07-2004, 07:39 AM

Cool - thanks for the responses! It's fun to see some other outdoor gear geeks out there. Yea, the blue "body bag"...

is a "1st gen" moonstone bag that I absolutely love. It's down filled, with gore dryloft shell and has the snap-in down liner so it will be good for (I can't remember) something like 0 degrees. The other "body bag" is a "2nd gen" (no longer made in USA) moonstone down bag that I recently got for my wife. She loves it. Cozy!!

Regarding bolting the camper to the truck - it is secured with six clamps, just like my old shell. I ran my old shell for 5 years like that and it never moved. In fact, when I took it off I almost wasted my back trying to get it separated from the bed. (a friend and I had to take turns kneeling bent over inside and pushing on the ceiling with our backs to "pop" it loose.)

On the price - I paid $1500 with installation and tax. By way of comparison, this is what I would have paid for a SnugTop of the same type, but without the flip-out side windows.

I plan to get some no-seeum mesh screen, and make full window screens for the side windows. The screens will be trimmed with velcro so that they should stick to the carpet lining of the camper for easy attachment and removal. This way, I can do full side window ventilation (with windows flipped out) and keep bugs out when I want/need to.

Churnd · 03-07-2004, 09:16 AM

That shell looks sweet! Now all of a sudden I want one for my pickup! :pat:

How much was the shell on its own, without the installation?

That's a great idea you have about the removable mesh. Your truck is one of my all time favs. Let me know when you get ready to sell.

X-AWDriver · 03-07-2004, 09:19 AM

Bling*Bling

Nice topper.

ianshoots · 03-07-2004, 06:55 PM

Man do I covet your windows. I'm saving my pennies for the high-rise version (in black). There's a lot of pennies left to go.....sigh...

**4x4Fink** · 03-07-2004, 07:07 PM

That looks awesome man! Thats gotta be one of the best ways to camp right there...sleepin in your rig, way to go!

Fink

96LtdYota · 03-07-2004, 07:37 PM

I used to laugh at my girlfriends taco when it had the camper on it, but seeing that one changed my mind on campers completely.. Your truck is very nicely done....

gapguy · 03-07-2004, 09:49 PM

Makes me wanna trade the runna in for a new double cab

BajaTaco · 03-07-2004, 11:16 PM

Thanks guys.

I can't tell you what the cost is w/o install, because it was not a line-item on the bill, it was included in the price. Here is the break-down...

$959.00 shell w/3rd brake light, factory paint match, installed
$45.00 Limited Lifetime warranty
$178.00 screened vent work doors
$90.00 drop-down slider window
$119.00 fabric lining
-------
$1,396.00

$30.00 add for matching carpet that I bought to do the cargo deck

$1,426.00 sub total
$123.78 tax
------------
$1,549.78 Grand Total

FYI - A.R.E. no longer offers all of the carpet color options. I think they only have 2 colors to choose from now - I can't remember what the other one was - I think it was just a lighter grey, like silver. I chose the charcoal grey. The paint match is perfect.

ewarnerusa · 03-08-2004, 10:58 AM

nice topper. I've got an ARE, too. the MX-series. I really like those flip up side windows with sliding vent. The flip up style is really nice for access, but I wanted enclosure for the dogs. The style you have would solve both of those. do you know if they'll do a window swap?

pat317az · 03-08-2004, 11:11 AM

Sweet shell man! Where did you buy it from?

gtaSR5 · 03-08-2004, 11:53 AM

That is soooo nice! I want one sooo bad

(both a taco and a camper)

03-06-2004, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
BajaTaco Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 638	Pics of the new camper I finally replaced my old leaky shell with a new A.R.E. - I was pleased to find that they now offer flip-out side windows with a screened slider. Pretty cool. I also got the flip-down front window, and interior carpet. I rebuilt my cargo deck, and finished it with carpet to match. I just recently took it on a mini-expediton to Mexico and used the camper for the first time. I must say, it's like a night-and-day difference to have the flip-out side windows. __________________ Chris Marzonie BAJATACO.COM Toyota light expedition vehicle Adventure reports Lots of Photos OVERLAND JOURNAL North America's first vehicle-dependent expedition magazine

03-06-2004, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 23,765	Dang skippy, that looks great! If I ever win the lotto, I want a white TRD lockered Taco Extracab like yours to fix up with a shell and rack system. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser ARB bumper, Warn XD9000, OME lift, roof top tent, so much more, see my website & buildup thread PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge

03-06-2004, 11:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
JGage Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NW Florida Posts: 575	That is really pretty cool. __________________ 2003 Galactic Gray Limited 4WD V8 w/ X-reas. Passenger and Driver window tint mod. <G> Royal Purple ! Amsoil in the Diffs and TC. "…..there’s always a way of balancing things. Someday it’ll come. Don’t hunt for it, don’t pledge revenge – revenge is for children. It’s a lot more satisfying to f#ck with their mind. Just keep your eyes open and wait for the chance. The take it for everything its worth. "

03-07-2004, 01:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
Birdman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 490	I think I'd probably bolt that thing to the bed if You're gonna put all that weight on it. Especially if you take it off road with a load. __________________ =Birdman= -- - 1999 4Runner "Highlander" SR5 5spd - Imperial Jade Mica TJM T-15 Front Bumper, Sonoran Steel Rear Bumper, Old Man Emu Springs & Shocks, Revtek Diff Drop Spacer, 4Crawler 1" Body Lift, 265/75/16 Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos, Deckplate Mod, Amsoil Air Filter, Flowmaster 50 Series Deltaflow Muffler, Amsoil S-2000 Oil, Optima Red Top Battery, Cobra 75 WX ST CB Radio, Hella Dual-Tone Air Horns, Yakima Rack w/all the trimmings

03-07-2004, 01:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Darren Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,034	Looks real good, Chris! Those are the first pics I've seen of your truck with the new shoes. I may have missed it on the other board, though. Yeah, I bet those windows are real nice, too. After you took that second pic, did you throw those body bags in the lake?! They look a little, shall I say, peculiar! At any rate, well done yet again. __________________ 2002 4Runner MyColorado.org (CO landscapes, destinations & trip reports)

03-07-2004, 01:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
outdoorfever Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Concord NC Posts: 1,059	that looks fantastic! white is the best too..and btw along with the moonstoon sticker how about some patagonia and marmot! ~kyle __________________ -Kyle Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE!!

03-07-2004, 01:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,115	chris, WOW! that is an awesome camper! makes me want to buy a truck just for the camper. seriously, i've never seen or even heard of the flip up side cargo windows. its one of those things that you say to yourself "now why didn't i think of that?!?!" great buy. i hope you get some good use out of it. bob

03-07-2004, 01:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
jayson161 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: washington Posts: 137	truck looks great with that camper. just curious though, how much did it cost if you dont mind me asking? i need to get a new shell on mine that doesnt leak and it would be nice to have one thats flush with the cab so i can add a cargo rack like yours. jayson __________________ SFA 1994 toyota pickup 4" front marlin springs/4" rear marlin springs/1.5" rear shackles/5.29 gears/aussie locker/35x12.50 ssr's/15x10 rock crawlers/ARB Bull Bar/Warn M8000 winch/KC slim lites/Bushwacker extenda fender flares/ARB Safari Snorkel---

03-07-2004, 03:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,377	Man oh man I'm glad I don't want a camper shell otherwise that would be ANOTHER mod that I'd want! That looks really awesome! I was surfing your site last week and was thinking about how the Tacoma looks nice with the shell. This is even nicer! __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

03-07-2004, 07:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
BajaTaco Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 638	Cool - thanks for the responses! It's fun to see some other outdoor gear geeks out there. Yea, the blue "body bag"... is a "1st gen" moonstone bag that I absolutely love. It's down filled, with gore dryloft shell and has the snap-in down liner so it will be good for (I can't remember) something like 0 degrees. The other "body bag" is a "2nd gen" (no longer made in USA) moonstone down bag that I recently got for my wife. She loves it. Cozy!! Regarding bolting the camper to the truck - it is secured with six clamps, just like my old shell. I ran my old shell for 5 years like that and it never moved. In fact, when I took it off I almost wasted my back trying to get it separated from the bed. (a friend and I had to take turns kneeling bent over inside and pushing on the ceiling with our backs to "pop" it loose.) On the price - I paid $1500 with installation and tax. By way of comparison, this is what I would have paid for a SnugTop of the same type, but without the flip-out side windows. I plan to get some no-seeum mesh screen, and make full window screens for the side windows. The screens will be trimmed with velcro so that they should stick to the carpet lining of the camper for easy attachment and removal. This way, I can do full side window ventilation (with windows flipped out) and keep bugs out when I want/need to. __________________ Chris Marzonie BAJATACO.COM Toyota light expedition vehicle Adventure reports Lots of Photos OVERLAND JOURNAL North America's first vehicle-dependent expedition magazine

03-07-2004, 09:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
Churnd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 4,096	That shell looks sweet! Now all of a sudden I want one for my pickup! :pat: How much was the shell on its own, without the installation? That's a great idea you have about the removable mesh. Your truck is one of my all time favs. Let me know when you get ready to sell. __________________ -Chris If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Click here to search! My Website

03-07-2004, 09:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 9,501	BlingBling Nice topper. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

03-07-2004, 06:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
ianshoots Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Way down in the hole... Posts: 791	Man do I covet your windows. I'm saving my pennies for the high-rise version (in black). There's a lot of pennies left to go.....sigh...

03-07-2004, 07:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 4,676	That looks awesome man! Thats gotta be one of the best ways to camp right there...sleepin in your rig, way to go! Fink __________________ Black 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA

03-07-2004, 07:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
96LtdYota Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, Al... ROLL TIDE!!! Posts: 1,557	I used to laugh at my girlfriends taco when it had the camper on it, but seeing that one changed my mind on campers completely.. Your truck is very nicely done.... __________________ Beaux Its injured...

03-08-2004, 11:11 AM	#20 (permalink)
pat317az Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 48	Sweet shell man! Where did you buy it from? __________________ '99 4wd 5spd 3.4L xtracab TRD Tacoma -OME suspension with 881 coils and firm shocks -Stubbs Sliders coated with POR-15 and modified to bolt on with nuts held captive in the frame (custom self install) -Loud horn -AC inverter -Clifford G5 Alarm/Remote Start (custom self install) -Amsoil

03-07-2004, 09:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
gapguy Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 3,552	Makes me wanna trade the runna in for a new double cab __________________ 2008 Mini Cooper

03-07-2004, 11:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
BajaTaco Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 638	Thanks guys. I can't tell you what the cost is w/o install, because it was not a line-item on the bill, it was included in the price. Here is the break-down... $959.00 shell w/3rd brake light, factory paint match, installed $45.00 Limited Lifetime warranty $178.00 screened vent work doors $90.00 drop-down slider window $119.00 fabric lining ------- $1,396.00 $30.00 add for matching carpet that I bought to do the cargo deck $1,426.00 sub total $123.78 tax ------------ $1,549.78 Grand Total FYI - A.R.E. no longer offers all of the carpet color options. I think they only have 2 colors to choose from now - I can't remember what the other one was - I think it was just a lighter grey, like silver. I chose the charcoal grey. The paint match is perfect. __________________ Chris Marzonie BAJATACO.COM Toyota light expedition vehicle Adventure reports Lots of Photos OVERLAND JOURNAL North America's first vehicle-dependent expedition magazine

03-08-2004, 10:58 AM	#19 (permalink)
ewarnerusa Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 509	nice topper. I've got an ARE, too. the MX-series. I really like those flip up side windows with sliding vent. The flip up style is really nice for access, but I wanted enclosure for the dogs. The style you have would solve both of those. do you know if they'll do a window swap? __________________ Pics - 2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab TRD 4x4 Imperial Jade

03-08-2004, 11:53 AM	#21 (permalink)
gtaSR5 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North of the border Posts: 148	That is soooo nice! I want one sooo bad (both a taco and a camper) __________________ C A N A D I A N 1994 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4

03-08-2004, 12:52 PM	#22 (permalink)
BajaTaco Contributing Member