Silver A.R.E. Z shell on CC

bestatchess · 07-25-2004, 09:49 AM

O.K., I finally got this shell installed yesterday at Suburban Toppers on East Colfax in Denver. They did o.k., took about an hour, although a couple of minor annoyances: (1) they spliced into the wrong tail light wire so that the third brake light on the shell was coming on with the headlights, not the brakes. I didn't notice this until I got home, so I took off the tail light and fixed this as it is about 50 miles from my house. There are two wires that are very similar, one green with a white stripe and one green with a pale yellow stripe, and they got the wrong one. An easy mistake to make. I should have caught it when I picked it up, but I was so happy they had the remote lock on the shell working with the key fob that I didn't notice the light. The other little annoyance, they didn't put some of the wires in split loom, which I will take care of myself as I have alot of the stuff in the garage (Am I being too picky?).

They put the Yakima rack on nicely, but I had to take the ski & bike mounts & cross bars off to get the truck in the garage.

And they used C-clamps which engage within the utilitrack, as shown in one of the photos.

bestatchess · 07-25-2004, 09:51 AM

And here is the clamp they used, one at each of the four corners. Note also that the plastic bed top rail protector remains in place.

IMADOGMAN · 07-25-2004, 10:13 AM

Hey Bestatchess, Why is it that when you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. We pay our hard earned money to have amateurs do the work. Regardless, the shell looks great. I should have mine in 3 wks or so. Thanks for posting the pics, and enjoy!!!

bestatchess · 07-25-2004, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMADOGMAN

Hey Bestatchess, Why is it that when you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. We pay our hard earned money to have amateurs do the work. Regardless, the shell looks great. I should have mine in 3 wks or so. Thanks for posting the pics, and enjoy!!!

I'm pretty happy with the shell. It is nice to have your feedback on the installation problems. I need a reality check now and then. It seems like years ago, when I used to have stuff done by the "pros", I would often be amazed at the quality and speed of their work, something that I could not match myself. Recently, it seems like I am frequently left with the feeling, "Hey, I could have done it better myself." I still see examples of very fine quality work once in awhile, for example a couple of the custom stereo installs posted on this forum. But generally I am scared to death to let anybody work on the truck.

IMADOGMAN · 07-25-2004, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I'm pretty happy with the shell. It is nice to have your feedback on the installation problems. I need a reality check now and then. It seems like years ago, when I used to have stuff done by the "pros", I would often be amazed at the quality and speed of their work, something that I could not match myself. Recently, it seems like I am frequently left with the feeling, "Hey, I could have done it better myself." I still see examples of very fine quality work once in awhile, for example a couple of the custom stereo installs posted on this forum. But generally I am scared to death to let anybody work on the truck.

My sentiments exactly...I always hope that whoever works on it, treats it like it was their own, and then I think about it again, and realize that they might not even do good work on their own stuff. So, the best you can do is ask them to put their "best man" on your job, and keep your fingers crossed.
Good luck!

OhSnap · 07-25-2004, 11:41 PM

That cap looks fantastic! My Z Series is supposed to be at my local dealer this week and I can't wait.

Thanks so much for posting the C Clamp picture as I was very curious on how the mounting worked with the A.R.E. + Utili-track rails. I saw another post with pictures of someone elses Z Series but he did not have the Utili-track rails in his bed and had his bed rail protectors removed. I am so glad to see that your bed rail protectors stayed intact with your installation! Sorry to hear about your mis-wiring, I will definately make sure to check mine at the dealer. Hope to post pictures this week of my Z Series Cap!

slam · 07-28-2004, 01:23 PM

What did you pay at Suburban Toppers? I'm close to getting one (& am in the Denver area).

thanks

bestatchess · 07-28-2004, 01:26 PM

I think I was quoted $1745 including installation, carpet lining the inside of the shell, 12 V dome light, pull down clothes hanger bar, remote lock actuated by key fob. I ended up paying more as I got a Yakima rack w/ ski & bike mounts.

slam · 08-02-2004, 11:01 AM

Question about the remote lock: does it unlock everytime you punch the unlock botton? Or when you do it 2x to unlock all 4 doors? Also it doesn't pop open the rear hatch, does it? That would be annoying.

slam · 08-02-2004, 11:05 AM

Also is there a readily accessible wire-harness for all the topper's electrical? I'm hoping to figure out how I can quickly remove the shell when I want (probably get a topper hoist).

bestatchess · 08-02-2004, 11:25 AM

The topper's lock is wired to unlock with the passenger doors, so you push the unlock button on the fob twice to unlock, once to lock. It does not pop open the hatch. Yes, there is a readily accessible connector to disconnect the topper's electrical to facilitate removal of the topper.

Titan2B · 08-03-2004, 01:14 PM

I'm just curious, what's the purpose of having the inside of the cap carpeted?

bestatchess · 08-03-2004, 01:26 PM

Looks and insulation.

blueskys · 01-22-2006, 05:39 PM

ARE had a coupon you could download off their website that gave some free extras. I am not sure it is still there.

I like my Z series very much.

ewxlt · 01-22-2006, 06:34 PM

Could yo respost larger pictures please?