A.R.E. CX Truck Cap Installed - Specs Included

[artvarck]

Had an A.R.E. CX installed today.

Total price including tax was $3250. Options include:
- One windoor
- Sliding window on other side
- Sliding front window
- Roof rack tracks (purchased a Rhino Rack separately)
- Single locking rear door
- Bed cap fillers (more on this below)
- Carpeted interior (was a freebie)

Here are some specs for those interested.
Weight is between 170lb-180lb.
Truck squatted just over 1/4" with the topper installed, so don't expect much of a leveling kit effect.

Distance from bed floor (top of the Ford-branded bed mat) to the roof:

Distance from the bed mat to the rear door opening (height of rear door opening):

The windoor opening measures around 43.5"W x 11"T.

I opted to pay the $125 for the "bed cap fillers"; these are available elsewhere by different vendors for less. Stoopid Ford Ranger beds:

C-clamps are used to hold the topper in place. Still don't know why the threaded bed post holes aren't utilized; maybe for adjustability?

Got it home and the door weatherstrip was already separating....disappointing:

I struggled between the many brands and models, but was ultimately swayed by the A.R.E. sale that saved me something around $500.

Edit: Oops! Just realized I posted in RR....sorry to all you Raptor owners who hate the poor man's pickup.

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[surfstar]

Solid price.

I was quoted $6k after tax for a LEER 100XR w/ windoors, lights, and electronic locking. I may end up with a Maxliner in non-matching black if I can't score a used cap nearby in an acceptable color.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Congrats! That is a good price! I got the ARE midrise earlier this year. Overall quality is good, but some of the finishing details were below expectations.

 

[2024Fx4]

Had an A.R.E. CX installed today.

Total price including tax was $3250. Options include:
- One windoor
- Sliding window on other side
- Sliding front window
- Roof rack tracks (purchased a Rhino Rack separately)
- Single locking rear door
- Bed cap fillers (more on this below)
- Carpeted interior (was a freebie)

Here are some specs for those interested.
Weight is between 170lb-180lb.
Truck squatted just over 1/4" with the topper installed, so don't expect much of a leveling kit effect.

Distance from bed floor (top of the Ford-branded bed mat) to the roof:

Distance from the bed mat to the rear door opening (height of rear door opening):

The windoor opening measures around 43.5"W x 11"T.

I opted to pay the $125 for the "bed cap fillers"; these are available elsewhere by different vendors for less. Stoopid Ford Ranger beds:

C-clamps are used to hold the topper in place. Still don't know why the threaded bed post holes aren't utilized; maybe for adjustability?

Got it home and the door weatherstrip was already separating....disappointing:

I struggled between the many brands and models, but was ultimately swayed by the A.R.E. sale that saved me something around $500.

Looks great. How was the third brake light wired. I have a brand new cap the dealer that I bought the cap was unable to get the third brake light to work. They were an old school dealer they didn't want to screw up anything with these type of electronics

 

[JBWILK]

II bought the are high end model, glad I did, had one on a 2013 taco, nice addition, wasn't cheap

 

[artvarck]

Congrats! That is a good price! I got the ARE midrise earlier this year. Overall quality is good, but some of the finishing details were below expectations.

You were nice enough to get me the measurements of your MX last month. I probably would have preferred that cap, but wanted to keep the price closer to $3K.

 

[artvarck]

Looks great. How was the third brake light wired. I have a brand new cap the dealer that I bought the cap was unable to get the third brake light to work. They were an old school dealer they didn't want to screw up anything with these type of electronics

Here are a couple of pictures to tell the story.

Looking straight up toward the driver's tail light:

Looking toward the rear at the same pigtail:

Let me know if you need further detail.

 

[Loudpa]

How are those "bed cap fillers" used? I know there are plastic bed rail covers on a stock truck so how are these used when a cap is installed?
Would they also help with a tonneau cover?

 

[artvarck]

How are those "bed cap fillers" used? I know there are plastic bed rail covers on a stock truck so how are these used when a cap is installed?
Would they also help with a tonneau cover?

The plastic bed rail covers you're referring to are removed and these are used in their place. Like this https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/aal-bed-spacers-kind-of-disappointed.31304/#post-461388

My understanding is that the bed rails would otherwise deform under the compressive load of the topper and clamping force. The fillers transfer that load to the metal bed structure.

The A.R.E. dealer told me that they were optional, and that some purchasers had opted NOT to pay for them, and they had NOT returned to the dealer with bed rail flexing problems. After reading through comments on this site, I instead opted to pay for them.

Cannot speak to tonneau cover use. I've watched some tonneau installation videos, and I don't think fillers are used.

 

[Loudpa]

The plastic bed rail covers you're referring to are removed and these are used in their place. Like this https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/aal-bed-spacers-kind-of-disappointed.31304/#post-461388

My understanding is that the bed rails would otherwise deform under the compressive load of the topper and clamping force. The fillers transfer that load to the metal bed structure.

The A.R.E. dealer told me that they were optional, and that some purchasers had opted NOT to pay for them, and they had NOT returned to the dealer with bed rail flexing problems. After reading through comments on this site, I instead opted to pay for them.

Cannot speak to tonneau cover use. I've watched some tonneau installation videos, and I don't think fillers are used.

Ah got it. Perhaps 2026 Rangers have less of a potential issue due to shorter bed rails.

 

[bigb]

You certainly got a good deal on the price. I paid more, but I did get the MX series high rise, 2 Windoors and a Bed Rug. I got roof rack tracks also but haven't used them as of yet.

I was afraid the high rise would look bad but after seeing it I actually think it looks great. I wanted the extra height since I use the bed a lot, climbing in and out and putting in taller stuff sometimes. I'll have to check my dust seal, I did hear that A.R.E. quality (along with others) is not what it used to be but haven't had issues so far. My installer at Arizona Truck Outfitters did a great job and the brake light and interior light work great.

I also added a cargo shelf on one side.

edit: I just looked up my cost and I paid a total of $4,672. $495 of that was the Bed Rug.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Yeah, I really like the looks of the midrise...More than I thought I would! Chose it for the extra headroom getting in/out and volume, going to a smaller bed. (From an '05 Tundra)

 

[ShadowDragon24]

Looks great. How was the third brake light wired. I have a brand new cap the dealer that I bought the cap was unable to get the third brake light to work. They were an old school dealer they didn't want to screw up anything with these type of electronics

As per ford upfitter guide "body builder layout book" for the rangers they want you to tap the 3rd brake light at the bcm. and run a wire back. I preran the wire for my upfitter. I used a single run of 14/3 so I had 3 14g wires to the back. overkill for the 3rd brake, but it also activates the brake function on my diode dynamics c1r's.

dome light is hooked to the battery, and used a magnetic switch on the door, lights come on automatically when open, and off when close. or I can use the standard switch to lock em out completely.

I opened up the oem harness troughs, and ran my wire in there and followed the chassis harness all the way to the rear. where I gave them a 8" pigtail.

I have a A.R.E. CX Classic, I originally wanted the folding front window, but went with slider. I wanted windoors with the pet screens, but it was like 400 per window canadian. so I just went standard sliders. I did go double latch option, instead of the standard single bar. also the carpet liner was free. I originally had specd for the dual rope lights, but it was 300 canadian. I did get the roof rack tracks, as Im currently saving up for the matching trailrax cap rack to put some more diode dynamics lights up there, should help out nicely camping. and loading my trailer at night

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