ARE CX Classic Questions

[LadyLightning]

I’ve decided on the ARE CX Classic, but still trying to decide on a couple options:
1) lighting
Battery or wired/prop switch
2)carpet liner or no
3) single T-handle or double

I’m definitely getting the Outdoorsman vented Windoors, folding/sliding front window & roof tracks. Interested in seeing what options others have gone with, especially the lighting options. Thanks!

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[IslandFalconer]

Why not get the CX evo with the one piece rear glass, much nicer than the framed 70’s style window on the back. I have the CX Evo, roof racks, roof basket, standard LED, carpet (free right now) sliding front glass, biggest regret, didn’t get the integrated lock/unlock with truck lock option.

 

[IslandFalconer]

Pics of truck

 

[LadyLightning]

Why not get the CX evo with the one piece rear glass, much nicer than the framed 70’s style window on the back. I have the CX Evo, roof racks, roof basket, standard LED, carpet (free right now) sliding front glass, biggest regret, didn’t get the integrated lock/unlock with truck lock option.

Is the only difference between the two the rear glass?

 

[LadyLightning]

Also, what is “active tilt”?

 

[JRobes]

Is the only difference between the two the rear glass?

As far as I know, the Revo does not have the flip up side windows, but does have the rear glass lock with vehicle fob. The Evolve does have available flip up side windows, but can't get the rear glass fob lock. But they both have the nicer "frameless" rear window.

The fob-lock rear window would be nice, but I wouldn't choose it over the flip up side windows. If I were ordering a new one, I'd get the Evolve with flip up windows, carpet inside, and bed lined exterior if you have a non-paint matched black hard top.

 

[bd100]

If you are going to be climbing into the cap, the Bed Rug carpet floor is much nicer for the knees. If you are going to be storing temperature sensitive stuff then the carpet lined roof helps. (Think solar collector, especially if it's a dark color roof.)

I chose the little battery light. It's dim. It's barely sufficient. You can add more of them afterward if you want. But their wired system with lights all over the roof would be great if you want to go that way. A small battery lantern fits on the shelf in each corner.

I have the long sliding windows, better for staying inside, but otherwise probably should have gotten the flip open side windows which are much better for reaching stuff without having to climb in back.

The single T-handle has bars which can be 'locked' from the inside with clamping pliers. Better if you will camp inside the back. (5'6" or so diagonally.) It's stiff to open and close, the bars don't slide well. But it works.

The pet screen option may help dissuade people from reaching in to grab stuff when a window is open.

The frame on the rear glass makes the back look a bit like an old International or something. I like the look, it goes well on a Jeep.

I got 6 instead of 4 clamps. Holds steady offroad. 4 may have been sufficient.

I have a white cap on a white truck with black Freedom Tops. The result looks kind of goofy. Some day I may paint or coat the sides of the Freedom Top to match. The white does well in sunlight. Keeps the cap from getting too hot.

Overall construction seems fine. No leaks. I read that they added a robot to cut the window openings and increase throughput. Mine seems fine.

 

[CoachA]

I’ve got a Classic on my 2020 JTR. I’ve had AREs on my last 3 pickups. The only lighting I have is the bed lights that come on the JTR and they work for my purposes. I’ve got the carpet like cap liner and like it but also liked my previous cap without it. The one thing I can chime in on with certainty Is that two handles are far superior to one handle. My previous cap had the one handle in the center design and it eventually failed, with only one side latching/catching when oxidation corroded the aluminum eyelet. The two handle design is much more “solid” feeling, simpler and seems to have a more robust design.

 

[IslandFalconer]

Also, what is “active tilt”?

Only difference is the rear glass, everything else is the same. Active tilt is the light that turns on when you open the rear door I believe

 

[Jaxmax]

I have a different brand but can say the flip up side windows are amazing, I can reach in from the side and access anything almost anywhere in bed. I surf fish from my truck and have slept in the back twice now, reaching in from the side to get beach chairs out is amazing, planning on mounting my ARB Element refrigerator on the side above wheel well to be reached from side or rear, all cause of those flip open windows.....Jack

 

[LadyLightning]

Thanks for all of the information! Hope to place my order next week! They’ve told me 4-6 weeks ??

 

[ckgjt]

4-6 weeks?..I Guess ARE has got their act together finally. It took 6 months when I ordered mine- as others have mentioned the flip up Side and front glass are must have- the front one makes it easy to clean the jeeps and toppers windows. I have a bed rug in mine and love it..I camp out of mine and the extra insulation is very noticeable

 

[CoachA]

My ARE Classic. I liked the idea of the swing up side windows. But with one of my four dogs, 118 pounds of hyper reactive to dogs, livestock and school buses, if I ever failed to latch a window, Flapjack might fly out. Instead, I bolted in my homemade nylon webbing canine retention device. Works like a charm and lets the dogs stick their heads out into the breeze on nice days.

 

[Slojo]

You have to select a top for how you use it. I did the ARE Classic. I selected the slide windows because I could get the pet screen for the dog. I did the front flip down window with slider so I can clean it and open it if I wanted. I did the carpet and the connected wired light. The overhead light has come in handy when the bed is loaded and the OEM bed lights are blocked. I color matched it. So pretty much all options that fit what I thought I will or might use, even if it is rarely. I have learned that this is just cheaper and easier than buying something cheap and then regretting not getting certain features.

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