I think you may be right, I asked a bunch of questions about this on Moparts, and back on the old Dock. There are only a handful of top makers out there, and really only one or two sources for the QUALITY top material. Haartz is the main one, and they provide both vinyl and canvas material to the big makers. The difference may boil down to who has the best pattern for the top, and who stitches it together the best. My Kee top is still in the box, after a year, since I haven't done squat on the car since I got the top and interior parts. Gotta get crackin... That said, it looks good in the box. That's about all I can tell you. If you're doing a resto, they've got the correct grain vinyl, and I think they've got a good reputation in the industry. Shop around for a good price, and don't be afraid to call them directly. They were very helpful when I had questions, and said they could help on my install if I had questions then, too.
FWIW, Eastwood sells a top install video for $50. I got that, too, but haven't watched it yet. Need to get on that one, too...
Joined: Sat Apr 01 2006, 01:25AM
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 142
So...Anybody have suggestions for a good quality top ordered online or by mail? I'm not doing a restore, so not too concerned about pattern. My top now has no liner, several small tears, and some pin holes. I want to go to some shows here in the NW later this summer, so I need to get on it. Also I got the back seat out, so I have access to the pump/motor. Which is the fill hole? The bolt cap, or screw slot cap? I can tell it needs to be bled, I can see air bubbles in the line. The bleed kit someone mentioned earlier looks fairly easy to build. BTW, really enjoying the posts here on the dock. A letter in the June Mopar Action called us C-Body guys the "Black Sheep" of Mopar enthusiasts. But when I'm cruisin' along at 75 and it feels like riding on air, I could care. Again thanks to everyone for the great info. BT YakNewport
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
Don't take the bolt out - it holds the reservoir to the motor! Or at least the end cap and gasket to the unit. Unscrew the slotted fastener to fill and bleed. As far as ordering a top online, I haven't because I have 3 suppliers I deal with directly - Bill Hirsch, Electron Top, and Legendary. But most of my tops come on a roll....I make 'em to fit the car and sew them myself. <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Sun Apr 09 2006, 06:51PM ]</span>
EZ-ON is located in South Carolina now. They're one of the larger supplier/manufacturers now, and you can find their stuff on ePay all the time. Prices are pretty good, too. I've never seen one in person, so I stuck it out and went with Kee/Legendary, and the price break through the group buy made the cost about the same for a glass-rear-window top.