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Post by btinsc on Jul 30, 2018 21:27:11 GMT -5
My 3a has no top and I would like to put a canvas top on it. I have all the bows and rods and door frames. In fact I may have what may have been the original 7 piece top for that period. It's pretty rough tho.
I have found only two companies that offer the tops, maybe ya'll know others, Beachwood and New Life. Looks like Beachwood is real pricy ( you get what you pay for ) and I have picked up that New life had some delivery issues in the past. Have any of you had any dealings with these companies in the recent past?
Anyway do you have any thoughts on these companies? Quality of materials or workmanship. Or what have you? |
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redwilly
KJRT
Posts: 138 
First Name: Glen
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Post by redwilly on Jul 31, 2018 7:13:56 GMT -5
Beachwood is pricey but they do quality work, deliver on time and are easy to work with. So yes, you get what you pay for.
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Post by m38mike on Jul 31, 2018 7:46:32 GMT -5
I bought some seat covers from new life several years ago. I paid for them and waited about 8 months for them to be delivered. Excellent quality work, terrible time management. For the small percentage extra that you would pay to Beachwood, you get your product in a reasonable time, and it too is a quality product. My two cents worth.
edit: Weebee webbing may be another source of canvas covers for you. They specialize in military canvas products.
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Post by btinsc on Jul 31, 2018 11:55:19 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I looked at Weebee Webbing and it seems they only do military vehicles. The m38 and cj3a have the same basic body but the bows and the rods for the top are different. I have been in contact with Beachwood and am waiting on a price. I continue to be a leary of New Life since I have not received any replies to email and a lack of positive reviews.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2018 17:07:09 GMT -5
I wouldent waist my time with "New Life", as I've already waisted enough  .... for a civilian top, Beachwood is your only commercial choice, and probably your fastest choice for a top!. Jpet on the 2A page makes the best top, but I have no idea what his turnaround time is as it's a hobby for him... Lee  |
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Post by btinsc on Jul 31, 2018 17:37:25 GMT -5
Lee I am in contact with Dan at Beachwood. I am not familiar with Jpet. Do you have any pics of his tops or links to them? We hope to leave around Aug. 18th for a trip to SD, will be gone about 6- 8 weeks. Do you know of any interesting jeep places( salvage yards, supply houses, museums) between SC and SD to visit?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2018 18:30:02 GMT -5
Lee I am in contact with Dan at Beachwood. I am not familiar with Jpet. Do you have any pics of his tops or links to them? We hope to leave around Aug. 18th for a trip to SD, will be gone about 6- 8 weeks. Do you know of any interesting jeep places( salvage yards, supply houses, museums) between SC and SD to visit? Jpet is a moderator on the 2A page, he made me a top for my 2A, makes the "most original" style top. Again he does it as a hobby, not sure of his schedule you could pm him on the 2A page, he's running the Rubicon trail in California right now. What to see! I would not know where to start!  , Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio is a must see!, not real familiar with the east side of the country. Harry Sheets in Croffordsville Indiana (I've never been there but he's got Jeep stuff), the Ropkey Tank Museum is also in Croffordsville but it's by appointment only (very interesting).... Drive fast through Illinois  , plenty to see in SD, Mt Rushmore, Custer Park, 1880 train ride, gold panning, horseback riding, Jeep trails (if your bringing one) Devils Tower, Sturgis, Oilleaker .. Im sure others will chime in!, Lee |
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Post by btinsc on Jul 31, 2018 20:12:23 GMT -5
Not taking the jeep, just would like to stop and see a few. There are so many more out west than here in the southeast. I guess our old ones just rusted away.
Our destination is Custer State Park for the buffalo roundup. Will be meeting with wife's sister and hubby there. They are in Colorado now knocking around. I know we have a few places to see, Sturgis, Deadwood, Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore. Want to rent a rig to do a little trail riding. We're looking forward to the trip.
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Post by cline48 on Aug 1, 2018 4:01:52 GMT -5
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oilleaker1
Full Professor
Full Professor
Has Jeep Disease
Posts: 2,022
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Post by oilleaker1 on Aug 1, 2018 6:49:46 GMT -5
Shack's top looks like it got wet in June! Long, long trip there Bill. There is more to see just in the Black Hills than you have time. By Sept. allot of the rental ATV places will be closed up for the season. Many of us Jeepers will be headed for the FCT in Colorado in Sept. You can't go wrong centering your fun in Custer. if you need a Jeep fix, you can look me up while here, if I'm here. LOL. John |
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Post by btinsc on Aug 1, 2018 9:45:14 GMT -5
Cline48 thanks for posting the pics. That's a nice looking top. I an curious about the doors and how they roll up. How does that work? Is that design typical for a top of that era?
John we are leaving Aug.18th headed that way. Reserves start at Custer SP the third week of Sept. I know it's a long drive, been to Montana and another trip to Colorado within the past five years. Always enjoy the trip. Maybe we can find a rental place looking for that last dollar. Won't be bringing my jeep, but if you're any good on Chevy Duramax's I would give you a call if needed. lol
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Post by airportops on Aug 3, 2018 4:31:25 GMT -5
 Here is a Beechwood full top. They had a couple of different door window options, one with zippered windows that lets in a lot of fresh air and makes it easy to reach out and use a key pad on a gate. Ordered the whole thing, with hardware and it was on Grunt in three weeks. After a few months the price doesn't hurt at all :-) |
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Post by btinsc on Aug 3, 2018 7:39:10 GMT -5
Dang it airportops I had just about talked myself out of the Beachwood top, then you popup and kindle the fire again. lol Sure is a nice looking top and jeep. How do you like it? Were there any installation issues? I notice the side curtains are secured by straps to the footman loops on the body side, is that typical for a M38? My loops are mounted on top of the body rail. Dan at Beachwood told me he could send me door skins, like the ones for a M38, that attach to my door frames so I wouldn't have shipping charges two ways. How do they attach?
I'm anxious to talk with Dan again he has been out of work sick. Hopefully he will be back by the first of the week.
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Post by btinsc on Aug 3, 2018 8:20:24 GMT -5
one other question. What color is your top?
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Post by airportops on Aug 3, 2018 10:02:03 GMT -5
 Here is a side view. The color on the invoice reads "Olive Drab (standard shade)cotton canvas. Yep, everything is typical for an M38. I already had a 3A windshield I put on to get a tighter fit with my old vinyl Best Top. Its main function was to protect me from black flies and mosquitos in Canada when I used Grunt to haul bear bait. Also, the fold up, and down, top bows for the M38 are quick to deploy. I provided Dan the measurements for the locations of the straps and everything fit like a glove. They even sent a video to help with the installation. The skins just stretch over the frames and are secured with turnbuckles. The windows you can open are worth way more than they cost. You couldn't stay in the Willys if the sun was shining and the full top was on with out them. Being able to switch to just the summer top is great too. I'll see if I can find a picture.  |
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.... for a civilian top, Beachwood is your only commercial choice, and probably your fastest choice for a top!. Jpet on the 2A page makes the best top, but I have no idea what his turnaround time is as it's a hobby for him...
, Air Force museum in Dayton Ohio is a must see!, not real familiar with the east side of the country. Harry Sheets in Croffordsville Indiana (I've never been there but he's got Jeep stuff), the Ropkey Tank Museum is also in Croffordsville but it's by appointment only (very interesting).... Drive fast through Illinois 
, plenty to see in SD, Mt Rushmore, Custer Park, 1880 train ride, gold panning, horseback riding, Jeep trails (if your bringing one) Devils Tower, Sturgis, Oilleaker 
