2009 NOS vs. Newly manufactured soft top/door kit?

[blutow]

I'm trying to hunt down a 4 man soft top/door kit. I found a NOS kit dated 2009 that is in clean original packaging. I also understand that the company making the new ones (Breton) went out of business recently but there is a new manufacturer picking up that business. It sounds like it will be about the same price for new or the 2009 NOS. I normally like NOS parts but have no experience with hummvees and wondering if the newly manufactured tops are just as good. It sounds like these are made for the miltary also, so maybe the exact same thing but newer? If they have the same fit and quality, I guess I'd rather have a brand new one vs. one that has been sitting in a box for 12 years (figuring the plastic windows probably have limited life regardless of exposure). Any thoughts?

 

[mgFray]

My worry would be the vinyl parts or pieces. Depending on the construction, even sitting in a box it can get brittle. (With that said, I just ordered a NOS winterized 2-man NOS top. So I'm sure hoping it's not a problem!)

With that said, if there is a new company willing to sell to the public, next spring I'll be looking for a 2 or 4 man top/doors as well... so definitely interested in another source.

 

[Action]

Look for an NOS kit made by GMA Cover Corp.

 

[blutow]

Look for an NOS kit made by GMA Cover Corp.

That’s what the 2009 kit is. Should I be concerned on age? Better than a newly made one?

 

[Action]

That’s what the 2009 kit is. Should I be concerned on age? Better than a newly made one?

I sold some old GMA kits the last couple years. They were still sealed in the bags and felt like they were brand new.

 

[blutow]

I sold some old GMA kits the last couple years. They were still sealed in the bags and felt like they were brand new.

Thanks for the guidance. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the GMA kit. It's all sealed in the plastic bags with the sheets on the windows and the box doesn't have any water damage or anything. Kind of stupid $, but it's done.

 

[M1028A1ShelterCarrier]

I'm trying to hunt down a 4 man soft top/door kit. I found a NOS kit dated 2009 that is in clean original packaging. I also understand that the company making the new ones (Breton) went out of business recently but there is a new manufacturer picking up that business. It sounds like it will be about the same price for new or the 2009 NOS. I normally like NOS parts but have no experience with hummvees and wondering if the newly manufactured tops are just as good. It sounds like these are made for the miltary also, so maybe the exact same thing but newer? If they have the same fit and quality, I guess I'd rather have a brand new one vs. one that has been sitting in a box for 12 years (figuring the plastic windows probably have limited life regardless of exposure). Any thoughts?

Who is the new company and how far out are they from production?

 

[blutow]

Who is the new company and how far out are they from production?

See #6 post in the thread linkted below

Parts needed to turn a 2 man m1123 into 4 man

Assuming I already have a 4 man soft top kit (top, c pillar, bows, doors, etc. ) , what all is need to make a basic 2 man m1123 into a 4 man? Seats, seat belts and hardware/mounts, seat bases?, etc.? Anywhere I can find a listing of parts needed? Here is the truck if it helps...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[blutow]

Here's a screen shot that includes contact info for the new company. Not from me, but posted by another member. Looks like 150 days out and I'm always leary of that when you are talking about starting up new production. I'm guessing that is their target date, but who knows what issues they might run into and what the real timeline would be.

 

[blutow]

I ended up buying the NOS kit. It was pricey, but looks to be in really good shape with all the original packaging and no signs of water/crush damage to the the orignal box.

 

[Ajax MD]

UV is the biggest enemy. If the parts are boxed, they are not exposed to UV.
Heat is the next biggest enemy. If they were stored in a hot warehouse for years, some damage may occur, but by and large, I think buying these sealed kits is safe.