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Kayline top?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by LXXIV_CJ, May 11, 2011.

  1. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    Dear Intermediate Jeep Lovers/Fans,

    I took off the Kayline today and gave it a good bath. Turns out this thing is in fantactic shape, only 4 buttons have broken, no tears, no plastic rips, and totally complete hardware right down to the metal screws that attach the bows to the tub. If I were so inclined as to sell said top what would be a good starting point?

    I've seen quite a few and they didn't stack up against this top and its condition.

    $500 comes to mind, but maybe I have the same admiration for this top as a mother has for her child and that price could be ridiculous.

    Thoughts?

    Love,

    -Eric
     
    LXXIV_CJ, May 11, 2011
    #1
  2. DREDnot

    DREDnot Not new to JEEPS

    What color?
    What kind of rear window? 3 panel?
    Pics?
     
    DREDnot, May 11, 2011
    #2
  3. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Is this for sale? if so you should place an add in the "For sale" section, per usage rules ads belong there, not in the regular forums.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, May 12, 2011
    #3
  4. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    It's not for sale (yet). I was just trying to get a bead on what it might be worth. It's black and the side and rear windows are fixed to the top. Both side and rear windows roll up and have straps that snap together to hold them up.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2011
    LXXIV_CJ, May 13, 2011
    #4
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Why wouldn't you keep it? It adds a lot of value to the Jeep.

    The Kayline was the cheaper top option in the era, v. the Whitco tops. They are not fancy...
     
    timgr, May 13, 2011
    #5
  6. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    I'm not going to be selling it. Just wanting to know what it's worth is. If I do sell it the Jeep would be attached to it. So the Kayline tops were a cheaper factory option or an aftermarket top? How did they stack up against the Bestop Dualmatic tops?
     
    LXXIV_CJ, May 13, 2011
    #6
  7. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    IMHO it's a bit of a guessing game. If I were buying the Jeep it would add no value past any good top, and maybe less so than a new Bestop (since I can source parts for one of those if needed and zipping the windows out entirely helps them last longer).

    If I were buying just the top it'd be worth more in a different color - like white - since those aren't available new. You'd have to find someone interested in that specific top for restoration purposes - but it sounds like a pretty run of the mill older top. Bottom line for me would be a couple hundred bucks maybe.
     
    Boyink, May 13, 2011
    #7
  8. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    What Boyink said. A used top, even in good shape is still a used top. I bought a new top for around $500 from someone who didn't need it. Im curious why the interest in the value of the top if you have no interest in selling?
     
    nickmil, May 13, 2011
    #8
  9. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    Just curious to know what it's worth or if it was in someway a rare find to have one in good condition.
     
    LXXIV_CJ, May 13, 2011
    #9
  10. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    LXXIV_CJ, May 13, 2011
    #10
  11. '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    IMO a used top in decent condition won't increase the value of your jeep. However, a top in need of replacement will decrease the value.
     
    '74Renegade, May 13, 2011
    #11
  12. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

     
    jpflat2a, May 13, 2011
    #12
  13. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Huh. Ok Jim, if you say so. I had a Kayline first in 1973 and it was replaced by a Whitco. The price of the Kayline was rolled into the Jeep, and I paid for the Whitco directly.

    My point was not that the top increases the value of the Jeep because it was a period-correct top, but just because it has a top that's in good condition.
     
    timgr, May 13, 2011
    #13
  14. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    agree
     
    jpflat2a, May 13, 2011
    #14
  15. 80cj

    80cj Member

    You say you took the top of then washed it? I had a friend who dit that once and the top shrunk. Never did get it back on the Jeep. I guess the cotton backing shrinks.
     
    80cj, May 14, 2011
    #15
  16. LXXIV_CJ

    LXXIV_CJ Member

    It went back on without any issues. I died both side really well in the sun and it didn't give me any problems. Actually went on easier than it came off from the sun getting it warm and loose.
     
    LXXIV_CJ, May 15, 2011
    #16
  17. melvinm

    melvinm Member

    My first top was a kayline , i bought it new in 1960 for my 1948 cj2a.

    At that time they where made in denver colorado.

    Sense then i have had 1- whitco and 1- more kayline .

    I like the kayline the best , very good quaility.

    I don' like the looks of the new best top .

    1- 69 cj5 v6

    1- 62 dodge m37
     
    melvinm, Jan 3, 2013
    #17
  18. 68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    My JEEP came with a Kayline top. If it wasn't literally trash (repaired at least 3 or 4 times, the thing had worn to be see through.), I never would have tossed it.
     
    68BuickV6, Jan 4, 2013
    #18