Replacement tub debate cont

[RattSki]

I know this debate has gone on forever but in the FAQ the last post was in 07. The products have gotten better and it seems like more people are offering replacement tubs. I've heard that there are still problems with Aqualu and Heritage tubs matching up with OEM hardtops. I have personally seen an Aqualu tub that doesn't even come clost to matching the guys hardtop. It seems every body part I have to discard due to rust just reveals more rust on the next part. Heritage has quoted me a decent price on the 2 parts to make a 3/4 tub but will require me to do the welding which isn't a problem but CCOT offers a 1/2 tub for almost double what I can get a 3/4 from Heritage for. I'm looking for some new opinions and recommendations. Thanks everyone for any input and guidance.

 

[Michael Hanson]

When you find a solution let me know,not sure there is one......yet. Mike

 

[fieldsken1]

heritage is the the same tub as ccot

 

[RattSki]

heritage is the the same tub as ccot

Really? Wonder why there is such a huge price difference? PACOL PACOL Online - (678) 910-8674 seems to offer quality stuff as well but again, pricier than Heritage but again I'm worried about my hardtop lining up. That and Heritage hasn't replied to any emails I have sent. Looks like I better get a second job haha.

 

[PappaSmurf]

I think, in the interest of aerodynamics you should mount your bezel upside down!!

 

[Michael Hanson]

Looks like there is still room for improvement,in this economy poor service=gone tomorrow. Mike

 

[fj-rankenstein]

if indeed aqulu isnt building an acurate product anymore than that would be too bad.. i bought my 45 tub over 5 years ago and everything lines up perfect.. in fact i often think its the best thing that i have ever done and i abuse the crap out of it and it still looks like day 1. i had bought it new for 1200 bucks..

it does annoy me though that the prices have doubled (and then some) sinse then and if they are haveing fitment issues than i will stay clear till i know better... its one thing to have to pay double for a product that they havent changed a thing on and its another when you overpay and it doesnt fit...

that being said though, with the people that are having problems fitting their hardtops, is it possible that these people had a vehicle that was in an acident or somehow tweaked their bodies so that the aqualu tub wouldnt fit right??

i cant see how something wouldnt fit if they have been using the same jigs for years and stuff fit fairly well before... there are a few guys around town that i have talked to with aqualu tubs and everthing fit well with their conversion... granted they bought them years ago when the prices were reasonable for a 78 and back tub.. (i think prices were under 2000 for the 78 and back and 2500 for the 79 and newer and 1200 for the 45 cab..) i would buy a 79 and newer tub tomorrow if they were still that price..

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

My hard top fit my aluma tub pretty well. If you take the tub pre-paint, drop the assembled hard top on and then drill the holes, it's spot on. The PO put the tub on mine, most of the fit issues I had were the tub to side panel holes being off a little. The PO was a little off and it threw everything else off.

I have had no problem with my hard doors front and amby, but the Metal Tech tube doors took a little doing.

I had some issues when I went to a Pakistan soft top with the where the bow tube goes into the door jam pillar and where the back tube for the bows bolt down, not the same, probably not designed to work with the soft top as ragtops were sparse when Aqualu designed the tub, but I made it work.

Now, my tub is 4-5 years old so I can't vouch for the newer tubs.

 

[fieldsken1]

as far as i know they are all made in south america. and they are all the same but i could be wrong but doubt it