Kawasaki Mule Cab Eclosure

[rsar]

So I finally got my Quad Gear cab enclosure after waiting out the backorder for three months and to say it's been a huge disappointment is a pretty big understatement. I think mostly because I could make it work, if not for one major issue. The windshield is right next to impossible to see out of. It's a real headscratcher because the side and rear windows are okay. It's not high quality 30 or 40 gauge marine vinyl but I have Quad Gear's stand-alone winshield so I knew it wasn't the best in terms of visibility, but definitely doable for the price.  Incredibly, the side and rear windows of the cab eclosure are just as clear as the stand-alone windshield. And the windshield on the enclosure is like 50 percent worse than the stand-alone. It's the same company! I don't get it. If it had just been the rear windshield that was that bad I would have kept it. There are some creases and wrinkles here and there, but I've been using the stand-alone  windshield for the past three months so it's good enough not to have to shell out $600 plus for the stock hard windshield. I'd put visibility at about 65- 70 percent. The wife hates it though, which is a pretty big negative. In any case, my original plans were to have an upholsterer change the crappy vinyl out for the high quality stuff and I even sent it to a guy who ended up flaking out on me and refusing to do it. He said he didn't want to charge me $400 for something I paid $200 for.  Long story, short, I decided to return it and just get the insanely expensive Kawasaki enclosure next winter since the frigid temps here are about to start climbing in a couple weeks anyway. I first put it on just to see how it would look (I took pics of course) and found that it didnt even seal 100 percent and made it drafty inside the cab. So make that two major issues. At least with the stock enclosure everything will be top flight. Doors will be nice too.

[Travis]

must have been a monday morning special, or a friday afternoon special.

[Scott Meszaros]

i put the factory kawasaki enclosure on ours.....while it doesn't seal up completely, it is good enough to allow me to heat the cab..............factory windshield is a hard Plexiglas................plowed snow for about 7 hours yesterday in 20 degree weather, and actually had to turn the heater down as it got too warm................

[kenfain]

It's probably good that you decided to send it back. Those zipper doors look to me, like they'd have a never ending potential for trouble.

Not to mention that it'd be a pain, always having to take the time to zip open, then zip closed. 

Do they not make one with door frames?

[rsar]

Yeah, the factory Kawasaki enclosure that Scott has comes with doors. You pay dearly for those doors though. I think all said and done, it runs about $1800. That's a lot for something I might use 6 weeks a year but looks like I dont have much choice. Part of our acreage is wide open farm land and the wind chill is beyond brutal there. Just came back from a bone-chilling ride that was far from fun but had to take the dogs on a poop run. Wind chill temps are about 15-18 degrees right now. The cab definitely helps a lot, as it blocks the wind. Heres a pic of the OEM cab. Looks tight. Doesn't look ratty or sag like most of the aftermarket ones. And it shouldn't for more than 50 percent more money.

[kenfain]

I had a jeep with a soft top, only used it a couple months a year. So I know what you mean. You definitely want doors with a door hinge, instead of a flap. Then there's a proper door latch of some sort. 

The expensive one will fit better too! Less icy breezes blowing up from somewhere. To me, it would be worth the extra money, rather than the aggravation of making due with sub standard items, when they are that important. Having a proper enclosure, up there in the Great White North, would be high on my priority list.

I agree that it's definitely expensive, but I'd still do it. It would be unpleasant for sure, but it would be buy once cry once. I'm hoping that you'll find an acceptable middle of the road option. 

[Scott Meszaros]

i leave the cab enclosure on all year long........and yes, it does cut the wind, and is relatively comfortable with heat......................

[rsar]

Well, if it would end up looking like yours I would probably leave it on close to all year as well. I have an SX XC and I'm not sure it would fit as tight on mine as yours. The only pic I've seen  of the OEM cab on an SX is a stock photo and it's hard to gauge the overall look. Is it hard to get on and off? I would imagine it would take some time. Here is the only image I've seen of the  OEM Kawasaki cab on an SX. It's not an XC but it's essentially the same specs with 24 inch tires. Mine has 26 inch tires.

[Scott Meszaros]

lets put it this way, when i got the cab enclosure, i read the instructions and took it in to a dealer buddy to have it installed..............i did remove a door to have the window "fixed" last summer, and reinstalling wasn't bad.........but in the summer, if you unzip the windows, and run a fan inside, the temps are not bad.....but if you are using it for playing in the woods, i would recommend taking the entire enclosure off.....tree branches would reek havoc on the top..............

[rsar]

Is it at all possible to have the doors on without the top? 

[Scott Meszaros]

i don't believe so........never tried, not sure why you would want it that way............

[Scott Meszaros]

just went out and looked.....bottom hinge is mounted to floor of mule, top door hinge is part of the top....so i don't think you could easily leave doors on without rigging up something for top hinge......

[kenfain]

I really like the cabs that are  made by Essex manufacturing. They're not pretty, but it's all modular steel panels, and real  glass, for the windows. Essex makes good quality, heavy duty stuff, mostly for the military. 

[Travis]

1 hour ago, kenfain said:

I really like the cabs that are  made by Essex manufacturing. They're not pretty, but it's all modular steel panels, and real  glass, for the windows. Essex makes good quality, heavy duty stuff, mostly for the military. 

Might have a hard time getting them now, the owner  passed away several years ago, his wife and son decided not to continue the business..

[rsar]

4 hours ago, Scott Meszaros said:

i don't believe so........never tried, not sure why you would want it that way............

I was just thinking for warmer spring and fall days. My wife likes no top on warmer days (not that kind of top!) and I wouldn't mind having doors on all year round.  Doesn't seem like it's made for that easy on, easy off changeability though.

[kenfain]

7 hours ago, Travis said:

Might have a hard time getting them now, the owner  passed away several years ago, his wife and son decided not to continue the business..

The website still shows a full catalog of kits available. 

[Travis]

3 hours ago, kenfain said:

The website still shows a full catalog of kits available. 

Yes, the website is still up, but the business is no longer in operation. I inquired about running boards for the 550, via email and phone, never got an email response and i get nothing when calling the phone number, finally i ran across someone on a hunting forum from Dallas who knew the owner, and said he had passed and the business is no longer operating.  Essex Manufacturing - Texas Hunting Forum

 

[rsar]

Finally found a pic of the OEM Kawasaki cab enclosure on an SX XC. Looks tight and I think the price tag is warranted so this is what I'll be getting for next winter.

[Scott Meszaros]

19 hours ago, rsar said:

I was just thinking for warmer spring and fall days. My wife likes no top on warmer days (not that kind of top!) and I wouldn't mind having doors on all year round.  Doesn't seem like it's made for that easy on, easy off changeability though.

as noted earlier, can't remove top and leave doors............is your wife one of those folks that drives around in a convertible with the windows up..........hahahahahaha

[rsar]

Lol. The door idea was for me. She likes it completely open, no top, windshield or anything when its warm enough.  i'm not a fan of the cab being open all the time but I understand the OEM enclosure isn't set up for having just the doors on. That's cool though, I look the look of it  and I'll leave it on  December to March.