[RCW]

I have the Kawasaki unit (which is identical to the Curtis Cabs) with the large swing out front window. But, it still has the quarter windows down in front of the doors in order to allow the doors to hinge out squarely and not flop off in some oblique direction.

Knowing what I know now, I would order the Kawasaki parts in mixed component selections from a dealer that is willing to sit down and go through the options with me, and have the fold out gas assisted windshield and front side glass, then get the plastic non-rattling top, and the fabric and plastic rear curtain and doors.

What I find is that the doors are always removed as is the rear window and back cab structure. Maybe if it were 40 below, and I were hunting I would want those installed, but I am either in the rain or a snow storm and want the doors and rear open. The front section with the windshield and the strange looking lower front quarter windows are really necessary to keep a person dry when it is raining hard, and those stupid looking knee windows keep brush out of your lap.

The Kawasaki front windshield will open only as much as you want, and if you duck or goose hunt you can flip a 10X10 camo netting over the top and it falls across the windshield as it is flipped up, and you have a good instant blind.

I had the Essex top, split just below the center windshield (that leaked in really hard monsoon rains), and front quarter panels on my last year's Mule, and it worked very well. On that one I tossed the rear window unit and doors in the shop after the first hunt, and just used camo nylon tarps on bungee cords hung over the sides when it got really nasty. The front window was still not as useful as the Kawasaki full sized version that opens so you can get to the front trunk and get air easily.

There is a major cost advantage with the Essex unit, as you do not need to go to heavier front springs with it, and you do with the full Kawasaki top. But, I think by mixing Kawasaki components between fabric and metal you could avoid the suspension upgrade expense too.

I have a friend with the Tommy Topper fabric and plastic window cab on his trans, and it works well and was very affordable. The only downside is that he has to remove the top when he trailers his Mule or it blows away along the highway somewhere. But, it rolls up easily and is quiet.

Another has a cab from a firm called Mammoth Designs. It is pretty much designed along the lines of the Tommy Topper and has the soft plastic windshields and windows. Again, it was half the cost of the big name cabs.

I once had a Moose cab, it was a vinyl type deal, but it hit a tree in a rainstorm. I just happened to be along for the ride. The problem with it was it had as much rain on the inside of the windshield as it did on the outside and then the windshield wrinkled excessively and I could not see a thing, but thought I could.

On one of my Gators I had a Femco cab. I do not know if they make a Mule cab. It was a simple design and strong as an ox.