Toploader Rebuild Kit

[Diogenes]

Anyone have any suggestions for where to source a good kit? The last one I bought had plastic thrust washers in it, and it seems many available now are the same. I don't want to use plastic washers unless absolutely forced; I re-used my old metal ones with the last rebuild (Cougar--many years ago). Kee looks to be the same, but not sure. They advertise SKF bearings, as if that really matters these days, as they are pretty much all foreign sourced like most.

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

[garyv]

I converted a fairlane toploader to a big in and out a few years back and got everything from David Kee.  I called him
and told him I needed the best stuff he had and it all arrived in a few days.  He was great to deal with and answered all the
questions I had.  All premium parts.

garyv

[Jim Kramer]

I bought one from Dave Kee about two years ago......all metal washers, everything fit well.     Jim Kramer

[badd68]

+1 on David Kee!

[9310alloy]

SKF 307 or 209 in max or standard ball bearings still made in USA & they are quality. Nothing wrong with quality plastic thrusts from Kee or Ford.

[cjshaker]

Dan Williams has been doing toploader work for as long as David Kee has been alive. The guy is super knowledgeable, very personable and has great customer service. He always talks to customers directly and isn't shy about answering any questions you might have. Nothing wrong with David Kee either, I've used him a few times with no complaints, but sometimes he can be really hard to get ahold of to talk to.

Dans website: https://www.toploadertransmissions.com/

[Diogenes]

I've bought from Dan Williams a few times in the past--yes, a very nice guy with a lot of knowledge (in his 70's I believe), but you better have some spare time on your hands, because the old guy will talk your ear off.

Kee's and Williams' kits are $150, which is a fair bit more than some, but worth it if it has the metal thrust washers. I find plastic an unacceptable substitute.

[jwrmach1]

The last kit I got from David Kee had the plastic thrust washers.  I tried to contact him a few months ago about some parts and no answer.  Multiple calls, left a message, and no response.  Tried to order on website and no luck.  It was last winter when the power went out in Texas so I figured I would wait a couple weeks till power was back on things were back to normal and still no way to contact them and no return phone call so  I bought the parts from Dan Williams who was more than happy to do business with me.  Anybody bought stuff from David Kee recently?  Did they suffer from the winter storms?
JWR

[BattlestarGalactic]

I met Dan and Dave at Columbus swap meet many years back when we had an "Fe forum" get together/dinner.  I had bought from Dan Williams for years.  Yes, he is a talker, it was a guaranteed 1 hr long distance call(back before cell phones).  I was VERY surprised to see he was NOT an old man like I thought back then.  Now it's been near 20 yrs, but I don't think he was that much older then me back then?  He may be 60 now?  I'm pretty curious to actually know.

[cjshaker]

Yep, I went to that dinner, that David was kind enough to pay for. I won't mention where it was at, but Larry probably remembers 
Dan has been in the business for over 50 years, so I'm guessing he is in his 70's.

[e philpott]

Dan Williams !! eat dinner watch TV , put the kids to bed then call Dan !  he answers the phone unlike Kee

[badd68]

Bummer some have had problems with David! I have also used Dan didn't realize he was still around!!

[ford88]

I build toploaders all the time I prefer the plastic thrust washers.David or Dan have good parts I always order online from Kee and not a problem...Dan is also good and old school

[Diogenes]

I prefer the plastic thrust washers.

Why do you prefer plastic?

[ford88]

You dont want metal to metal on cluster or reverse slider.I think the plastic is a improvment over the metal.