Hey Tired Iron. I usually try and buy the trucks with the hard tops.....but so does everyone else.
The M817 had a shreded soft top when I got it. So since I had to go to 100dollarman's place to pick up a trailer he got from Barstow, CA for me I asked him to find me a hard top. He managed to find one, with the rain catcher dent of course for $400. Tan in color. I thought a good price for the top. He may have more by now or know where he can find one for you. He is on SS. Just search for 100dollarman and contact him. He is in Lucern Valley, CA about 40 miles South of Barstow. Just fly the Stearman out there and pick it up.
The Columbus OH GL is a warehouse outlet. Like the one in Oklahoma City OK. Easy access in and out. It's in a warehouse district not too far from the interstate. It is not on a military installation so you don't have to pass through a line or a gate inspection etc. They are busy so they like you to make and keep your appointment. Very nice people running the warehouse and extremly helpful and accomodating.
We bought two troop seat/bed cover kits for the dump truck out of Columbus. We picked them up on the way back from PA with the M818 so I can't speak as to the cost of shipping from there to here. That cost will vary depending on how many are in the lot. You can get shipping estimates from GL on the website.