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1969 CJ5 project

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by alex211, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. Oct 4, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    Messages:
    441
    Well I finally got the jeep home and took some pictures. My plan is to eliminate the rust from what's left of the tub and modernize it a little. Like power saginaw steering, hydraulic clutch, and power brakes. I cleaned the points and it fired right up. Some time ago before it was parked for 10 years the PO installed new plugs, wires, cap, points, and rotor. And the PO really really like puddy. :mad:

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  2. Oct 5, 2009
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    good luck with your project.....looks like you have a rust battle to win
    Jim S.
     
  3. Oct 5, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    So where can I get some repair panels for the outside of the jeep, I need the rocker from the jeep logo down and basically from there to the tailgate on both sides? I just plan on building a new tub since there is basically nothing left of what's there, except from the cowl on up. R)
     
  4. Oct 5, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    Well it looks like I have some work ahead of me. What do you guys think would be the best way to make a floor and frame for the tub? thanks

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  5. Oct 5, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Yeah.
    Uh, it might be time for a different tub...
     
  6. Oct 5, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    Messages:
    441
    Easy for you to say in New Mexico. I want to fix this tub to better than factory, since I really have no other options and can't drive hundreds of miles to get another tub.
     
  7. Oct 5, 2009
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
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    3,294
    think Patrick's point is it may be less money and time to find a suitable replacement tub.....there's always options. You may find saving that one therapeutic, that's great...lots do, but someone pointing out a option is part of what this site is about
    Jim S.
     
  8. Oct 5, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    By the time you invest the money and time into this tub, even if you already have a welder, grinders, cut off tools, sanders, etc., you could have driven a long way and spent a lot of time finding/ getting a new tub. I have no idea what me being in NM has to do with you finding a better body tub.
    Oh, and that tub will never be "better than original".
     
  9. Oct 5, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    You don't live in the rust belt like I do, in North West PA cars that are only a couple years old are rusting already. I have all the tools to do this and have helped my dad repair a 78 F250 and a 75 Pontiac LeMans that were both similar to this. Do you think making some frame work for the back of the tub out of 1x1 steel square tubing would work well? I figure if I get the back end framed and squared with some good metal I can start attaching some 16 steel for the floors and wheel houses. I think it should work well, also would it be a good idea to fabricate a rear cross member out of a piece of C-channel the same size as the original? Also since I don't have my license yet I really don't have the resources to drive any real distance to get a tub. thanks
     
  10. Oct 5, 2009
    dauntless_powered

    dauntless_powered SUB Chief

    Groton, CT
    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2003
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    1,000,071
    Don't take anything personal here, this is with out a doubt one of the nicest and most knowledgeable group of guys you will come across. With or without a license I would think you could find something local that is in far better condition for way less than what you are going to pay for parts, not including your time. Being in New England I under stand your pain for rust but there are tubs out there. I would place a WTB ad in the classifieds and watch craigs list closely. I will also keep my eyes out.
     
  11. Oct 6, 2009
    USMC_LB

    USMC_LB Member

    Tipton Co, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    129
    I agree with the others that in the long run a "new" tub would be the best option.

    But I can see where you would be interested in trying to patch her up yourself. It would definitely give you some more good learning experiences and also give you something to do to keep busy. But I would also start a small nest egg and cram a few dollars in it when you can (they do build up after awhile ) to buy a tub in the future if you are not completely satisfied with the outcome. Something you will learn as you go, the more you work on your Jeep, the more you will want it to be right.

    Keep in mind that MANY of the members here have been through these same experiences several times over and learned the hard way how not to do something. They try to pass on this "hard earned" knowledge to keep others from making the same mistakes and wasting valuable time and money.

    Good luck and keep us posted!

    TD
     
  12. Oct 6, 2009
    89diesel

    89diesel Broken!!!...Again

    Regina, SK, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    38
    Wow! And I thought I had rust problems!!!


    I'm all for doing it yourself! As for "better than factory"....it's hard to compete with the factory's million dollar forming pressesR)

    I would say start with just a couple small pieces and see if you're happy with the outcome.

    One thing to consider....Add up how many hours and dollars worth of supplies it will take to fix what you've got. Then, price out a new tub.
    It's pretty easy to spend 200 hours and $500 on doing it yourself.
    An $8/hr job @ 200 hrs gives you $1600 plus the $500 for supplies nets you $2100. Pick up a part-time job and in a few mths you're all set:)

    You would still have the fun of putting it together yourself. (always more rewarding than buying the whole Jeep done by someone else)

    BTW-All companies that sell tubs have pretty good rates for shipping to your door. No need to drive.
     
  13. Oct 6, 2009
    JeepPower

    JeepPower Hopeless Gearhead

    Fort Mill, SC
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2002
    Messages:
    289
    as a fellow 'rust-belter' and someone that has had been working on one of these CJ's for 20 years, I can tell you that if the rear corners are that rusted-- so it the rest of the tub. Just when you think you've got it all, more 'heavy cancer' will be turn up-- in all sorts of places...

    Here's mine from '88, two days after I bought it-- note the missing floors (I tore them all out and fabbed up something similar out of 1/16" plate), no tailgate (slab of 1/4" aluminum diamond plate that was hiding plenty of rot) and the aluminum rockers (hiding more rot). The fabbed floors were not even close to stock, and left me with something less than desireable, as far as fitting original equiptment/parts in. (gas tank for starters).

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    I patched it up and it has since rusted alot further-- I was unwilling to spend another ounce of time or effort on the old tub (I did repaint the nose-- MAACO--$100) and chose to wait for a better OEM tub to come my way.

    I was fortunate enough to buy a parts Jeep off of this site, a few years ago. It was originally from Texas, and the guy had dragged it to Maryland. I picked it up there. The hat channels, toolbox, body mounts, & frame are in great shape-- just have a bunch of dents to bang out of it.

    If you have the energy & time to piece together an entire body, more power to you. I've done it myself. I will not do it again. I agree with the others here that you will be better off and happier with the end result if you can put that time & energy into something that is better off to start.

    Please keep us posted! 8)
     
  14. Oct 6, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    I used some scrap angle iron to get the top rails in line. All I need to do now is cut out the rest of the rust (whole tub) R) and get some metal to build some framework for the rear of the tub.

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  15. Oct 6, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    I am sorry, but the term 'Loss Leader' comes to mind looking at that. What you build is only as good as the base you put it on. I am having trouble finding a base in what I see there for a tub.
     
  16. Oct 6, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    The frame is good, I'm getting some C-channel soon to fabricate a new rear cross member. Can someone measure the distance inside the tailgate opening? I have 36 1/4 inches and don't have a way to check to make sure that is right.
     
  17. Oct 6, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    ..
     
  18. Oct 6, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
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    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    I'm confused, are you guys trying to say my frame is junk?
     
  19. Oct 6, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Tub. The body.
     
  20. Oct 6, 2009
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
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    441
    Oh, ok. Well there will soon be some framework in for the sheet metal to hang off of.
     
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