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Cj6tub

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Armordave, Jul 16, 2019.

  1. Jul 16, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Jul 14, 2019
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    I've been building a 1974 CJ6 and getting to the point where I need to decide what to do about the tub. The bottom side is toast so I'd have to replace all the underside panels and body mount hardware. I am not a metal fabricator so I can pay a professional a lot of money (probably more than the cost of a new tub) to do the sheet metal on mine, or I can buy some more equipment and learn to weld. Or I can buy a new replacement steel tub, or find a used one that needs minimal work.

    So I know it's a needle in a haystack, but does anyone have any advice on where to find a rust free tub/body for less money than it going to cost me to buy a new one? I figure I'd have $4000 at least in new body parts and over $5000 if I pay someone to metal fab the existing body.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  2. Jul 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Hi Dave - how about this? MD Juan CBK011 Steel Body Tub Kit with Hood, Fenders, Windshield & Tailgate for 55-71 Jeep CJ-6 CJ-6 tubs are pretty much the same, from the start through 1975. You should be able to buy the tub by itself, since everything here but the tub will be wrong for a '74. Repop tubs from the PI has been going on for decades.

    I'd ask for advice about repop tubs in a separate post. Typically the repop parts need some "massaging" to match OEM. Unlikely you will find an OEM tub that needs less than your tub. You can probably sell the rusty tub for the body panels, if you try. CJ-6 stuff is generally in demand.

    Couple of points ... soliciting to buy parts anywhere other than the Classifieds will get your post erased. You could be cagey and say "any advice on where to buy a tub for less than, say $4000?" That will probably be allowed. Suggest you edit your post to remove overt want-to-buy reference.

    You are in the wrong section for a '74. '72-75 is an Intermediate model, and '76-on is Late. Just FYI.

    Not to be picky ... first post! Welcome from Boston.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
  3. Jul 16, 2019
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    One thing to note is that jeeps are mostly flat panels. There are MANY guys on here without metal fabrication experience who have successfully rebuilt jeep tubs. If you don't have the desire to do the body work, that's understandable. But, I'd suggest trying to patch it up yourself. It's about $200 to get a tub sandblasted, and under $100 for a sheet of 18ga steel. Classic enterprises has all of the parts with lots of bends.

    Your other best option if you want a rust free tub is to search craigslist in the southwest. Even with shipping that runs around $1200 cross country, you may be ahead.
     
  4. Jul 16, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    Aqualu
     
  5. Jul 17, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Jul 14, 2019
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    Thank you for the advice and heads-up. I edited my post. I thought I did post in the Intermediate section; will pay closer attention next time. I dont know how to move this to a different section but it admin can move it to the intermediate section that would be great.
    I had contacted Willys Overland but they dont have the templates for a CJ6. That said, I thought the CJ5 bulkhead holes would be the same and I’d only need to worry about the mounting holes.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  6. Jul 17, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Hi Rejeep, I know you from G&R. I have the same affliction.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  7. Jul 17, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    Recognized the handle.
    We need a group for the foreign and domestic effected...
    There are a few of us here....
     
  8. Jul 17, 2019
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Aug 18, 2014
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    7,540
    Moved.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2019
    IrishCJ6

    IrishCJ6 Member

    Wicklow Ireland
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    Dec 6, 2010
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    437
    I rebuilt my complete CJ6 tub underneath using 4 x 2 box using the shagged old one as a template. I'd say I did the whole underneath for less than $100. I can weld which helps but there is nothing difficult on a CJ body panel wise.
     
  10. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Jul 14, 2019
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    $350 to have it blasted
    $1000 ish for replacement panels from Classic Industries, $85/hr to pay someone else to do the welding
    or $1500 in tools/$1000ish in panels and learn to weld and do it myself,
    or $3500 for a MD Juan steel tub and cut the holes myself

    I would be more inclined to do it myself if I could find a local with experience in this type of work to mentor me.
     
  11. Jul 19, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    I guess the bottom of the tub must be worse than the pictures show. Does yours still have the tool box under the passenger seat? Also, curious about the Armor part of your signature?
     
  12. Jul 19, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Glenn's post piqued my interest. Took a look at the pictures in your intro post, and that tub looks pretty good to me. Floor panels in CJs are mostly flat steel, and no compound curves. A 4x8 sheet of 19ga is what, $100? You can make a brake that will bend the one angle in the floor - lots of plans online. Just think ahead, do careful layout, and make the pieces you need.

    If you don't want that tub, I expect you could sell it for at least $500, likely consierably more.

    I also think you can spend a lot less on tools if you try - for example,
    Factory Reconditioned Milwaukee 6852-80 18 Gauge Shear
    should be plenty to cut out your panels. And
    Lincoln Electric 88 Amp Handy MIG Wire Feed Welder with Gun, MIG and Flux-Cored Wire, Hand Shield, Gas Regulator and Hose, 115V-K2185-1 - The Home Depot - you don't need a monster welder.

    You'd also need to rent a gas bottle for MIG welding. I expect it's going to be easier to repair your existing tub than to make a replacement tub work for you
     
  13. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Yes, the front floor boards are gone and crap was put in on them; the tool box is sort of OK but the floor under it is gone; the front toe board body mount points are gone; the bed is toasty as are some of the supports under the wheel wells. I think the tail gate is toast under a lot of bondo. On the plus side all the other body part and bulkhead are OK with just some minor work and old holes to be filled.
    "Armor" is the name of my company (the information is in my profile). I served in the military for 23 years and when I retired and started this company I wanted a tough sounding name for the gear bags were were making (I was not in Armor in the military but in the SO community) so I chose the name Armor.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  14. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Tim,
    Photos never show rust properly; I've found that out the hard way trying to buy vehicles.
    I do not have a brake or sheer but I do have a 100amp MIG/Argon gas welder, a stick welder, and an acetylene welder, air and lots of air tools. Part of my plan was to buy a larger amp MIG and Plasma cutter combo. I hadn't thought about the shear but that's a good suggestion. I know I can get away for less, both in tools and sheet metal but getting the extra tools would be a consolation prize (I told my wife I needed them), and it would be nice to have factory-like panels. Mostly what I need is confidence. Someone looking over my shoulder would help.
     
  15. Jul 19, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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  16. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Here are some closer up pics IMG_5869-lo-res.jpg IMG_5871-lo-res.jpg IMG_5875-lo-res.jpg IMG_6954-lo-res.jpg IMG_6951-lo-res.jpg
     

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  17. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
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    Jul 14, 2019
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    rejeep, I can't seem to get my head around aluminum and not being able to weld on it. Why do you think its a better option than steel? Besides of course that it doesn't rust but then there is the whole alu/steel issue as we know from the Landrovers.
     
    jdarg likes this.
  18. Jul 19, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    I find the aftermarket steel tubs to be garbage and your cost analysis for repair puts you in the ballpark for an aqualu tub..

    Weights savings, rust resistance, strength.. makes a very appealing package for a family heirloom..
    I can’t weld aluminum either, but somebody can...

    Check my build thread how I used their tub for my 6. I really couldn’t have been happier with the whole process...
     
  19. Jul 19, 2019
    dane71

    dane71 Member

    USA
    Joined:
    May 11, 2017
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    I had a guy do most of the work to mine at around $50 an hour. It was worth it to me even though it was pretty expensive. I had the bottom completely finished and painted however, so i only had to finish up the inside. Taking everything apart, blasting and painting all of the smaller parts, doing misc mechanical things (brake lines, carb rebuild, etc.), and whatever else has been enough of my time as it is and I still have been pretty involved and learning a lot. You could at least have a guy get all the new metal cut, aligned right, and welded in. The rest (grinding welds, sanding, primer, seam sealer, and paint) isnt too hard unless you want show quality. Its just time consuming.
     
  20. Jul 19, 2019
    Armordave

    Armordave New Member

    Plant City, Florida
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2019
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    I spent some time on your build and will spend a lot more time there. What was the cost and where did you get it from? What kind of tub to frame mounting hardware is needed? At least if I go that way I know who to call for answers.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2019
    Glenn likes this.
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