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Fiberglass Body Pros And Cons

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by kenb, Apr 2, 2021.

  1. Apr 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Almost everything changes for 1976 and later. The frame changes, which make the floors different. The cowl and outer body are the same mostly. IMO trying to fit the later tub would make the "temporary" body fitment a huge PITA. If the level of the floor is mostly the same (maybe? likely?) you could probably make the later tub work, but the mounts are in different locations that may not be reinforced in the later tub. Maybe post pics and we can help to ID?
     
  2. Apr 4, 2021
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Jan 22, 2019
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    670
    Admittedly not the most detailed photos but this is what I have now. Is this enough for ID or is there something else I should ask for? Thanks!
    PS I'm not intending to use the front clip. I don't even know if that originally went with the tub

    159384459_5204501179590891_5633744907744214525_n.jpg 160562895_5204501002924242_217247585702382080_n.jpg 160279746_5204500682924274_2888828370925302772_n.jpg 160328274_5204501092924233_6960723767317799281_n.jpg 159821309_5204501162924226_4459574530409205940_n.jpg
     
  3. Apr 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Looks early to me. Floor shape and steering column location looks right for an early. Measure from the edge of the body to the column hole and compare to your existing body. Ross steering is more inboard than the later Saginaw, and the driver's seat enforces that location. The abrupt kick-up looks right for early too.

    Does the hard top come with it? Measure the tilt-back angle of the door and compare to your windshield tilt-back. The later windshield tilts back more.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2021
  4. Apr 4, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Jun 19, 2009
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    3,083
    I had a line on fiberglass tub for snowshoe, but then I came across a steel tub in nice shape. I'd rather go with steel.
     
  5. Apr 4, 2021
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Jan 22, 2019
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    Thanks I'll try and get dimensions from the seller re steering column location. It's a two hour drive so I would like to verify compatability before I head out to look.
     
  6. Apr 4, 2021
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    I’d prefer a nice steel tub, but those simply don’t readily exist in the salt belt. A good fiberglass tub is nice. I scored one recently and plan to use it.
     
  7. Apr 4, 2021
    pat w

    pat w Member

    washougal wa
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    Dec 25, 2015
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    107
    Be very careful buying a used fiberglass tub if it has any holes drilled in it. I once bought a "new" fiberglass tub that had a few holes for the body mounts drilled and then sat outside for a while. I then figured out that rain had destroyed the plywood they use to stiffen the floors. I sold the tub to a guy that cut the floor out and used the "shell" for a race jeep which used a sheetmetal floor.
     
  8. Apr 5, 2021
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Jan 22, 2019
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    670
    Here are a couple more photos I managed to get. Was hoping to get a photo from the underside but seller didn't send that. Apparently someone had cut this to try and make a Jeep bed. I think the seller re-glassed in the firewall but hasn't glassed the fenderwells. I don't see a hole for the steering column. Maybe this was never installed in a Jeep? Also I see there isn't a tool box. Typical for a glass tub? Any opinions are appreciated.
    tub2.jpg tub1.jpg
     
  9. Apr 5, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    I'd stay away since it is cut up.
     
    timgr and Twin2 like this.
  10. Apr 5, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i would say the same, try to find a decent steel tub.
     
  11. Apr 6, 2021
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    I like glass. I used to buy the bodies from AJs Sales and Service in Jersey Shore, PA. They were great. Strong but heavy. I bought the molds for the early CJ5 bodies from a guy in Nanticoke who got them from AJs after they closed and one day I may get around to restoring the molds for use. They are pretty beat from laying in the weather. Shell valley makes nice bodies for reasonable prices and living in the Salt Belt, I would buy one without hesitation.
     
    Twin2, givemethewillys and ITLKSEZ like this.
  12. Apr 7, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    The 'glass tub pictured above has the inner fenders cut for some reason. These could be glassed back in, but its a bit of work.
    My main dislike of 'glass tubs is they usually lack details of the original, fuel fill recess, tailgate, "Jeep" name, body seam lines, etc. I have seen some that are so thin and flimsey that they sag until they are on a chassis. Others are very strong and rigid. I have a 4WD Hardware tub that is heavy and strong. I will be cutting the tailgate in, and adding back many of the features lost. A good 'glass tub is quite strong. Mine has endured a full 360 degree moderate speed roll with only a 4" crack in the tunnel behind the shifter. No other indications of the incident, though the chassis it was on was bent beyond use.
    As mentioned, you have to wire a 'glass Jeep just like a boat, running grounds to everything. Not really a big deal. The big factor is they don't rust, and they take a lot of hard abuse without showing it. You can also leave the jeep out in the weather and the floors stay like new for decades. I've had 4" of soil form from decaying leaves and was growing a small stand of pine trees in mine for a year or two. You would never know it!
    I've come across numerous 'glass tubs for sale in great condition, but I can't say the same thing for steel tubs.
    I am still hunting for a decent original tub!
    -Donny
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
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