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Fiberglass Tub Price Impact

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Mark Wemple, Jul 21, 2022.

  1. Jul 21, 2022
    Mark Wemple

    Mark Wemple New Member

    Maryland
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    Jun 27, 2022
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    Found a possible trade but it has a fiberglass tub. 1st, I'd eventually be swapping back to steel. 2nd, what do you think is the impact on value (reduction) by having a fiberglass tub?
     
    Tom_Hartz likes this.
  2. Jul 21, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I usually value a fiberglass body CJ as less than a steel tub, though they have some advantages over steel. There are some very solid, well made ‘glass tubs that are nearly indestructible, but some are thin and flimsy, and a few in between. I have had a couple ‘glass CJs, and still have a 4 WDParts tub I’ll be using on an intermediate project. They don’t rust and don’t dent, so they can be pretty tough if you have a quality one. I spent decades on the beaches of the Outer Banks and went through 3 tubs on my Tux due to rust, so they have that advantage, but I still prefer (and value) a steel body more than fiberglass.
    Another gripe I have with fiberglass is that typically lack the details like outer body seams, top bow pockets, “embossed” JEEP cowl lettering, even the fuel recess on the side, etc. I’ve added back some of these details in the past. They just don’t look “right”.
    -Donny
     
  3. Jul 22, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    If you goal is a 100% correct restoration, go find another. If just plan to use it for what Jeeps are supposed to do, it will likely be good-just run it as is. I actually prefer glass over steel, especially the steel you typically see on unrestored Jeeps these days. I would actually pay more for a well fit glass tub Jeep as compared to a rusted/dented original version.
     
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  4. Jul 22, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    When you say trade, trade for what? You plan to keep it or flip it?

    All well and good to ignore the resale value if you are never going to sell the Jeep. However, people's lives change, and you might need to sell the Jeep some day. As you get older, your financial situation gets more secure and the comparatively small amount of money wrapped up in what is basically an adult toy matters less. You may grow out of worrying about such things.

    From a practical POV, I don't think the glass body Jeeps will hold up in an accident like a steel body will. These are not particularly safe vehicles, but the steel shell does offer some small protection. If you have a car fire, the glass body will burn, and likely nothing will be left. The original body is used as a ground plane, and with a fiberglass body, you will need to run a parallel ground wire for every accessory. You will also have a lot more radio noise, if you plan to have tunes or install a ham or CB radio. Additional shielding will be needed, and antennas meant for steel-bodied cars probably won't work. I also think that body damage will be more severe with the glass body, and harder to repair. For a trail Jeep, dents and scratches/scrapes are common, so be prepared to repair fiberglass. The front fenders are particularly vulnerable, I believe.

    On the plus side, a fiberglass body does not rust. I don't think there is much weight difference. Not sure if it's true today, but in the day you could buy a complete glass body for considerably less than steel. I suspect that steel is more on par today, with neither being particularly affordable. Once you have a running and driving Jeep with a glass body, I don't think there's a lot of reason to switch to steel. Too expensive for the arguable benefits - and you'll never get the investment back. Just sell the Jeep complete and buy what you want, complete.

    JMO - spend more and buy the best example you can find. If you can't afford it now, save your pennies and wait. If all you can afford is this fiberglass body example, buy it and consider it a toy. It'll be great on the trail, just like any Jeep.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2022
    Mark Wemple likes this.
  5. Jul 22, 2022
    Mark Wemple

    Mark Wemple New Member

    Maryland
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    It's a trade, my 97 TJ for a 78 CJ5. I hadn't thought about accident survival and completely agree that steel wii do a much better job protecting you.
     
  6. Jul 22, 2022
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Depends on the construction, not that any CJ has an expanse of impact protection. I have full confidence my AJ's glass tub reinforced with end grain balsa and steel plate sandwiched within will fare as good or better than a steel tub. Physically it weighs more than the original steel tub.
     
  7. Jul 22, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Something I forgot to point out - typically the bodies on these Jeeps rust away before the frame and running gear. That's why there is a market for fiberglass bodies. Kinda think the steel body is a good overall indication of condition.

    I worked for a dealership in California that sold a lot of Jeeps to the beach cities for their beach patrols. These would come back in trade, only a couple years old but terribly rusted. The owner would not sell them on his lot - the body man would patch them up with bondo and paint and they went to the car auction. A rusty vehicle is rusty everywhere, and every nut and bolt will be a struggle to remove, if it does not break.
     
  8. Jul 22, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    As far as accident protection I personally don't think there would be a significant difference either way.
     
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  9. Jul 22, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    My thoughts also. But my glass 3B tub is setting on a square tube steel subframe in the cockpit area to which the seats/belts are fastened. 1975 photo with Subaru seats.
    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Jul 23, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Good idea. (y)
     
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  11. Jul 23, 2022
    Bondo

    Bondo Master General Re-Engineer,...

    Greenfield Me.
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    Ayuh,..... Havin' lived my life in the rust belt, I saw the glass body as a big plus, when I bought my '63 CJ 5 last winter,.....
    'couse, I'm not lookin' to do an original type restoration,....
    I just want a reliable back up vehicle, livin' so far from town,....
     
    Mark Wemple likes this.
  12. Jul 23, 2022
    Mark Wemple

    Mark Wemple New Member

    Maryland
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    The other issue with fiberglass bodies is grounds. Just have to be a bit creative and stay on them
     
    Glenn likes this.
  13. Jul 24, 2022
    Bondo

    Bondo Master General Re-Engineer,...

    Greenfield Me.
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    Ayuh,.... Bein' a Boater/ boat refitter/ boat rebuilder,.... I'm quite used to that,.... 2 wires for every appliance,....
     
    Mark Wemple likes this.
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