jeep tub - 73 CJ5

I'm getting ready to do something with my rusted out '73 CJ5. Floor is pretty well gone. Thinking I'm probably losing tools out the holes now. Tub is sitting directly on chassis rails, fender wells in the tub are going, sides have problems. Too much I think for me to want to try to fix.

So I guess I'll get a fiberglass tub - (I live right on the coast - salty air and all) I'm probably looking at 4wd.com's tub. I'm up in Alaska so can't shop but on the internet. (Looking on Seattle's craigslist I think I would just buy one of them jeeps and use mine for parts if I was down there).

Looking at 4wd's webpage they sell tub only for $1580 and kit for $2230, but don't say what is included in kit. Used to be you had to buy body mounting kit for about $100, maybe change the seat brackets, but not sure what is included. I can call - but just wondering folks feedback, if they have any.

I'll probably have them truck it right to the docks in Seattle. If you were buying a tub, west-ish coast, would there be other vendors to consider? I've heard the 4wd's are pretty good, no?

Thanks for any thoughts,

cheers, Jim

 

Those Jp aluminum jeep tubs are really nice, I think they are made here in Spokane Washington, might cost more but shipping might be less, alot closer to you, I went and looked at one and they are really cool, have the tool box and everything, and they are strong, not beer can thin but good thick aluminum. I want one for my 73, the dealer guy has a scrambler with his tub polished. Looks really cool. Spokane is 280 miles from seattle on the other side of washington.

 

If you want to repair it, you don't really need the custom-made replacement panels. Almost all of the panels are flat, and you can weld in new flat steel. Your shadetree repairs probably won't look as nice as a new body, but you can get all the materials you need locally. Patch the floors, make new hat channels from rectangular tubing or have a local shop bend some. Quite doable.

 

oh boy.

I'll look seriously at the jp bodies - just googled them and they're not much more than the kit price of the fg 4wd.com model. Al. is easy to work - easy to drill and all. Of course, they say only 1976 and up on the webpage. Do they make earlier tubs?

But repairing - you are appealing to the cheapskate in me, which is my nature. There's lots to appeal there too - keeping the original body, not paying all that shipping and new parts. An excuse to get that mig welder I've always wanted. (I'm more a woodworker - built a couple boats and a few houses). But the time involved - as I age I get more stingy with my time. Hmmm.

Really appreicate the replies!! Thanks. jim

 

I wasn't aware of the aluminum tubs. That's pretty neat. I also noticed the minimal price difference between them and the fiberglass. Definitely something to keep in mind.

 

I have had a 4wd fiber tub on a 74 CJ5. Stay away from all fiberglass tubs all together. Believe me. 4WD's quality was good, but fiberglass is a huge PIA to work with. Drop the extra couple hundred and buy a metal tub you will thank yourself later.

 

The tub prices are generally for the tub only. The kit gets you the tub, a hood, front fenders, and a windshield frame. You have to be careful that you're comparing apples to apples.

 

I've put an inquiry into jp to see if they make earlier than '76 tubs.

NorCoJeeper:
ahh - makes more sense if they include all that. I've already got fiberglass front fenders and newer metal hood (from a drunk slamming into my jeep years ago - also had to replace chassis). So price probably is more like $1700 with fiberglass tub and body mount kit and what not.. just a guess.

/jd

 

Have you ever seen a fiberglass jet boat going up the white water rapids or was it an aluminum boat? I watched one of the Jp owners kick the side of his polished tub, I was sold! I think you will still have to cut all your holes and things you would have to do to a fiberglass tub install, but I just like metal better. The tub I looked at was getting crated to be shipped, it was a early cj 5 tub, had a side gas tank opening, toolbox, and also you can have your tailgate also if you like. Sound like a salesman, don't I? I think the tubs were$2500. , that was about 3 years ago when I looked at them.

 

Ok, I did a little research, and what i have found is the aluminum bodies are made just across the washington state border in Kelowna B.C. Canada. There web site ishttp://www.aqualu.com/. The place here in Spokane, WA. ishttp://www.jpoffroad.com/index.htm. Good luck!

 

I hope the 55-75 tub dosn't look like the picture. There is something off with the tranny hump.

 

hey i jsut got my CJ5 and i found this great website that has anything and everything for any year jeep! check it out
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/cj5/menu.htm

 

GPin,
Do you know if jpoffroad would be able to get those intermediate jeep bodies (1973 CJ5) since they don't list them on their webpage? I tried emailing and got no response. I could call - but long distance and I'm still weighing whether I should just try to buy some steel and maybe panels from Classicent or something.

And MA74CJ5 is right - something looks way off on that tranny hump - wonder if that is just a stock photo of some other year or does it look like that?

Powertrainmech: thanks for the link but it may be better suited to someone else - they couldn't be much further away from where I live and still be on the mainland. I'm hoping for something a bit closer to left coast.

cheers, Jim

and thanks for all the help everyone.

 

Hunky-d, If you go to jp website and click on the universal body pics, I think that is the body you need, the other cj5 tub looks like the 76 and newer. The jp guy just lives about a mile from my house so if I can catch him I will ask him if he is still in business or not. I work evenings so it is kind of hard to catch people at home in the mornings, but I will give it a try. I will try to call them also and get back to you.

 

I think that is your best bet. Save another original body from the crusher. We have lost to many already.

 

FYI there's an early tub and a late tub. There's also an early front clip and a late front clip. The intermediate Jeeps have the early tub and late (stretched) clip. A replacement tub (body) for an intermediate CJ-5 will be the same as the pre-71 CJ-5s. Vice-versa for the clip (fenders, hood, grille).

 

I tried to call the JP offroad and their number has been disconnected, so today I drove over to his house, where his business was out of, to see if I could talk to him, but no one was home. I did notice his pickup that used to have JP offroad stickers is now bare, so he must have gone out of business. If I do see him I will ask him if he is done. Maybe he has some old inventory he wants to get rid of! Yea right. So I'm sorry for steering you to something that won't work. I guess if you have enough metal to weld to you could patch yours up. My tub is pretty well ventilated!