What to do about rust

Nope. I'm just relaying back what I've learned by reading. I suggest you ask on that forum about media.

I saw that glass media too. Looks like it would work well, but with any low-value heavy-weight stuff like that, the shipping costs can be significant. I'd look around for a supplier of media in my area, and ask them what they have and what they recommend.

 

I'll do that. I have a friend who does some body work on the side. I'll try to get his opinion too.

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Cantilope/IMG_5977.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Cantilope/IMG_5971.jpg

I had a media blaster in my area do my tub for about $200. He did not use sand it was some other media, Tim is correct in what he is saying. Heat will warp and is your enemy weather you are blasting or welding. My tub was border line too, but I chose to keep my vin correct body, and fix it. I ended using all of the panels that Classic builds and spot welded it all together and mated it with the front half of my tub. I am more than happy with it. The interior is really where you can see the Frankenstein scars of body repair and 40 years of abuse and mine is now clean clean clean. I did a resto back in 1992 and it held up OK, but as always the patch panels cracked and the bondo got water behind it and popped off. I am convinced that there are no more good tubs or fenders anymore. I looked for 3 years in my area and I live out in the dry west. Probably looked at 25 tubs, and notta a one any better than mine.

What I did was have the tub blasted and immediately epoxy primer-ed. The day the panels arrived from Classic I epoxy primer-ed them as well. I then test fit each piece and predrilled my spot welds. I then cleaned up the epoxy at each weld location and spot welded the pieces together. Once the back half of the tub was put together I put it on the frame with the front original piece. I then had to use imported side panels to tie it together as classic did not offer these. My tub is original from just in front of the doors forward, and up. Firewall, cowl, dash, tranny hump, and the tool box was the only thing worth saving. I would bet between primer, sheet metal, and the welding which my father did, I am into it about $1000. I am very glad I took this time to do this the way I have, but I am not building a CJ to beat on the rocks or in the mud. I have had this Jeep for 20 years and I have never seen one that has a tub as nice as mine is now. I would add that spot welding a premade panel is about 10 times easier than the route I went the first time of welding in flat sheet metal. I had done this already and feel this was a much faster and better process. Not to mention the end result is a beautiful patch free CJ. The time spent creating the panel, bending the edges to give you a weld gap, welding ¼ sections all the way around the panel, working the metal flat, grinding the welds, and hoping you don’t get to much heat in the panel. The 4-5 hours of work, I can be at the office working my real job and pay for a premade panel and spot weld it in less than half an hour and have it done right.
I also have been very impressed with Epoxy Primer. I think it ran me about $125 a gallon, but the way it sticks, sands, fills and looks is amazing compared to what I had access to in 1992. I will try and post a picture of the bed and interior when I get home today. FWIW, the guy I get my supplies from explained that you should redo a resto about every 15 years as the technology in fillers and primers just keeps getting better and better. Good luck.

 

Pictures would be great. I have a local body shop that has done some media blasting for me before. It'd probably be worth it to see what he'll charge to blast it for me.

 

Both Eastwood and Harbor Freight have listings for various blasting medias, 50lb of walnut hullls $39 plus shipping. I believe if I could have the whole tub done for $200 by a pro I would have it done for that price.

 

sorry I have not responded back sooner. I have been busier than a one legged man in an *** kickin contest.
I had my tub blasted and worked with it bare. primed as I went. the side panels I cut and pasted. a cookie cutter does wonders. I can not comment on the whole side panel but it sounds like cantilope has a good idea. the rear bed I replaced with 1/4" plate with 1/4x1/2 channel cross members. That way there is plenty of meat for the rear seats and belts. the rear tub mounts were identical to yours. I cut square and welded in new sheet metal. then fabricated tub mount brackets and welded them as well. they are right. heat is your enemy when welding. Short quick beads then cool, passivily if possible.
Sorry for a delayed reply
Hope this answers your question
THX
Dave

 

And it looks like the heater core leaks also

 

I don't think it leaks, the coolant is from when I pulled the heater and ductwork out

 

X2!!!!!! I went the route of doing it myself and almost a year later still trying to clean that superfine dust created by the degradation of the alum. oxide blasting media and rust out of my shop.
:v6:
atriot: