Replacement Body Types?

Hey, I'm looking for a new body for my '70 CJ5. I would like to get your opinons on the matter. I can choose from fiberglass, steel, or aluminum. Some things that I have already considered are; fiberglass is weak but easy to fix. aluminum is the strongest but hardest to fix since i don't have a gas welder, and steel is like original but rusts. There are other pros and cons about each, but I want to hear what you have to say. I personally would like to have an aluminum body but my dad wants to keep it like original and get a steel body... What do yall think?

Oh... and of course I would like some info on pricing too...

 

Father knows best!

 

Okay, sorry for the fiberglass comment... I guess I am just used to the old fiberglass that gets brittle. Come to think of it... I have a 21ft Kenner bayboat that has taken a serious amount of punishment in the water and barely even shows scratches.

I also heard that paint for an aluminum body is more expensive than paint for a steel body. Is there any truth to that?

 

Nope. Painted production jet boats up north w/ PPG single stage poly. Finish sanding is a little coarser. 180 gr for AL, 320 gr for steel. Long, even strokes w/ the DA on AL, it's real easy to dish or bevel.:v6:

 

What do you want to use the Jeep for?

I didn't vote - I'd say fix the original body. You'll need a 110V MIG, and air grinding/sanding tools make it easier. Save money, learn some new skills, and justify new tools all in one go!

 

I voted steel. My tub was pretty bad but I chose to rebuild it rather than getting a new fiberglass tub. Something about the look, feel and sound of a steel tub that is so right.

 

Just to let you know, aluminum unless it is thicker material is not gonna be stronger than the steel tub. Thats an advertising gimmick. 18 gauge aluminum would be weaker than 18 gauge steel. The aluminum tub would weigh alot less but thats about it.

 

If you do go with fiberglass, just remember,
you get what you pay for.
I replaced the tub on my cj7 a few years back with one from jc whitney because it was the cheapest, bad idea.
the whole thing was out of alignment, and after about a year a seem cracked open near the rear wheelwell.
but as I said, I baught the cheapest thing out there.

-Matt

 

I knew a guy that used to do boat repair. He'd only use fiberglass tubs on his rigs. He bought the double walled tubs from Quadratech(IIRC) and would fill the void with non-expanding flotation foam. The same stuff used in boats. You could smack them with a 2x4 and they wouldn't crack , as he so aptly demonstrated for me. Still, for my tastes, I'm going with a repaired steel tub. As said, much more original detail in a steel tub.

 

Okay, thanks for all the input. I want to make the Jeep look good. I want it to be close to original... I think trying to get it to original might be a bit much at the moment. I see steel seems to be the favorite so I guess steel it is...

 

I plan on one day replaceing my tub with a new steel one. wonder if anyone makes a stainless steel body?

 

I've been considering a glass body since buying our jeep because we live near the ocean. At night you can see salt air blowing by the street lights. I've done a little research, enough to see there are differences in companies and qualities. A friend put one on his flat fender and painted it a subtile tan with original wheels. You wouldn't know it was glass unless you look closely. Most people think it's original.

 

I voted steel, but I add a rider that states "only if you are going to spring the extra couple hundred bucks for stamped 'JEEP' on the side." If you are not going to get the cool repro tub, then I'd say aluminum would be my second choice.

 

I bought my glass body from AJ's in PA. Nice body and extremely strong. I got a tour of the place where they are built when I picked it up. I did have some issues with the front fender alignment but got them worked out. The cool thing about them is you can order them in any color gel coat you want, no painting. Much tougher than paint and if it get's scratched you can't hardly tell. Living in the rust belt I would not have spent the money on a steel body I know wouldn't last very long. It is a little more work because they come absolutely bare, not a hole anywhere. Everything has to be drilled and mounted, everything. That is tough if you don't have a body to measure when your assembling your Jeep. And the wiring is a little more work because of the grounding. All things considered I still like the glass body.

 

I agree with schaapveld4 - I had the same JCW cheapo tub on my CJ7 a few years ago, and it was BAD. It eventually just came apart at the joints, and cracked where it was mounted to the frame. I never abused it, and drove conservatively.

Having said that, you do get what you pay for - a good glass tub wouldn't be a bad choice if you buy a quality product. I think they even use Kevlar in some of them! R)

 

I saw one of the aluminum CJ5 tubs recently. I don't know if it's stronger than a steel tub but the material is much thicker. It's a very nice product and would be my choice as a replacement. The side panels especially are smooth, straight and without the characteristic dimples caused by spot welds on steel bodies.