Fiberglass bodies

Well now that I have started the bodywork portion of my project, I am now finding out just how bad the condition of the tub is in. Basically every panel on this thing is been bondoed over, and it's just not worth trying to fix it right. For now I will hammer out and weld up as much as I can, and just re-bondo it.

Basically I want to start searching for a new tub. Any thought or opinions as to price/quality on glass tubs? I researched the web, and only came up with 2 makers: One is Fibertech and the other is AJ's. Anybody know of other ones? Of course they all say that theirs is the best, but their is nothing like talking to those that have them. Thanks

 

not to take over the thread, but does anyone make a fiberglass tub for an early cj5 with the tailgate cutout and/or the gas filler provision for the under the seat tank? I'm thinking of getting one too.

 

Some use different support materials, also 4wd hardware puts the nuts in the tub to hold the fenders while Quadretec uses bolts in the tub to hold the fenders which I would think would be a stronger application for a fiberglass rig. Plus what happens if you strip the nut in the tub, just sounds to risky to me. I am going to go with the kevlar tub myself, sounds like it would hold up better...specially under fire.

 

John - Scotty's Jeep, Truck and 4WD in Fontana had several nice CJ bodies when I was there last summer. Only a 20 minute drive from you, and has to be cheaper (and easier) than a new glass body. Price out the glass body and see if they'll deal.

 

John,

Malotte Mfg. (http://www.malotmfg.com) makes Jeep bodies here in California, so they might be more reasonable on shipping. Their website appears to be down right now, but they are located in Lincoln, CA. So you might try the yellow pages. They even carry the dash that Glenn (jeepngem) has.

FWIW, the body on my Jeep is a 4wd hardware body, I selected it after reviewing everyone elses due to the materials and method of construction. I've been very happy with it so far (and its 12 years old).

 

Malotte Manufacturing Co
Address: 390 G St, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: (916) 645-8111

 

Another manufacturer is Shell Valley.

 

http://www.terracomp.us/ (malotte changed their name)

 

Another idea is to keep your eyes peeled for an old CJ for sale. For less than the cost of a new tub + shipping, you might get lucky and find a very decent body--with parts attached to it and a title to boot. Especially where So.Cal = no rust.

 

In California there are no cheap jeeps And believe it or not mine had quite a bit of rust for a Cali Jeep too.

Thanks for the input Joel, I will check into that.

 

timgr: I forgot about Scotty's. I will have to try them.

Also, can you use the steel front end with the fiberglass body? My fenders and hood are in decent shape, so that would save some $$$.

 

You can use the steel front end. I chose all glass, because I'm (like Boyink) dutch and my fenders were shot too and a new hood was cheaper than paint.

 

Joel,

Did you use the installation kit with yours from 4 wheel drive? I assume I can't just drill the floor and use the same poly mounts I'm using on my steel tub. You would think for the price they could throw in the installation kit. Sheesh. Did they deliver to your door or to a distribution center? Thanks Joel. I would pm you but I'm sure others would like to know too. I figure it's better to get the info from actual users, because the company is going to try to sell the whole works.

 

gees, the price of that trailer queen keeps going up and up
you are going to need an enclosed trailer when you get done

 

I'm not sure they had an installation kit back then. I did purchase the 24" body mounting rubber and cut it to size. I would recommend their kit with the precut rubber as it was a royal PITA to cut, even using a metalworking bandsaw. It was very difficult to get a straight cut. I do like the fact that they now have nut-inserts for the dash and pretemplated tubs too.

I actually purchased mine from a distributor in Coldwater MI as it was much cheaper than having the body shipped. When I picked the body up the tub was boxed well, but the distributor tried to pass off some fenders and a hood that looked like they'd been kicked around their warehouse for 10 years. I accepted only the tub and a boxed hood and made them ship me new fenders directly.

I choose the 4wd tubs because they reinforced the floor with the Countourcore (something like that) rather than straight plywood and the tub had a doublewall styrofoam filled walls. Many others use plywood and have a singlewall construction. At the time, I don't think there was a kevlar option and a tailgate would've cost me an extra $250 that I didn't have/want to come up with.

If you would like pictures of anything let me know.

 

Yeah Yeah Yeah: I was waitin for you to chime in with some snide remark R) R) R) R) R) R)


Another question: What about rollbar tie in? Right now bine is bolted to the tub. Do they have to be frame tied when running a fiberglass tub, or do you use large metal plates?

 

I have the Four Wheel Drive Fiberglass body complete on my '66 CJ-5. The roll bar is punched through the fiberglass and welded to the frame rail. I don't know if everyone does this, but that is the way mine was when I picked it up a few months ago.

The jeep is currently scattered all over the floor of my pole barn, tranny on the bench, transfer case on the floor and a perfectly good clutch pulled out just to check it. Seems that the only problem was a faulty new clutch cable. Need to give it a final look over, and start putting it all together during the week this week. Will finally have it on the road sometime next week, with a new winch and all.

Tom in Frankenmuth

 

Doesn't that make for a narrow rollcage since the frame rails are 27 1/2" on center. I was trying to figure out how to go about this if I get a glass tub. The front windshield bar would be fairly easy to frame tie, but the center bar (behind the seat) and the rear angle bar (both are welded to a large steel plate that bolts to the top of the rear fenderwell) would be a little more difficult to deal with. I can't figure out how you would get in there to weld the tubing to the frame with the tub in place. I guess more research is in order.

In the meantime I will be applying more Bondo to the tub I have