"yj tub" - search term too common, too long or too short

I know (or I've read several places) that 76 and up cj5's will take a YJ tub w/ no problem and I've seen a post in the intermediate section with the "we've covered this before" line in it - searching for that post(s) that covered it isn't yielding much (unless I'm using the wrong search words).

In addition to the 76 (which I thought was a 75) sitting in my driveway, I've got a 74 (now parked in the garage) that I picked up last weekend. The PO has completely re-done everything from the ground up to the frame, including rebuilding the 304. The body has had some patching done to it, it's not in bad shape, but I've been investigating a YJ tub for it since they were hot-dipped at the factory and rust becomes less of an issue. Seems like (to me) there'd be fewer fab projects to get the YJ tub where I want it - since the bulkhead opening is already square, the tub should also be set up to take a GM steering column and hopefully have a tailgate opening in the back that would just require a little fab work to switch from a side-swing to a bottom swing, rollcage, seats, doors, power brakes, hydraulic clutch, seems like they'd all be a little easier as well.

So - is this a pipe dream YJ on a 74 CJ5 or do all the fab projects just shift from the body to the frame to get this done right?

 

CJ5's will not take a YJ tub. CJ7s will as the are the same sheel base as the YJ, unfortunately the cj5 is much shorter.

 

I thought the length was added in the front clip, not the tub and that a newer (76 and up) CJ5 would take the YJ body. Guess I'll just have to stretch the frame.

I'm good with the CJ5 tub - just thought I could short-cut around a few of the smaller items -and- get a more rust-free tub to boot. Next up - gotta call Classic Enterprises and talk to them about their tailgate surround (anyone here have any experience with it?)

 

I was really teetering on the fence with this one anyway, length differences confirmed put me where I needed to be anyway - sticking with the original tub. I'm learning - slowly - the facts just get jumbled once in awhile....come to think of it, once I turned 40 this started happening more frequently.

 

Google is your friend: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=site...q=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=dd2d1939af06a5a

 

Also, I don't think you can shorten a CJ-7 or YJ tub to CJ-5 length given the 7/YJ door line... Theres a full 10" difference in the wheelbase, and I expect it would have to be trimmed out from between the door opening and the rear wheel opening.