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Body / Tub Id Help?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Jeep_1975CJ5, Oct 9, 2018.

  1. Oct 9, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

    New York
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    New to the forums, and started a frame off rebuild of a 1975 CJ5 that I have been storing for 15 years. I am going through the classic struggle of whether or not to find a replacement tub or patch the tub I have. However, I am having a hard time identifying the tub and wonder if it was a replacement? The original VIN plate is attached to the firewall, but I have not been able to find much on the no tailgate bodies. There is not the raised Jeep logo on the sides either.



     
  2. Oct 10, 2018
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    The rear panel doesn't have that reenforcing hat channel on the top back side

    No evidence of high-mounted separate reverse lights.

    Is that an actual toolbox on passenger side? Looks somehow different.

    Are there visible weld joints that would indicate side panel replacement? Back tailgate could have been deleted later. Dad says there were kits to do that in mid-70s.

    You might slap on a used glass tub while you pick away at the metal repair. I'd hate to see ANY steel body be abandoned. Getting rare. And Classic Enterprises has the parts you'd likely need. Not the cheapest, but I feel they are the best.
     
  3. Oct 10, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    I don't see obvious welds at this point. There is also no toolbox. It looks like the driver & passenger side floor pans were replaced with diamond plate.

     
  4. Oct 10, 2018
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Welcome aboard from Ga.
     
  5. Oct 10, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Looks right for a '75, given the amount of patching. Some issues mentioned by Chilly (reinforcing bar, rear lights) I agree with. Could be a replacement body, considering there is no "Jeep" embossed into the side of the body below the cowl. This is a '75, showing the proper lettering.

    upload_2018-10-10_8-7-16.jpeg

    Your VIN should start with "J5."

    For 1975 (1 year only) Jeep welded-in the previously removable floor panels, foreshadowing the changes to the floors for '76. Only the cover above the transmission was removable.

    Perhaps the most important difference for '75 was the first use of an electrical system with a central fuse panel. Six cylinder Jeeps got the Delco 10SI alternator, V8s retained the Motorola unit with seperate voltage regulator.

    I have a bunch of pictures online showing my '75 CJ-6 as I got it. Index of /~reese/ResizedJeepIPics This is very close to unmolested and will be correct for your '75, except for the longer CJ-6 body and the tailgate instead of the solid back panel.

    In 1975, the solid back panel was on the regular option list, so it could be that or a tailgate, per customer's choice. If your Jeep came with a tailgate, the rectangular indent for the clearance light on the right rear quarter will be missing, and there will be holes for the side mounted spare bracket.
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2018
  6. Oct 10, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    Thanks Chilly, Walt, & Tim. The VIN starts with J5F83AH....there are several things that don't match up for me. The color code on the VIN tag suggests Renegade Blue, which is confirmed by the original paint (chips, cracks, or hard to reach places such as under the window frame). But with the picture below you can see the rocker panel (?) there appears to be original paint on this, but again no embossed logo. I will check for any holes that may have been covered with the side mounted spare, but it had a rear mounted spare when I got it, that I have since removed.
    IMG_8163.JPG
     
  7. Oct 10, 2018
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Seems like the strongest evidence that it's original is the base color, but could have been painted original color when tub was replaced. Just a guess, though.
     
  8. Oct 11, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    Looked last night, and there is no evidence of a side mounted tire carrier. I also included a photo of the inside rear of the tub. With the hat channels it would appear to be original?

    IMG_E8657.JPG
     
  9. Oct 11, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    That rear bed looks consistent with a '75. Those two bolts at the base of the channel braces are for the rear seat belt anchors. The patch likely was to get to the tank sending unit. I expect there has been a bit of bondo smoothing off the rear panel on the outside.
    Interesting that there are no embossed "Jeep" logos, but the rear reflector appears to have a recess. Does anyone know when the notches (carryover from the M38a1 top bow mount) over the rear wheel openings disappeared?
    -Donny
     
  10. Oct 11, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Yep to all three points.
    The only recess that changes is on the passenger side rear. It's present with the solid panel and absent (would be covered) with the tailgate and side mounted spare.
    1976, bow pockets gone. You can see my CJ-6 has them. Body sides could have been replaced, and both the logo and bow pockets lost.

    The extra bar across the back that's bolted to the tops of the wheel houses likely was added to strengthen the back panel once the original external stiffener was removed. The back panels tended to break away at the welds with the corner panels anyway, when stressed by a heavy spare. If the body sides were replaced, the PO may have removed the stiffener to customize the appearance. I put an angle iron across he back of my 1973 (in 1973) to strengthen the panel and tire carrier.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2018
  11. Oct 11, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    Ahhh! This is starting to make me feel a lot better, as there does appear to be some type of filler smoothed over the back. The embossed logo is a little odd, especially because as rough of shape that it is in, the side panels look as if they have always been there, as there does not appear to be any aftermarket welds or joints.

    With the embossed logos, is the logo depressed in the foot wells? I will ask another way, if you put your hand on the inside of the tub, do you feel that lettering?
     
  12. Oct 11, 2018
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    I can feel it on my early cj5
     
  13. Oct 12, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    BONDO! Not sure why someone would commit such a heinous act. I will have to post a pic after I figure out how to get the bondo out of the Jeep lettering.

    Thanks so much everyone!
     
  14. Oct 12, 2018
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    You mean the embossing is dented IN, and filled with bondo so its smooth on the OUTSIDE? That means they put a left panel on right side and right panel on left side?

    Or is there a mighty hump of bondo mounded up over the embossed Jeep lettering?

    Not understanding you sitchumation yet
     
  15. Oct 13, 2018
    Jeep_1975CJ5

    Jeep_1975CJ5 New Member

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    No, bondo mounded up over the outside of the panel to fill over and around the Jeep logo to make it look smooth. When I place my hand along the inside of the panel, I feel an indented logo (raised on outside of panel).
     
  16. Oct 13, 2018
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    a wire wheel on the grinder will remove the mud without hurting the metal too bad. wear a mask that stuff is bad for your lungs.
     
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