Is a fiberglass tub okay?

I was just wondering if replacing an original tub with a fiberglass one is an acceptable practice or if this is frowned upon in the flat fender / vintage Jeep community?

just curious

 

I personally dont like that they are not as strong the wiring is all wacked up because you have to use ground bars or route the ground to the frame. you can get a great repli tub from willys overland made from good steel and for a flatie the whole set includeing tub hood windsheild and fenders all predrilled for 2800 thats cheaper than my 73 tub..

just an idea

josh

 

My dad's CJ5 has a 'glass tub and I see a lot of benefits to the glass. However, in my search for a falt fender I've pretty much been focusing on something with a tub that can be repaired so I could keep the tub "original". But when I think about it, it doesn't make much sense. If the majority of the "original" tub is replacement sheet metal, body filler, and replacement pannels anyway, why not just save yourself a lot of time and replace the whole tub with fiberglass. Then you don't have to worry about it rusting out again and you save yourself a lot of headaches in the long run. I was just wondering if using fiberglass tubs was an acceptable practice. I'm not looking at doing a full restoration of my flat fender anyway. I just want to get it running and looking okay and get it back on the road / trails.

 

Fiberglass tubs certainly have their place. If I were running an unorigional with different drivetrain and power or wanted to put a flatty body on a later frame I would'nt hesitate in using one. I'd much rather do that than bash/cut up an origional steel body that are getting harder to find.The wiring issue is not a big problem to overcome. It's never gonna be accepted as origional but it certainly doesnt have to be. Another plus is appearently they are less work to use that trying to make an aftermarket import body work as delivered, from what I read anyway.

 

It wouldn't bother me to run a 'glass tub. If you like the idea, I say go for it

 

It's your Jeep, build it the way you like!R)

I used a steel tub from MD Juan on my last project and was impressed with the quality, accuracy, and best of all, PRICE! Their tubs have come a long way quality-wise. I did mine the way I wanted within the budget that I had, and I'm happy with the end result!

My 2 cents!::twisted:

 

I rather like my metal original. Half of the panels are welded on where they were practically destroyed. It doesn't look pretty - but it's a Jeep - not a Mercedes. If your Jeep is basically a big toy like mine, something that can be fixed with just a little welding is definitely a plus. If you're one of those that won't go anywhere that will scratch the paint anyway, glass. Of course realize, I don't just run through mud - I run through the woods and fields and wherever I may need or want. A tree had better be five inches in diameter before I'd give a second thought to making it flush with the ground. And, I just like metal. Even the rust. It has a special character.

 

i saw a beautiful flatty once totally restored then i realized the tub was fiberglass and walked away disappointed. Its like if there going to put all that work into making a beautiful jeep and keep it that clean why not just use steel and have it resemble what was meant to be there. Even for a all around beater jeep steel is better because you can weld it and hammer back to shape. fiberglass just cracks and spinters. If your intending to save weight forget it. Fiberglass tubs are reinforced with osb or plywood and it weighs them down to nearly the same weight as steel. Maby more. Just my opinion

 

They look good, but not the real thing.
Just like fake b**bs.

 

no not exactly.....a policeman probably not gonna arrest me....if I walk up and put my hands on a fiberglass Jeep.

 

I don't have a problem with them... for a vehicle that will sit most of the time still there is less maintenance upkeeping the body itself. If repro steel ones were not so cheap I probably would use one on my future resto 2A. My current 2a was far from resto, and the tub was workable So I kept the steel.

on a 'true' show jeep It should be steel, but for your weeekdn cruise/show fiberglass gets the same smiles per mile, you just may not be taking home as many trophies.

 

Here is a picture of a glass jeep from a person that sells steel bodies. So take it for what its worth. I don't mind either way, but I have only steel bodies.

http://www.dlbensinger.com/fiberglass.html


Russ

 

I have a glass body on my CJ-2A and love it. The only reason I can see for going with metal, would be if you are doing an exact restoration.

I like it being much lighter than steel, I have tryed to shed pounds on my Jeep anywhere I can.

I also like that many fiberglass tub companies are now offering the tub already painted via a gel coat, which is ten times more durable than paint, certainly from trail/tree scrapes.

I prefer the smooth finish fiberglass provides when painting yourself. If you don't have it gelcoated a color, it comes primed and ready to paint. You will have several hours into smoothing a steel body to the same degree with the bondo.

As far as the ground issued goes, I consider a quality wiring harness to use only one dedicated ground to the frame anyway, so if you are grounding accessories to the body, buy or build a real wiring harness.

Bonus: no rust ever

Randy

 

I like the look of all of those spot welds and seams on the steel tubs!R) That's the way they were originally. They were never meant to be "Pretty"...:twisted: