1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Is a fiberglass tub okay?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by 97XJ_95YJ, Jan 9, 2007.

  1. 97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    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
     
  2. scaryjosh

    scaryjosh Member

    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
     
  3. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    What's your intent with the Jeep? If you want to park it in a row at a Willys reunion and stand shoulder to shoulder with other "restorationists" then no, you won't get the same attention as Jeeps with steel bodies.

    If you want to drive it/wheel it/have fun with it then go for the 'glass.

    I don't agree that they aren't as strong, and the wiring issues are known and can be addressed.

    'Glass bodied Jeeps are quite common here in the rustbelt. Actually it's pretty much the norm for any CJ - if I see a steel bodied one on the road yet I'm surprised.

    That said -when I was looking for a new tub for my 5 I would have gone to great lengths to get a salvageable original steel tub. Just seems cooler in the end.
     
  4. 97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    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.
     
  5. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    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.
     
  6. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Ultimately what's acceptable is going to be entirely up to you...I'm sure you'll get opinions from both sides of the fence here.
     
  7. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Your Flattie - do it your way.

    Personally - I don't care for glass tubs and don't have any. For where I live I can find a repairable steel tub with a little patience when I want one. In fact I have 2 tubs in my storage that I bought to fix flatties up. I have used repli tubs in the past, I prefer to use originals and fix them if possible.
     
  8. speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

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

    chasm New Member

    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:
     
  10. Jackrabbit396

    Jackrabbit396 New Member

    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. :p
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2007
  11. jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    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
     
  12. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    I've got a fiberglass tub on mine.

    To those who'd say fiberglass cracks or splinters, I'd be interested to know how many have a 'glass tub. ;)

    It's likely tougher than steel, but if the damage is severe enough it ends up worse than the damage to steel.

    I like the original tubs, just because of the character, but for mine, it's fine. It spends it's time outside and on the road and trail when I get time. I've taken it to the Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion where last fall it was one of the most built Jeeps in the lot and it's not that built. I didn't build it to have folks look at it as a restoration piece. I want it to have fun with. It lets me do that. In the end, it's your Jeep, who cares. ;)
     
  13. CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    They look good, but not the real thing.
    Just like fake b**bs.
    :)
     
  14. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    no not exactly.....a policeman probably not gonna arrest me....if I walk up and put my hands on a fiberglass Jeep.:D
     
  15. jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    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.
     
  16. russnj

    russnj New Member

    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
     
  17. rwirtzfeld

    rwirtzfeld New Member

    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
     
  18. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    :rofl: I think you said it all when you said it's someone who sells steel bodies.
     
  19. chasm

    chasm New Member

    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:
     
  20. termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Glass bodies can be repaired too. Just have to use epoxy and fiberglass matts. When I redid my 68 I put a glass body on and I had to pretty much run new wiring to everything anyways. It really isn't that much more to run a couple wires for grounds. I had one to the steel grill I had so it took care of headlights. I had one going to the steel dash so that right there took care of most of the rest of it right there. Tail lights got thier own wire that went down to the frame where I tapped in a bolt and secured a wire with a eye lug. Only thing I really forgot about was the gas tank sending unit that I finally got around to fixing a couple months before I pulled the glass body for an old good steel tub.

    It was an old tub, but it was lighter, never had problems with cracking. It has a little give to it.(not alot, but just enough sometimes)




    And best part is I had NO WORRIES about driving the jeep in the winter up here in the midwest. Not sure I can say the same thing about my jeep now with the old fixed up steel body on it.