Aluminum Body

[Iron Duck]

Hi.
I was woundering if anyone has tryed out the new aluminim tubs and if so how are they. I saw the add for them and it clames to be 30% strounger than steel and liter also. I don't wount to go fiberglass and diden't know if thes was worth looking into. Are the replacement steel tubs still untreated and rust out like the originals or are they the way to go?

 

[Sasquach]

A new steel tub is bare metal, prepped and painted properly it would hold up. The aluminum is not as much $ as I expected it to be although more than the glass tub I think. Do they make alum. hood and fenders or do mix either steel or glass?
Pretty sweet.
http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Images/18401/18401-lg.jpg

 

[Kane]

The aluminum tubs are twice the money as a well built glass tub. That deters me a little bit. My glass tub on my 5 is 18 years old and still holding up pretty well plus it still looks new. It does creak and groan a bit under flex but that doesn't bother me much. For me in New England it's not worth getting a metal tub even if I prepped and painted every square inch. In five to ten years when the rust started making it's way back I would be pretty pissed and only want to do the build once. I may still do the aluminum but man that extra 2+ thousand dollars could really be used on other parts of the build.

 

[Iron Duck]

I can get an Aluminum tub for about $500.00 more than Fiberglass and I've seen some good fiberglass tubs and I've seen some bad ones. The thing is I can't fix a broken Fiberglass tub. that scaires the out of me. And grounding things out may become an isue.

 

[ken98k]

The thing is I can't fix a broken Fiberglass tub. that scaires the out of me. And grounding things out may become an isue.

I would think fiberglass would be infinately repairable unless it burns.
I've seen some very smashed up vettes patched up and brought back to life.

 

[Old Dog]

I would think fiberglass would be infinately repairable unless it burns.
I've seen some very smashed up vettes patched up and brought back to life.

People also redo fiberglass boats. Theres no reason for not being able to redo a jeep body.

 

[Sasquach]

Why does it need to be fixed anyway? Are you planing on tearing it to pieces?
I would not want to be in the position to have to buy a whole new body for my CJ but if I were I would look pretty hard at the aluminum tub if only another $500.
From what I have read the glass tubs are lot's of work to install because they come with zero bolt holes or cut outs of any kind, and yes you would have to run a ground wire to anything that was previously grounded to the body although no big deal really.
OK so you bought your new aluminum tub now what do you use for your fenders/ hood/ grill/ tailgate/ dash/ windsheild frame?

 

[Old Dog]

You can buy the grill and fenders, at least you can here.Aqualu Industries Inc..
They have some flat front frnders I really like.:drool:

 

[jamie]

i like those fenders too, but the price hurts.

 

[Sasquach]

The fenders are sweet but the grill is UGLY. Must have to do with the trademark grill bars thing.

 

[Old Dog]

Yea the grill is bad, I couldn't put on of them on.

 

[Sasquach]

Yea the grill is bad, I couldn't put on of them on.

Thats the one CJ part you don't mess with!

 

[73CJ]

I got a Matkins aluminum tub and love it.

Don't care for the Aqualu grill. Not real sure about the fenders either.

Bounced pretty hard off trees with my tube fenders.

I'd do it aluminum again.

 

[Iron Duck]

I Did not know about that link I saw the aluminum tub at quadratec.com Thanks for the other link I don't like the grill but I will take it into concideration. I'm not saying one is any better than another I just like the idea of trying new and different ways to keep my jeep fresh I dont plane on beating it I love my CJ7 I hope to have it for a loung time to come. Just dont wount to go fiberglass becouse I have seen them crack over the rear weels and chunck out in cold weather. It was mentioned to me that not all fiberglass tubs will except hard tops but some will. Incase anyone is trying to make the same disision.

 

[kennuck]

I have an Aqualu Aluminum Tub on a 1985 CJ7 . Ive done fiberglass and steel as well. The aluminum is by far the strongest, and looks real good too.

 

[CJ]

:ww: kennuck

That CJ looks GREAT!