cj5 body question

[crider]

What year CJ5 bodies will work with what year chassis? I have oportunity to pick up a good running CJ5 with a rough tub on it for dirt cheap but I really don't feel like putting in the amount of work it would take to fix the tub. Also Have found a new glass tub locally but not sure if it would work on the running chassis.

 

[harleydragon]

55-71 is one body style they are all the same.

72-83 are the same.

The major difference is in the front fenders. They were extended to make room for the straight six engine.



Rake of the windshield is different.

In 1976 the tub and frame were modified slightly from earlier versions. The frame went from an open channel to boxed in front of the rear axle, and the body tub became more rounded. The windshield frame and windshield angle were also changed, meaning that tops from 1955 to 1975 will not fit a 1976-1983 CJ5 and vice-versa.
1955 - 1975, frame rails are the same distance apart front to back.
1976 - 1983, frame rails widen a bit at the door opening.

 

[jdarg]

You need to find out what years the glass tub is intended for.

As far as tubs go, 72-83 are FAR from the same. 72-75 are their own category. They will not "bolt-on" to on a 76+ CJ5 frame, for example. They also have the toolbox under the pass. seat. Rollbars are not interchangeable. Steering columns (and thus the firewall holes/brackets) are completely different. The Transmission tunnel is different, and IIRC there was a significant transition there even between 72-75 although I might be wrong on that. The list goes on and on.

The frames on pre-76 do not kick out in the rear as pointed out and there's other differences in body mount points, etc. too.

 

[crider]

Yeah it sounds like I need to find out what year the tub was for, only problem is the current owner knows even less about it than i do. I think I may pass on this project.