Fiberglass Tub cut outs

[Catharps]

My 74 CJ5 has a fiberglass tub on her from about 6 years ago. The PO put on a new painless wire harness and has (almost) everything hooked up but she has not been run since the new tub went on. It was his daily driver before the conversion.

I have some questions for you guys that have switched over to a fiberglass tub.

1st. the Transmission and Transfer Case shifters have a huge cut out. I can't imagine a boot will fit around it (and I have not found one in any case). Was this stock or did the shop cut the hole this big?

2nd. The steering column is destroyed ( I have a new one from Flaming River being delivered to the house because I was nervous about a u-pull-it find) Again, there seems to be an overly large hole where the column goes through the tub (along with the clutch and brake pedal.) This is the reason I have not been able to run her- the key just spins in the ignition, and that was enough for me to be over my head! TO THE SHOP!

I realize I need to post more pics to my gallery in order to put them here, so I will do that next.

Will I be able to patch the holes down to a smaller size with fiberglass or do they need to be so big? I plan on patching the holes under the dash after she gets back from getting her steering column swapped out, of course.

Any words from the wise about Fiberglass tubs? I don't want to make any rookie mistakes, like cleaning her with a solvent that will damage her. How do you like your tubs? Easy to work with, pain in the tookus?

Thanks guys!

 

[Catharps]

Ok here are the pics of the shifter cut out and the column. I'm figuring this sight out! Thanks again!

 

[Catharps]

I guess not! The pics didn't load! Anywho the pics are in my gallery.

 

[Buckrub]

Those look normal to me. The boots should cover those easily. THE Steering column is toast. Good move on replacing it. I would have went with stock, Many of em out there . Question for you though. Have you been able to start this yet? You will likely need to run grounds to every thing. On my tub I could not understand why the PO could not keep his running. My rig has grouns bars installed on both sides of the engine comportment and one on the dash interior. Each of these is ran to the frame with a 1/0 cable(I am an electrician I go overboard) THE the grounds are all tied to the 2/0 going to the neg terminal of the battery. Keep in mind the solenoid HAS to be grounded. That is the sole reason my PO could not get my jeep a running. After I found that it was easy ...I ran grouns to everything and my OCD was happy because I got to use ty=wraps and one hole straps out the wazoo.

 

[Old Dog]

The large cut-out in the floor is normal and needed when you need to service the Transmission and tc.(infact it may need to be enlarged) You need to get the stock metal cover to cover the hole and attache your boots to.

 

[Catharps]

Thank you guys so much! It looked awful clean to be cut post purchase, but they just looked so big! I had a HELL of a time finding a stock 74 column online- in fact, I could not. TONS from 76 and up, but I have heard they will not fit. The flaming River one is pricey, but I was assured that it will work. Since I am replacing the dash and gauges, the new column and wheel will fit right in.

This one that was destroyed was from a 76 Chevy Blazer (Info from the PO). I have not been able to start it because the key just spins freely in the ignition- I have not gotten any further then that before I had to leave her for a while.

Pulling my hare out a little looking for parts for this year, and that will fit a fiberglass tub. Maybe I should have gone with a 76 or newer for my first Jeep? I'm also kinda new to the Miss Gulf Coast and all my friends who know cars are 1,800 miles north east of me.

Good info on the grounding issue, I'll have to see what I can see for a ground to the frame. Do you have a CB in your rig, OLD DOG? Did you have to get a marine radio antenna due to the fiberglass? I will have a Myers (metal) hard top on mine for most of the year, do you think that will be enough meter to have a whip work properly?

Thanks again guys!

 

[73CJ]

The flaming River one is pricey, but I was assured that it will work. Since I am replacing the dash and gauges, the new column and wheel will fit right in. of me.

I put a 30" FR in. Works great. I also went with their steering shaft. Original key on the dash. Emergency flasher on the column.

 

[Catharps]

I put a 30" FR in. Works great. I also went with their steering shaft. Original key on the dash. Emergency flasher on the column.

That is exactly what should be coming my way. I got the 'heavy duty' steering shaft as well. Kinda excited to put the key back in the dash- just seems like a Jeepy thing to do!

So glad to hear that it worked out for you! Gives me hope!