I just started to restore a 1980 Jeep CJ7 . I just took the old body off. I'm looking to replace it with a fiberglass body since I live in Wisconsin. I was wondering if anyone knew where and what brands to look for or stay away from.
83 CJ7 350 tbi, TH350, D300 twin sticked & clocked, narrowed Chief D44 Eaton Elocker & Moser shafts, Explorer 8.8 Detroit locker, 410's, RE 4.5" spring lift 1" body lift, 35" Claws, cage tied to frame, Corbeau baja seats, HD tie rod and draglink, u-bolts flipped, custom skid plate and sliders, Warn 9.5ti winch with Amsteel synthetic line
I have an AJ's but they are no longer around so that doesn't help.
Look for things like built in steel plates in the areas where you mount things like hinges and brake boosters. Also most have wood built into the floor, make sure it's some sort of rot resistant wood like marine plywood or bulsa wood.
There is also different grades go for the HD or offroad ones not the light duty or show quality.
My shell valley glass body is 20 years olds and still on my jeep with very little issues. They make a quality body but be sure to buy there heavy duty model. Back then they only had one choice so thats what i bought. The wood in the floor does not have any rot and there are no stress cracks around the window hinges. I would buy it again. I have a kentrol body that i bought used but never installed and it does not look as tough as the shell valley body.