New Tub - opinions needed

[sponge]

Mechanicals are nearly done...time to make a decision and bite the bullet.

It needs a new tub and other pretty parts.

I am torn between Shell Valley glass - harder to install (wiring & support), but never going to rust.

OEM replica steel - cost more, likely more body work required to paint, but less work to install

Who here has recently bought either - please give your opinions. No detail too small...

This jeep will my daily driver (I work next door to my office) and will be primarily driven around town with highway use every once in a while...likely only a yearly off road light trails with the kids then a few camping and Mt. Bike trips.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Metal is easier to straighten out than bust'd FG.
Me-I would go with metal.
Steel is easy to GND for electrical work.
FG you have to run a GND bar and that can be a real PITA, and lots of extra wiring.
You can't just drill and bolt to FG, like you can steel.
The list goes on,
LG

 

[sponge]

Yeah I have myself talked into steel - and found a killer sale on them thru CSE Offroad - total kit under $5K?!?

 

[Peanut Butter]

There are a couple different ways to go with metal: steel and aluminum. All steel bodies are made by one manufacturer. In my opinion there is only one place to buy it from: Willys-Overland Motors The aluminum bodies come from: Jeep - Hard Bodies by Aqualu Industries Inc. | Aluminum Replacement Bodies & Accessories Whatever you choose, good luck with your replacement.

 

[HackFabrication]

Yeah I have myself talked into steel - and found a killer sale on them thru CSE Offroad - total kit under $5K?!?

I had the same internal debate when I re-did my 76 CJ5 . Ended up going steel. I think I got one of the last tubs that WillyOverland Motors was building using OEM steel stampings (before, I assume, Chrysler put a stop to it):



It was anything but a 'bolt up'. $5k for: Tub, Fenders, Grill, Hood, Dash, Windshield Frame, and Tailgate seems about right. However, if you can get the MoPar replacement grill, you'll be happier than the aftermarket one. Fenders and going to be a disappointment, as the inner fender isn't a primo fit. Be prepared to do a lot of grinding and re-drilling.

If you go that route, let us know. Lot of people have replaced 'it all', and have a few suggestions.

 

[sponge]

Thanks for the insights guys, my factory grille is in good shape. Hoping to use that still.

 

[HackFabrication]

Tips:

DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY!!!!!

Take a lot of pictures. Many, Many, Many Pictures. Save them in a safe place and on a cloud server.

If you have friends helping with disassembly, don't let them get too far ahead of yourself. When it comes time to re-assemble, they may be long gone.

Do not try to 'force' anything apart. A lot of the AMC put into their vehicles is fragile. Old plastic gets brittle and snaps. Torx fasteners... They are AMC version of waterboarding.

Bolts, Brackets, Nuts: Keep them all. Same with hoses and fittings. Bag and tag. Get a couple large plastic storage tubs to keep EVERYTHING in one place. Seriously, things tend to grow legs and play hide and seek. If you can, leave fasteners attached to the items you had to remove them from.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Let a box of ziplock bags and a sharpie be your friend, with what bolts go where.
LG