Steel, aluminum or fiberglass?

[CJ]

If money were no object, what material would you rather have a body tub made from and why?

I'm seriously considering taking my CJ down to the frame and putting a new tub on it. I love aluminum because of the WOW factor but I'm really leary because of the durability (soft). Steel is about the best there is in my opinion but I hear really great things about the Kevlar reinforced fiberglass bodies.

So which one and why?

Thanks,

 

[shamrock]

I'm partial to fiberglass. One of the more interesting rigs I've seen was stainless steel...a little flat fender jeep owned by one of the Rancho boys back in the early 80's.

 

[crust]

I'm partial to fiberglass. One of the more interesting rigs I've seen was stainless steel...a little flat fender jeep owned by one of the Rancho boys back in the early 80's.

I have to agree, IF money were no object, I would go stainless with a clear lacquer finish. But with money as it is I will have to go with the stock steel. We have a wrecking yard in the area and $1400 gets a very clean tub and fenders.

 

[CJ]

OK - Let us say that money is no object but I'm not going to have one custom made...

I would love to have a SS body - but that is pretty much out of the question. I still like the durability of steel and... The last body on my CJ has lasted 32 years!

 

[jeep cj7 304]

yeah i would go with steel on this, and if you think that it's too heavy get more power!

 

[fishinfool98]

im gonna have to say stainless steel if I had the $$$$$$$$$
but other than that steel

 

[hooves]

If money were no object I would have stainless steel, I expect. My instincts tell me to err on the side of caution when it comes to fiberglass, as the odd dent here and there is likely to result in a huge amount of sticky and frustrated work later. Even if it is Kevlar reinforced.

Although if money were no object, I'd have staff to do all that for me...?

Rust has never bothered me on cosmetic parts but I suppose if you're really proud of the way your machine looks it would be an issue. Stainless steel would be the ideal.

Aluminium is very squishy but very attractive.

Verdict: Stainless steel or aluminium.

 

[CJ]

Well, after allot of searching, reading and ciphering I think I'm going to go with a steel body from Willys-Overland Motors : The Right Parts. The Right Fit. From the Original.

Has anyone ever used one of their body tubs? They are a LONG way from me! Would someone like to make a delivery?

 

[coldwater]

To hell with steel. Not where I live anyway. I put a glass body on mine 14 years ago and It still looks great, end of story.

 

[jeep cj7 304]

To hell with steel. Not where I live anyway. I put a glass body on mine 14 years ago and It still looks great, end of story.

yeah we got that mag chloride that they spray on the road, it gets everywhere and now i'm starting to rust again

 

[CJ]

I don't have to deal with that salt and chloride, I'm still leaning toward steel.

 

[coldwater]

yeah we got that mag chloride that they spray on the road, it gets everywhere and now i'm starting to rust again

It would be great to do a nice resto on a little CJ, but for my climate It would just be a waste. I like to drive it too much to build a garage queen, and that's what it would end up being for fear of turning it into a rust bucket.

 

[MuddingTime]

I would definitely have to go with steel because of the durability. I can get rough, and I need something that can take the abuse. After all, if I had something that would break easy, think about all of the lost time caused by fixing the damage when I could spend the time enjoying myself.

 

[cursedsoul]

A stainless steel body would look HOT! Plus its bound to be tougher than fibreglass..

 

[LuvMyJeep]

Probably steel... too cool looking with a fresh coat of paint

 

[shamrock]

http://www.bdashfab.com/Jeep/Jeep.htm

I don't CJ.....that SS looks pretty clean. I was trying to find a price listing but came up empty.

 

[CJ]

http://www.bdashfab.com/Jeep/Jeep.htm

I don't CJ.....that SS looks pretty clean. I was trying to find a price listing but came up empty.

That's a great article... I have never found a price for one either. It looks to be custom made though by B. Dash Fabication...

 

[shamrock]

That's a great article... I have never found a price for one either. It looks to be custom made though by B. Dash Fabication...

Made by a company called MD Juan Enterprises located in the Philippines. They list an authorized dealer in your neck of the woods.


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[meximaid]

Steel gets my vote both on look (pretty important) and durability (actually important). I know people who like fiberglass but I think there is a pretty wide range in quality and even the best don't match up with steel.

 

[dalefan88]

cj i live about a hour and ahalf from toledo. i think when i replace the body on my jeep im getting it from there.