tub differences

[johnnyreb]

quick question. what are the "subtle" differences between a 71-75 tub and a 76-82 tub. I know about the differences in nose length.
What does it mean rounder?

 

[jdarg]

The floor pans are different, i.e. the Transmission tunnels are contoured differently, the pass. toolbox on the pre-76, etc. The seats mount differently too w/ one corner bolting to the door sills. Underneath they are also quite different.

Externally I don't believe there are any significant differences except fuel filler location and the bolt holes for misc. lighting.

 

[johnnyreb]

Thanks for the info. Thinking seriously about adding a pre 76' tool box to my 80'.

 

[jdarg]

I don't see why it wouldn't work other than the seat brackets needing a swap or some fab. There might be slight trimming you need to do to accommodate the Transmission hump but it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[johnbilt]

Do you mean adding the passenger compartment toolbox from a early 70's jeep to a 76-on tub? I have both versions of these CJ's. The metal box on my 73 is welded onto the tub and floorpan. My guess is it would be a pain to convert this. You may get a better toolbox by fabricating new to fit the 76 tub. I sealed mine some years ago. They tend to get rusty and nasty as the years go by.

 

[Hedgehog]

Those tool boxes can be purchased, pricey but they are available. My 1975 already had the tool box removed, but I wanted one so I went to our local Jeep Shop, Willys Works here in Tucson. He has LOTS of interesting stuff. I asked about the tool box, he informed me that they were welded in and my jeep should have one. After saying that mine was missing I said, "So, you don't have one." He smiled and said, "I didn't say that." and he plucked one out of his scrap pile. It was used, and after market, but in decent shape, GREAT shape for $25.00. It is mostly installed. Your jeep will have some variations in the floor pan, but a little sheet metal shaping should be easy enough. The interesting part is figuring out how your going to install the seats. You could cut holes in the top to allow the stock brackets to go through to the floor. Probably won't work well though. I'm struggling with making brackets that still allow the seat to hinge forward. Rob at Willy's Works came up with an original seat latch which isn't easy to find. Yep, it's not the tool box that will be interesting to install, it will be the seat brackets.

 

[johnbilt]

Didn't realize some folks still had that stuff around. The seat brackets should not be hard to fabricate. Maybe this guy has some of these around also?? Mine had the front rotating seat bracket mounts. The front of the seat bracket had an oblong pin on each side that fit into a half circle bracket. This made a factory hinge point that was removable if the seat was tilted forward and lifted out. Not sure how they anchored the rear to the floor. I have seen a few latches on the rear of these, but don't know if they were factory. My 73 had none. The seatbelt basically holds everything down anyway. The idea was to remove the seat to access the toolbox below.

I modified my bracket by welding a section of round steel tube to each bracket. Then I used a front spring bushing and a grade 8 bolt to make the hinge. The seat will fold forward and allow semi-access to the toolbox. This also does not rattle like the old metal on metal hinge piece.

 

[Hedgehog]

I've been struggling because the first seats weren't jeep seats, nice seats though. After getting them finally installed they were too tall and I couldn't lower them with the tool box under the seat. Stock seats were reluctantly bought and not I'm struggling to do it all over again. I have stock seat brackets, but they are to tall for these seats. I just have to make the leap and just get them done.

These jeeps should have a latch. A simple affair but hard to find. They must be a little delicate, the latch is rarely found in good condition.

 

[73CJ]

More important is the width of the frame in the rear. The later tub has a wider distance between the frame rails. The Intermediates were straight front to rear.

I've seen it done but needs some fab work.

Seats brackets aren't hard.

 

[jdarg]

I have an intermediate fold-in-half pass seat incl. latch and the seat frame bracket that I'm not using. Foam is poking through the bottom cushion so it isn't the prettiest but hey its almost 40 years old. If anyone is interested PM me and we can work something out.

I have the drivers seat bracket too if you really want a matched set.