Willy's Overland vs. 4WD Fiberglass for 79 CJ5 - thourhgts on matchup?

[ewerbeck]

I know there are plenty of threads of fiberglass v. steel... HOWEVER, I'm looking for people that might have researched the two specific tubs above.

The price difference, if you buy just a steel tub v. the fiberglass kit (with hood/fenders) is about $2,000... Which, if this is anywhere near a close call, makes the difference.

I've read people are really happy with their 4WD kits--almost no complaints seen. I've read the same about Willy's-Overland.

Specifically - I'm wondering about these:

This one from 4WD for $2750 (includes hood, fenders)

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Body-Parts-...spx?t_c=81&t_s=521&t_pt=101174&t_pn=KIT5770K#

or the steel tub from WO, with no hood, no fenders, shipped for $4500.

Also an interesting article for the heck of it:
Jeep Body Basher's Buyer's Guide - Jp Magazine

 

[ewerbeck]

Before anyone chimes in with "just find a tub somewhere" - this is Florida. Everything is rusted out. If I could find one, I'd be down.

 

[jdarg]

I've always though fiberglass was the holy grain until I bought one that needed a little work.

Sheet metal is much easier to work with in all regards - electrical grounds, paint prep, dent repair, etc.

 

[ewerbeck]

I've always though fiberglass was the holy grain until I bought one that needed a little work.

Sheet metal is much easier to work with in all regards - electrical grounds, paint prep, dent repair, etc.

What kind did you get, if you don't mind?

 

[dagr8tim]

I'm in the same boat. I've got it down to either a Shell Valley or a Willy's Overland. Last weekend I found myself in Toledo and stopped by WO. I got a look around, talked to Jay (the guy who runs the place) and he took me back to the warehouse/work area.

He was able to show me several tubs in various stages of being fixed to fit properly and a bunch of other things. I was very impressed with their outfit, and what they had.

I'm leaning towards the WO tub just because it has all the factory body stampings in place like the place for the side gas filler and the toolbox (I have a 75 CJ5 ).

Basically for me, it's $3600 for a WO or $2200 for an HD Shell Valley. Plus I don't have to pay shipping on a WO tub. Just rent a U haul and go pick it up myself.

There's also the consideration of wiring, power, and grounding to consider with a glass tub.

Living in Ohio, I can completely understand what you are saying about a used tub. They just don't exist.

 

[CJ]

I purchased a WO tub. It fit perfectly on my 72.

All the holes worked, I even specified the 76 and up parking brake assembly mounts...

It bolted up, looks stock and just worked...

WO rocks!

 

[ewerbeck]

I'm in the same boat. I've got it down to either a Shell Valley or a Willy's Overland. Last weekend I found myself in Toledo and stopped by WO. I got a look around, talked to Jay (the guy who runs the place) and he took me back to the warehouse/work area.

He was able to show me several tubs in various stages of being fixed to fit properly and a bunch of other things. I was very impressed with their outfit, and what they had.

I'm leaning towards the WO tub just because it has all the factory body stampings in place like the place for the side gas filler and the toolbox (I have a 75 CJ5 ).

Basically for me, it's $3600 for a WO or $2200 for an HD Shell Valley. Plus I don't have to pay shipping on a WO tub. Just rent a U haul and go pick it up myself.

There's also the consideration of wiring, power, and grounding to consider with a glass tub.

Living in Ohio, I can completely understand what you are saying about a used tub. They just don't exist.

I would rather a WO... but I'd be tempted to get their spray-on liner underneath for an extra few hundred bucks, then the Jeep stamp for an extra $400. Even without those two things, my cost for a 79 is $3995 plus about 400 shipping. So my cost is about $800 or so more than yours.

With that in mind, would you:

(1) 4WD tub only for $1900 plus about $300 shipping = around $2200;
(2) Shell Valley tub only (with Kevlar add-on) for $2300 plus shipping = around $2500; or
(3) WO tub for $4400.


???

 

[dagr8tim]

I would rather a WO... but I'd be tempted to get their spray-on liner underneath for an extra few hundred bucks, then the Jeep stamp for an extra $400. Even without those two things, my cost for a 79 is $3995 plus about 400 shipping. So my cost is about $800 or so more than yours.

With that in mind, would you:

(1) 4WD tub only for $1900 plus about $300 shipping = around $2200;
(2) Shell Valley tub only (with Kevlar add-on) for $2300 plus shipping = around $2500; or
(3) WO tub for $4400.


???

I agree. I was all about the stampings, but I dislike the round text for "Jeep". I prefer the older more angular Jeep font. For $30, I found a set of cowl and tailgate decals that are the angular font.

Something else to consider is that alot of glass tubs do not have a cutout for the tailgate. If you want a tailgate, you may want to consider steel.

As for the bedliner. Just go with a roll on kit. It's about $100 for a 1 gallon kit. I figure two gallons would do the underside and the inside of the tub. You can get the stuff tinted to match the color of your paint.

So your $5200 dream setup comes down to like $4530.

If I go glass, I will go the HD Shell Valley tub. Really in my case, if I go the glass route, I'll get the glass body kit with the windshield frame, hood, & fenders. That will come out to about the same as a WO tub.

 

[ewerbeck]

Yeah, the 4WD does not come in a tailgate model.

I'd really like the option to have a tailgate.

Something to think about, I guess.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Cons to Fiberglass-
-Grounding issues
-Repairs can be harder to do and look good
-paint spider webbing

Cons to Metal Body-
-Rust

Just my two cents

 

[ewerbeck]

Cons to Fiberglass-
-Grounding issues
-Repairs can be harder to do and look good
-paint spider webbing

Cons to Metal Body-
-Rust

Just my two cents

I would add price to the steel list.

 

[dagr8tim]

I would add price to the steel list.

It all depends on your desired outcome.

 

[ewerbeck]

It all depends on your desired outcome.

Well... Just to give a little more information... What I'm looking for here is mainly a daily driver type of ride (although it won't be used quite that much). I'm not going to be doing much off-roading with it other than the occasional beach, fishing, or camping trip. Even then, we're talking Florida here, so there are no rocks to climb and almost zero probability that it will ever end up on its side.

With everyone's input here, especially yours being in the same boat as me, I'm tending to lean toward the steel tub as you are. The cost is a big ouch, but having a steel tub you can bolt on in "under an hour" without cutting, etc, is just so tempting. Not to mention there are no problems with using my existing fenders, hood, windshield frame, etc. Or others from a junk yard if mine don't pan out.

Maybe you can just pick one up for me and haul it down here

 

[dagr8tim]

Well... Just to give a little more information... What I'm looking for here is mainly a daily driver type of ride (although it won't be used quite that much). I'm not going to be doing much off-roading with it other than the occasional beach, fishing, or camping trip. Even then, we're talking Florida here, so there are no rocks to climb and almost zero probability that it will ever end up on its side.

With everyone's input here, especially yours being in the same boat as me, I'm tending to lean toward the steel tub as you are. The cost is a big ouch, but having a steel tub you can bolt on in "under an hour" without cutting, etc, is just so tempting. Not to mention there are no problems with using my existing fenders, hood, windshield frame, etc. Or others from a junk yard if mine don't pan out.

Maybe you can just pick one up for me and haul it down here

:-D

Another option I'm considering is bolting the front clip on to a YJ. I love the style of the CJ5 , but going the YJ option gets me a newer vehicle, a bit more aftermarket support, and afew other bonuses. Plus around here, I can get a nice YJ that's not clapped out for $3000 - $3500 (about the price of a WO tub).

 

[ewerbeck]

I've thought about the YJ option as well... but I'm pretty much convinced to stay 100% CJ on the project. My DD just had a nice little accident with some body damage but still drivable. I wish the CJ were done already. Now I have to decide whether to fix the DD or save the $ I would spend on the deductible for CJ parts. Decisions!

 

[jdarg]

What kind did you get, if you don't mind?

Its one of the older 4WD Hardware ones. A bit different from the ones they currently sell from what I understand.

 

[jdarg]

:-D

Another option I'm considering is bolting the front clip on to a YJ. I love the style of the CJ5 , but going the YJ option gets me a newer vehicle, a bit more aftermarket support, and afew other bonuses. Plus around here, I can get a nice YJ that's not clapped out for $3000 - $3500 (about the price of a WO tub).

The YJ steel tub is far superior to the CJ tub IMHO. There's debate about at which point they started galvanizing them. All I know is that my 94 YJ tub is galvanized. It only needed minimal rust repairs after 12 yrs daily driving in the rust belt by PO and myself.

 

[dagr8tim]

Its one of the older 4WD Hardware ones. A bit different from the ones they currently sell from what I understand.

From what I understand, the new tubs are not as high of quality as the old ones.

 

[ewerbeck]

^

That's disappointing.

I haven't really looked into fitting the YJ tub that much... I'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere if I poke around enough. Do you have any good links/info on what would be required?

Keeping in mind I'm a complete newbie. This is my first rebuild.

 

[dagr8tim]

^

That's disappointing.

I haven't really looked into fitting the YJ tub that much... I'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere if I poke around enough. Do you have any good links/info on what would be required?

Keeping in mind I'm a complete newbie. This is my first rebuild.

That's why I was looking into Shell Valley. I forget who makes the 4WD tubs, I think the company starts with a "K".