Adapting Late Model 5 Body To Early Frame

I am wondering how hard this would be. There is a fiberglass tub for sale close to me for a 79-83 cj5 the add says. Looks like it has never been mounted. How hard would it be to adapt? I currently run a rear tank and have a full cage and my tub is already a fiberglass tub. Thoughts? It’s a smoking deal

 

Don't know exactly. It's definitely different. The floors and frame were all-new and different for 1976, so elevation and alignment of the body mounts will be wrong for your frame. Mostly the exterior of the body is the same, with minor changes (no more bow pocket, for instance). The removable part of the floor, except for a foot-square shifter cover, is gone for '76. No toolbox, seat mounting is different. Fold and tumble passenger seat is gone; instead the passenger seat moves forward into the passenger foot well for back seat access. Something was moved around to make room for a roll bar to the floor? Not sure about that. Not a lot of adjustment possible in that area. Did you search to see if anybody here has done it? I don't recall any.

 

Do you have swing pedals?

Saginaw steering?

 

Yes to both

 

My current tub has no tool box and no gas filler cutout. It came to me in pieces from a rear end accident and I was able to piece back together but it will never ever look good no matter how much time I put into it

 

In doing a rear mount tank, you removed all the heavy bracing in that area?

 

yes. When I was done it looked like the 71' frame that I stole the skid plate from. I had to add an angle to support the skid plate at the bumper and just drilled holes in the crossmember for the front.

 

I mean guys have done harder swaps I'm sure. You may end up with some body lift and will likely have to move your brackets all around, and maybe make a few.

I've certainly never done this one but post up the project!