Cj5 Front Floor Replacement Costs

The front floor braces on my CJ5 are rusted and need replacing. The floorboards themselves are pretty good but there are some rust areas where the braces are.

I found a replacement floorboard at Walcks that have the braces already connected.

I haven’t purchased anything yet. Just investigating options.

so what would be a reasonable price to have the current floor boards cut out ant the new ones welded in?

I had one place give an estimate of $5200. That’s on top of me buying the parts separately.

I’m not going to do that, but thought I’d get your all’s perspective.

thanks for any input/ suggestions.

 

Thanks Dale,
This topic has been swirling around in my head for a bit as well.
Our local Community College has a good auto body program (mostly based around current certifications), I’m thinking of asking them if I can drop off the tub and parts.
I was also going to ask the local body shop’s about the same thing, tub and parts.
We’re entertaining thoughts of moving to Hawaii so I would like to be well sealed up if the opportunity arises.

 

classic enterprise you source for floors and braces
https://www.classicent.com/jeep/cj5-m38a-1951-1971/Floor
buy a welder and save some money

 

YEA lot of $$
Could probably buy a repop tub for that amount.

 

Agreed. I just wasn’t sure if that was even a valid offer for the job or what the going rate is for something like that.

 

Been thinking this way as well with the small problem being, I haven’t welded any for 25+years. And that was with a little 120VAC buzzbox, and maybe even a coat hanger!
I guess it’s time to go to the library…

 

I guess it’s never to late for me to learn a new skill.

I watched the metal shaper’s video on replacing a floorboard. How hard can it be?

and I can start posting in the “builds and fabricating” forum!

 

shopping for a welder
first off Don't buy a flux-core welder . just like your old buzz box stick welder
mig is the only way to go . mixed gas
pick your poison . home use a 120 volt unit will get by , somewhat light duty cycle
220 volt is a upgrade as to what you can do with it

 

I know a guy who does floor repair for a pretty fair price. Usually starts around $600 or so depending on how bad it is.

 

I did my floors with absolutely no clue as to what I was doing.
Used the channels and panels from Classic Enterprises.
The floor panels weren't quite big enough to cover what I had to cut out so I had to add to them.
A friend taught me the torch and hammer method of forming the extra sheet metal I had to add to blend in the transmission tunnel.
When it came to the channels, I put the tub back on the frame and made sure every body mount lined up before I started tacking them into place.
It all worked out really well and I actually enjoyed doing it.
I bought a little "MIG 135" welder from Eastwood and taught myself as I went.
It was of course a help to have a friend to guide me along the way, he's pushing 80 years old so he just pointed and I did the work.
It's not the prettiest but all in all I'm happy with the way it came out and A grinder hides a whole lot of mistakes.

Also, before I even started I bought a $200 CUT 50 plasma cutter from Amazon to cut out the old floors.
Along with the welder it was well worth the investment as they are both put to use on a regular basis now.

 

Just for reference, here’s a few pics of the drivers side floor board and channel

 

Passenger side

 

There are a lot of tasks that, if you had to pay someone to do it, would make fixing up a jeep prohibitive. I always think of the 3 days it took me to bleed the brakes. At $100 shop rate would be $2400! I just put floors in my son's tux, and first off, plan to have the body off, preferably on its side. Once it was in position, I think I had a good day of cut, weld, grind on each side. That would be $800x2 plus material, say $500, so about $2100. Not including getting the body off and on, and paint. You could take just a portion of that and buy a little wire feed welder.

 

I know it feels daunting, but try to look at the individual steps, not the project as a whole. If you have the time and the space to do it, YOU CAN DO IT!! We're here for technical and moral support.

 

x2

 

You at least still have most of your floor intact, and the hat channels are pretty rusted, they are still providing support. To repair this correctly, its pretty extensive, usually requiring removing the body tub. You can use and enjoy your jeep by just cleaning up and painting what you have, or consider more extensive (costly) repairs. Fixing it properly is a pretty big job.
-Donny

 

I've got this little welder, it'll do most everything needed on an old jeep. It might take some practice and time but you at least have an idea where it all goes. Mine has road signs and sign posts for the floor.
https://www.amazon.com/Forney-Easy-...7CP9CDVQ&psc=1&ref_=pd_basp_bia_rpt_ba_s_1_sc

 

Thank you!