Fabbing a fiberglass body (sort of...)

After some inquiring on here, my '73 turned out to be a '75!
The body is about done for. I've kicked around different options on what to do with it. There isnt enough metal left to even weld new stuff to. http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66557
The pics dont show it but it's DONE!

I live in a part of Canada where there were never many of these sold. (and nearest Jeep wrecker is 450 miles away) Shipping costs for a new body nearly triples the price!

So, heres my latest idea: Has anyone completely fiberglassed over a steel body inside and out?. Basically just used the tin as a pattern. The main outline is there, just too thin to work with. I'm not concerned with the metal rusting away inside after as the 'glass would be thick enough when I'm through.

 

Re: Fabbing a fibreglass body (sort of...)

It seems like encasing the rusting metal with fiberglass just sets you up for failure later. If the inside and outside fiberglass aren't bonded together, there would be little strength and eventually it would begin to crack. You would also be increasing the dimensions of the body, which could cause you other problems with getting parts to line up properly.

You could use the old body to make a mold, however, and lay the fiberglass on the mold. Seems like a lot of work no matter how you do it. Just a thought.

 

Just laying on the glass wouldn't give you any structural stability. Those glass bods have some engineering built in. I did something similar with an old mustang, Turned out like crap, just like the above posts suggested. Those old tubs will fit in the back of a pickup. If it was me, I would go get a good metal tub.