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New body or fix old one?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by fireguyva, May 22, 2011.

  1. May 22, 2011
    fireguyva

    fireguyva New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2011
    Messages:
    1
    I have just received my grandfathers 65 tuxedo mark iv. It has a bit of rust on it, in it, and under it. At what point is it better to replace the whole body than to to do body work? Any suggestions?
     
  2. May 22, 2011
    Resto-Mod 68

    Resto-Mod 68 New Member

    Northern Michigan
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Currently working on a 64...do you have pics? there is almost always more rust than you think...pics would be good for the forum to see what you got. We just redid the floors, floor supports and repaired both rear corners and driver left corner...all original tub and all with steel and minimal filler. all because of sentimental value of having the same jeep since new...A new tub and or fiberglass parts would have been easier and cheaper.
     
  3. May 22, 2011
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    Availability in different areas varies widely also unless you buy new. In the rust belt much harder to find rust free parts than in the southwest. Might add your location in your profile as that info is helpful when addressing these types of questions
     
  4. May 22, 2011
    Stout

    Stout Member

    Quakertown, PA
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    Nov 1, 2010
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    958
    It mostly comes down to whether you have more spare time or money. I just bought a new tub for mine even though the original tub was in remarkable condition except for the floorboards. I have very little spare time (and below average welding skills) so I opted for a new tub versus the time and hassles of repairing the old one.
     
  5. May 23, 2011
    waynaferd

    waynaferd Hey, ya'll watch this!!

    That's Bangor,...
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    I had an old dodge and old ford hood kicking around, and there's plenty of cheap flat sheet metal on those, so that's how my new floors were made and what I used for patch panels. Kinda PITA having to do all the measuring, trimming, cutting, and drilling for spot welds, but it was cheap...actually I just bought a roll of wire for the welder and some cut off wheels....

    I did buy new supports, but everything else I got kicking around the garage can be used for repairs. Like the old wood stove :D

    Pics will definately help get you a better opinion, but it ultimately comes down to your patience, skill, time, and how much you wanna spend, and even if you're looking for perfection.....I'm a perfectionist but have no money, or the other previous necesseties :D so mine is a very long process with plenty of do-overs, LOL
     
  6. May 24, 2011
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I guess I'm sorta funny about this stuff but, for me, (restoring a '66 Tuxedo), it wouldn't be original with an aftermarket body. It could be considered restored. I was set on keeping it original. That being said, I've had a lot of time in the body and still have more to do when I get back to it. I didn't think it was that bad but, as I got more and more into it, I found more and more to do. Doesn't make sense to do it 1/2 way on this project. I would, in retrospect, have considered a very nice, less rusty or rust free (if possible) original tub from some arid climate. It's a tough call to make and ultimately depends on what your final goal is. And, as was stated above, how much money and/or time you have.
     
  7. May 24, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Somehow I think you all don't have a realistic picture of this issue ...

    There are a couple of factors involved - first, bodies of these Jeeps rust significantly faster than the chassis. Thus there are a lot more chassis available (whether that be a bare or rolling chassis or simply a chassis with a rusty-to-falling-off body mounted on it) than there are bodies in good condition.

    If you want to bring back a chassis, you can find a (scarce) used, good body, or you can buy a repop body - fiberglass or steel. AFAIK the only source of steel repop bodies is MD Juan, in the Philippines. There used to be lots of different fiberglass bodies available, many times made locally. Not so true today, AFAIK. I have not priced bodies lately, but I would guess that a steel body kit is in the $3000 range, and a 'glass body about $2000.

    If you have a Jeep with an "ok" rusty but repairable body, it just does not make economic sense to buy a new or used replacement body. For that additional cost, plus the value of your existing Jeep, you can buy a rust-free or nearly rust-free example from the south or west.

    If you want to repair the "ok" body, you can save money but it will take some time. Jeep bodies are very simple as car bodies go - almost entirely flat panels or simple curves. Just buy a few tools and go to it... start with the floors. There are also replacement panels available, but if you need too many of those, things will get too expensive and you'll be better off trading up.

    Don't be emotional about this - if you aren't up to the body work needed, pay more up-front and trade up.
     
  8. May 24, 2011
    Quill

    Quill Member

    Wisconsin
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    Wanaferd, when I was growing up, a lot of stop signs would disappear into guys shops and become patch panels.
     
  9. May 24, 2011
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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  10. May 24, 2011
    mwinks-jeep

    mwinks-jeep I still love snow, Godspeed, Barney!

    Beautiful Bucks...
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    It's only original once, patch whatcha got.
     
  11. May 24, 2011
    waynaferd

    waynaferd Hey, ya'll watch this!!

    That's Bangor,...
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    LOL My old ford pick up has a stop sign post for a floor support under the bed :D
     
  12. May 25, 2011
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    just remember that aluminum on steel is a bad idea. I learned that the hard way :shock:
     
  13. May 25, 2011
    Red

    Red Member

    Mesa, AZ
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    128
    I ordered body panels from a variety of places. Some were spot on, others, like a complete driver & passenger floor w/hat channel simply didn't line up. I have a lot of metric nuts & bolts too. I've come to the opinion that a lot of Jeep body parts that come from the Pacific rim are actually Mahindra Jeep parts. All of that being said, some pictures would be really helpful as those of us who would like to offer an opinion (I had to repair a lot of cancerous rust from a Jeep that was from tha pacific nothwest.

    Fiberglass is spiffy, cheap, and a good choice for mall crawlers but I believe you're asking for trouble taking it off road.
     
  14. May 25, 2011
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    Lets just say my body was rotten from the cowl back. I replaced it all. Then again if I were to do it again I would buy new because that was a ton of work just to cut and weld everything together right( I hope).
    There is no set place, everyone has a thought of what is too far gone. Someone from the SW might think some surface rust and a few small holes is too far gone where as someone from the NE would look at the body as nearly perfect and easily fixed.
     
  15. May 25, 2011
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    I am in the SW.

    The body on mine is probably not as rusty as if I was in Oregon or northern Cal or any where on the Rockies and east.

    It is rough. I am leaving it like that. I like to drive it, and if I was to go and try to make a show car out of it like a lot of people with more money than they know what to do with, it would probably get stolen. If I leave it like it is, Then I get to keep it longer.

    That's my take on the subject.
     
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