Tub repair /wheelwell modification

I'm still working on my '72 CJ5 steel tub and have decide to repair and beef up the wheelwells. The originals are pretty beat up and have been patched a couple of place before. There is also what looks like a soft top bow socket which goes from the top of the tub through the wheelwell about 6 inches from the front corner of the well. It is made from round thinwall tubing about 1" id. Is that a stock item or was it added for some previous soft top? I guess it doesn't matter much, I was planning on plugging the top anyway since it takes on water through there from the rear tire. I was going to have a local shop bend some 16ga for replacement wheelwells and take out the dogleg in the front slope to gain a little more legroom, but couldn't see taking out the whole well, just the top and about 6" down the side. Is it very difficult to cut these out? Anybody else done something similar to strengthen the roll bar attachement?

Norman

 

In case it wasn't clear from Mike's reply, the tube is a stock item. As I recall, it should not penetrate the wheel well. If it's restored to its original state, it'll be water tight.

 

Thanks for the clarification, Tim. I wasn't sure if it was stock. It's not water tight or air tight as it is open into the wheel well with two small tabs bent in to support the bow. It seems useless to keep it since I'll probably get a Supertop someday to replace my "hatchback" style soft top. I was hoping the local shop could bend up some peices for about half hose replacement wheelhouses and move the front corner back in the process. I'd seen your modification before, Mike, which is what started me thinking about this. I've got to get off this bodywork project, I really suck at it and hate it too. I'm really getting bummed about my progress of late.