Tub change

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
Moderator
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
OK, so I have been really unhappy with the set up of my Jeep for some time. Nothing was easy to get to. So, I hacked off the rear tub section. The rust is a lot worse than I remember so nothing really there to put a rear panel to, and make it look half way decent. So I am stuck as to what to do. The bigest obsticals are 1. I don't want my rig down for a long time. I would rather wheel, than to look good LOL and 2. I have never done a complete tub off before.
I have another tub in great condition, so it's possible for me to do this. My main things for the cab compartment is that I want to keep the door openings and be able to run a windjammer and soft doors and bikini top or a cut top for winter wheeling. Well, that is if I want the wife to ride with me during those times, and the answer to that is yes I do!
I know there has to be a few out there that have done this before. just looking for input and helpful tips and tricks to make it go as easy as possible and as quick as possible.
Thanks
 
Just put diamond plate all over...that's what Rich did. LOL

Otherwise it's gonna take some time depending on how much rot you have. Maybe you can just replace the floor boards. Or just piece in some panels. Maybe even use rivots, that would be cool.
 
hard - no
involved - yes
bigest thing will be any cage/tube work That will likly make things very complicated, unless you planning to slice around it etc..

would i do it - yes

remove windshield, unplug wiper..
unbolt steering column and floor coller and joint/coupler and drop from dash/mount + unplug wires
pull dash with internal harness attached to it, removing any wires/plugs as needed. Rear harness unplus and block splits are firewall (note: i removed the small piece of dash under the column to make this step doable
pull seats and other crap
unbolt heaterbox, hoses
unbolt tub
use straps you use to hold jeep to trailer wraped around tub and hook to engine crane. BTW: with stock cage balance point was ~near the rear of door opening..

Im removed my tub by self and reinstalled it doing it this way..

It took me ~1 day to gut the tub and lift it off by my self.. Once you get going stuff starts flying... again tube will be your hardest obsticles here..

good luck
 
Windjammer will be the tough one, unless you get something kinda custom made, since they are made only for that factory "rollbar" thingy.

I've got some sheets of superflex acrylic that I need to cut to fit into the X behind the seats -that blocks a TON of cold air from coming back in.

It's easier to get 2 of those hunting suits rated for -20° though.. :lol:
 
The plan is to re-use the factory roll bar. My Heep is a 85, but I have a 95 bar with front cage, front hoop and 4 spreaders. So the wind jammer will still work. I like it for the same reasons, keeps wind, dust from URE, rain spray all from comming in as easy thru the rear. Not all of it, but a lot of it.

I cut the top of the roll bar off( the part going to the back)
 
I have done a tub change in 13 hours straight with 3 or 4 people, it is really not a big deal, just think ahead and get everything ready. Hose down the bolts with PB blaster, buy new body bolts and mounts, have plenty of sawzall blades and grinding wheels.

Offer people beer to help.

The most complicatated part of a CJ tub to a YJ tub is the HVAC, mainly the defogger. But it is not unsurmountable. If you dont care about the HVAC, it is a real quick job. Everything is straightforward and everything fits. Not a big deal at all.

In the long run, and I have done it both ways, you will be happier with a YJ tub than a hacked together CJ tub.
 
you'll be fine, i saw 95 rollbar and thought 95 tub. Everything will bolt up easily. (unless 78's had the roll bar through the side? then there might be a slight difference in the floor you need to consider?)

The key to a tub swap is doing all your research before you tear into it. 3 people can lift off a tub, or some creative rigging with a cherry picker.
 
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