What kind of CJ7 Body Should I Get???

fcb212003

New Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2010
Location
Garner, NC (40/42)
I am rebuilding my 1983 CJ7 from the frame up. I have been going back and forth on if I should get a new fiberglass body for the jeep or a new steel body. What is everyone's thoughts on this? The one thing I know I will be doing is getting a brand new body. I don't want to try and fix up some rusted up body.
 
Looks for a YJ tub in great shape. I think they had better metal primer/prep, and don't rust as bad as the CJ's. They bolt on with minimal mods. Save you a bundle.
 
i did not really think of alumuinum. Is alumuinum easy to prime/paint?. That is one of the reasons I am worried about fiberglass. i know fiberglass chips real easy and is also hard to prime/paint than steel is. Rust is the huge issue for me with steel.

I want to avoid putting a YJ tub on it. I want to use as many cj parts as I can.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Keep it coming
 
other than the defrost outlets and tailgate i think the yj tub is the same as a cj
 
jeepn-jason said:
other than the defrost outlets and tailgate i think the yj tub is the same as a cj
Click to expand...

close, but theres some other subtle differences. The rear set of body mounts is further outboard on a YJ due to the wider frame. The set of body mounts in front of the rear wheels is located differnetly fore/aft by a little bit (under 2").

The YJ tub swap is very common on a CJ-7. I have one and if I ever get my arse in gear, I will be able provide more details.
 
I would stay away from fiberglass. I had a fiberglass tub on one of my previous CJ-7s and I hated it. I had issues with tops and doors fitting properly, and I'd much rather dent steel than crack fiberglass
 
I agree go with steel . I have a 4wheel hardware fiber glass body hard to get doors top roll bar to line up wish I still had steel body . You have to run a continues ground or a seprate groung for each electronic component . Ultimately it your choice
 
Thanks again for all the advice. I think I decided not to go with the fiber glass. There are a lot of folks who don't like them at all. The problems come from electronic issues, cracking, paint chipping, and doors fitting properly. I might fork out the money and go with the aluminum.
 
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