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Topic Summary

Posted by: GaryB
« on: February 01, 2018, 06:39:59 PM »

Yeah -- I've read that. Interesting thread. You're the first I've heard say that "improvements" came to a halt four years ago. Mine just arrived. I see quite a few suggestions from here and other forums were apparently incorporated. Crossing my fingers over the "fit" thing. I've corresponded with a couple of folks who, like you, had little problem with mating the tub to the frame, and found most of the holes were more or less  in the right spots. These guys both bought their tubs in the last year or two.
Posted by: johnrb3b
« on: February 01, 2018, 10:12:39 AM »

I assume you've already read this whole thread here on the 3A forum:
http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/3Ayabb26/YaBB.pl?num=1361112894/0
Rommel was posting here as well until late 2014.
There's been nothing since then.
I bought a 3B tub in mid 2012 and had very few fitment issues. Fenders required the most work but not all that bad.
Transmission hump needed moved about an inch and the rest was good.
Posted by: athawk11
« on: January 30, 2018, 11:24:59 AM »

Hi Gary,
Here is a fairly comprehensive thread about the recent improvements.  It is at the 2A Page, but Rommel Juan of MD Juan highlighted the improvements for both 2A and 3A stuff.  Unfortunately, after a flurry of improvements, Rommel either lost interest or no longer works for MD Juan.  He stops posting in 2014...and never returns.  There were some great improvements, but I don't think everything was addressed.

My suggestion before purchase is to make sure it is a recently manufactured tub.  Even then, be prepared for some minor "modifications" and "fitment" issues.

Lots of the photos are gone, but it might still help you with your decision...

https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/mdjuan-tubs_topic27368.html
Posted by: specialty
« on: January 29, 2018, 03:54:21 PM »

Gary, most of my tub was shot from the windshield back. Roof leaked in the building it was stored in for 25 years. It was beyond repair also. The amount for me for one of those repro tubs was out of the question so I worked on other parts of my 3A and took care of most of the other problems while watching CL and other sites until one came up for sale that was decent enough to repair. Only paid $350 for it and hours and hours of work to repair it and get it straight. So if your time counts for anything a reproduction tub may be the way to go. I did mine in my spare time so it was a labor of love sort of thing. Good luck!
Posted by: GaryB
« on: January 27, 2018, 04:23:36 PM »

Hi Tumbleweed --

Thanks for the advice and offer to help. I'd put up photos, but the tub is not here right now. It is at the location where I had it media blasted, which is how I discovered the extent of rust damage that had been hidden under an epic undercoating job. In a nutshell, the hat channel is gone, as is the floor throughout, front left and right and cargo area. In addition, the back lower wheel wells are rusted through. What isn't rusted out, I could easily put my fist through. much the same above the bed (which had been replaced with a thick steel plate many years ago). The first several inches along both sides have no integrity at all. Several varieties of tops throughout its history, as well as other mystery alterations have left the cowl and door areas, all the way to the rear panels, with more than the usual number of holes, ranging from 1/4 inch to about two inches.

That said, I have seen and been amazed by the miracle restorations several members here have made to bodies I would have thought were not worth the effort. IF I were a welder who had his own shop and an unlimited amount of time  (I'm not and I don't), I might consider giving it a go. What it would amount to is building my own repro tub, using most of the original as a template, as there would be well less than 50% of the original steel remaining. But yes, it could be done, just not by me, or by the welder who is helping. I've saved the fenders, grille, hood, windshield frame, and am removing everything else (rope channels, top bow sockets, diamond steel homemade spare tire carrier, tailgate and chains, etc.) that can go onto the reporo tub. Believe me, I've kicked this idea around, and it hasn't been an easy decision. But the issue is settled. At this point, I'm just hoping to hear from somebody who has recent experience with the repro product that is out there today. I know there will be retrofitting, maybe considerable retrofitting. Thanks again for your consideration and kind words, but it is time for me to move forward with this project, and I'm doing it as pragmatically as I can. In the meantime, I'm still hoping to hear from somebody who has done a tub replacement in the past couple of years.

-- Gary
Posted by: Tumbleweed
« on: January 27, 2018, 02:15:51 PM »

Gary,

Post a picture or two and let us see what you currently have. I think you will still have to do a few modifications to the repo tubs. Do you have a welder?

I'm in the Ft Worth area if I can be of any help to you. A lot of folks on the CJ3A and CJ2A forum have done amazing work at reviving old tubs.

It does take time and yes a little money but not thousands to weld up. Nice thing is you can get sheet metal and fabricate some of your own parts. Floor panels are fairly cheep and hat channels are as easy to come by. Just a thought......but we look forward to seeing some pictures.

Tumbleweed
Posted by: GaryB
« on: January 27, 2018, 08:08:17 AM »

Looks like I'm gonna have to replace the tub on my 1950 CJ3A. Yeah, yeah, I know. Not what I wanted to do. But the welding required is beyond my skill set, and having it done would cost many many thousands.

My question has to do with anybody's experience over the last couple of years with the MD Juan product. Everything I read seems to be horror stories from five to ten years ago, with the notation that the fitment problems were becoming less severe every year. So, over the last year or two, what's the scoop on the MD Juan tub's fit and finish? is the primer better than it once was (as vendors allege)? How does it mate up with original hoods, fenders, grilles? Not interested in your experience from 2009 or 2010, but the CURRENT state of the art in repro tubs. Thanks!