Messages

1

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: RECENT MD Juan Experience?

« 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.

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"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: RECENT MD Juan Experience?

« 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

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"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / RECENT MD Juan Experience?

« 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!

4

EVERYTHING ELSE, General tips / Re: New Life Canvas

« on: February 03, 2018, 08:21:27 AM »

Odd. Usually when you "walk in" to a place with your wallet out, you get an eager response. At least until the sale is made. Mona and I have had a long and pleasant phone conversation, she sent me a quote, and now radio silence. Oh, well.

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EVERYTHING ELSE, General tips / New Life Canvas

« on: February 02, 2018, 06:52:36 PM »

Anybody know what's up with New Life Canvas? They appear to have "gone dark." The Web site looks good, but calls and emails have had no response for the past several days. I had gotten a quote, some time in early January, now is a good time for me to pull the trigger on this rather expensive (to me) item, and I'm getting nowhere. :-?

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BODY and trim / Rear seat in non-original floor

« on: January 23, 2018, 12:28:12 AM »

My CJ3A is currently without a back seat, but more importantly, without the recessed "pockets" for the front legs and without the in-floor "clips" for the back legs. The original floor was replaced by a heavy steel plate many years ago. Any thoughts on simple modifications I could make so the cargo area would accept a removable back seat? Best solution I can come up with would be to install the hardware for the back legs from under the floor, as they work with an original or repro floor and work up a "footman" of sorts for the fronts. This would result in a bit of a backwards lean for passengers in the rear seat.

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Once You've Joined / Good Morning from Austin!

« on: January 16, 2018, 10:15:34 AM »

New member here. Also new to this "restoration" thing. Plan to keep my 1950 CJ3A close to original. Looking forward to bothering you all with newbie questions.