I need a new tub. Will DJ3 work?

[philshevlin]

The whole floor and lower edge of my tub is toast.  There are no hat channels at all.  I've been looking for a used tub to use whole or combine with mine. But I am having trouble finding a cj2a/cj3a tub.  

Would a DJ3 tub work?  (I would use the area around the door from my tub)

Phil

[F Bill]

I assume you are talking about a flat floor DJ with the door cutouts.. You probably could splice in the "door area" from a good donor, but you will still have no toolbox....If that matters to you. It will make mounting a passenger seat a little interesting, but not impossible.  

Hey show us pics of both tubs , top and bottom , and we might suggest a different path, like transfering the rear half of the DJ tub to the front of your 3A..

In either case you should be well practiced on your measuring and cutting  skills and be able to do some good sheet metal welding.

[philshevlin]

I'm not familiar with the DJ's but I noticed that there are some with door cutouts and some with just the filler neck missing.  I was just trying to open up the search for possible donor jeeps.

My floors and lower sides are shot.

I have a gallery of photos here: http://shevlin.org/willys/

But I'm looking at this one for a possible donor:
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2658208883.html

I figure between the two, I should get a decent driver.

[philshevlin]

That's a DJ tub on the CL jeep.  Or its a DJ converted to 4x4.  I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

[Comanche_County]

How can you tell that's a DJ tub in they yellow CL Jeep?  Lack of a split windshield?

Also, your blue jeep doesn't look that bad in the pics.  

[philshevlin]

On my blue one, the entire floor is overlapped, patched pieces - hardly any of the original floor.  And the are no hat channels.  Its sitting directly on the frame.

I guess its repairable, but I'm wary of taking on that big of a project.  I had looked at classic enterprises and see that I can pretty much rebuild my tub.  But, I'm a novice welder and have even less bodywork experience.

As for the yellow one, the rear gas tank and the dash are definitely DJ indicators.  I also have better photos to look at.

[3aJeeper]

I wish the tub on mine looked that good!! Mine is in real bad shape....floor is rusted thru with skeletal remains of the hat channels. If you decide to get rid of that tub, I'll be glad to take it off your hands!!  I'll even haul it off at no charge!  

[F Bill]

That's a DJ tub on the CL jeep. �Or its a DJ converted to 4x4. �I'm not sure how to tell the difference.

Look for an actual rear mounted gas tank with no sign of the diagonal drawbar bracing having been removed......As you already know the 3A and DJ frames are almost identical, and the dj used the one piece large gage centered in the dash. Dj jeeps did not use the underseat toolbox. Many had a round fresh air vent in the right side cowl area. A serial number beginning with 56637 would indicate a DJ as well.  Any DJ with doors and no tailgate is a great candidate for a Surrey Jeep clone, and worth more for that application than as a replacement tub for a CJ nowadays..

And if you think how Willys built CJ's and changed them  was kinda haphazard, the DJ is definitely a jeep you never say ALWAYS or NEVER  when describing features.....they even had pushbutton automatics in a couple..

[philshevlin]

I don't know... You guys got me thinking about trying to restore this tub.... again.... :-/

[calvinhunt]

Phil,
  I, for one, would encourage you to really consider restoring the original tub.  I was so disappointed in the amount of work (cutting, grinding, welding) that the new repro tub needed.


Also had to modify the original frame to attach the repro tub...


...including having to relocate several outiggers and cutting into the battery rack for the repro parts to fit.


I don't think I would have spent more time and would have saved a lot of money if I would have put all the effort into the restoration of my old tub.  Good Luck with your decision!!!  Either way, keep us posted.

[macrisel]

I too have used a reproduction tub and ran into a few issues.  Not as many as Calvin, but I ordered mine from Willy's Overland in Ohio.  They take your basic tub and fix several, not all, of the problems that are inherent to the reproduction tubs.  The downside to this is the added cost of the tub.

For me, it really came down to a time issue.  While there were several things I still had to do to the repro tub, it was nowhere NEAR the work I would have to put into my original tub.  While a good sheet metal/fabrication person can replace a floor pan in a weekend............ I can't.  Don't ask me why, but it is easier for me to turn wrenches than to hold a welder.  I always end up burning new holes instead of filling in the ones I'm fixing     One day I hope to have the time and patience to become a better welder...just not on this project that is closing in on the 4 year mark!

Good Luck!

[philshevlin]

Well you guys convinced me. �Repair the old tub it is. �

Soooooo.... I decided to use the cash I put together for a new tub to get some TOOLS. �My early Christmas present:

[calvinhunt]

Looks like you are off to a great start.  

Now I'll offer a suggestion: try to locate a scrap Jeep or a parts Jeep.  They can often be had for nothing or next to it.  Many of us have acquired one or more along the way and they are invaluable during the restoration project.  I knew of one that was in pretty terrible shape.  I asked the owner if I could purchase two wheels from it.  He told me he would give me the wheels if I would haul off the whole Jeep.  An old hood, for example, that is no longer usable is a great source for body pieces and patches.

[philshevlin]

Would a newer (CJ5, etc) be worth picking up?  Or should I stick to a universal?

[F Bill]

Very little from a Cj5 would be appropriate for a 3A. MAYBE the tranny/transfer and axles if they match. That's about it.