Omix bodies

[TomJ]

Hey All:

Got a CJ3A ready for a body, anyone have experience with the Omix bodies? Fit, finish, alignment, etc.?

Tom

[garage gnome]

They all come from MD Juan (see sticky in this section). Supposedly, the new tubs are supposed to be better now. When I put one on several years ago, it had lots of issues that I had to deal with. I built my jeep completely to make everything fit right and then took it back apart for paint/body work.

[calvinhunt]

I had exactly the same experience as garage gnome.  Like his, mine was an older tub when I rebuilt my Jeep 6 years ago.  Like Nate, I completely assembled my Jeep.  Did all the fitting, cutting, welding, and grinding.  Here is one of the problems we had back then.  The opening for the tranny was incorrect because the firewall was to far to the rear.  It had to be reworked. 



Afterwards, I completely disassembled it, painted it, and reassembled it. 

Like Nate says, I understand the new ones are better.

[TomJ]

Interesting.  I asked the guy if these were MD Juan tubs and he said, "no Omix". So I guess he either doesn't know or doesn't want to say.  The MD Juan guys did a presentation in Hudson OH at the Midwest Willys meet and it sounded like they are getting the bugs worked out, I just wanted to make sure if it was one of their tubs it was a newer production version so-as to hopefully get one that is measured correctly. I take it you guys got yours a few years ago?

[Quebec Jeep]

Give a call to Carl Walcks and ask him. He carry Omix-ada product. He should know if they are really OMIX made or MD juan made.

[macrisel]

Interesting.� I asked the guy if these were MD Juan tubs and he said, "no Omix". So I guess he either doesn't know or doesn't want to say.� The MD Juan guys did a presentation in Hudson OH at the Midwest Willys meet and it sounded like they are getting the bugs worked out, I just wanted to make sure if it was one of their tubs it was a newer production version so-as to hopefully get one that is measured correctly. I take it you guys got yours a few years ago?

Everything is going to come from MD Juan....regardless of the "brandname".� In the last six months, they have taken great strides to correct some of the issues on their tubs.� The two issue I haven't seen as being fixed yet or not are:

1.� The location of the transmission/t-case holes.� This was about 1 1/2" to 2" incorrect.
2.� The angle of the tub firewall.� This can cause numerous issues such as the fenders not fitting correctly, the clutch/brake pedals not hitting the tub square and the gas pedal linkage needing tweeked to function correctly.

Most of the big companies that import these tubs are not going to have too many in stock.� The factory was usually pretty far behind on orders and unable to ship too many at a time.� Again, call Carl Walck and ask him how old his stock is.... but I would wager a guess that any 3A tubs have been produced in the last 3 months.

To repeat everyone else.......completely assemble and drive your jeep before any paint and bodywork!�Then take it all back apart and do your paint and body work.

Good luck!!

[BMIC]

Has anyone purchased a MD Juan tub through Repli-Tub? I contacted them a month ago to get info on their process. The gentlemen I talked to stated that they buy MD Juan tubs and do all the modifications. They claim when you buy their product it will install correctly in an hour. Priced after all corrections at about $3900.
I am going to repair my old tub so I have no first hand knowledge of their finished product and I have been watching but can not recall reading about them on either forum.

[1955CJ-5]

I did lots of research on replacement tubs about 5 months ago...talked to nearly everyone who handles them. Most sellers just drop ship from Omix Ada...Repli-tub buys direct from MDJuan, G503 buys direct, and D&L Bensinger also...and there may be others.� If you buy from a US dealer that buys direct, you probably will be able to talk to the fellow who actually orders, receives, inspects and then re-crates and ships your tub. You may have to wait a little longer but to me it would be worth it.

How bad is your old tub? Maybe you could find a donor tub?

[macrisel]

I ordered a Repli Tub about three years ago and was pretty happy with it.� However, the claim that it installs in an hour is a litttttttle bit of a stretch.� It "installs" but it still needs work before you re-assemble and drive away.  What they do is drill the holes for the mounting bolts, gas, brake and clutch pedals.� They also correct the trans/t-case hole location...to a degree.� They cut the hole larger then weld a patch on top of the entire hole to make the correct location.� It works, but is not as smooth as cutting and splicing the piece in.� I ended up welding around the patch they put on top then bodyworking it to make a nice, smooth hump.

There is still a LOT of work that needs to be done to the tub to make it "right" even though it "fits".� Here is a brief list of what I had to do:

1.� Measure and drill holes for footman loops
2.� Correct the e-brake bracket...may be fixed on current tubs?
3.� Measure and drill for spare tire bracket
4.� Measure and cut hole in floor pan for PTO lever
5.� Drill mounting holes for seats
6.� Weld on mounting brackets for a canvas top
7.� Enlarge every hole for the gages.....may be fixed on current tubs?
8.� Re-work the tool box handle
9.� Measure and drill holes to mount steps
10.� Mease and drill holes for vibration dampner
11.� Make a bracket for the e-brake return spring underneath the tub.
12.  Weld on gas tank brackets.....may be fixed on current tubs?
13.  Relocate kick starter rod location

This is not to mention hours and hours of bodywork to smooth the body.� Keep in mind, even though its new metal, it traveled from another country across an ocean to get here.

Is the Repli Tub worth it?� It depends on what your time is worth....and how much of it you have to spare.� The company is great to deal with and I never had any problems reaching someone to answer questions. At the time, I had to buy several other body parts (fender, windshield, tailgate, hood).� By the time I figured up part prices and shipping, I could buy a body kit with a Repli Tub for only $500 more and it probably saved me at least 10-15 hours in labor.� Calvin or Garage Gnome might be able to comment on how long it took them to complete what a Repli Tub saves.

Good luck!