Ethic/moral debate, sort of. Advice needed

[Tucker]

I've got a question for you all that I need help on.  As I'm fairly new to the flatfender world, I'm not sure what's kosher here.

I have a titled 3A tub that is currently off the frame as I go about patching/restoring it.  It has a bad right rear corner, cut up rear fender wells, a cutout in the dash for a stereo, and a missing passenger toolbox.  I'm going to do my best to repair those problems to make it structurally sound if not cosmetically perfect or authentic.

I also have an untitled 2A tub with bad floors and hat channels, but fairly good side panels and dash.  It also has a mediocre toolbox.  Right now, I've got a Craigslist ad up for the tub, asking just a few hundred bucks.  I know original tubs are not common anymore, so I want to offer this one to someone who may need it.  But now I'm tempted to slice it up and use its good panels to repair my 3A tub.  Just about everything that is wrong with the 3A tub could be patched with the 2A tub.

So what do you think?  Slice up the 2A for my own purposes and scrap the rest, or do my best to find it a new home?

What would you do or what have you done?

[Tucker]

Make your vote count!

[Ryan_M]

If it were mine I'd probably cut the 2A tub for parts, but I'd have the same reservations as you. If the 2A tub was new in a crate I might think differently but it sounds like it has it's own issues.

Either way, it's your stuff. Do with it what you want.

[athawk11]

Hi Tucker,

My vote hack 'em to make a complete tub.

I did with my tub, precisely what you are contemplating.�

I have a combination of a 2A tub and 3A tub.� This Willys is originally a 3A, so I made the decision to change the 2A items used for the tub rebuild, into 3A specs.� Namely, the dash area and one of the wheel houses.

Here is a link to my build thread...

http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1364925701

Tim

[F Bill]

Use what you need off the 2A tub , make what you can from flat steel, and offer the remains to anyone who may need it. The tunnel section and firewall areas are often butchered on jeeps and good used panels often are closer to the real shape than aftermarket.

Whether the tub is titled or not doesn't enter in to the equation if you have screw on data plates. (There may be an acm number on the left gusset on some flatfender tubs but it is not a VIN. )

Do you have any more to the 2A or just a tub?

[garage gnome]

I SAY COMBINE THE TWO ALSO. I WOULD DO THE SAME THING.

oops, forgot caps lock was on from working on my autocad drawing...

[Tucker]

Do you have any more to the 2A or just a tub?

I have more for the 2A than the 3A in terms of body parts (no 3A window frame or fenders or hood, but all of those for the 2A).  But the 3A tub is more solid (just needs some hack jobs repaired) and the frame and drivetrain are 3A, which is what it is registered as.

I want it to be as much 3A as possible so that when I eventually go through the process of getting an updated/corrected VIN using the 451 GB1-XXXXX serial number, it will be less of a hassle. (The motor was swapped out, so my current VIN--motor number 647711--isn't on the vehicle anymore.)

So complicated.

[Haines Garage]

Hack the 2A, fix the 3A. For what my vote counts, but yes save what you dont need for us 2A Guys . Like Fbill said.

[p3ferris]

What would I do...I would use all the parts available that will fit  then sell the remaining parts that are good to someone that needs that part to fix theirs up.  win win situation

[calvinhunt]

I'll be the 7th one to say, Make one from the two.� But, often people ask advice in order to feel good about what they really want to do.� If cutting up the 2A to complete the 3A isn't what you want to do, then just do exactly as you want.� No one here will be offended. Just post a few pics along the way so we can enjoy your project with you.�

[scoutpilot]

This issue may be couched in a quasi-moral/ethical debate, but many have been faced with this dilemma. What it actually boils down to is societal pressure and the recently (last forty years or so) of the need for instant gratification. I counsel patience and a diligent search for as many correct parts as you can find that fall within your budget constraints. If you mix the two you will need journeyman skills, or access to them, in order to pull it off with any measure of success. Then, when it comes time (and it will) to sell, you are faced with questions from a prospective buyer as to authenticity. I'm not saying you won't be able to sell it, I'm saying your market will be limited. Many of us have purchased a minimum of two and often more parts jeeps. I personally have purchased seven, but I bought them cheap enough to justify parting them out. Parting out an old jeep can help defray the cost of a correct restoration.

[duffer]

This issue may be couched in a quasi-moral/ethical debate, but many have been faced with this dilemma. What it actually boils down to is societal pressure and the recently (last forty years or so) of the need for instant gratification. I counsel patience and a diligent search for as many correct parts as you can find that fall within your budget constraints. If you mix the two you will need journeyman skills, or access to them, in order to pull it off with any measure of success. Then, when it comes time (and it will) to sell, you are faced with questions from a prospective buyer as to authenticity. I'm not saying you won't be able to sell it, I'm saying your market will be limited. Many of us have purchased a minimum of two and often more parts jeeps. I personally have purchased seven, but I bought them cheap enough to justify parting them out. Parting out an old jeep can help defray the cost of a correct restoration.

Would using "correct" patch panels be any more authentic?  If done carefully, the 2A patchs will be just as good as any other means.  I would find a 3A windshield frame.  IMO, just a much better arrangement, not to mention "correct".

[johnrb3b]

I'll chime in with the rest.
Cut what you need from the 2A tub. If it's rotted enough in the bottom, it's not worth much anyway.

Where are you located? I've got an M38 windshield with good glass. The M38 is a 3A with the vent door bolted shut.

[3aJeeper]

I agree - make one from the two. Likely if you were to sell the 2a tub, it would be used for the same parts you need.

[BMIC]

I agree with the rest and for the same reasons, a total respect for what Willy's represents.
I appreciate that you would ask the question in this forum before making the first cut in the 2A.
 To steal a bit from ScoutPilots well written post, there is no instant gratification involved here just a diligent effort to honor the hard road these jeeps have traveled.