80 cj7 tub swap (first one)

11-16-2011, 10:20 PM

Picked up a 1980 cj7 with the 4cyc in it. Frame is in amazing shape and was fully re done by a local shop. How ever my buddy ran out of cash n brought it home with out doing the tube so now I bought it off him for what he owed the shop for redoing the entire frame. Well I wanna know how hard its gonna be for me to swap the tube for a tub I got off craigslist that's rust free. Iv never done a tub swap n this is my first jeep. I can weld and I got plenty of tools. So how hard will it be and how long will. It take and what all will I need?

Thanks jesse

Bear Chow · 11-17-2011, 08:48 AM

Replacing a tub, is not too difficult but could be a long process. Prepare yourself for all the accessorie items that you are going to replace. Like fuel tank straps, body mounts, exhaust hangers. Practically every bolt and nut and grommet. You also have a high risk of tweeking or cracking brake and fuel lines.

Set yourself up where you can lift the body off with a hoist or come-a-long this will back the extraction much easier. I wouldn't even start unless you've got a good tap set. And know that once you start tearing into it you'll see other problems and be driven to correct or modify them. Especially in the wiring department.

As far as how long it would take will depend on your motivation, being the first one I would not expect you will finish in a long weekend. I'm not discouraging you, I'm just a realist. I've seen too many project sitting because some one has gotten things apart but never put them back together.

Good luck.

jeepmanjeff · 11-17-2011, 11:18 AM

I aggree with Paul.

Tub swaps are a lot of fun and you will learn a TON. I have done about 5 myself. Wiring is a key issue here. I usally wire them from scatch so everything is new and there are NO IGGY's lurking.

Apart from just about every bolt breaking, stripping or having to be cut off with a torch, it is relatively straight forward. Buy lots of NEW bolts and nuts from the hardware store befroe beginning and also order all new items from 4wd before reassembly.

superjeep · 11-17-2011, 09:07 PM

Good luck . what 4cyl do you have with it ? There is plenty of help and info around here so you should have no problem.

Shawn

11-17-2011, 10:30 PM

It has the iron duke in it... thanks fellas. I have set up pullyes in my garage to just lift the boddy off. Should be easy considering they took it off to do the frame... so what all needs take out or off b4 I try to pull the tub??... I am just staring at this thinkingoh man that's a lot of crap!...

11-17-2011, 10:34 PM

Soo what's the harddest thing to do when it comes to the swap? And what's the worst thing that could happen? What are the major problems people have ran in to?...I think the more I know the more I can prepare for the easier n quicker it will go.

Bear Chow · 11-18-2011, 08:01 AM

I've only done yj tubs, but the CJ should be the same. You ask what has to come off, darn near everything. fenders, brake lines to master cyl, steering column, lot's of wires need to be disconnected and labeled. Don't plan on remembering them just get a roll of tape and sharpie.

The worst thing is burning down your garage, Fuel lines and grinding wheels don't mix. Brake fluid is also quite flammable. Be carefull pulling wires through the tub if you skin one of them you might spend the next 12 months trying to figure out why you blinkers won't turn off.

Second worst thing that could happen is dissappointment or being overwhelmed. It's just a big jig saw puzzle unbolt and lift parts off don't pry anything if it's not separating look for that hidden bolt.

Good luck.

11-18-2011, 08:25 PM

I'm already over whelmed. I'm starting to think I should just sell and try to find another jeep. Just seems like a lot of work and lot of things can go wrong and just isn't seeming worth it. Seems like I'm better off just sellin her. Id hate to do that though. I wanna go for it. But I'm worried ill stripp her down and not be able to get her back together :(

superjeep · 11-20-2011, 09:18 PM

Ill take the five seven from you so you have more room.

shawn

11-20-2011, 09:26 PM

Haha no thanks shawn...its not even movable. Its all origanal n has ben sitting for 30 years un touched..brakes locked motor n trans locked rear end locked. Plus it was handed down to me by my gpal...he'd dye if I actually took. It some where haha

11-16-2011, 10:20 PM	#1
xplorer55 Guest Posts: n/a	80 cj7 tub swap (first one) Picked up a 1980 cj7 with the 4cyc in it. Frame is in amazing shape and was fully re done by a local shop. How ever my buddy ran out of cash n brought it home with out doing the tube so now I bought it off him for what he owed the shop for redoing the entire frame. Well I wanna know how hard its gonna be for me to swap the tube for a tub I got off craigslist that's rust free. Iv never done a tub swap n this is my first jeep. I can weld and I got plenty of tools. So how hard will it be and how long will. It take and what all will I need? Thanks jesse

11-17-2011, 11:18 AM	#3
jeepmanjeff Ah Unz ze President! - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield Ohio Posts: 588 Images: 343	I aggree with Paul. Tub swaps are a lot of fun and you will learn a TON. I have done about 5 myself. Wiring is a key issue here. I usally wire them from scatch so everything is new and there are NO IGGY's lurking. Apart from just about every bolt breaking, stripping or having to be cut off with a torch, it is relatively straight forward. Buy lots of NEW bolts and nuts from the hardware store befroe beginning and also order all new items from 4wd before reassembly. __________________ Keep them on all 4's

11-17-2011, 08:48 AM	#2
Bear Chow Jeepless Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxford, Oh Posts: 302	Replacing a tub, is not too difficult but could be a long process. Prepare yourself for all the accessorie items that you are going to replace. Like fuel tank straps, body mounts, exhaust hangers. Practically every bolt and nut and grommet. You also have a high risk of tweeking or cracking brake and fuel lines. Set yourself up where you can lift the body off with a hoist or come-a-long this will back the extraction much easier. I wouldn't even start unless you've got a good tap set. And know that once you start tearing into it you'll see other problems and be driven to correct or modify them. Especially in the wiring department. As far as how long it would take will depend on your motivation, being the first one I would not expect you will finish in a long weekend. I'm not discouraging you, I'm just a realist. I've seen too many project sitting because some one has gotten things apart but never put them back together. Good luck.

11-17-2011, 09:07 PM	#4
superjeep Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 88	Good luck . what 4cyl do you have with it ? There is plenty of help and info around here so you should have no problem. Shawn

11-17-2011, 10:30 PM	#5
xplorer55 Guest Posts: n/a	It has the iron duke in it... thanks fellas. I have set up pullyes in my garage to just lift the boddy off. Should be easy considering they took it off to do the frame... so what all needs take out or off b4 I try to pull the tub??... I am just staring at this thinkingoh man that's a lot of crap!...

11-17-2011, 10:34 PM	#6
xplorer55 Guest Posts: n/a	Soo what's the harddest thing to do when it comes to the swap? And what's the worst thing that could happen? What are the major problems people have ran in to?...I think the more I know the more I can prepare for the easier n quicker it will go.

11-18-2011, 08:01 AM	#7
Bear Chow Jeepless Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oxford, Oh Posts: 302	I've only done yj tubs, but the CJ should be the same. You ask what has to come off, darn near everything. fenders, brake lines to master cyl, steering column, lot's of wires need to be disconnected and labeled. Don't plan on remembering them just get a roll of tape and sharpie. The worst thing is burning down your garage, Fuel lines and grinding wheels don't mix. Brake fluid is also quite flammable. Be carefull pulling wires through the tub if you skin one of them you might spend the next 12 months trying to figure out why you blinkers won't turn off. Second worst thing that could happen is dissappointment or being overwhelmed. It's just a big jig saw puzzle unbolt and lift parts off don't pry anything if it's not separating look for that hidden bolt. Good luck.

11-18-2011, 08:25 PM	#8
xplorer55 Guest Posts: n/a	I'm already over whelmed. I'm starting to think I should just sell and try to find another jeep. Just seems like a lot of work and lot of things can go wrong and just isn't seeming worth it. Seems like I'm better off just sellin her. Id hate to do that though. I wanna go for it. But I'm worried ill stripp her down and not be able to get her back together :(

11-20-2011, 09:18 PM	#9
superjeep Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 88	Ill take the five seven from you so you have more room. shawn

11-20-2011, 09:26 PM	#10
xplorer55 Guest Posts: n/a	Haha no thanks shawn...its not even movable. Its all origanal n has ben sitting for 30 years un touched..brakes locked motor n trans locked rear end locked. Plus it was handed down to me by my gpal...he'd dye if I actually took. It some where haha