Tub Damage On Replacement Tub

[lil.saucey]

Hi all! I have been looking to get a replacement tub for my 97 TJ. I found one that is relatively close and rust free but suffers from some damage near the front passenger corner, close to the fire wall. Basically I am wondering if this is fixable/worth it or if I should completely avoid this tub. I have the original tub still and it is in good condition in this corner so I do have donor sheet metal for this spot if it is needed to be cut. Please let me know if this seems to be too critical of damage to consider purchasing. The seller said that the doors and the top had no issues with alignment and the tub is straight. I have added some pictures for reference. I also need to cut a hole for the blower motor since this is an 06 and I am putting it on a 97, which I believe will give me access to the dent from the inside of the firewall. The seller is asking for $1000 so if the damage is manageable it seems like a great deal for a rust free tub.

 

[cdnwillyg]

Hard to tell from the pics completely but it looks like it has only moved back about an 1/8" from the accident and should be an easy pull back by just using the fender holes as an attachment area to pull from. Tub looks like its in great shape otherwise.

 

[lil.saucey]

Hard to tell from the pics completely but it looks like it has only moved back about an 1/8" from the accident and should be an easy pull back by just using the fender holes as an attachment area to pull from. Tub looks like its in great shape otherwise.

Yeah the pictures are not the best. So basically you think I should make a bracket to thread into the top fender holes to pull the tub back in to its original position? I like that idea! There is a crease on the edge of the firewall do you think that would pull out with it?

Thanks!

 

[P man]

Pull first and see what you end up with. I would make a plate with holes to bolt onto the tub just as your fender would. Then find something that won't move and get a come along etc and pull while tapping the metal. You will most likely ruin the paint in that area fyi.

 

[lil.saucey]

Pull first and see what you end up with. I would make a plate with holes to bolt onto the tub just as your fender would. Then find something that won't move and get a come along etc and pull while tapping the metal. You will most likely ruin the paint in that area fyi.

Thank you I will definitely try this after I pick it up next week! The paint is the least of my concern since I am repainting the whole jeep as it is getting new fenders, tailgate, etc...

 

[P man]

Thank you I will definitely try this after I pick it up next week! The paint is the least of my concern since I am repainting the whole jeep as it is getting new fenders, tailgate, etc...

Just fyi cutting and replacing metal won't be as easy as some make it sound. That is the last thing I would do. Secondly that is going to be a bitch to pull straight using diy stuff just don't want you to be surprised. That is a strong point in the tub

 

[JMT]

Thank you I will definitely try this after I pick it up next week! The paint is the least of my concern since I am repainting the whole jeep as it is getting new fenders, tailgate, etc...

You won’t be able to straighten that section if you’re not a body guy. I’d leave it and cover it with armor, or have a body shop fix it. It is very difficult to get a panel flat once it’s bent.

TJ front panel armor. Paint it to color match.

https://cavfab.com/products/tj-lj-f...MIhYCi4IXQgQMVJBCtBh1nTA9pEAQYASABEgLjI_D_BwE

 

[lil.saucey]

Just fyi cutting and replacing metal won't be as easy as some make it sound. That is the last thing I would do. Secondly that is going to be a bitch to pull straight using diy stuff just don't want you to be surprised. That is a strong point in the tub

That is the worst case scenario, I do have my old tub which is good in that part so if I needed to take that corner I have the material to do so. I am going to try and rig something up to the come-along and pull it as much as I can. I read that if you heat the metal it will tend to move back into position easier and then you can cool it to keep it from stretching. My hope is that its not pushed in much at all and will pop back when pull on it and work the side with a hammer.

 

[lil.saucey]

You won’t be able to straighten that section if you’re not a body guy. I’d leave it and cover it with armor, or have a body shop fix it. It is very difficult to get a panel flat once it’s bent.

TJ front panel armor. Paint it to color match.

https://cavfab.com/products/tj-lj-f...MIhYCi4IXQgQMVJBCtBh1nTA9pEAQYASABEgLjI_D_BwE

I was looking at those panels the other day since it would go with the poison spyder sliders and fenders I have for the Jeep anyway! How much do you think this would run me for a shop to straighten it? I don't care about the paint just getting the dent out and square.

 

[P man]

I was looking at those panels the other day since it would go with the poison spyder sliders and fenders I have for the Jeep anyway! How much do you think this would run me for a shop to straighten it? I don't care about the paint just getting the dent out and square.

There isn't a production body shop in the world that will take it on. You might find a smaller shop or a guy that works out of his garage. It would be best to call around and see if you can find someone.

 

[lil.saucey]

There isn't a production body shop in the world that will take it on. You might find a smaller shop or a guy that works out of his garage. It would be best to call around and see if you can find someone.

That is slightly concerning. Would it be best to leave this one alone? My biggest concern is that I would not be able to fix this and then I'm stuck with 2 messed up tubs. If I can get the dent out myself I would add the armor to that section of the vehicle to help strengthen it and maybe place a brace in behind it if I can but in the case of me not getting it fixed I would look at a body shop. I have reached out to a few shops near me and a couple local guys to see if they would pursue this but I haven't gotten a response yet. I do have the old tub where I could cut that side and part of the firewall out of and replace in a worse case repair situation.

 

[cliffish]

What kind of place is selling the new tub? looks to be a bunch of Jeep stuff around in the pics. Are they a salvage place...maybe that is why they are selling instead of fixing it?

 

[cdnwillyg]

A lot of naysayers but I don't think it will be that bad if you use a plate and put tension on it in the direction where it was hit while hitting it with a hammer on the ripples. I would stay away from heat not your friend with sheet metal. Go slow and easy and you should be okay.....my 2 cents!

 

[P man]

A lot of naysayers but I don't think it will be that bad if you use a plate and put tension on it in the direction where it was hit while hitting it with a hammer on the ripples. I would stay away from heat not your friend with sheet metal. Go slow and easy and you should be okay.....my 2 cents!

Be honest..have you tried it using DIY home tools? This may be a rhetorical question

 

[cdnwillyg]

Be honest..have you tried it using DIY home tools? This may be a rhetorical question

Not on my jeep but on a 47 Chevy. If the body is bolted to the frame and access to a comealong/chain fall with a proper jig on the firewall they will move just using the frame as an anchor point. Not everyone has the funds to take it to a body shop, even they seem to just want to replace panels now too, they seldom have frame racks. Hey I'm just trying to encourage trying it, what's there to lose???

 

[JMT]

I was looking at those panels the other day since it would go with the poison spyder sliders and fenders I have for the Jeep anyway! How much do you think this would run me for a shop to straighten it? I don't care about the paint just getting the dent out and square.

It would be a rare find if you found a shop to do it. Getting panels flat again is a lot of work. I once took a door to a shop and the secretary came out before I got in the door and said the guys won’t fix it. She went on to say they had just finished working for six weeks to get a JK door flat again. No way. Price? Ask a local body shop what they would do.

The panels can often be replaced. I almost tried a corner panel. But when I got behind it and thought about how much time it would take and the likelihood of me messing it up, I called off that option and got corner armor to cover it.

 

[Bitar100]

Hard to tell from the pics completely but it looks like it has only moved back about an 1/8" from the accident and should be an easy pull back by just using the fender holes as an attachment area to pull from. Tub looks like its in great shape otherwise.

How would you do this exactly you mind explaining to a novice in body work? I have the same damage on this area of the tub.

What equipment / techniques would I do to try to pull it back? I’m thinking to make a bracket for mounting two bolts two top holes and then weld a place to hook on a hydraulic puller.

 

[Bitar100]

Hi all! I have been looking to get a replacement tub for my 97 TJ. I found one that is relatively close and rust free but suffers from some damage near the front passenger corner, close to the fire wall. Basically I am wondering if this is fixable/worth it or if I should completely avoid this tub. I have the original tub still and it is in good condition in this corner so I do have donor sheet metal for this spot if it is needed to be cut. Please let me know if this seems to be too critical of damage to consider purchasing. The seller said that the doors and the top had no issues with alignment and the tub is straight. I have added some pictures for reference. I also need to cut a hole for the blower motor since this is an 06 and I am putting it on a 97, which I believe will give me access to the dent from the inside of the firewall. The seller is asking for $1000 so if the damage is manageable it seems like a great deal for a rust free tub.

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Did you end up getting it and trying to fix it?

 

[lil.saucey]

Did you end up getting it and trying to fix it?

Still in the process of tearing the Jeep down. I plan on having a shop take a look at the replacement tub.

 

[lil.saucey]

Not on my jeep but on a 47 Chevy. If the body is bolted to the frame and access to a comealong/chain fall with a proper jig on the firewall they will move just using the frame as an anchor point. Not everyone has the funds to take it to a body shop, even they seem to just want to replace panels now too, they seldom have frame racks. Hey I'm just trying to encourage trying it, what's there to lose???

It was too good of deal to pass down. So worst case senario

What kind of place is selling the new tub? looks to be a bunch of Jeep stuff around in the pics. Are they a salvage place...maybe that is why they are selling instead of fixing it?

The place was called baseline 4x4 recyclers