[NOVA83CJ7]

I know you've heard it a thousand times this summer but I cant tell you how awesome this thread is. I am just starting my tub off restoration and you have saved me an untold number of hours. Please keep updating.

[aero mech]

Originally Posted by Fatman

What are you talk'n bout? Don't you see em lay'n right there "done" in the back of my truck?
I've got to bolt them up tomorrow, think I'll take the day off from work and get some of this stuff finished up, then I can get you guys some pics.
I did get the 2nd new dash picked up today... AWESOME!

ya I got so excited I did't look at the hole picture. anyway great project jc

[Fatman]

Originally Posted by NOVA83CJ7

I know you've heard it a thousand times this summer but I cant tell you how awesome this thread is. I am just starting my tub off restoration and you have saved me an untold number of hours. Please keep updating.

Thanks, glad this stuff helps.

Originally Posted by aero mech

ya I got so excited I did't look at the hole picture. anyway great project jc

Ha, just giv'n ya a hard time too. I hope to have them "done installed" this afternoon.

[StewartCJ7]

WOW, your doing a great job!!!!

[Fatman]

So I got to use a plasma cutter today. That was a mistake because now I want one.
I guess it's like a boat, always nice to have a friend that owns one.

I have never been a fan of rockers being notched for the fender so those were first on the list to be fixed.
These lips had to go:


Nothing a cutoff won't take care of:


Too bad the sheet metal is so darn thin. A few burn throughs:


Welds cleaned up:



Rockers laid up:



Plasma cuts on the end:



Thing looks like a crab:


More soon. Drill mounting holes, weld bolts on, inner supports, etc.

[bdmonist]

For my knowledge base when I begin my body work - When you grind down those welds, are you be able to clean that up and paint over it, or will bondo or something of the sort still be required?

[Fatman]

Originally Posted by bdmonist

For my knowledge base when I begin my body work - When you grind down those welds, are you be able to clean that up and paint over it, or will bondo or something of the sort still be required?

Brian, I'm using metal filler on all the exposed body work (and very little of it). I'll skim those fender repairs and sand; however, they will be hidden by the rockers. I'll also put a layer of adheasive mil under the rockers as well.

[papaja20878]

What an amazing rebuild. I can't wait to see the finished Jeep.
I just started tearing down an 83 CJ-7. With mine the tub is a total loss. Your thread is truely inspiring. Keep up the awesome work.

[aero mech]

Originally Posted by Fatman

Brian, I'm using metal filler on all the exposed body work (and very little of it). I'll skim those fender repairs and sand; however, they will be hidden by the rockers. I'll also put a layer of adheasive mil under the rockers as well.

Hey man are you using this stuff instead of bondo? Got some body work to do and was just wondering. I know it should be in the paint and body work section but it just doesn't get much traffic. Also do you know of a good primer that will work with old paint and bare steel. We re did my dad's 5 and if the paint chips it goes plum to bar steel. We used mostly the sems acid etch in a spray can on bare steel and then fill primer on the rest. Thanks again. jc

[Fatman]

Originally Posted by aero mech

Hey man are you using this stuff instead of bondo?

It's a metal to metal filler only. Bondo, supposedly can be applied to paint, primer... maybe that's why the stuff cracks and falls off.
No ideas on your primer.

Papaja, thanks for the nice words. Let us know if we can help your 7 along

[ragincajunATL]

Fatman,

Looks great. I am getting close to putting mine back together. I just have a little

metal to metal work to do on the rocker panels. I should have been finished months ago.

I am stalling hopefully you will begin your reassembly soon as I will probably be following along with mine at the same time

[Fatman]

Thanks Cajun,
I'm really looking forward to getting the pieces to paint. I'm hoping that this weekend will allow me time to Herculine the tub. My son has been scotch-padding the surface and I hope to flip it over so he can get the inside done by Friday.
I'm trying to get all the fabrication & fit up stuff done before I paint color.
I think I'll start a "Project Reassembly" thread starting with setting the tub for the final push towards completion.

[ragincajunATL]

Fatman,

are you going to herc the tub prior to prior to painting?

You are sending it out for paint.....

I am working on trying it myself.........yes I agree with my wife on this one, I am a ******* I should have sent it out as well.

anyhow, if you don't mind me asking what are you going to pay for your painting project.

[Fatman]

Cajun, I'm going to Herc before paint. After I get the tub back from paint I'll Mask off & do the final cut in. I'd rather have a small amount of paint overspray on the liner than the other way around.

My buddy Eric has a friend that is a painter. He did a nice job on Eric's Jeep and the price seems fair. I'm going to have him do the final prep and sand. At this point I'm ready to hand it over to a pro and get it back completed.

[Fatman]

Originally Posted by bdmonist

For my knowledge base when I begin my body work - When you grind down those welds, are you be able to clean that up and paint over it, or will bondo or something of the sort still be required?

Hey Brian & Aero, this is a follow up for you. Mixed up the metal filler and worked the front fenders today.


Left:


Right:


Half an hour later had em sanded and rolling onto the rockers


Cut some 7/16-14 grade 8's for studs


squared up with the grinder


welded up


Lay out and drilling holes in the tub:



Rocker ready to go:



... to be continued:
.