I’m new to this hobby and starting to restore my 1979 FJ 40 and believe getting a new tub is my best bet due to the amount of body rust. Does anyone have experience with Relik Garage (competitive in price), There is also Topnault as an option ( very low cost), and Cool Cruisers which I really like but not sure I can put that amount of funds into this. Does anyone have any recent experience/ advice especially with Relik Garage.? Thx!
1979 FJ40 3/4 Tub purchase
- Thread starter JAC
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Well thats a good ?. I do not but was interested and have been following these threads. I assume you are aware of the discoveries made by others regarding Topnault tub's issue in fitment. I see on Relik's site the 3/4 at 6,999 seems to include cowl. If that is so and your cowl, firewall are nasty then IMO that is a good option. If your cowl is good then it's hard to justify the cost diff. Topnault's 3/4 does not include cowl/firewall.
Have you looked at the aluminium tubs? Patching in panels is tedious but doable work - lots of build threads with vids to show you how. Get a good welder that can use small diameter wire and practice on thin sheet metal until you figure it out. Paint is what folks see - are you up for all the pre and finish work.
Just my opinion - cosmetic work on an actual working off road 4x4 isn't all that important for very long. A good engine, tranny, transfer, axles, spring/shocks, tires and brakes ... plus cooling and fuel systems are what gets you in and out of off road places. Spend your time and money there. When that stuff is 100%, then spend your energy making it look nice.
Just my opinion - cosmetic work on an actual working off road 4x4 isn't all that important for very long. A good engine, tranny, transfer, axles, spring/shocks, tires and brakes ... plus cooling and fuel systems are what gets you in and out of off road places. Spend your time and money there. When that stuff is 100%, then spend your energy making it look nice.
100% agree on the aluminum tubs from Aqualu as a viable option. I’ve installed two with good results. And if you are in the rust belt, you’ll never have to worry about rust repair on your tub again.
I don't pay much attention to tub replacement threads but I've heard plenty of complaints about CCOT tubs and body panels. I wouldn't believe everything you read there. In the past their restored vehicles were notorious for the amount of body filler in them. Go with what your budget allows.
I live in the rustbelt and I love my Aqualu cruiser. It is my DD through the winter months and I have a roadster to drive in the summer. My 40 has a full tub with cowl, windshield frame, running boards, aprons, fenders, and front bib. The front fenders were tricky to fit, but they have changed since 2004, at least the front edge is rolled now. I know back then, even Cruiser Solutions (where I purchased my aluminum parts) were using steel factory fenders on their restorations!
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All- sure appreciate the insights and thoughts! I’m thinking along the line of putting the dollars into making it running sound and will keep you posted on the tub decision. Glad this forums here to bounce ideas around.
JAC,
Welcome to the forum.
Another option not mentioned is a fiberglass tub offered by a Canadian company called Gozzard Composites. Gozzard is really a yacht builder, but they build a number of fiberglass parts for LandCruisers.
gozzardcomposites.com
(I have no personal experience with them.)
Welcome to the forum.
Another option not mentioned is a fiberglass tub offered by a Canadian company called Gozzard Composites. Gozzard is really a yacht builder, but they build a number of fiberglass parts for LandCruisers.
Gozzard Composites – High-quality Fiberglass Replacement Parts for Land Cruisers
Gozzard Composites builds high-quality custom fiberglass Land Cruiser parts
gozzardcomposites.com
(I have no personal experience with them.)
JAC,
Welcome to the forum.
Another option not mentioned is a fiberglass tub offered by a Canadian company called Gozzard Composites. Gozzard is really a yacht builder, but they build a number of fiberglass parts for LandCruisers.
Gozzard Composites – High-quality Fiberglass Replacement Parts for Land Cruisers
Gozzard Composites builds high-quality custom fiberglass Land Cruiser parts
(I have no personal experience with them.)
I have a Gozzard tub that I bought back in '03 for my '82 FJ40, and I have been gradually working on it ever since. Life interfered with rebuild plans...
The Gozzard is a nice product, but be aware it takes a whole bunch of work to make it work. Body mounts are non-existent and must be fabbed. No firewall cutouts or holes. No holes for anything. Almost everything must be measured and located off old tub, or by trial and error fitting. There are some pre-drilled stainless steel plates for installing a few items, but even those can present a challenge. I about went nuts getting the door hinges installed. I still have my original tub sitting outside the garage so I can reference off of it, or cut parts off that are needed (like the blower motor "cone").
I have a '78 that needs a new body, and I'm looking at HFS or Aqualu for that one, since I just don't want to spend the time to figure out ways around every little hurdle that the Gozzard throws up. I'll likely finish the '78 before the '82.... I'm not going for any sort of "restoration"; I just want a 40 to drive.
Thank you for the first-hand feedback. That counts for a whole more in my book than pretty pictures or some fancy description that is highly embellished.
My first FJ40 had a one piece fiberglass tilting front end built by a company called Malotte (sp?). I bought the vehicle used and it came with that front end, but the experience made me a believer in steel rather than fiberglass.
I hope the rest of the Gozzard tub installation goes smoother....
IIRC, Malotte was essentially a dune buggy tub. The Gozzard is *substantially* more rigid/durable. I am not disappointed at all with the overall construction of the tub. It is a beast.
A little information from Malotte. They could have been the provider for the one piece tilt front end to @Wasatch Jay.
Thanks for the info and pics. Very impressed you kept that from...1983. Wow!