Aluminum tub whose is best?

[stereophile33]

I am planning on swapping on an aluminum tub and cowl this winter and was wondering if anyone had any good experiences with any of the manufactueres?

Whose is best quality/fitment.

Jonathan

 

[jm599]

aqualu in british columbia is only manufacturer of aluminum tubs that I know of. They have website
Cruiser Solutions, TED, is main supplier I think. one of the advertisers.

might also consider the new Heritage tubs, steel

 

[Mark W]

Lots of people sell AL tubs. Only one place makes them. Aqualu. Kelawana BC.

Buy direct.


Mark...

 

[jhaha]

I have an Aqualu tub; very well made, good fit, definitely worth it if you are going with an aluminum tub. And x2, call them direct.

Also what is great is that it includes all the standard, required fasteners and a good instructional video.

 

[LukeO]

How are the aluminum tubs holding up offroad? I understand they're made thicker than steel tubs, but do they still tear as I've seen on older Rovers?

I'm trying to decide if I should stick with my steel tub (which is in really good shape) or go with a new aluminum tub on my 72.

Can't decide if I want to go more new tub and shiney, DD on max 35/36's or go for more trail, old tub on like 38's or maybe bigger.

I want a perectly restored 40 and a trail 40, but can't afford both right now.

 

[alumacruiser]

We make our tubs out of '5052' marine grade aluminum alloy @.156" thickness which is about three times thicker that the factory tub. This also translates to a tub which is stronger due to to the increased thickness of the material. Aluminum is not as strong as mild steel but the increased thickness makes it stronger than the O.E.M. tub.

 

[Mark W]

How are the aluminum tubs holding up offroad? I understand they're made thicker than steel tubs, but do they still tear as I've seen on older Rovers?

Never heard of it happening. We've got six of them on rigs that run with us regularly (including one of my own rigs). I can't imagine enough frame flex in a '40 to stress the body that way.


Mark...

 

[mrmouse88]

Hey, what about the main body support I've heard of issues with it and compression due to the mounting bolts going through it, is this a problem anyone has had or have I been missinformed? and how close to original are the sills being remade? the last time I saw an aqualu tub i wasnt to keen on the way the sill where or with the funny little shelf in the back corner, is that stuff that has all been changed/fixed or was this just a lower model or an older model?

 

[FineWynsFJ40]

The aluminum tub on mine is a fine fit. As always, with restoring something or putting non-original items on, some fudging is required. Overall, I'm satisfied with it, and I'm sure that most others are satisfied too. The posts on the hard top that stick down need to be removed, and the back doors require time to install and align properly. Overall though, it's hard to make a complete body tub and nail everything 100%, ya gotta give 'em credit.

 

[metalonmetal]

Lots of people sell AL tubs. Only one place makes them. Aqualu. Kelawana BC.

Buy direct.


Mark...

just clarifying although it probably doesn't matter, kelowna, bc.

 

[mrmouse88]

The aluminum tub on mine is a fine fit. As always, with restoring something or putting non-original items on, some fudging is required. Overall, I'm satisfied with it, and I'm sure that most others are satisfied too. The posts on the hard top that stick down need to be removed, and the back doors require time to install and align properly. Overall though, it's hard to make a complete body tub and nail everything 100%, ya gotta give 'em credit.

Oh, I'll give them tons of credit, Ive been considering building my own aluminum tub, and understand the problems involded with recreating something like this. My concern though is that like I have been told that a major problem with them is the main support is built something like that pic on the left with the mounting bolt going all the way through the main support, where as it should be like the right with the bolt just through the bottom of the support. my concern is that with the void that would create your asking for flexing and creating additional stress on the aluminum your asking for stress cracking and other failure problems. Also I have been told that the cost of body work for paint is rather high, due to the weld warping, and that is one I have seen on the tubs ive looked at is major warp. have any of those problems been addressed/changed?

 

[UpsideDown]

How are the aluminum tubs holding up offroad? I understand they're made thicker than steel tubs, but do they still tear as I've seen on older Rovers?

I'll chime in on this one since I've been running a 1st Gen Aqualu for a very long time... nearly 15 years... it's been wrapped around trees, dragged over rocks in Moab and the Rubicon, taken swimming, bashed into stuff and generally abused to s***.

It's been holding up great!

The running boards - well, after beating them into shape for the fortysevenmillionth time they got removed in favour of steel angle iron bolted to the tub. The welded on flares didn't hold up too well and Todd (@ Aqualu) removed them for me when he inspected my tub a few years after it was installed as part of his "field research on Cruisers that get wheeled hard" to see how it was holding up. He made a few changes to my frame-tub mounts and beefed them up for free!

All in all I am very pleased with this product and unless you need a totally stock tub - Aluminum is a very good way to go.

Oh, and just a side note about paint and stuff... next time I'd leave it unpainted.

hth, and ymmv

~John

 

[Stumpalama]

John, is this you?
-Stump

 

[AATLAS1X]

Not that I should ask, But why not a new steel tub from heritage?

www.heritagesheetmetal.com

 

[apeterson]

Oh, and just a side note about paint and stuff... next time I'd leave it unpainted.

Why would you leave it unpainted?

 

[rabid]

Not that I should ask, But why not a new steel tub from heritage?

www.heritagesheetmetal.com

Depends on where you live, and if the truck will see salt. Aluminum is a better choice for people in the rust belt who are going to drive between november and April. Also, the aluminum ones are stronger/tougher. You would be lucky to get 5 years with that tub in the Northeast if it sees any sort of driving in those months.

I have one built out of heavy gauge steel, custom work from a friend. That would be my first choice if it getting wheeled hard. I have seen both the aqualu and gozzard tubs take a beating, so I would think that either would be a great choice.

(edit)
of course, he said his in in great shape...so he is most likely no where near a salt area

 

[UpsideDown]

John, is this you?
-Stump

Indeed, it is...

~j.

 

[UpsideDown]

Why would you leave it unpainted?

Paint prep takes a fair bit of time, and now years later some of the paint is coming off in a few small and worn areas (Al corroding a very little bit under the surface).

I used a high end Urethane paint and primer... it's hanled the abuse well, but I think I'd save the expense on a trail truck.

 

[mrmouse88]

Not that I should ask, But why not a new steel tub from heritage?

www.heritagesheetmetal.com

I would think one of the big reasons would be, besides rust if you live anywhere where thats an issue, the cost of a Steel tub from heritage 4000 bucks US to 4700 US verses 2250 To 2600 US for an Aqualu tub. Then there is the shipping cost of a steel tub depending on where you live.

 

[AATLAS1X]

I would think one of the big reasons would be, besides rust if you live anywhere where thats an issue, the cost of a Steel tub from heritage 4000 bucks US to 4700 US verses 2250 To 2600 US for an Aqualu tub. Then there is the shipping cost of a steel tub depending on where you live.

I am from Oregon and we see no salt what so ever, so it is hard for me to understand your rust issues. I was under the impression it was not only from the roads but care.

the dealers must make a killing selling cars and the public is never debt free of an auto loan,. s*** its rusted out before its paid for.........