Mixing Fiberglass and Metal in a body tub...suggestions?

[YoungGuyOld40]

I have a mallote body tub for my 78' Fj. And I am not a big fan of the dash, firewall, and absence in the kick vents on it. So I am wanting to get rid of the fiberglass firewall and dash. And put my original firewall and dash on it as a whole front on the fiberglass tub. i will try to get a photo of how i have the original body cut up on here as soon as possible. and suggestions would be great!

 

[B y r o n]

I think any time you join two different materials there is the risk or separation lines/cracks forming, especially in an off road vehicle.

 

[djcfj40]

I would agree with Byron.Usually ends up a mess down the road. I have a Malotte tub that I just finished redoing. Malotte has a pretty bad reputation,but mine is 35 or so years old and held up pretty darn good.
The stock dash and firewall are definetley better looking, but I think grafting the two parts together would detract from both in the end.
If it helps I used Lizard skin on the firewall to pretty it up and it looks better.

 

[brian]

Better off just getting a decent original steel tub.

 

[jim land]

why dont you keep your first idea (from the previous thread) and just change the firewall ,so it keep some stuctural integrity by keeping the glass door opening . for the dash its not a big deal to cut from the metal tub and bolt it to the glass one , my 42 dash is set up like that , plus it is a nice place to use as a ground , and for the side panel with louver and kick vent ,you can glue and or riveted it

 

[jim land]

pic of the metal dash on glass tub

 

[jim land]

bmblackstorm did a nice job with his malotte tub on this thread

1978 FJ40 Order of the Build