I haven't seen anyone else with a review of loumass' tubs from Panama (Paul Pilgrim).
Very thorough in communicating with me to make sure it had all the right holes etc. etc.
Had some trouble with delivery (not Paul's fault, DHL's). Too big for a lift gate, but you can use a lift gate if you have two people to help unload it (just to balance it so it won't tip off the edge of the gate). Delivery was delayed because they said a lift gate wouldn't work. I arranged to borrow a forklift, but the guy with the fork wasn't around when it arrived so me and another guy were able to unload it. One, or preferably two people can slide it around. EXCELLENT crate with some handy ropes attached to make it easier to move. Be aware when arranging delivery or picking it up, if you don't have a loading dock or forklift they may give you a hard time.
Only potential "problem" is that I don't have the reinforcing panels for the roll bar mounts. (see: http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/wheelwelsupc.html). When Paul was talking to me about the tub, I gave him the measurements for the roll bar mounts, but he said that apparently there is some variations and he didn't want to pre-drill the holes and have it not line up. I'm not sure if the channels like CCOT has (see above link) are on the stock tubs. they are on my old tub, but that had some work done to it by the PO (over 15 yrs ago).
One thing I was very happy to see is that all of the threaded "nuts" etc. are in place and welded in. The ones that need to move (door mounts etc.) are trapped in a metal bracket, just like stock. Looks like there will be NO half-arsed reaching around to use regular nuts where the stock body had the nuts permamently mounted.
Construction seems very stout. The metal is galvanized. Very nice attention to detail. The top channel (where the hard top mounts) is well done, seems like a perfect match to the orginal.
He made me running boards in STAINLESS . They look real nice also. The front underside corner could be smoothed out a tiny bit more, but overall they are sweet.
I also hade him make me a pair of 1/2 doors. I have ambulance doors, but since I'm in Florida, I will be using a soft top 99.9% of the time and I hate having to use the solid panels that don't open.
I haven't tried to fit anything yet, and unfortunately I am several months away from actually installing the body. So you will all have to wait a pretty long time before *I'd* be able to discuss the fit of components.
I have to upgrade to the silver membership so I can post all my pics, but here are some.
If anyone has specific questions or wants specific photos, let me know (don't post too much until a little later on tonight, I don't have my wallet with me to upgrade my ih8mud account).
PROBLEMS:
The fender support channels aren't there.
I need to think about how to get paint in all the inside portions (it is all galvanized, but the welds could potentially rust). Also, painting around the threaded inserts that are "captured" so they can move may freeze them in place. Not a problem specific to this tub, but with any tub (the galvanized steel should minimize any risk of rust).
Big crate made delivery hard for me since I am usually not around during the day (if you will be home with 1-2 helpers it should be no problem)
GOOD PARTS:
Seems like a really, really well built unit. Very good reproduction of stock right down to all the threaded inserts being in place.
Galvanized steel
Very happy with it. I think it is worth the money and the wait.
Very thorough in communicating with me to make sure it had all the right holes etc. etc.
Had some trouble with delivery (not Paul's fault, DHL's). Too big for a lift gate, but you can use a lift gate if you have two people to help unload it (just to balance it so it won't tip off the edge of the gate). Delivery was delayed because they said a lift gate wouldn't work. I arranged to borrow a forklift, but the guy with the fork wasn't around when it arrived so me and another guy were able to unload it. One, or preferably two people can slide it around. EXCELLENT crate with some handy ropes attached to make it easier to move. Be aware when arranging delivery or picking it up, if you don't have a loading dock or forklift they may give you a hard time.
Only potential "problem" is that I don't have the reinforcing panels for the roll bar mounts. (see: http://store.yahoo.com/coolfj40/wheelwelsupc.html). When Paul was talking to me about the tub, I gave him the measurements for the roll bar mounts, but he said that apparently there is some variations and he didn't want to pre-drill the holes and have it not line up. I'm not sure if the channels like CCOT has (see above link) are on the stock tubs. they are on my old tub, but that had some work done to it by the PO (over 15 yrs ago).
One thing I was very happy to see is that all of the threaded "nuts" etc. are in place and welded in. The ones that need to move (door mounts etc.) are trapped in a metal bracket, just like stock. Looks like there will be NO half-arsed reaching around to use regular nuts where the stock body had the nuts permamently mounted.
Construction seems very stout. The metal is galvanized. Very nice attention to detail. The top channel (where the hard top mounts) is well done, seems like a perfect match to the orginal.
He made me running boards in STAINLESS . They look real nice also. The front underside corner could be smoothed out a tiny bit more, but overall they are sweet.
I also hade him make me a pair of 1/2 doors. I have ambulance doors, but since I'm in Florida, I will be using a soft top 99.9% of the time and I hate having to use the solid panels that don't open.
I haven't tried to fit anything yet, and unfortunately I am several months away from actually installing the body. So you will all have to wait a pretty long time before *I'd* be able to discuss the fit of components.
I have to upgrade to the silver membership so I can post all my pics, but here are some.
If anyone has specific questions or wants specific photos, let me know (don't post too much until a little later on tonight, I don't have my wallet with me to upgrade my ih8mud account).
PROBLEMS:
The fender support channels aren't there.
I need to think about how to get paint in all the inside portions (it is all galvanized, but the welds could potentially rust). Also, painting around the threaded inserts that are "captured" so they can move may freeze them in place. Not a problem specific to this tub, but with any tub (the galvanized steel should minimize any risk of rust).
Big crate made delivery hard for me since I am usually not around during the day (if you will be home with 1-2 helpers it should be no problem)
GOOD PARTS:
Seems like a really, really well built unit. Very good reproduction of stock right down to all the threaded inserts being in place.
Galvanized steel
Very happy with it. I think it is worth the money and the wait.