Pros and Cons of a fiberglass FJ40 body? (23 Viewers)

[Slowerthanu]

Steel is Real.

Phenomenal contribution to the thread!

On topic, I have a first generation Aqualu aluminum tub on my FJ40. I hated it when it was a driver but now that I primarily use it on trail only and it has been flopped a couple of times, I don't mind.

I think that you should stick with the fiberglass unless it gives you issues. It would cost so much to go back to steel and the advantages don't make the task worthwhile.

Have you considered contacting the former owner and asking him/ her?

 

[Splangy]

Since I have to explain:

I think the "steel is real" philosophy is something a rebuilder may want to consider when choosing body materials.

Have you looked at the prices of original steel FJ40's compared to those with aluminum or fiberglass body panels? The market seems to show a fondness for Landcruisers with authentic (real) steel body panels.

Is that not a worthwhile contribution to the thread?

Steel is Real.

Phenomenal contribution to the thread!

On topic, I have a first generation Aqualu aluminum tub on my FJ40. I hated it when it was a driver but now that I primarily use it on trail only and it has been flopped a couple of times, I don't mind.

I think that you should stick with the fiberglass unless it gives you issues. It would cost so much to go back to steel and the advantages don't make the task worthwhile.

Have you considered contacting the former owner and asking him/ her?

 

[thecrazygreek]

Hi there, I just got a tub from WEISS-DESIGN.DE
and it is fantastic

Now that is the way to do it... 2900 Euros aint bad either...

 

[Flyboy]

Steel is real?

Sure Dude,your absolutely correct....... but unless it's from an rust free climate and an Original not re-worked then yes for certain. Everyone wants an Authentic 40!?!?! However, to rebuild a 40 from scratch there is no better way to reproduce as authentic as possible that with a Gozzard parts. User friendly...NO! but with patience and skill very fun to work with.

I know this first hand as I used to build them. The quality, detail, indexing and craftmanship is second to none. Plus have you ever tried jacking your truck up by simply placing the jack under the edge of the tub? You can lift it right up by just behind the running boards on THE TUB edge! with no worries. Imagine a fiberglass composite boat traveling down the highway and suddenly falls off the trailer..... what happens? It simply bounces, a couple of times but other than that it's extremely easily repairable scars and viola good as new. That's a Gozzard Tub for ya. The technology is insane. Gozzard himself rolled his 40 many years ago avoiding a deer and seriously the only thing damage was a broken rear window other than a few scars in the composite glass that you can repair in an afternoon and wait for paint to dry. The only complaint I would say after building several is with a diesel, they can amplify noise a wee bit but that can be dealt with through deadening. Last one I sold to the Baja somewhere for just over $20k USD and that was back in 2003 with no Hard top even. Sweet 79' BJ40 inter-cooled turbo 3B.

Best

 

[My71FJ40]

On Gozzard's site it says "Quote on Request" for everything. Does anyone know what the roof costs? Is it cheaper than $1,500 I've seen on others? It would be nice if he put an "estimate" price on things....

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Email mike gozzard, he will respond in short order. His prices are very reasonable for what you are getting.

If I was ready to put a new body on my fj40, the gozzard tub would probably be my first choice.

Eg. I was looking at getting a glass tub, windshield frame, fenders, and fender flares. total price for the parts,.with shipping, customs duty etc, was going to be about $7200. about $2k of THAT was the shipping, customs, duty, etc.

hope this helps.

 

[crushers]

i have been installing Gozzard tubs for 15 years now. Mike builds a quality product.
price on request - the Canadian dollar has been fluctuating badly the last few years. on par, 35% low and we are heading down again. the cost to build the tub and parts move with the exhange rate.
look at my build links below and you will see the quality of the Gozzard parts.

I am itching to build up one of his 4 door 40 tubs, time will tell.

got questions, ask. i will answer them as best i can.

<no, they are not plug and play but the finished product is second to none>

i do like the look of the foreign body posted up. real nice in the pic.

 

[winnie]

the tub on my 40 is starting to go and from what I know it hasn't seen too much salt, if any ... I want to get some use out of it before worrying too much about tub issues, but in the long term a Gozzard tub is in its future, after through frame maintenance ... from everything I've read, it is the only viable long term solution that allows use of the 40 beyond May-October in this neck of the woods ... haven't had one long, but seems to me there's enough to maintain on 40s without having to constantly worry about the tub falling off ...

 

[The Red Camel]

Gozzard tubs are for off road only even he will tell you that. So I would not drive one on roads.

 

[jim land]

drive my 40 with gozzard tub , fender , hood , bezel and rear doors for 10 years now and all that time i was illegal and in danger,
but its fine cause i like danger and challenge the law

 

[crushers]

yes, he sells them "OFF ROAD USE ONLY". it is up to the customer to make the decision as to whether they use them for on road or not.
he is covering his ass, understood.

 

[sggoat]

How does the weight compare-metal to glass)? For wheeling, you do need some weight for the truck to get traction. Does the glass tub impact this?

 

[JohnnyC]

How does the weight compare-metal to glass)? For wheeling, you do need some weight for the truck to get traction. Does the glass tub impact this?

With all the stuff people pack into their cruiser to go wheeling I wouldn't even consider that to be an issue IMHO

 

[White Stripe]

Ive worked on some vehicles from Canada that are only a couple of years old, and man that country is tough on steel. If I had a cruiser up their, I totally would go fiberglass. I worked on New York vehicles for years and they were pretty dang rusty, but Canada was a whole lot worse, I think if I parked my Cruiser in the ocean it wouldn't rust as bad as it would in Canada ha. I would imagine even aluminum tubs would get eaten up their if neglected.

 

[crushers]

the weight of a Gozzard tub is about the same as steel. you need to see a tub in person to understand the strength and quality.
in 98 when i first started installing his tubs i had a $50 reward to anyone that could bust up a foot square sample of his tub. anything you wanted to do, have at it.
20 lb sledge, full swing, piece sitting on a 45 degree angle against a light post. it cracked the gel coat.
one guy figured he be smart and nail it from the edge, full swing and he dimpled it about 1/2".
Mike flipped his full fiberglass 40 into the ditch, to avoid a deer on the road, at 80 k/h and landed on a rock. there was a fist sized hole in the front fender and the hard top side delaminated. that was the extent of the damage, try that with steel.

i am not saying the Gozzard tub is perfect (REAL nice) but to compare his product with the paper thin automotive aftermarket parts is like comparing a Chevette with a Corvette.

if there was a better quality product out there, i would be using it.

 

[456z]

Crushers,
It is not my intent to jack this thread but was hoping you might answer a few questions.
I purchased a gozzard tub, fenders, running boards and rear doors 3 years ago and will be finishing my 79's build this summer.
Was really impressed with build strength of the parts but had many issues with different alignments.
B-pillars leaning to the right. Left side kick panel going in at too sharp of a angle. Right kick panel too short(front to rear). Rear of tub alignment too low with A-pillars.Holes for door hinges (front and rear) drilled wrong. Cup for gas filler neck upside down. Right fender 13mm to short.
So my question for you as you have seen many tubs did I get a lemon tub or is mine a normal representation of gozzard tub?

 

[crushers]

WOW!!
I can say i have never had those issues. Have you called Mike about these concerns? He would definately want to know about them.
I would not recommend a tub if i had those issue.
My only concern with the gozzard tub was, in the past, the one door opening was 1/8" too tight which meant installing the ?drivers? door a PITA.
that sounds nasty, give him a call.
cheers

 

[456z]

Yes, I had e-mail conversations with gozzard and I dropped it as I was not getting any answers to my questions and left me wanting to ask if this tub was for a jeep. Perhaps it had something to do with me living in Iowa. Decided to take the time ,make it right and not take my chain saw, cut it up and have a bonfire.

 

[crushers]

fiberglass sucks as a fire.
try him again

 

[Leaping Deer]

fiberglass sucks as a fire.
try him again

It also sucks in a fire. Yet another reason to stick with steel.. ;p