Replacement tub sources (1 Viewer)

[vegas]

The time has come to order the replacement tub for my restoration. The sources I know of are aqualu (aluminum) and land cruiser heaven (steel). I’ve heard there is a vender in France but can’t find them on the web. What are all of the sources for full tubs? I’d like a steel one. My truck is an ‘81 BJ42.

 

[ryanwk628]

Teseven is one mfg in France. I looked at their stuff and it seems well made and I would love a stainless tub but it has been impossible to get a shipping quote, even just an estimate for budgeting. I think there maybe another French vendor that just popped up in a thread on Mud but there is not much history with them. Some folks go fiberglass from Gozzard. Im leaning towards an aluminum 3/4 tub.

 

[White Stripe]

Cool cruisers makes steel 3/4 tubs.

 

[stevebradford]

Aqualu - aluminum. I love mine. all the best boats, planes, and other heavy machinery has an aluminum body.

Land Cruiser

The aqualu body might be stronger than the stock body. The gauge is thick enough to easily weld unlike landrovers or new ford trucks.

I have gozzard driver and passenger doors. Ambulance doors, hardtop sides and roof. Nothing wrong with them I’m satisfied. Aqualu didn’t make those peices. The outside finish is excellent, inside of the hard top peices isn’t finished it’s all wavy. The doors are so thick I had trouble installing retaining clips that hold the door lock in place. Also had issues with the lock on the Ambulance door. The driver and passenger doors came with the felted window channels but no felt or rubber to seal and center the window.

Land Cruiser 40 Series - Gozzard Composites

 

[CHCP]

I recommend going with the Aqualu 3/4 tub. I just installed one on my wheels up restoration this past year and very happy with the results. Of course there were minor (sometimes they didn't seem minor) alignment problems with the rest of the hardtop components and doors but I liked the unibody construction and the thickness of the marine aluminum used, as well as the great welds. The one thing I wished Aqualu would have supplied metric ss fasteners instead of SAE. The 78 and older tub would not accept a 74 and older gas tank, and the supplied transmission cover was a challenge to fit as well as the hole cut for the transfer case shifting lever, at least for mine, it was not positioned correctly and the supplied boot was not flexible enough to allow the lever to remain in 2 wheel drive, it keep bumping it out of gear on the first run. I also got it because of the rust issues here in New England, which you probably don't need to worry about. The only other thing was the shipping cost to Maine from British Columbia, but should not be too bad to Las Vegas.

Mating

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

Tub

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

tub2

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

 

[Living in the Past]

I'm sorry to me aluminum body's floor just scream non-stock to me. I would plan on keeping every inch of the floor and wheel wells covered. If your in Vegas and don't plan on leaving I would stick with steel.

 

[stevebradford]

I recommend going with the Aqualu 3/4 tub. I just installed one on my wheels up restoration this past year and very happy with the results. Of course there were minor (sometimes they didn't seem minor) alignment problems with the rest of the hardtop components and doors but I liked the unibody construction and the thickness of the marine aluminum used, as well as the great welds. The one thing I wished Aqualu would have supplied metric ss fasteners instead of SAE. The 78 and older tub would not accept a 74 and older gas tank, and the supplied transmission cover was a challenge to fit as well as the hole cut for the transfer case shifting lever, at least for mine, it was not positioned correctly and the supplied boot was not flexible enough to allow the lever to remain in 2 wheel drive, it keep bumping it out of gear on the first run. I also got it because of the rust issues here in New England, which you probably don't need to worry about. The only other thing was the shipping cost to Maine from British Columbia, but should not be too bad to Las Vegas.

Mating

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

Tub

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

tub2

• CHCP
• Oct 13, 2017

Agreed with the aqualu cutout for tcase shifter fitment as well as the boots. I made my own trans cover and shifter boots.

 

[CHCP]

I'm sorry to me aluminum body's floor just scream non-stock to me. I would plan on keeping every inch of the floor and wheel wells covered. If your in Vegas and don't plan on leaving I would stick with steel.

I understand that viewpoint. I try to keep my 78 FJ40LV-KCJA as stock as possible, but the rust problem here is daunting. In fact I ran with a Weber for 13 years, just tried a Trollhole (which I was not happy with) and ended up with an Aisan (non-usa) that I'm very happy with!!

 

[curtislow]

I'm sorry to me aluminum body's floor just scream non-stock to me. I would plan on keeping every inch of the floor and wheel wells covered. If your in Vegas and don't plan on leaving I would stick with steel.

Have to agree with you on the non stock look but I'll tell you what the aqualu body is pretty heavy duty.Living here in New England and fighting rust is very much overwhelming if not impossible.
I used the aqualu tub and I think it looks fantastic from the outside and the inside doesn't bother me at all.Being a very limited body man it was an easy choice for me. I'm very satisfied.

 

[Living in the Past]

I understand that viewpoint. I try to keep my 78 FJ40LV-KCJA as stock as possible, but the rust problem here is daunting. In fact I ran with a Weber for 13 years, just tried a Trollhole (which I was not happy with) and ended up with an Aisan (non-usa) that I'm very happy with!!

Yes my viewpoint was based on location. If OP was in the rust belt and didn't plan on keeping the the cruiser in his climate controlled garage then my option would be different. Going on forty-four years with my first one which is over fifty years old and still rust free. Not to many regions in the US that is possible.

 

[curtislow]

[QUOTE="Living in the Past, post: 1thing original on e cruiser in his climate controlled garage then my option would be different. Going on forty-four years with my first one which is over fifty years old and still rust free. Not to many regions in the US that is possible.[/QUOTE]
I love the look of every part on an original fj40, when you live here it's depressing having one rot out underneath you.I won't be in that situation again, not because of the aluminum body but because it's not my DD.
I envy west coast owners of 40's, the chances of someone having a DD of anything in New England for 44 years is pretty much impossible.I drove my 88 F-250 for 27 years and it was a rust bucket for 10.Ran ok though.

 

[ryanwk628]

I recommend going with the Aqualu 3/4 tub. I just installed one on my wheels up restoration this past year and very happy with the results.... The 78 and older tub would not accept a 74 and older gas tank]

Sorry to hijack but what gas tank issue? I have a 1970 and was leaning towards an Aqualu 3/4 tub. How did you address this?

 

[Varty Yo]

Im going with aqualu when i do my 3/4 tub. The late model trans humps are very nice compaired to the 78 and older ones. Look more stock. I want to be able to drive my 42 any month of the year and not even worry about the dreaded bubbles forming under the paint. My cowl is about a 8/10 so ill gladly fix theat up when the time comes and i a few sets of NOS fenders so im good for that. Wish they made hard top sides...

 

[CHCP]

Sorry to hijack but what gas tank issue? I have a 1970 and was leaning towards an Aqualu 3/4 tub. How did you address this?

If I'm looking at this Specter Off-Road book correctly there are two types of fuel tanks 1968-8/73, 20 gallons and the 9/73-12/78 16.5 gallon tank. I had the twenty gallon tank in my cruiser before installing the Aqualu 3/4 tub.( when I first built my cruiser, here in Maine, I could not find a 78 body worth restoring, the only body I could find was for a 67 originally from New Mexico sold by Cruiserparts.) Because of the size difference, if you use the Aqualu supplied transmission cover the twenty gallon tank is too wide to fit as well as too tall to let the fuel tank cover seat. The twenty gallon tank used tank straps. I had to buy a new 16.5 gallon fuel tank from Cruiserparts. Did not like the idea of losing 3.5 gallons (approx: 52 miles). I would not use a poly fuel tank, my preference. Currently interested in Downey's fuel cell mounted underneath.

 

[CHCP]

[QUOTE="Living in the Past, post: 1thing original on e cruiser in his climate controlled garage then my option would be different. Going on forty-four years with my first one which is over fifty years old and still rust free. Not to many regions in the US that is possible.

I love the look of every part on an original fj40, when you live here it's depressing having one rot out underneath you.I won't be in that situation again, not because of the aluminum body but because it's not my DD.
I envy west coast owners of 40's, the chances of someone having a DD of anything in New England for 44 years is pretty much impossible.I drove my 88 F-250 for 27 years and it was a rust bucket for 10.Ran ok though.

I just did a full restoration on my 78 FJ40LV-KCJA with a good frame and Aqualu 3/4 tub because it's my only running vehicle and DD. I agree with the envy. I know I will have to pay strict attention to the under carriage every year.

 

[CHCP]

Im going with aqualu when i do my 3/4 tub. The late model trans humps are very nice compaired to the 78 and older ones. Look more stock. I want to be able to drive my 42 any month of the year and not even worry about the dreaded bubbles forming under the paint. My cowl is about a 8/10 so ill gladly fix theat up when the time comes and i a few sets of NOS fenders so im good for that. Wish they made hard top sides...

Hope you live in British Columbia and not Nova Scotia because the shipping cost was substantial to Maine!

 

[Varty Yo]

Im about 10hrs from aqualu

 

[CHCP]

Im about 10hrs from aqualu

YOU LUCKY DOG!!!

 

[Varty Yo]

I also have buddies who run the route weekly past the shop so im not worried about shipping lol

 

[vegas]

I bought my truck in British Columbia and drove it past Aqualu on my way to the US. I waved, but I want a stock looking steel full tub. Thanks for all of your suggestions. Can we turn this thread into an inventory of steel tub vendors as of 3/18?