Can I get some feed back on these.. the 40 will not be serious hard core, but used rough all the same.. mostly rock. I want to be running 33x9.5 when I am done on a fairly stock set up (for now) Can I get plenty of feed back on these.. I do not want to have a heavy steel one made, and the tub is too far gone for CCOT panels.. So what can you tell me...


http://www.aqualu.com/FJ40%20Pics/78-Older-Tub-Side-View-Fron.gif

[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: Firefyter_Emt ]

dont waste your money on a expensive tub you are only gonna cut up and hit on rocks..i'd try to find a truck being parted out and swap your tub for one in different condition..in massachusetes that could be easier said than done to find a parts truck..i'd get a stock tub to put on it..dont go aluminum or anything aftermarket, too expensive and unnecessary since you can find a original one for way cheaper than anything aftermarket

I think that is the point of having an aluminum tub, so it won't get beat up.

At the ARCA, a ton of Jeeps are running the JP aluminum bodies and they take a serious licking without a single dent.

I have only seen one and the guy had rolled it and everything on the Cruiser was shit but the tub. It was slightly tweaked, but no dents!

From the land od the salty north.. that is eaiser said than done.. The tub would run $2200 shipped if you find a good body around here it is on a good truck and it will be all the money. I don't plan on draging it through the trails and it will also be an "on road" truck for summer fun and such. Just something to play with wheel with and enjoy. I think for the price, and ease of installation it is still a good choice. If there were acess to goos stock tubs, I would go that way, but they just aren't around.. This truck I am going to pick up has a farily new hood, I have great front fenders and the cowl is decent, and the inside is good and pretty stock. The best thing is the frame is out of TX.. but the rear tub is gone So... Cost wise it still seems good but I am curious if anyone has had trouble with the tubs..

PS Nolen, I am pretty sure JT tubs are made by Acualu.. the photos thy use are the ones from Acualu's website... I spoke the the company quite in depth, they are 1/8" stock andthey guy personaly has owned one for 5 years and knows 5 people who have rolled them as well, and he said they have held up as well.. One of the things I like (stupid things, but nice all the same) it the tranny hump is all 90o angles.. and tthe top is flat.. Nice to mount something there, well except for the water danger....

[ 09-30-2001: Message edited by: Firefyter_Emt ]

Ummm??? thats it? all these 40 guru's here and I get 2 answers?? Come awn.... I know ya got it in you! <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Firefyter_Emt:
<STRONG>Ummm??? thats it? all these 40 guru's here and I get 2 answers?? Come awn.... I know ya got it in you! <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Errr, I think most of the folks who are hanging out on POR are based in CA, AZ, NV. Asking about replacement tubs is not a subject we know too much about. As Peter said, just get a used steel tub! We practically give them away around here (CA). I dont know how much shipping an Aqualu tub to MA would cost, but shipping a steel tub should be about the same. Good Luck!

I would think you could get a pretty clean, relatively rust-free 40 tub from out west for less money. That's not much feedback, just all I've got.

morgan

There's only so much to say. Here are your options:

1) OEM replacement - as you stated it is virtually impossible to find one in the northeast--they are all crap by now. Finding one out west would be cool if you could, but I don't know how easy it would be. Shipping is expensive. Plus, you would have to worry about it rusting again. Better resale value if it stays in good condition. Everything bolts back into place with minimal work.

2) Aluminum - Great grounding, won't rust, you have a distributor in the area. By all accounts they work fine. Doesn't have exact OEM styling inside, and you have make some cut-outs yourself. Harder to paint than other options. Fixing it if it ever gets seriously tweaked may be a problem.

3) Fibreglass tub - Not so great grounding, no rust, easy to patch, not as strong as steel or aluminum. You have to make some cutouts, etc.. Styling not that great(?)

4) Non-US/ie. Bandierante tub from TLC Parts. Strong, good grounding, possibly some difficulties with fuel tanks and re-fitting with your old stock gear depending on the year of your FJ40. Weird looking body panels.


My opinion: If you can really find a rust free OEM tub out west that would be the way to go, but I'd be somewhat surprised if it is really all that easy. I might try calling a few CA boneyards next year to replace my tub, but I don't have high hopes. More than likely I'll be going Aluminum from LC Solutions.
<IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

BTW: The text version of Rob Mullen's FAQs has some commentary on aluminum tubs http://www.off-road.com/tlc/faq/index.html

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Cruiserhaven ]

Depending on the condition of your existing tub, why not have Tyke Moses make you a heavy-duty tub? I saw several truck's he's made tubs for (out of heavier gauge steel) take a SERIOUS beating against rocks and trees with very little damage. I seriously doubt an aluminum tub would have faired as well...on the other hand, Nolen is right, I too saw a lot of aluminum tubs on the ARCA series, and I can't think of trucks that take much more beating than those.

The aluminum tubs sold by JTO are in fact from Aqualu.

As for finding a stripped, rust-free tub on the West Coast and getting it shipped, easier said than done, the cost of freight would add up quickly, and from personal experience, very few sellers are interested in shipping something like a tub. It's worth a try, though.

Thanks guys... any one want to give me a tub??? Puhleese???? No? ah alright, it was worth a shot.. Now for a second question.. how many companys make tubs?? The one I am looking at is in British Columbia.. (a bit too far to drive..) is there anything on the east coast? I know it is a pain to go this way, but I think for around here it would be a good solution.. Paint is not a problm realy, if you prep it corectly.. Also quite frankly, there are some changes I realy like in the aqualu tub.. like the nice square tranny hump and the sweet CB radio mount bracket spot in the tub corner... <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

Not many people manufacture aluminum tubs, it may only be Aqualu Industries. But the tubs are distributed/sold by LC Solutions and JT Outfitters on the East Coast.

http://www.landcruisersolutions.com/rustfree.htm


http://www.jtoutfitters.com/

HTH. Let us know what you do and how it works out <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Cruiserhaven ]

Hey Firefyter EMT-
good to meet you at the Fall Gathering-
How bad are the inner panels and floors on your tub? The guy who built my tub can sometimes just reskin the outer quarters for significantly less money, although they are rarely in that kind of shape in the salty northeast. If the rear support channel is gone (under the seats)- don't bother reskinning.
You know that I agree with Henry- go steel. The trails around here are so tight
that rock is the least of your concern- tree damage makes up almost all of the damage done to my cruiser.
I have seen aluminum tubs hold up really well, and they do look good, though a little cheezy for my tastes. Steel just feels stronger.
Up and over innovations sells Gozzard Fiberglass, which is about the best fiberglass tub that I have seen.

I do know a guy that I think bought a mallotte tub years ago (like 6 or 7!!!) that never installed it. Last I knew he wanted $1200 for it. LMK if I can help at all.

If I were going to do the shipping from Cali route, I would buy one of the complete trucks
without drivetrains in the for sale section for around 1200, then take my vacation and rent a uhaul back. Would probably be about the same as getting an aluminum tub out, and a great adventure.

All personal preferences aside, Aqualu is the *only* current manufacturer of Land Cruiser aluminum tubs. They have a number of distributors in the US and on the East Coast, I think the closest one to you is Land Cruiser Solutions. JTO, as mentioned, also carries the Aqualu line.

I kind of like Rabid's idea, you could get from CA to your area in four days of hard driving with a U-Haul, and if you plan ahead carefully, you could bring back stuff for other people and amortize the cost of the trip. Just a thought, I'm one of those guys that doesn't mind long drives, as evidenced by my two cross country drives in one week in July of 2000.

Living on the coast in the BC north I too have the rust problem. After weighing the pros and cons I have decided to do the complete body in aluminum. My buddy has had an aluminum tub for about 5 years now and it still looks like new, it wasnt hard to paint either, we did it ourselves, you just have to use zinc chromate primer on the bare aluminum first then it becomes like any metal surface for painting after that.
On another note, just before my fire I rebuilt my metal tub floor and inner fenders including all 3 channels out of 3/16 steel. I made a little sheetmetal bender (out of 2x4s no less) and used a home style mig welder. Total cost to me was 160.00 for two 4x8 sheets of steel. Although the outside panels were good on mine I looked into the local machine shop rolling the side panels and they said it would be no problem at all, and would only cost me 50 bucks labor and another sheet of steel. It really wasnt that hard, just time consuming. Just a thought. Paul

I've had an Aqualu tub (gen' II), sold it and bought a LC w/ a good body locally. I had it for a couple of years and it held up fine but I didn't care for several aspects of the fit and finish of the tub. It definitely has some different lines. I doubt I would go this route again but if so I would get them to add in storage in the floor, tubed fender wells, and a few other goodies.

Originally posted by nichols:
<STRONG>I've had an Aqualu tub (gen' II), sold it and bought a LC w/ a good body locally. I had it for a couple of years and it held up fine but I didn't care for several aspects of the fit and finish of the tub. It definitely has some different lines. I doubt I would go this route again but if so I would get them to add in storage in the floor, tubed fender wells, and a few other goodies.</STRONG>

Now you've got me curious. Can you be more specific about the "fit and finish of the tub" and what you didn't like?

Thanks!


<IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ 10-03-2001: Message edited by: Cruiserhaven ]

The sides of the tubs show the joints at the wheel wells and floor, sticks out real bad once painted. Also the the transmission hump didn't fit well after the tub is attached to the firewall. The opening in the floor seemed to be a hair to large. And didn't mesh up to well to the firewall even after liberal application of the hammer. Then there is the constant hassle of having to isolate steel preventing electrolysis. These are just my opinions and the tubs are heavy duty but for the money I'ld more than likely go steel.

Lee, Before you go the Aqualu route you need to read this guy's story. http://members.dencity.com/landcruiser/main.html

Thanks for the info nichols, and the interesting link/article John.

Allright!! the POR comes alive for me.. I knew it was out there... Thanks.. I am still torn on the tub though.. That web site was great, and even he said the tub was top notch.. I will be looking into this much more, and the decision will be abour a year from now.. Rabid.. The truck that will be getting the work is not my burned 77, but Nick (he had a mustard 40 and led one of the hard core runs..) has my New FJ-40 project truck.. I will try to show some pictures I have of it, but I need to go up and see how bad the tub is.. Going on the fact that there are no rockers, or quarters to speak of in the photos I have.. I don't give much hope to the rest of it... I really apreciate everybodys help in this, and please keep it comming!
~Lee <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">

just me, or does anyone else hate the look of their fenders, though?

I'll tell you what I was NOT impressed at all with, it was Aqualu's rear drop-down tailgate with the storage box. The fit and finish was pretty poor, the welds all right but interrupted in places, the lid on the box wasn't flush, the installation of the paddle latches pretty crude.
Rust is a bitch, when I was doig my trailer project in Arizona I would wire-wheel for a few hours, then push the trailer back under the carport, and then come out three days later to wire-wheel some more, without *any* rust having formed on the bare metal. In the year I've been back East the Princess is starting to show nicks and patches of orange, I HATE that sh*t.

Originally posted by 60seriesguy:
<STRONG>I'll tell you what I was NOT impressed at all with, it was Aqualu's rear drop-down tailgate with the storage box. The fit and finish was pretty poor, the welds all right but interrupted in places, the lid on the box wasn't flush, the installation of the paddle latches pretty crude.
Rust is a bitch, when I was doig my trailer project in Arizona I would wire-wheel for a few hours, then push the trailer back under the carport, and then come out three days later to wire-wheel some more, without *any* rust having formed on the bare metal. In the year I've been back East the Princess is starting to show nicks and patches of orange, I HATE that sh*t.</STRONG>

I hate that sh*t too, and it's even worse up north. This is one of the reasons I'm still leaning towards the aluminum tub. Even if you get a rust free CA tub (or patch your existing tub) and do a great job painting it with the best paint you will probably start seeing rust within a few years in Upstate NY if you wheel it.

It would suck to go through all the expense and effort to install a new tub only to have it rusting out again in few years.

Fjsrule & HC, I got to agree with you both. Aqualu did a great job on the fenders until the get to the front and then they didn't finish them. The tailgate in concept is excellent but real world I'ld rather have it in the floor. I agree HC, the box needs to be flush and hinged differently.

Yep.. those fenders just don't look right. Kinda look like heep fenders...

Buy this truck- ship it out (roughly $1000?- my parents paid $750 to get a car shipped from cali to mass).
You could sell off a bunch of the parts and still have a nice solid truck to deal with.
Hell, the rust free HT and doors will get you more than half of the asking cost out here.

I think you will be much happier in the long run.

Look at that truck. We are really on the wrong coast.

I am a dumb-ass. Here is the link.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=011895

If the link doesn't work, it is in the for sale section.

hey fj40 people i have a alum. cowl from aqualu for sale and i live in ma.

hey fj40 people i have a alum. cowl from aqualu for sale and i live in ma.

Sweet dude:laughing:
This is the oldest thread I have seen in a while.

what would you like for the cowl???

kevin

I'll bump this one again.
Anyone know the weight difference between the ALuminum tubs and firewalls vs. stock steel??
I'm looking to cut a little more weight on my rig and was thinking of going aluminum. Of course..I would much rather find a used/dented/scratched one than paying for a brand new tub to go thrash. Anybody got a scratch and dent special sitting around:D

I'll bump this one again.
Anyone know the weight difference between the ALuminum tubs and firewalls vs. stock steel??
I'm looking to cut a little more weight on my rig and was thinking of going aluminum. Of course..I would much rather find a used/dented/scratched one than paying for a brand new tub to go thrash. Anybody got a scratch and dent special sitting around:D

I can tell you my Aluminum tub is light but I dont know how big of a difference there is, I would guess 300 pounds but it may be more? I can get it on and off the truck by myself.