Used Jeep CJ7 Tubs For Sale: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Inspecting, and Restoring Your Classic Icon

Used Jeep CJ7 Tubs For Sale: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Inspecting, and Restoring Your Classic Icon jeeps.truckstrend.com

The Jeep CJ7, produced from 1976 to 1986, stands as a legendary icon in the off-roading world. Its rugged simplicity, open-air freedom, and undeniable charm have cemented its place in automotive history. For many enthusiasts, owning a CJ7 is a dream, and for those who already do, keeping it on the road is a passion. However, decades of off-road adventures, exposure to the elements, and general wear and tear often lead to a common nemesis: rust. When the original body tub succumbs to corrosion beyond repair, the search for a "Used Jeep CJ7 Tub For Sale" becomes a critical quest for restoration, custom builds, or simply keeping a beloved classic alive.

This comprehensive guide will delve into every aspect of acquiring a used CJ7 tub, from understanding its importance to meticulous inspection, purchasing tips, and the rewarding journey of restoration. Whether you’re bringing a rusted project back to life or embarking on a custom build, finding the right tub is the cornerstone of your endeavor.

Used Jeep CJ7 Tubs For Sale: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Inspecting, and Restoring Your Classic Icon

Why Invest in a Used CJ7 Tub?

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the compelling reasons why a used CJ7 tub is often the preferred, or even only, viable option for many enthusiasts:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Brand new, reproduction steel tubs can be prohibitively expensive, often costing several thousand dollars before shipping. Used tubs, even those requiring significant work, are typically a fraction of that price, making restoration projects more financially feasible.
• Authenticity for Restorations: For purists aiming for a historically accurate restoration, an original used steel tub, even if repaired, maintains the vehicle’s authentic character. While new reproduction tubs are available, they sometimes have minor differences in stamping or material thickness.
• Availability: While new reproduction tubs exist, finding them in stock and without a long lead time can be challenging. Used tubs, though requiring diligent searching, offer a broader market of available options.
• Project Potential: A used tub, regardless of its initial condition, offers a blank canvas for customization. It allows builders to reinforce weak points, add custom features, or simply learn valuable fabrication and bodywork skills.
• Environmental Responsibility: Reusing an existing tub contributes to sustainability by extending the life cycle of automotive parts and reducing demand for new manufacturing.

Where to Find Used CJ7 Tubs For Sale

The hunt for a used CJ7 tub requires patience and a multi-pronged approach. Here are the most common and effective places to look:

1. Online Marketplaces:

   • eBay: A global marketplace where tubs often appear. Be prepared for high shipping costs if the seller isn’t local. Use specific search terms like "Jeep CJ7 tub," "CJ7 body," or "CJ7 frame."
   • Craigslist: Excellent for local finds, minimizing shipping costs. Search in your area and surrounding regions. Always arrange to view the tub in person if possible.
   • Facebook Marketplace & Jeep Groups: Facebook has numerous dedicated Jeep CJ/Wrangler groups. These communities are often the best place to find tubs, as sellers are typically fellow enthusiasts who understand the value and nuances of these parts. Post "wanted" ads and monitor listings regularly.

2. Specialized Jeep Forums and Classifieds: Websites like Jeepforum.com, Pirate4x4.com, and other dedicated CJ-specific forums often have classified sections where members sell parts. These platforms connect you directly with knowledgeable sellers.

3. Salvage Yards & Junkyards: While increasingly rare to find intact CJ7s in standard junkyards, specialized off-road or classic car salvage yards might yield results. Call ahead to inquire about their inventory. Be prepared for potentially significant rust due to outdoor storage.

4. Local Off-Road Shops & Restoration Businesses: Shops that specialize in Jeep restoration or custom builds might have tubs in stock from past projects or know of local sources. They may also offer services to repair or prepare a tub you find elsewhere.

5. Word of Mouth & Local Ads: Networking with local Jeep clubs, attending swap meets, or placing "wanted" ads in community papers can sometimes lead to unexpected finds from private sellers.

What to Look For: The Crucial Inspection Checklist

Finding a tub is only half the battle; ensuring it’s a worthwhile investment is the other. A thorough inspection is paramount, whether in person or via detailed photos/videos.

• 1. The Rust Epidemic: This is the primary enemy of CJ7 tubs. Focus your inspection on these critical areas:

  • Floorboards: Especially under the pedals, seats, and in the rear cargo area. Look for soft spots, holes, or extensive patchwork.
  • Body Mounts: Inspect where the tub bolts to the frame. These areas are notorious for rusting out, compromising structural integrity.
  • Cowl and Windshield Frame Area: Water tends to collect here, leading to rust, especially around the hinges.
  • Wheel Wells and Inner Fenders: Mud and moisture accumulate here, causing rust from the inside out.
  • Tailgate Opening and Rear Crossmember: Water and dirt get trapped, leading to rot.
  • Differentiate Surface Rust vs. Structural Rust: Surface rust is flaky and often manageable with sanding/blasting. Structural rust has eaten through the metal, leaving holes or severely thinned areas, requiring welding and panel replacement.

• 2. Damage and Previous Repairs:

  • Dents and Dings: Minor cosmetic dents are easy to fix. Large, creased dents might indicate a significant impact and could be harder to straighten.
  • Previous Welds/Patches: Inspect any repair work. Are the welds clean and solid, or do they look like amateur patchwork? Look for excessive body filler, which can hide underlying issues.
  • Straightness: Is the tub warped or bent? Check body lines and panel gaps (if it comes with doors/hood) for alignment. A severely tweaked tub can be a nightmare to work with.

• 3. Originality and Completeness:

  • CJ7 vs. YJ: Ensure it’s genuinely a CJ7 tub. While YJ tubs can be adapted, they require modifications to fit a CJ7 frame and accessories. CJ7 tubs have a specific dash shape, larger wheel openings (compared to early CJs), and typically a single fuel filler door.
  • Included Components: Does it come with the dash, glove box, tailgate, door hinges, windshield frame, or is it a bare tub? More complete tubs might save you time and money, but factor in their condition.

• 4. Drain Plugs: Often overlooked, but critical for water drainage. Ensure they are present and the surrounding metal isn’t rusted out.

Pro Tip: Bring a small magnet. If it doesn’t stick, you’re likely dealing with a thick layer of body filler or even fiberglass on a steel tub.

Types of Used CJ7 Tubs

While the term "tub" generally refers to the main body shell, understanding the material types available in the used market is crucial:

• Original Steel Tubs (OEM): These are the most common used tubs you’ll find. They offer authentic fitment and are preferred for purist restorations. However, they are highly susceptible to rust and often require significant metalwork.
• Aftermarket Steel Reproduction Tubs: Sometimes, these new tubs are purchased but never installed, or partially installed and then sold. They are built to original specifications but often with improved corrosion resistance. They command a higher price, even used.
• Fiberglass Tubs (Aftermarket): These are popular for custom builds or in areas with high rust potential. They are lighter, completely rust-proof, and often easier to repair (using fiberglass repair kits). However, they can crack under stress, don’t "feel" as original, and may require more effort to achieve perfect panel gaps. Used fiberglass tubs should be inspected for stress cracks, especially around mounting points.
• Aluminum Tubs (Aftermarket/Custom): Very rare in the used market, aluminum tubs are lightweight and rust-proof. They are typically custom-fabricated and command a premium price even new. Finding one used would be a stroke of luck and likely very expensive.

The Buying Process: Tips for a Smooth Transaction

Once you’ve identified a potential tub, here’s how to navigate the purchase:

• Ask Detailed Questions: Don’t be shy. Inquire about the tub’s history, where it was stored, known rust areas, previous repairs, and why the seller is parting with it.
• Request High-Resolution Photos/Videos: If an in-person inspection isn’t possible, demand numerous clear, well-lit photos from all angles, especially close-ups of potential problem areas (floorboards, body mounts, wheel wells). Ask for a video walkthrough.
• Negotiate Price: Used parts prices are often flexible. Do your research on what similar tubs in comparable condition have sold for. Be prepared to walk away if the price is too high for the tub’s condition.
• Factor in Shipping Costs: This is often the hidden killer. Tubs are large and heavy, requiring freight shipping. Get quotes from multiple carriers. Local pickup is always preferred. If shipping, ensure the seller can properly crate or palletize the tub for safe transport.
• Secure Payment Methods: For local transactions, cash is common. For distant purchases, use secure methods like PayPal Goods & Services (offers buyer protection, but has fees), or a wire transfer for trusted sellers after thorough verification. Avoid methods with no recourse.
• Get a Bill of Sale: Even for a tub, a simple bill of sale documenting the item, price, date, and seller/buyer info is good practice.

Restoration and Preparation of a Used Tub

Acquiring a used tub is just the beginning. The real work begins with its restoration and preparation for installation.

1. Thorough Cleaning: Degrease, pressure wash, and scrub the tub inside and out to remove all dirt, grime, and loose rust.
2. Rust Removal: This is the most labor-intensive step.
   • Media Blasting: The most effective method for stripping paint and rust down to bare metal.
   • Grinding/Wire Wheeling: For localized rust spots.
   • Rust Converters/Encapsulators: Products that convert rust into a stable, paintable surface (for surface rust only, not structural).
3. Patching and Welding: For areas with structural rust or holes, cut out the bad metal and weld in new steel patches. This requires welding skills and proper metal fabrication. Common areas for patching include floorboards, body mounts, and inner fender wells.
4. Body Filler and Sanding: Once metalwork is complete, use minimal body filler to smooth out imperfections and create a straight surface. Extensive sanding is required to prepare for primer.
5. Primer and Paint: Apply a high-quality epoxy primer for corrosion protection, followed by multiple coats of automotive-grade paint. Consider a bed liner material for the interior floor and underside for added durability and rust prevention.
6. Undercoating/Sound Deadening: Applying undercoating to the underside protects against road debris and moisture. Sound deadening material (mats or spray-on) inside the tub can significantly reduce road noise and heat.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

• Challenge: Finding a "Good" Tub: Many available tubs are severely rusted.
  • Solution: Be patient, expand your search radius, and be willing to travel or pay for shipping. Sometimes, a tub with good body lines but rusted floors is easier to repair than one with tweaked panels but solid floors.
• Challenge: Hidden Rust/Damage: What looks good in photos might hide serious issues.
  • Solution: Insist on detailed photos/videos, ask for specific close-ups, and if possible, arrange an in-person inspection. Budget for unexpected repairs.
• Challenge: High Shipping Costs: Freight shipping can be hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.
  • Solution: Prioritize local finds. Get multiple shipping quotes. Consider a "shipping buddy" if someone else needs parts from the same region.
• Challenge: Matching Parts: Sometimes, a used tub might have slight variations from your original, or require new hardware.
  • Solution: Research compatibility. Be prepared for minor modifications or sourcing new hardware.
• Challenge: VIN/Title Issues: Tubs themselves do not typically carry a VIN. The VIN is on the frame.
  • Solution: This is generally not an issue for a tub purchase. Ensure you retain your original frame and its VIN for vehicle registration purposes.

Used Jeep CJ7 Tub Price Guide

Pricing for used CJ7 tubs varies drastically based on condition, material, completeness, and location. This table provides a general estimate:

| Condition Category | Material Type | Estimated Price Range (USD) | Common Issues & Notes