Complete Side Panel for 55-75 CJ5??

I have scoured the web looking for a complete side panel for my 55 CJ5. I have purchased alot of repair panels from Classic, but for the side, they only have strip repair patches. Im able to find the post 75 CJ5 panel, but even those seem to be just flat pieces.

Im looking for the complete panel - that is from the cowl to the door over the rear wheel and all the way to the rear corner where it ties in to the tailight panel.

Does anyone know any sources?

Also, what is the purpose of indention above the rear wheel?

Just an FYI, the pic I added is a cropped image from a tub. This is what Im looking for.

 

I don't know if the panel you seek is available like that, all in one piece, good luck! Might try Jeep Panels Plus, but I'd bet that's several pieces, not just one. But I certainly don't know for sure.

The indents are leftovers from the M38A1, there was a bracket that mounted there for the canvas top bows. I have a photo somewhere.

 

My 69 had a replacement panel on the passenger side when I got it (about 3, 4 years ago), all one piece. So its out there but couldn't tell ya where it came from.

 

The only difference pre76-post75 should be the indent for the top bows. You could cut that out from your existing side panels and patch it in to the new panel.

Those complete side panels were available from Jeep back when these vehicles were in production. Possible there is some NOS out there for the right price. I saw someone had one NOS CJ-6 side panel a few years ago... don't recall who it was. Likely someone like Zack at Z&M Jeeps that bought out a whole inventory of NOS stuff. You could try him. He may have some suggestions of where other NOS stuff is located. Won't be cheap...

MD Juan, located in the PI, makes complete new bodies and should be able to provide that panel, if they have a way to get it to you. Check with retailers of Jeep bodies and see if they can get panels.

I would humbly ask what is so bad about your Jeep body that you can use a panel like this. These panels were sold in the day for collision repair. Classic enterprises sells the strip panels because that's what's most useful for making rust repairs on old Jeep bodies. If you are moderately skilled, you should be able to repair even a severely rusted Jeep with plain sheet steel. Jeep bodies are mostly flat surfaces and simple curves; the areas with compound curves are not often rusted away.

Also, if your Jeep's body is so rusted that you need the complete side panel, you may be better off to look for a more easily restored body out west or think about purchasing a fiberglass or steel replacement body. Unfortunately there are more good chassis remaining than there are good bodies, so it may not make economic sense to try and resurrect a very rusty CJ-5. It would almost certrainly be cheaper in the long run to start with a different Jeep with a more solid body, and part out the rusty one. When you have to buy a lot of commercially made panels, things get expensive quickly.

Realize that a repop complete steel body costs about $3000. You can buy a pretty good Jeep for that much, if you shop around. Use this as a data point in your decision.

Not trying to be negative, but instead trying to clarify your options. First post - welcome from Boston! It will be helpful to fill out your user profile with your location, and put details about your Jeep or Jeeps in your signature file.

 

Thanks timgr. I definitively have the capability of welding in some patch panels however my problem is that the PO (a farmer for 40 years) sandwiched the entire '55 CJ tub tub with fiberglass some time ago. Since then, the fiberglass is now cracked/dry rotted and peeling away. The steel develops condensation when the fiberglass is curing and it remains there. Now, the metal (what lefts of it) looks like swiss cheese on both side panels.

The only reason I asked is it would be very difficult to make those CJ5 panels since they have those extra curves and indentions. Unlike the CJ2/CJ3 where the panel is strictly flat along the side.

Apart from the area underneath the door, the CJ2/CJ3 should share the same dimensions of the CJ5 from the door to the taillight panel correct?

 

Nope, pretty sure it's different.

Where are you located? That's important re sources.

Sounds like you are ready to do a bunch of cutting and pasting.

I recall that J&W in Antelope CA is cutting up CJ-5 tubs for panels. You might give them a call. I'd also look around for a good used tub - they come up occasionally, but it seems less and less often. Check Craig's List via the consolidation sites, and for-sale forums like here, jeepforum, the Willystech parts forum, etc. Usually the floors and "rockers" rot out before the sides and cowl, so some tub that somebody else considers too far gone might provide what you need. And the exterior metal of a '76 and up CJ-5 tub with a tailgate will work too, except for the top bow indent.

I'd also look for an inexpensive tub donor, if I wanted to preserve the '55.

 

I will look tonight, but I had ran across a set as your looking for on Craig's list last weekend. I should have booked marked them on my iPad. Iirc he is asking 300$ for them or trade for other parts. I'm in the Kansas City area and look in Kansas also if your wanting to look for your self before I get home. I need to post these ads as I find them here before I forget about them as others are in need of hard to find parts
Looks to have expired from favorites list on cl. I'm still looking in case I did not favorite it.

 

Thanks man. I cant find the listing under KC craigslist. Were you able to find it?

 

I'm looking in kc, stlouis, and Wichita ks. I'm thinking that it could be under jeep, cj, cj5 or cj-5. Can't recall for sure as I check lots of different searches on cl. I will keep looking. Sorry I spoke up before I had my ducks in a row. Feeling obligated to finding it now.

 

Ill help ya out... Pm incoming.

 

Nah brother! No obligation! Just a followup. No rush my friend