Tub replacement or fix

I do have a MIG welder and plenty of fab supplies. I've never been much of a body guy, it would at least keep me busy. I'm fast approaching "tub time", the rolling chassis and drive train is nearly complete. The only thing I'm going to outsource is the paint work, I know a friend of a friend who can get me a good deal on a paint job. I took some measurements, the tub is pretty flat and square I'll probably just "bite the bullet" and re-use it. Most of the patches are going to be easy, except for the big dent in the cowl and the sides. They are all wavy / wobbly all the way to the lip of the door, the right side is especially bad. (Hence, the side I have the tub resting on since I didn't care)

If I cut and patch everything myself from steel, the only parts I'm looking at buying are the sides from Classic Enterprises. They aren't the full length sides like in some of the catalogs, plus they have the Jeep stamping which is nice. $145 ea. I could buy the nice stamped floors too, but then again flat steel would be cheaper and I wouldn't see it anyways after I carpet the interior.

 

or the feeling of hot sparks down your shoes

 

Or welding in the cross legged position in shorts....I was helping a buddy, thank the lord it wasn't menelson haha

 

I know this is an old tread but..... what was the end result? I got to digging into a new to me cj5 which I knew needed some body work , and found the hat channels on the driver side really rusted out. I'm entertaining the idea of a new steel tub but wondering if they fit right, or what to expect. I'm ok with spending a few extra bucks on the project than I planned ( One can rationalize just about anything). The frame is really nice, and everything looks original, so I'd like to keep it that way. Any thoughts?

 

Hello from north and west of you,Akron NY....classic enterprise has real good replacement panels,I have some front fenders that need a home....its a lot of work, but not horrible to patch a body up....and replacement bodys are not real good quality

 

Classic Enterprise has the best designed hat channel floor reinforcements available. Not too hard to replace them, easier if you remove the tub but I have seen it done from underneath.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm under the impression that they would have to be fabricated, but they look like a complicated bend/form. I could make something but it would bug me if they weren't really close to original. The rest , floor pans and utility box I think I could handle. After reading up on the aftermarket, repair should at least be given a try.

 

By the way, point taken considering welding clothing attire

 

I hate rust. I'd sooner buy an aftermarket or rust free tub.

 

OP here. I started off with the intention of repairing the tub, but kept finding more rust. I tried giving it away but ultimately it ended up being scrapped. A few months later I found a used tub for a couple hundred bucks that had zero rust.