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To replace or repair the tub

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2.3K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  rovertrader  
#1 ·
I'm sure this is somewhere, yet I can't seem to find it on the interwebs. I'm starting the restore of my 1989 Ninety, and I'm trying to decide whether to replace the tub. Other than the cappings, the loadspace floor needs replacing and where the door check attaches to the tub is torn. How hard is it to swap one of these things out?
 

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#2 ·
Depends what you mean by hard. It's not super hard, but it's very time consuming. Especially dealing with all the old fasteners that will be rusted/corroded to hell.
You'll also find a lot more work you want to do when it's off.....

Check out some of the build threads and you'll get a better idea what it entails. I rebuilt my tub with a new floor (off the truck) and it was tedious, but awesome now that it's done.




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#3 ·
First thing is to unf*ck that chrome license plate lamp, Airborne!

Being in NC, there are a lot of Defender guys about. Aski somebody to come over and do a thourough assessment of the truck. Figure out if frame needs work. See where body needs help. Then you will know your baseline.

In looking at your pics, that tub is done.

You are looking at all new cappings, sides, rear panels, and this is without seeing floor/
The bolts for the rear into the crossmember under the door are missing, means the steel angle under there is prob shot. The rear panels and side panels are all starting to corrode and have damage.

More pics would help:
Inside the truck, where the seat belt bolt to floor.
Directly under that where the seatbelt bolts come thru, and the sill bolts to B pillar.
Hate to say it, but front of sill, where the bulkhead and sill connect.

This will help people here to give better advice. And who knows, someone might have a tub, or cappings laying around.
 
#6 ·
If you have a lot of time and space anything can be saved. I have been fixing a 110 3 door tub that didn't look too bad. Replacing the floor was probably the easiest part of it. Cutting out corroded aluminum to get to stuff I could weld, cutting the pieces and the patch work was tough. But I gained a lot of experience with it.

I am not sure what your budget is but I would get one of those NTO tubs with the Puma seat forms. Those Puma lock n folds are nice and the must be the safest option for hauling passengers in the back of a 90.

Another option is to get a tub that needs less work. Restore that tub when you have time and the swap it for your current tub in a day or 2.

Whatever direction you go I would coat the heck out of the bottom components. It seems LR made the bottom of the tubs to collect and hold dirt and moisture.
 
#8 ·
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help. I know this thing is rough, including that license plate lamp. I've had the truck in at Flying Circus. Toby says I can save a lot, but he agrees that tub is pretty shot. What it would cost in my time and effort, I'll probably just replace. I will definitely be in the market for a tub in short order and hit you guys up. Thanks for the expertise.

Dale, when it warms up I'll hop on the bike and definitely take you up on that.