I'll start with my story then get to my question. I have a 1971 that I redid (halfass) back in 2005. Last winter I decided to do a complete frame off and get everything done. I already planned on this taking a couple of years.. The frame has been sandblasted, painted and new 3 1/2" suspension is on. The body has minor dings, but I had cut out the floor pans in the front and bed needed replacement. I have since had the new pansd welded in. I do not really want to spend all the time on the body work or pay someone to do all the body work.

This bronco has been in my family since 1971. so....

Question is: Do I suck it up and just do the body work or get a fiberglass body and call it good. Pros and cons of each would be helpful..

Thanks

 

Does anyone have a recommendation?

 

Well here is the thing.... a fiberglass body is not a direct bolt in thing.... you have to drill and template the firewall, and on some of them drill the holes to mount it to the frame..... and then then you have that done you have to re-instlal you old core support to it....

Lastly, you have to prep the body, which means sanding though the gel coat and priming it and then taking care of the uneven spots and aligning the doors fenders, etc.....

They cost about four grand, and plus prep work and painting.....

Fiberglass has the advantage of that when you are done you wont have to worry about the fact that the jokers the designed these things neglected to put plastic inserts in the fenderwells to keep the water, mud, road grime, and salt from being kicked up into the wheel wells rusting your body apart.... and the fact the Ford seemed to love a leaky cowl...

If you plan to do a lot of wheeling then I would say stick with steel, because repairing cracked fiberglass is not fun....

If you are going to do the work yourself.... then I would say cost is cheapest to probably re-work your current tub.... if you are paying somebody else... then it might be a wash with costs....

What will really help out on a steel can is coating the inner areas of the fender with a good layer of 3M sprayable seam sealed from the air-gun shot spatter into the seams in there..... Especially in the rear....

 

Unless you're building a show truck, stay with what you got. If you don't have the time for the metal work, you sure don't have time for the fiberglass. Extremely labor entensive as they fit even worse than the repop parts you get.

 

Jeff has all the parts you need to keep it all steel.

If you go fiberglass get one already painted of look at more work ,

Post us up a picture so we can make a determination for ya.