Fiberglass Body Question

I don't know about jeep fiberglass bodies, but I am somewhat familiar with fiberglass reproduction bodies for hot rods (32/33/34 ford, 40/41 Willys, etc.). Using encapsulated wood in the fiberglass structure is pretty common. If the wood looks like it was there when the body was constructed in the mold, it is probably fine. It it looks to be added later, I would be suspect. You can always buy a reproduction steel body or even an original steel body if you thing the chassis setup is work the dollars.

Welcome to the page, SNOW5022!  Some 'glass tubs had (have?) plywood or balsa blocks embedded in the main structure for support, but the wood is not readily visible.  If you're seeing wooden support, Bubba has just used what was available with no regard for future deterioration.  This kind of "engineering" should be replaced ASAP.

SNOW5022 wrote: Ol’ Unreliable, That is my concern too.  Here a couple pictures. Thanks Steve

That does not look right. The wood should be encapsulated in fiberglass to keep the moisture out and we would hope that there should be some rubber in there to take up some of the flex. I have driven some fiberglass cars and they are built to be as stiff as possible. They corner better that way. I'm not sure if a Jeep frame and a fiberglass body play well together unless you do it correctly.

Looks to me they just used blocks to create lift or bridge the gaps. Some of the glass bodies didn't follow the exact contours of the originals. So folks had to get creative. Not the best solution, but I've seen it before. 

Thanks for the numerous helpful replies.  Here is a picture showing how wood has been placed in the floor wells.   Glass underneath is not cracked or broken.  Who knows? Someone’s “good idea” from years ago? Frame seems solid enough.  So Maybe I will take the plunge.  Idea is a father son project. I am a reasonable mechanic but don’t know how to weld.