I am currently restoring my '86 CJ-7 and can't decide whether I should get an aluminum or a fiberglass body tub.  I am not sure of the pros/cons of either one, so please help.  

Fiber glass is harder to wire because you need to run ground wires for every thing. If you now how to repair fiber glass you can do body work yourself. Aluminum is more expensive but stronger and easier to modify the tunnel for trans and transfercase mods. The aluminum tubs are stronger.  

I'd lean towards the aluminum tubs too.  stronger, and safer; in an accident, it wouldn't shatter like a glass.  Also, though I'm not certain of the numbers, I'd guess the aluminum tub to be lighter.

Shouldn't rule out reproduction steel tubs either.  more authentically accurate, and some sell the tubs with all the needed holes drilled and tapped.  I think they're more pricey, but the time saved might be worth it.  any listed would need painting.

I have an 86 CJ7 that I put a fiberglass tub and fenders on.  I wheel it hard and have very little damage to show for it.  It takes a beating fairly well.  I have smacked it into several branches and small trees and the only damage is scratches to the paint.  When I bought it the aluminum tubs were almost twice the price of fiberglass, I don't know how much difference there is now.  I think that fiberglass is easier to repair than aluminum would be.  Also, the fiberglass tubs now have all of the holes pre-cut or at least marked out for you.  If I had to do it again, I would still go with fiberglass.  Whatever you do, it's good to hear that you are keeping a CJ alive.  Hope this helps

86 CJ7-4.2L, Motorcraft 2150 carb, Hooker Hedder, Nutter Bypass, FG Tub & Fenders, rear D44 w/4.10's and a Detroit Trutrach Limited Slip, front D30 w/4.10's and Lock-rite.

GoGetMuddy

Heres what I can tell you. We did a restore on our 82 CJ7, we decided to go with the fiberglass body and flip-up nose. The body construction was great, sturdy, gusseted in all the stress points, will last forever. Here's the drawback... It was a *** load of work. You have to cut in ALL holes, I mean every nut/bolt, hinge, defroster vents, steering colume, heater, pedals, everything!!! Even the windsheild frame had to be reground 3 times before the glass fit properly. The local glass company didn't like us to much.  Actually I'm going to write to see if anyone has had experience in fitting the hard top to one of these bodys, this is a challenge.  If we had any idea for the money, we definitly would have gone to the steel body seeing how the jeeps garaged anyway, and the steel body comes ready to bolt everything back up. Probably the best spent money in the process was getting a threaded sleeve inserting tool. It's so you can drill the body and be able to secure a bolt to it without a nut. Good luck!  write if I can be of help.

I'm no electrician but how well does an Aluminum body carry ground?
From what I understand is that they use to use aluminum wires in home construction till they found out the aluminum wires would over heat and cause fires or something like that.  

I have three 1985 CJ7s 1st one I did an AJ's fiberglass body hood and fenders, very good quality, very strong bounced it of a stump in one off road excursion 5 times in the rocker below the door (my son was driving), I am not talking a little tap I am talking an uncontrolled sideways bounce off a root right into the stump. Resulted in a few barely noticeable spider cracks in the gelcoat but no weakening of the glass.

2nd one is a YJ tub swap real easy to do same qualities as a stock body including the rust arghhh!!!!

3rd is an Aqualu aluminum body. Very good quality (doors fit better than the fiberglass body) very strong. Coincidentally a buddy of mine was on the same run above that we hit the stump on with his aluminum tub and he hit the same stump and bent the rocker on his after one hit. He straightened it out quite easily though.

Both the aluminum and fiberglass require you to locate and drill all mounting holes. No additional grounding required on the aluminum (not a big deal to ground a fiberglass body) at the end of the day the choice is a matter of preference.

I have done three jeeps with AJ's tubs and probably would not have tried the aluminum if AJ's had not gone out of business. I have researched many fiberglass body manufacturers and non compare in strength to AJ's

If pressed to make a choice my preference would be aluminum. Why? Better fit of doors etc. more rigid when you slam the door, no itching when drilling all those holes. Also you could argue easier to repair if you know how to weld aluminum.

Just doing ny part to keep those CJ's alive.