Paul Pilgrim's Tubs - Why they are Better than Ever...
Recently we met with Paul Pilgrim to discuss how he is making his Land Cruiser Body Tubs better than ever and he had this to say:

"The steel we are getting now comes from the States. U.S. steel is of much higher quality and every sheet is the same quality. No more seconds being slid into the order like is commonly done in Central and South America. These are the first tubs that I've built with high quality 18 gauge, zinc coated U.S. sheet metal. This zinc coated sheet metal is a highly corrosion / rust resistant metal that has a high mix of zinc and is also finished with a zinc top coating. Because of the zinc coating the metal does not need to be primed and one could paint directly to the metal if they choose. Only the flash welds would theoretically need to be treated and etch primed."

Paul has said that he added all new production spot welders to his line that produce an extremely accurate burn which produces super strong even joints.

Paul has remade and perfected about 70% of his presses and jigs that he used last year for fewer hand built parts and for perfect assembly fit.

For example, the gas tank well used to be made by hand; now the well is pressed. The inner wheel well was two piece (more cost effective); now it is a one piece panel that mates / fits up to the assembly with perfection.

Paul said, "It's taken about 19 years to be able to get to this stage of quality production. All of my tubs are hand assembled, in jigs. This takes time but we guarantee that the fit is perfect. If the tub does not fit, then your chassis is out of line."

"Each tub is jigged 3 times around the shop to make sure that the final product is good and square before it's shipped. The 1/2 tub is jigged. Then when the front pan is added ...it gets jigged again. Then as a complete assembly it is placed into a final jig and rechecked for alignment and fit all the way around."

In talking with Paul it's obvious that he is passionate about producing the highest quality Land Cruiser body parts to be found anywhere in the world.

He repeatedly says, "If your Customers could only see the precision of how each tub is made and feel how solidly they are constructed, then they'd only have the confidence to buy an original Pilgrim's tub with Serial Number above any other."

Stephen McClung
CCOT