'70 Gladiator Build, what if...

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70 Gladiator
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'70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

So, what if Kaiser made the Gladiator in 1970? Lets say they wanted to go out in a big way with their last truck and make it more rugged, more aggressive, and the one to remember. That's what my build will be all about.
I want to make a " what If " 1970 Kaiser Gladiator 350.

This build begins with a 90% complete, 1970 Kaiser J-2000 SWB, Dauntless 350, floor shift 3-speed manual trans. It will start and run (on a good day) but braking is a problem.

I want to make it into a nice driver that looks like it could be a stock truck. Factory add-ons will include:
Champion Package-
6" spring-over suspension lift
Dauntless 350 V-8 with 4-bbl carburetor
15"x8" aluminum wheels (4)
35" all terrain tires

Dual exhaust (required with 4-bbl engine option)

CB Radio

Auxilary Gauge cluster

Chrome front bumper

Tournament Red

Special Build code- black interior trim

Pre-Sold order

Now that you see what's going through my head... how in the world am I going to pull this off! Here we go.
DSC01067.JPG
DSC01069.JPG
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[ O o \\|// o O ]
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by [ O o \\|// o O ] »

That's a good start but what about the crew cab option? That would be the, "Big way!"
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70 Gladiator
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

You're right, a crew cab would be big, but I was thinking about height. I have got a slow start due to rounding up supplies, tools, and figuring out where to work on it.

I will try to get some pictures up in the next couple of days of the progress.

Thanks!
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Stuka
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by Stuka »

Your truck is spring over from the factory. So you will just need 6" lift springs made for it.

Should be a really cool project though!
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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jaber
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by jaber »

Sounds like a fun build. Will be fun to watch. :-bd
Jeff

'46 cj3a
'51 Willys p/u
'51 Willys Parkway Conversion
'74 CJ5
'75 J-20 Wrecker
'75 J-20 Cummins service truck
'77 J-10 p/u
'79 Cherokee
'88 Grand Wagoneer
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

I worked on my wheels last night. My plan is to paint them charcoal metallic and then polish the fins and rim to bright aluminum.
Sanded on some smaller interior parts, and got the dash pocket lid in primer.

Thanks for the replys!
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70 Gladiator
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

I used a cordless drill and a 3M coarse rust and paint wheel to clean up the back side of my aluminum vectors.

Image


Here's a before and after...

Image

After I cleaned the back of the wheel, I put several coats of clear on. I hope the finish holds up over time.

Image

I hope to work on the front side sometime this weekend.
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70 Gladiator
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

Here's a shot of the Buick 350 4-bbl intake I picked up.

Image
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

I've hit a road block. I just found out it may be a while before I get a title in hand for my truck. I'm going to have to stop work on it till I know if I can get it fixed.
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

I got a little bit further on the disassembly this weekend. After getting everything unbolted, I used a tractor and a couple of high lift jacks to get the bed off.
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Now it's time to work on the frame and rear suspension.
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i was able to speak to the last registered owner, who bought it in 1977, and it looks like I will have a title in a few weeks.
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70 Gladiator
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

.....8 years later-

My 12 yr old has decided he wants to take over this build. He's dead set to have it ready for the road by his 16th birthday. So, it's alive again.

I left off at the title. I never did get it, so we will be applying for one in the coming weeks. Not much work has been done to it since my last post due to the title problem. Many things got put in front of it, as usual. But now since "G" wants to build it, we got it moved to the driveway and washed yesterday. We're going to create a "to-do" list of things that need to be done to get the build started. He is very eager to get started and has even told his mom and I that he wants parts and supplies for his Gladiator as Christmas presents.
Some questions that are going to come up for you guys are- vendors for SJ lifts, vendors for SJ sheet metal, advise on freshening up a dauntless 350.

My 16yr old and I just finished building him a 2000 Cherokee for his first vehicle. Let's hope "G" gets to experience it now with his first ground-up build.
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Stuka
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by Stuka »

Welcome back!

Look forward to seeing some updates. As for parts, BJ's Offroad is still the main source of FSJ specific parts. For a lift, being thats the '70, you will want to either talk to Hell Creek suspension, go with custom springs, or convert it to 76+ springs in the event you also want newer J10/J20 axles (stronger, better brakes, parts are easier to come by).
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Yeller
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by Yeller »

I’m building a 70 myself. It spent the majority of its live around Greenville SC until I transplanted it to Oklahoma. Looking forward to the progress!
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
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70 Gladiator
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

Hard to get much done when it's like this...
Snow day 2mp.jpg
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teking
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by teking »

I have a 5/4 ton Gladiator. The 3500 plus some you are looking for. M715 restomod. Check this out if you need ideas. Same truck different bed.

http://sites.google.com/view/M715/home

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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by 70 Gladiator »

Update(ish)..

"G" has been pushing the project along over the past few weeks. He wanted engine parts for his birthday (13 now) to get it running. We finally figured out it needed a new distributor too. I have to learn how to properly install a new distributor and hopefully get it running.

He has decided that he wants brake parts for Christmas. He's hoping I have it running in the next 10 days, and with the new brake parts, he'll be able to drive it around in the yard for the first time after Christmas.

The best I can tell, all "J-2000" trucks have the standard 11" rear drums. I'm going to source what I can locally and open to suggestions and advice.

My wife and I really want to see a smile on his face on Christmas morning. I hope I can pull this off.
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Re: '70 Gladiator Build, what if...

Post by sierrablue »

Good luck! Sounds like a cool guy--probably (much like I was) the only one in his class dreaming up a FSJ :D
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.
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