1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

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allenj20
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:16 pm

1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by allenj20 »

Hi Folks,

New guy here, Names Allen and I live in Colorado. I just took possession of this J3000 this last weekend. I have always wanted one and finally pulled the trigger on one I found. It's a 1965 J3000 4x4 with the 327 Vigilante motor. I also have a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

The new truck runs and drives but is hard to get started. Goes pretty good once started but is hard to start. I tested the alternator and battery and they both seemed fine so I pulled a plug and tested for spark and the spark looks weak to me. So first thing on the agenda is to go through the ignition system. Parts are on order and should be here by the weekend.

I will need advice on a lot of things. For example I need to get replacement sheet metal for the bed corners as they are rotted out. Does anyone know where I can get replacement panels for the bed corners? I looked at BJs offroad and did not see the corners but maybe I am missing it.

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Last edited by allenj20 on Tue Oct 15, 2019 4:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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mud89
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Location: Burgundy, France

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by mud89 »

Welcome !
I have a 65 wagoneer with the 327 too
Got some issues with the original carb, i bought a new one a few months ago
Unfortunately i don't see the pictures
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle

will e
Posts: 5096
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by will e »

Howdy from Phoenix and Welcome! It sounds like a pretty cool truck! I can't see the pics either (yet). When you say 'hard starting' is it cranking slow? Does it start but die until it is warm? Do you have to crank forever until it starts? We can help if you provide some more symptoms.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

Topic author
allenj20
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:16 pm

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by allenj20 »

Can anyone see the pictures now? I tried to use my dropbox account but apparently they are being uptight about public image hosting.

So on the hard starting the symptoms are lot's of cranking before it finally catches.

BCRAWLER
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Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:11 pm
Location: Vancouver Island,BC

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by BCRAWLER »

I can see the pictures. Pretty truck. Thinking fuel issue or choke not working.
1980 Cherokee,360/727/208, propane powered,unknown lift,31' Adventuro's on Chevy rims,Warn winch
1980 J10,360/standard/208, stepside
1970 GMC 4X4 Pickup, 78 frame, 84 350, Turbo 350/205, patina galore
1986 Blazer K5, 350/205/465 trans
1990 Cherokee XJ, about to scrap for FSJ parts, gone to parts graveyard in sky

twisted frame
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Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by twisted frame »

Nice looking J3000! On the long cranking issue, the carb bowl could be draining every time the truck sits so the fuel pump needs to fill it up each time you try and start it. Does the carb still have a choke on it? It should, but sometimes people remove them. The float in the carb could also have a little hole in it causing it to sink in the float bowl and mess up the level of fuel in the bowl.

You can usually find new floor pans and rockers for J trucks but nothing else, as far as sheet metal goes. Best bet is to post up in the Wanted section on this board or contact some of the FSJ specialty part sellers out there. I've seen good comments on Jeep Recyclers' facebook page but I've never bought from them.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.

shortbus4x4
Posts: 84
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:44 pm

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by shortbus4x4 »

Bad gas will also cause hard starts. It might run on old gas but getting it started can be a challenge.

Topic author
allenj20
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2019 8:16 pm

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by allenj20 »

Thanks for the thoughts on the hard start. Sounds like consensus is fuel issue. I was thinking it's either fuel or spark. Decided to start with spark and then fuel. It has a Holley 2 barrel carb on it and it does have a choke which I was using. Just thought though I never checked to see if the cable was hooked up on the carb end. Probably should do that. When it is running seems to run stinky rich to me and the one plug I pulled seemed to agree with that being black and sooty. Not sure if it is properly jetted for this altitude or not. Most carbs are not from stock and a lot of folks just run them without re-jetting.

I will take a closer look at the carb might just get a new one any recommendations there?
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tgreese
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Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by tgreese »

Holley 2Vs are super easy to rebuild. I would not diagnose; I'd just buy a kit and do it. If the bowl gaskets or power valve are leaky, the float bowl will drain at the rate of the leak. With a dry bowl, the fuel pump has to fill the bowl before the engine will fire. Note that your open element air cleaner will make the float bowl gas evaporate through the bowl vents much faster than it would with the factory air cleaner. These air cleaners are noisy too - you can hear the whoosh of air entering the carb with an open element.

Evaporation will be like a couple of days with the open element filter and warm weather; original air cleaner would likely be a week or more. If it's faster than that, likely the gas is leaking out somewhere.

Let it sit for a day or two, give it a shot of starter fluid, and see if it fires fast. If so, likely you are draining the bowl somehow.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
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illbdipt
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Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2013 7:44 am

Re: 1965 Jeep Gladiator J3000

Post by illbdipt »

what type of radiator is that I see in the picture ? is that the one bj's offers ? does she run cool ? mine runs hot in the summer with the old stock radiator
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