1970 Gladiator Restomod

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Yeller
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Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Something happened today:D

Anyone need/want any of the old drive train parts?
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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

mike472
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Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:57 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by mike472 »

hello, thinking of doing something similar with the rear springs, already have a dana 60 rear out of a dodge, did you use chevy spring hangers on the outside of the frame, can you possibly take some pics of the placement, thank you, following with interest your 6.0 swap also
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Thank for the comments. I made some custom hangers, I’ll see if I can remember to get some pics. As for placement I measured the new springs down their length from the center pin to the center of the eye and while the original axle was still in the truck transferred that measurement to the frame from the center pin. Mounted the spring perches there 1-1/2” below the originals to get the desired height I was after.

Just be aware if you are working on a j truck and you are running the original gas tank a rear axle out of a dodge will not fit, it will not clear the tank. If you have removed that tank it will be fine.
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

mike472
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:57 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by mike472 »

thank you for the info, I am planning on putting the tank behind the axle, the dana 60 is already mounted from PO, the tank is on the side, according to the PO it was not a stock J truck tank, but a poly tank possibly from another Jeep, he could not remember. I think I would like a tank in the neighborhood of 25 gal, I have a rebuilt 5.3 and 4l60e with adapted dana300 to put in. The closed knuckle dana 44 is getting replaced with a rebuilt chevy 44 and I will need to move the springs under the frame. It has a homemade shackle reversal in the front now and blocks in the rear which I would like to get rid of along with a better ride in the rear, and that I think would come from the 63 inch chevy springs
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

I remembered pics :P

The rear shackle mounts need some sport to keep the frame from flexing which they will get when I get to the new bumper and hitch, probably not necessary but I’ll feel better. And yes the removal of the frame mounts is a bit hack but they are out of the way, one day I’ll pull the bed and spend the necessary time to clean them off completely. I did contemplate doing a shackle flip but it gave me more lift than I was wanting. The rear shackles are bolted to factory holes in the frame.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask, I’ll do my best to answer.
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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

mike472
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2020 6:57 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by mike472 »

Ahh, I see how you did that, thanks for the pics, a bit more than I am capable of, I think, I may have to go with the stock chevy brackets, the only other concern I have is the spring on mine sits very close to the inner tire right now and I'm running 31s, planning to go to 33s. That may mean I need to go under the frame, dunno yet
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Mine are 3/4” from the tire which is more than enough but I have 33/12.50’s.

Looking at the pics reminds me I need to add stops to keep the shackles from inverting when the rear droops out.
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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BaldBeardedBastard
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Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2016 2:52 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by BaldBeardedBastard »

Hey Yeller! Love the build. I read through but didn't see it(not saying it's not there, just that I am not too quick for the slow)- what locker did you go with?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

'86 GW Cummins 2.8/4l60E. Hopefully bouncing down a dusty road somewhere.
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Yeller
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Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Thanks BaldBeardedBastard! I used a Grizzly in the D60. They have their quirks but I have decades of experience with them and am comfortable with the associated noises that come with it and the caveman simplicity fits me.
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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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Getting things together. Mocked up motor mounts and the notorious broken manifold bolts out. This one had 4, one on each corner. 1 was removed with vice grips, the other 3 required welding. Transmission and harness will be ready this week, will go fast once I have those items.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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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BaldBeardedBastard
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Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2016 2:52 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by BaldBeardedBastard »

Yeller, you really need to slow down on the rate of progress- the rest of us are looking bad over here!!

Great to see it in there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

'86 GW Cummins 2.8/4l60E. Hopefully bouncing down a dusty road somewhere.
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Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

BaldBeardedBastard wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 8:27 pm Yeller, you really need to slow down on the rate of progress- the rest of us are looking bad over here!!

Great to see it in there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Just wait…. About to get to don’t sleep mode :shock: :D :D

Once the heavy fab work is done I’ll bring it over from the shop to the house garage (heated and cooled 8-) ) where I’ll pluck away when I literally can’t sleep, things tend to happen fast.
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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Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Motor in and brought it to the house for final assembly. I promise it will take more than a week :P
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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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BaldBeardedBastard
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2016 2:52 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by BaldBeardedBastard »

Man that looks good in there. Take a few weeks off after all that hard work- give me a chance to change a fitting or install a gauge to keep up!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

'86 GW Cummins 2.8/4l60E. Hopefully bouncing down a dusty road somewhere.
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Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Little progress, ok about 25 hours worth lol. Waiting on parts sucks…. My transmission still isn’t here waiting on parts that are unobtainable at the moment. But have everything done that I can do until more parts arrive.

Had to use a Trail Blazer manifold on the drivers side, had to locate the engine to that side to clear the front diff. It’s tight but it fits nicely. Also had to heavily modify the throttle pedal to fit and work. I wanted to get away from the floor mounted pedal and use an oem throttle cable for the engine. So I took the pedal that I removed from the donor van, the factory pedal parts from the fire wall and cut them up to make a pedal that fits and works. So far very happy how it’s all coming together, just need the rest of the parts to arrive.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Ready to fire if I can ever get a transmission :banghead: :banghead:

Power steering is bled and full. Fuel system is tested and has 58psi. Really hard to not throw on the starter and make noise lol
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Small success in preparation for cool things to come :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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
User avatar

BaldBeardedBastard
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2016 2:52 pm

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by BaldBeardedBastard »

Looks great and so close! Any word on the transmission?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

'86 GW Cummins 2.8/4l60E. Hopefully bouncing down a dusty road somewhere.
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Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

No but I’ll be talking to them tomorrow.
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
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

I can breathe at last. Had a busy evening :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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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