1970 Gladiator Restomod

[rocklaurence]

Regarding the trailer, does it track with the vehicle--is there a calculation from rear trailer rear to hitch? Ive so bad, wanted a smaller trailer for the trail jeeps. Tell us more about the build of the 8K axle.

[Yeller]

I get a lot of questions about that trailer LOL. Had I been going further I would have done some strap reworking to reduce the tongue weight some.

I usually set the axle center line back 10% of the trailer deck length from center. So, a 14' trailer has the axle back 14" from center. It is probably a bit aggressive, but it has always resulted in a superbly pulling trailer. The axle is an 8k hybrid, it is an 8k axle with 12x2" brakes, it allows you to still have more than adequate braking with an 82" width between the fenders. Currently have approximately 45,000 miles on the trailer and couldn't be happier. Here's a link to the ideas and build process of the trailer, ask all the questions you would like, I'll do my best to answer them. If there is a lot of interest, we can do a separate thread.

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... -3.289535/

[Stuka]

Your trailer kind of reminds me of the one Fred (Dirt Every Day) has. Your will allow for longer vehicles though, as his was built for short wheel base TJ Jeeps. The single axle is so much nicer for towing though IMO. No side to side forces being applied to the tires/axle/suspension when turning.

[Yeller]

Your trailer kind of reminds me of the one Fred (Dirt Every Day) has. Your will allow for longer vehicles though, as his was built for short wheel base TJ Jeeps. The single axle is so much nicer for towing though IMO. No side to side forces being applied to the tires/axle/suspension when turning.

Familiar with Fred's trailer, he and I have a mutual buddy that built almost an identical one over 20 years ago.

Here's the first one I built, mostly as a moving buggys from one shop to another out of scrap and spare parts, but we like it so much we drug it all over the country. Its now in GA still doing service. it was pretty limited, 90-105" wheelbase that was tall enough or narrow enough to clear the tires. If you'll notice the bronco barely clears the rockers. With the little crawler on it, it only cost 1mpg to tow vs being empty with my at the time 07 2500 CTD. We traveled the country for 13 years campaigning that car in WERock competitions. This trailer was the inspiration for the one I currently have, with a huge diparture, it isn't a light weight, the original one only weighed 800#, the current one is 1700ish. the original was also much lower, the bottom of the tires were only 5" off the roadway.

[rocklaurence]

Ooooh! You have to be a member to access the thread

[Yeller]

Ooooh! You have to be a member to access the thread

Oooppppssss I forgot that you have to be a member to access the Off Topic area that I have to post non Bronco related stuff like trailer and Jeep builds…. I have a copy of this build over there as well, much different commentary but same build info.

If Stuka is ok with it, I’m happy to copy the info here so everyone can access it. It’s all about travel, transport and camping equipment. Just need to know where

[Stuka]

More info is always good.

We have the tools and garage area for anything that falls under that. General Chat is kind of just, any thing that isn't FSJ specific, but still within the regular forum rules. So either of those will work.

[Yeller]

General Chat is probably the correct fit. I’ll start copying.

Edit:

here is the link to where you can access my crazy traveling and camping equipment info
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewto ... =6&t=22980

[Yeller]

Finally a tech update

Don’t know why I took so long to do this… but I installed a heater bypass valve. Made such a difference in the internal heat in the cab. Contrary to what seems to be popular belief LS engines need the heater hoses to circulate water to properly cycle the thermostat. On race cars you just drill 5/16” bypass hole behind the thermostat and plug the heater hose outlets, not very practical when you actually need heat, it is also easy to damage the surfaces the thermostat uses, besides who wants to modify a new replacement part. So I picked up this valve, it appears to be of good quality, time will tell, in the meantime I’m enjoying a much cooler cab.

Valve:
https://www.amazon.com/Joywayus-Automob ... th=1&psc=1

[Yeller]

Been chasing the right exhaust volume. Truck sounds fantastic great tone, no drone, just more volume than I wanted. Because the tone was so nice and there was no drone I didn’t want to change the muffler, so I picked up a 14” Flowmaster FX muffler and installed it in the tail pipe as a resonator. I used stainless steel band clamps so I could easily change it if I didn’t like it. It helped but was still higher volume level than I wanted. So I went out to the shop and dug through my muffler pile and pulled out this “American Classic” muffler that I had taken off of something at some point. This muffler is pretty open, it has baffles but you can see all of the way through it sort of. Threw it on, it was the same length, just had to drill a new hole for the hanger since it has an offset, was completely surprised, huge reduction in volume, it is almost too quiet but I think I’ll take it

[Stuka]

Exhaust tuning can be tough. Good you found something that works.

[Yeller]

Been busy doing other thing on our property but have been picking away on the truck some. One of my goals has been to do some overlanding with this truck. Did some experimenting over the summer and slept several nights under a tarp in the bed. We also sold our RV earlier this year and needed somewhere comfortable to sleep when camping or boondocking in route to destinations. So a while back I picked up a roof top tent. I’ve had it on the Bronco since it had a rack that it bolted to already. Finally got a rack built to put it in the truck and a hoist added for storage and easy handling.

A little about the tent. It is a Quickpitch. It takes about 30 seconds to set up and take down. Has enough space to stretch out and be comfortable for 2 and keep the bedding in during transport. Have spent a few nights in it and am very happy with the purchase.

[Yeller]

Here’s a few detail pics and with it in storage.

The rack and tent weigh 250# so heavy but not crazy. It’s held in the truck with ratchet straps so it’s quick in and out.

[akguy09]

Yeller, I want a toolbox any idea what toolbox might fit our narrowish beds.

[Yeller]

Yeller, I want a toolbox any idea what toolbox might fit our narrowish beds.

This one should fit. It’s an inch or 2 longer than mine but should fit fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Lund-9304-63-Inc ... 28e6d374b3

[Yeller]

My original goal was to keep the lift down to 2” or less. Well I changed the front springs that raised it 3”. I really like the added up travel and didn’t want to change them. The issue is the truck sat perfectly level so if I put a sack of trash in the bed it looked like it was sagging. So it needed a bit of lift. So did a shackle flip, which in my opinion increases the spring performance. It also opens the door for future mods. I’m still pondering going to spring under to get better axle control and that requires the shackles to be in compression rather than tension.

Long story short this moved the end of the spring down 3” creating 1-1/2” of lift curing the saggy rear

[Harry Dawg]

The roof top tent is a cool addition.

I have thought about upfitting mine to do some overlanding, but I like the look w/o bed rails and tent for the time being.

However, these are some of my favorite vehicles to see turned into overland rigs. Such a great platform to build off of.

Nice job keeping the bed space free too. A lot of the times that space below the tent becomes unusable due to the low and mid style racks.

[Yeller]

The roof top tent is a cool addition.

I have thought about upfitting mine to do some overlanding, but I like the look w/o bed rails and tent for the time being.

However, these are some of my favorite vehicles to see turned into overland rigs. Such a great platform to build off of.

Nice job keeping the bed space free too. A lot of the times that space below the tent becomes unusable due to the low and mid style racks.

Thanks Harry,
Usable space was a huge consideration. So was being able to use it in multiple vehicles, for me it’s about versatility, so being able to drop it in the F350 or on the front of a trailer we’re just as important

[Yeller]

I did miss an update. I made some tie downs for the bed for the tent. I got all mentally weird about the lashing rings bending or worse, probably 100% unfounded but not a concern now

[Yeller]

The tent made it mounted into the truck. I used ratchet straps to tie the front of the rack down and some spring cushioned camper tie downs on the rear to allow some flex if the bed starts flexing. You can also see the 12v wire plugged into the SAE port I added several months ago.

Putting a few thousand miles on along with some wheeling to test everything out for durability before heading out 1500 miles from home on a multi week trip.