Sir Sam Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Been seriously thinking about a Gladiator lately. Since the MJ is roadworthy and I am trying to do content for my youtube channel I have been thinking about buying a 1965 Gladiator. I only have a few crappy pics and I would be trying to talk them down, and its a few states away so I would be towing it home with a borrowed trailer and my dads CRD. I don't need another project. This would be a big project. I don't need to spend the money. I could spend the money on other projects and have them closer to completion. But its fukkin cool. And it would be really cool to take wheeling in Ouray, Moab, and show up all the new gladiators how its really done. That being said, I don't know where I would go with the project, thoughts so far are matte clear coat it to lock in patina, use my JK D44 front, pickup a JK rubicon D44 with 4.10s to match to I have front and rear lockers. Pickup a nice set of JK/JL/JT take off tires and wheels. Install aftermarket under dash AC.........and then what? What drivetrain? stroked 4L sounds cool, but minor returns on power compared to the cost. Pros would be that its Jeep original so it stays with Jeep, but the engine build would cost what a chevy LS would cost. And it still have much of the fabrication that the Chevy would have. So then I go chevy, LS with what trans, auto or manual, and what can I find for a reasonable price? Best deal would probably be engine/trans/xfercase. I like the idea of running a 242 transfer case....I think those are easily mated to chevy trans. Then some custom driveshafts and it would be a great driver with plenty of power, reliablity and AC. But its not in the Jeep family. 5.7 Hemi sounds cool, but I think the chevy would be easier and is the goto swap these days. thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 how are all your other projects doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 15 minutes ago, Pete M said: how are all your other projects doing? Not much traction on them. They also arent a 1965 Gladiator. Pro: 1965 Gladiator Con: 1965 Gladiator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Just now, Sir Sam said: Pro: 1965 Gladiator Con: 1965 Gladiator you've summed it up quite well there. as the guy not writing the check, I say go for it. how hard can it be? what about dropping the body on a modern dodge frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 minutes ago, Pete M said: you've summed it up quite well there. as the guy not writing the check, I say go for it. how hard can it be? what about dropping the body on a modern dodge frame? Thats a possibility to do a frame drop. But I would need to consider the costs. Now maybe dropping it on a gladiator frame..........how much is a totally rolled gladiator with no useable body parts, but a straight frame and good drivetrain going to cost me? And then how hard will the electronics and wiring work be?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 3 minutes ago, Sir Sam said: Thats a possibility to do a frame drop. But I would need to consider the costs. Now maybe dropping it on a gladiator frame..........how much is a totally rolled gladiator with no useable body parts, but a straight frame and good drivetrain going to cost me? And then how hard will the electronics and wiring work be?! gladiator SWB/LWB is 119/131. JLU is 118.4 JT is 137.3 So if its a shortbed a JLU would be a good match, probably need to extend the rear frame some to support the bed, bumpers, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted October 8, 2020 Share Posted October 8, 2020 Pictures of said Gladiator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 8, 2020 Author Share Posted October 8, 2020 14 minutes ago, neohic said: Pictures of said Gladiator? Kinda worried about someone finding it if I post them. But it helps to make a decision. Ill get them cropped tonight so someone doesn't get as much information from the pictures as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 3 hours ago, Sir Sam said: Kinda worried about someone finding it if I post them. But it helps to make a decision. Ill get them cropped tonight so someone doesn't get as much information from the pictures as possible. I’d bet that whatever we see it’ll be followed with a unanimous “you need that”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 You should definitely do it. When are you ever going to find another 1965 Gladiator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdog Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 yes you should Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 7 hours ago, Sir Sam said: . . . . stroked 4L sounds cool, but minor returns on power compared to the cost. Pros would be that its Jeep original so it stays with Jeep, but the engine build would cost what a chevy LS would cost. And it still have much of the fabrication that the Chevy would have. So then I go chevy, LS with what trans, auto or manual, and what can I find for a reasonable price? Best deal would probably be engine/trans/xfercase. I like the idea of running a 242 transfer case....I think those are easily mated to chevy trans. Then some custom driveshafts and it would be a great driver with plenty of power, reliablity and AC. But its not in the Jeep family. 5.7 Hemi sounds cool, but I think the chevy would be easier and is the goto swap these days. thoughts? I personally don't think a 4L is the right move, even stroked. She just don't have the pawr. Like you said, the cost is an issue for one AND reliability another. Even with a couple decades now of R&D I still hear about people wiping out cam lobes all-the-time. A diesel swapped gladiator is a dream of mine, but can be costly. I don't think you'll be happy with anything short of a V8 or diesel. Trans 700r4, 4l60e, 4l80e for auto NV4550 for manual? I've heard good things about cummins 5/6 speed manuals Dana 300 t-case (twin stick?) Or maybe atlas? Can't remember what the diesel ford's run but novak seems to think they're indestructible. It may be sacrilege, but just food for thought. My brother had an old non turbo 7.3 single cab short bed with dual 4in side pipes right under the driver side. Sounded like a machine of friggin war whenever he started it. Wasn't so bad at idle, but it had the deepest roar/bark I've ever heard, like nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Another thought is swapping in the 2.8 CRD engine that is in my wrecked KJ CRD. I know the electronics so that’s not an issue other than time to rewire. And it would give me something I would like. That being said, I’m not sure the end goal if it’s a keeper or a seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 overrated but a good base to make your dream a reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War_Pony89 Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 14 hours ago, neohic said: I’d bet that whatever we see it’ll be followed with a unanimous “you need that”. I second that! had a chance at a 87, still think about it off and on over decade later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Thoughts on value as is? You know as much as me right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 i say at least a $1000. one by me in little worse shape going for 600, just the body, and this one here as a nice body to work with, or clear coat for that matter. i like the mint green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 Ya they are asking 2500 right now which I won’t do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 yeah. i could see that. but 1500 be most i would say. but its a different game these days with "rare" jeeps. not to say the value isnt there, but you are there with cash in hand. depends who wants it more i reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Does it have a drivetrain in it right now? Is it the 230 straight six or the AMC 327? Or is it a swapped in drivetrain? The axles are passenger drop from the factory. It's not too difficult to change that over to driver drop. The floor pan changed in 1980 when Jeep did the swap to driver drop so they could fit the transfer case easier. But it changed seat brackets for bucket seats. Brackets to swap in an LS are available in the aftermarket and you can find a bolt-in radiator to support Chevy engines. Buick 350s were offered in the late 60's and early 70's so that's an interesting somewhat unique option. Of course, AMC V8s were introduced in 71 or 72 so you could easily swap one of those in if you feel that Buick parts are too easy to find. Universal weld-in brackets work too and you can fit any small block easily. Big blocks can fit but they're tight and may require some tweaking. The transmission tunnel is a good size and will easily fit a TH400 or similar size transmission. There are two different core supports available. One for the straight six and one that fits a wider radiator for the V8. They are mostly interchangeable from 1963-1991 though the later front sheet metal got extra holes as well as brackets welded to it. It's easy to swap the front sheet metal from one core support to the other so you can keep that style grille (the Rhino grille). If it was a running and driving vehicle in good working order, I'd give $2,500 for it. Not running or driving, I'd start taking off from that price. Missing drivetrain would have me drop it down to $1,000 or less. Yes, it's a rare old Jeep truck but it's not in high demand so the price support just isn't there. If the frame and body panels are in good shape, it's worth something and would make an interesting project vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 10 hours ago, derf said: Does it have a drivetrain in it right now? Is it the 230 straight six or the AMC 327? Or is it a swapped in drivetrain? The axles are passenger drop from the factory. It's not too difficult to change that over to driver drop. The floor pan changed in 1980 when Jeep did the swap to driver drop so they could fit the transfer case easier. But it changed seat brackets for bucket seats. Brackets to swap in an LS are available in the aftermarket and you can find a bolt-in radiator to support Chevy engines. Buick 350s were offered in the late 60's and early 70's so that's an interesting somewhat unique option. Of course, AMC V8s were introduced in 71 or 72 so you could easily swap one of those in if you feel that Buick parts are too easy to find. Universal weld-in brackets work too and you can fit any small block easily. Big blocks can fit but they're tight and may require some tweaking. The transmission tunnel is a good size and will easily fit a TH400 or similar size transmission. There are two different core supports available. One for the straight six and one that fits a wider radiator for the V8. They are mostly interchangeable from 1963-1991 though the later front sheet metal got extra holes as well as brackets welded to it. It's easy to swap the front sheet metal from one core support to the other so you can keep that style grille (the Rhino grille). If it was a running and driving vehicle in good working order, I'd give $2,500 for it. Not running or driving, I'd start taking off from that price. Missing drivetrain would have me drop it down to $1,000 or less. Yes, it's a rare old Jeep truck but it's not in high demand so the price support just isn't there. If the frame and body panels are in good shape, it's worth something and would make an interesting project vehicle. I appreciate the info. I have a cursory knowledge of these truck. I don’t have much interest in keeping the existing drivetrain. So it would be a repower. I don’t have much interest in the close knuckle drum brake front, hence why I am thinking of replacing with a JK d44 front, and then finding a matching spare. my Land Rover has closed knuckle front ends. I’m over it. it’s good to know about the floor pan changing for the drivers drop. Pretty much all I can think I would do would be a drivers drop. Maybe I might consider an older Chevy or dodge axle that is passenger side drop. Or get crazy and use a Land Rover axle because I hate myself. I’m thinking about LQ4 or LQ9 for a engine and rubicon axles or JK frame and axles for a repower. newer v8 waggys are still in junkyard so I could also rob parts from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 I've had half a dozen full size Jeeps over the years. I've done a lot of the AMC V8s mostly. Enough to never want to do another. Parts are just about impossible to find. Small block Chevy/LS swaps are well documented and stupid easy. Both the 4L60 and 4L80 fit well in the tunnel. An NV4500 works well too. You can do a floor pan swap easy enough. Dropping or clocking the tcase is easy enough too. Lots of info on the FSJ forums. http://www.fsjnetwork.com and http://www.ifsja.org are the two big ones. And of course groups on facebook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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