J-Trucks

[Logs0012]

How many different models of J-trucks were made? I'm just curious, because you hear about the J-2000, 3000 and 4000 fairly commonly but then you get J-4800 and I was wondering how many models there were and what made them different.

[COLOFIREMAN]

How many different models of J-trucks were made? I'm just curious, because you hear about the J-2000, 3000 and 4000 fairly commonly but then you get J-4800 and I was wondering how many models there were and what made them different.

Elliot would be the best source for this but as far as I knew the difference was 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton, wheel base, and what year they were made. For example my 73 J-truck is a Camper Special with a large spring pack and carries a J4800 number. But I'm sure more people will chime in to expand on that. Whats funny is the back frame of my 73' and my 74' J-10 measure the same, with the same type of spring mounts.:cool:

[Logs0012]

Your 4800 sparked this. I was looking at all your "toys" and I notices that.

[joe]

Cliffnotes short condensed version.
The fist generation62/3 Kaiser trucks were 200's, 300's diferences were wheelbase lengths and all could be 1/2 or 3/4 tons depending on what the buyer ordered for running gear. Mid 65 the 2nd generations were rebadged J2000, 3000 and later some J 4000's again dependent on WB length and could be 1/2 or3/4 ton. Last generation began in 74 and rebadged as J10's and J20's but was now GVWR dependent All j10's are 1/2 tons, J20's 3/4. J-10's could be short or long WB All J20's are long WB only.
The sub catagories like a J4800 was a further breakdown of the longest wheelbase 4000 model with a 80000GVWR. my 72 is a J2500 long WB 5000GVWR truck as my 73 was a J4600 long WB 6000 GVWR truck.

[Stuka]

The sub catagories like a J4800 was a further breakdown of the longest wheelbase 4000 model with a 80000GVWR.

WOW, thats a whole lot of weight!!!

[Kali]

Also the 74+ J-20s had 3 different GVWR options, ~6800, ~7600, ~8400

[fulsizjeep]

We have a 72 Camper Special. It has heavy steel strap welded to the bottom of the frame rail between the axles. I have not driven it that much, a few miles at a time. It is stiff with the overloads on back. It is a long term 401 project.

Thanks for the early Gladiator info Joe. I found a J200 thriftside for sale ($1100) nearby this week :omfg: and was wondering what the year range would be on that model number. It appears to be solid and in original dark green paint but behind a fence so could not look inside. It has plenty of dust build up on it so maybe a serious buy could get it for half that. It pains me to find deals like this when we are obviously at capacity for projects. :rolleyes: :o :p

On that 72, ain't it the pumpkin color? I thought that one was a 4500.

[joe]

We have a 72 Camper Special. It has heavy steel strap welded to the bottom of the frame rail between the axles. I have not driven it that much, a few miles at a time. It is stiff with the overloads on back. It is a long term 401 project.

Thanks for the early Gladiator info Joe. I found a J200 thriftside for sale ($1100) nearby this week :omfg: and was wondering what the year range would be on that model number. It appears to be solid and in original dark green paint but behind a fence so could not look inside. It has plenty of dust build up on it so maybe a serious buy could get it for half that. It pains me to find deals like this when we are obviously at capacity for projects. :rolleyes: :o :p

On that 72, ain't it the pumpkin color? I thought that one was a 4500.
Yup, it's the angry pumpkin orange. :)

[COLOFIREMAN]

We have a 72 Camper Special. It has heavy steel strap welded to the bottom of the frame rail between the axles.

My 73' has that same thing. I always thought that was a done by the PO.:rolleyes: :D I dont know if I would max my GVWR out to 8000 LB, although with a truck that ways 5K it wouldn't take much.:thumbsup:

[joe]

Also the 74+ J-20s had 3 different GVWR options, ~6800, ~7600, ~8400
Varies w/model year. 76 J20's were 6500, 7200 or 8000 GVWR

[Kali]

Varies w/model year. 76 J20's were 6500, 7200 or 8000 GVWR

Right, hence the squiggle lines "~". Im assuming the only thing that changed was the trucks got heavier?

[Elliott]

Spring rates changed and if I'm not mistaken the 8,400 J20 had larger pistons in the calipers... but I might be wrong on that. The J20 also had heavier duty shackles. On the early rigs there were differences in the drum brake sizes. J20's had the larger steering box and then of course the axle changes.

[seventynine]

Cliffnotes short condensed version.
The fist generation62/3 Kaiser trucks were 200's, 300's diferences were wheelbase lengths and all could be 1/2 or 3/4 tons depending on what the buyer ordered for running gear. Mid 65 the 2nd generations were rebadged J2000, 3000 and later some J 4000's again dependent on WB length and could be 1/2 or3/4 ton. Last generation began in 74 and rebadged as J10's and J20's but was now GVWR dependent All j10's are 1/2 tons, J20's 3/4. J-10's could be short or long WB All J20's are long WB only.
The sub catagories like a J4800 was a further breakdown of the longest wheelbase 4000 model with a 80000GVWR. my 72 is a J2500 long WB 5000GVWR truck as my 73 was a J4600 long WB 6000 GVWR truck.

So which bed lengths corresponed to the 2000, 3000, and 4000? Is there anything else other than 7' and 8' beds?

Dean

[Elliott]

There were only 7 and 8 foot beds, other than the stake beds, chassis mounted campers, and towtrucks. The J200 and J2000 were short beds, the J300, J3000, and J4000 were all long beds. During the Kaiser era you could get a long bed Thriftside box also.

[Bill Moore]

We have a 72 Camper Special. It has heavy steel strap welded to the bottom of the frame rail between the axles.Ive seen these straps on j4600, j4700, and j4800s

[Geminiroq]

Just curious....what did they have for 1979?

Thank you...

[Logs0012]

Elliott you need to find one of those Kaiser thriftside long boxes.

[Lindel]

There's also the military trucks. Not "J" trucks, but Jeeps all the same.

1 1/4 tons during the mid to late 60's (65 to 67 or 69, not exactly sure of the years. Others know for sure).

[KaiserMan]

There's also the military trucks. Not "J" trucks, but Jeeps all the same.

1 1/4 tons during the mid to late 60's (65 to 67 or 69, not exactly sure of the years. Others know for sure).

67-69. Those where all 7000lb GVW 126" wheel base trucks.

[Elliott]

Elliott you need to find one of those Kaiser thriftside long boxes.

I had a '64 up in WA, had to leave it with a bud when I relocated. I'll eventually dig up an other, probably right after I shorten this '84 J20 frame to 120" wb...