Super Shortbed Gladiator ????

[Greg Taylor]

Hey guys,
I was out with my daughter this evening, riding through my neighborhood and a nearby neighbor has what appears to be a Gladiator or very early 1970's J-truck (has the "V" front emblems for engine CID) with about a 4' to 5' long bed, like 1950's/60's step side (small square box w/fenders over rear tires).

Was such a beast with a 4-5' box available back then?

I'm going to have to introduce myself ... and take some pics!

[red mistress]

Sounds like ya found a thriftside Gladiator.

Elliott has several of them.

[Greg Taylor]

Sounds like ya found a thriftside Gladiator.

Elliott has several of them.

OK ... thanks. Is the bedside really only like 4-5 feet long? The wheelbase even looks a bit odd on it.

Do the Thrift side beds have a "Jeep" logo tailgate or are they plain, like this one?

[Elliott]

No, they come in 7 and 8'. The Willy's bed was 6.5' That V-emblem... was a '65 only thing I believe... or first year of the 327. Thomas can verify/debunk that. ;)

[TexTJ209]

OK ... thanks. Is the bedside really only like 4-5 feet long? The wheelbase even looks a bit odd on it.

Do the Thrift side beds have a "Jeep" logo tailgate or are they plain, like this one?
They should have a Jeep logo tailgate, but the paint may have faded or the truck repainted.


Edit: It's not embossed into the metal like the regular J-Trucks, it was painted on.

[red mistress]

look like this one?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/RedScrambler/DSC00494-1.jpg

the 7' bed on a big old wide FSJ Gladiator cab makes the bed look real short.
whole different effect at first glance than a Willys PU.

[TexTJ209]

look like this one?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/RedScrambler/DSC00494-1.jpg

the 7' bed on a big old wide FSJ Gladiator cab makes the bed look real short.
whole different effect at first glance than a Willys PU.

I like the tailgate "mod." :thumbsup:

[Greg Taylor]

look like this one?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/RedScrambler/DSC00494-1.jpg

the 7' bed on a big old wide FSJ Gladiator cab makes the bed look real short.
whole different effect at first glance than a Willys PU.

No, that looks too long. Also, this one didn't have the step side parts like that one. I'll get pics of it on Friday, when I can get over there to say HI.

[TexTJ209]

No, that looks too long. Also, this one didn't have the step side parts like that one. I'll get pics of it on Friday, when I can get over there to say HI.
That's just part of the bumper. Not all of them had them..

Like mine. :(


http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p308/TexTJ209/1973%20J2000/Before%20Pics/BeforePictures003.jpg

[Greg Taylor]

That's just part of the bumper. Not all of them had them..

Like mine. :(




That side-shot pic is perfect. The bed/box on the neighbor's truck is probably 1 foot shorter than that box, perhaps more. Pics are in order, as well as a chat with the owner. It also has CJ-style Jeep tail lights, off of each fender, near the rear bumper area (since it's a super shorty).

[Greg Taylor]

Well guys,
I stopped by tonight and got to chat with the owner of the mystery Gladiator truck. It's a 1967 J3000 with the 327/4-speed setup. A previous owner had custom-chopped the frame and box and it's about 4-feet long or so. The chop job looks really good. Here's the pics!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/2.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/3.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/4.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/5.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/6.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/7.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/8.jpg

[Stuka]

That looks like a ford bed, but must likely custom made, with a chopped frame, and the axle moved up. That isnt factory.

[Elliott]

Now... that's ugly...

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/Mystery%20Jeep%20Gladiator%20-%20super%20shorty%20box/1.jpg

[TexTJ209]

I laughed out loud when I saw that pic. Poor lil' fella.

[Greg Taylor]

I think it would be a sweet trail rig with a nice lift and 38" tires, on that shorter wheel base.

[Tonka J200]

Interesting custom work on the front facia too. The spots for the original turn signals are filled and the front fenders are molded into the facia. No easy fender replacements on this one anymore!

[zmjeeps]

Interesting custom work on the front facia too. The spots for the original turn signals are filled and the front fenders are molded into the facia. No easy fender replacements on this one anymore!

That was the first thing I noticed too, Frank. Any chance for a look up from the bottom at that front valance? Could this be a one off from the factory? (The lights on the front, not the bed mess I mean). The different shape at the bottom goes all the way across. The whole front valance is different...

Zack

[rocklaurence]

I DIG-IT! It would look great with 38X11 Boggers:thumbsup:

[Greg Taylor]

That was the first thing I noticed too, Frank. Any chance for a look up from the bottom at that front valance ... The whole front valance is different...

Zack


Yeah, I noticed that too and commented to the owner about the front being different with the TS lights being where they are. I'll have to go get more pics of the valance from underneath.


I DIG-IT! It would look great with 38X11 Boggers:thumbsup:

Absolutely! 38" boggers would be super sweet on that thing.

[nitro4x4]

that would look sweet with 38 in mud krawlers

[vintagetrks]

Did the owner tell you why the frame was chopped? It is a very interesting looking rig.

[Greg Taylor]

Did the owner tell you why the frame was chopped? It is a very interesting looking rig.

He has no clue why it was chopped. A previous owner had done it at some point.

[2003 mcs]

Interesting custom work on the front facia too. The spots for the original turn signals are filled

I know someone else that has their turnsignals filled in;) . I like the look.

[Tonka J200]

I know someone else that has their turnsignals filled in;) . I like the look.

Yeah, someone showed me a picture of one done like that. Let's see now....who was that...

[2003 mcs]

:) , hopefully soon headlights installed.

[Mikel]

I know someone else that has their turnsignals filled in;) . I like the look.

:rolleyes:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn223/bw1339/m715/DSC05342.jpg

[Carleysjeep]

With the skeleton in the passager seat & the mouse on the dash, does that make it qualify for the carpool lane? :confused: