Gladiator lift

[Jeepkid]

I have been looking for a company or website or something that had lifts for the Gladiator trucks. I would be grateful for any information on this subject, or any informantion on the Gladiator at all.

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeepkid:
I would be grateful for any information on this subject, or any informantion on the Gladiator at all.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


What year? They were built from 1962-71 and actually did change somewhat regarding engines, trans etc. The Gadiator grill(BBQ/Rhino chaser) was dropped in 1970 but the Gladiator badge stayed till 1971. After that they were J-series trucks as were the earlier ones but w/o the Glad handle.
-joe

[dweezle]

How big of a lift? Mine came with a 2 inch lift. Try http://www.off-road.com/~ifsja/tech/suspension/liftkits.htm It's the old IFSJA site and I'm not sure it's the same for us truck owners as it is for the wagons but you might want to give it a look.

[cocco_78]

I've been searching for lift kits for Gladiator trucks too. I've got a 69 J4000 and have had no luck. Now I've been trying to research to find out what other trucks had similar springs. I guess no one here has ever lifted an early J-series truck. My next option is to change spring hangers and such to mount different springs.

[chrisnsarah]

There's no commercially available lift kits for pre-'74 trucks. You have to go the custom route. You can use add-a leafs, mix and match junkyard springs, or have custom ones built. You can use blocks in the rear only. Another option. I've seen is to convert to later style FSJ spring hangers and then get a lift kit. If you want a body lift, that should be easy to get.
the Gladiator name lasted until '71, so the '72-'73 models were simply called" Jeep Truck" until the J-10 and J-20 name in '74.

[superskone]

I saw one 64 glad. that had about 8-10 inches of lift, so it can be done.

[Tad]

Anything can be done with enough brain power.

[Rande]

Sure it can be done. Contact any one of the spring manufacturers and have them make up a set of springs for you. It'll cost more than the commercially available kits for the newer trucks but its your only solution. Came this close /\ to having that done to my old 72 J-4000 but it rusted out from underneath me and I got an 83 J-20.

[RustyJeep]

Have a local spring shop custom make a set of springs for you. That's what I did w/ my 73 J4000. I had GR Spring in Grand Rapids, Michigan, make up a set of 4" lift springs for me. It rides real smooth on road, too. They were 115 a piece, with any amount of lift. I think 115 a piece is their standard price, or something.

[Stuka]

Well...that 74 and newer bit is kind of a bad thing to go by. (I know this from experiance) sure the front suspension changed..but the rear didnt until 76 from what I cant tell. So the rear uses the most mount setup. (which is why I only have Rusty's springs up front)

[Josh D]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I guess no one here has ever lifted an early J-series truck. <hr></blockquote>

Since that was your first post, we'll cut you some slack. There are actually quite a few of us who have lifted the early FSJ's. Just because there are no aftermarket bolt on kits does not mean it can't be done. Mine was simple: 3" lift Scout II springs, removed mainleaf, added Jeep mainleaf, re-oriented spring pin for springover, bolted up, measured for shocks, 3" lift block in rear, and measure for shocks. Simple. There are other ways as well: lowering the posts, flipping rear shackles, etc. Pick your poison and then let us know how it went ;)

Josh

[jode]

Yeah...we are lucky in that the early J trucks have a rear shackle hanger that will allow the shackle to be hung either above or below it. That means you can move the rear shackle to the bottom of themount and reshim (for about 2-3" lift) or do the same as above but then fabricate a drop-mount for the front of the rear spring (for about of 4-6 " lift)
As far as the front, I am thinking of installing home-fabricated drop-spring/shackle mounts to get the lift I need.
Mines already got custom built rear springs.
If you get them custom built, remember that a few thick springs will ride like a Poo-stick and lots of thin ones will ride like OEM (that's good by the way :D )
Oh yeah, blocks in the rear are super easy, but suck.

And to address what nobody else will. When you lift something, think about new shocks, longer brakelines, extended drivelines (for big lifts) and steering geometry adjustments (like a drop pitman arm or X-over steering)

[Josh D]

Jode,

Good point mentioning the brake lines, steering angles and such. I had just gave the condensed version. I'm running blocks in the rear and have suffered no ill side effects, however it is temporary until I swap in my D60 and flip the shackle and I can adress the pinion angle issue when I weld on the spring pads cause shims suck (back atcha)!! :D

Josh

[jode]

what about welded on shims :eek: :D

[cocco_78]

Ok, I was a little harsh on my first post. I've been looking into the Scout II front springs... I think my plan so far will be new body mounts (maybe 1" pucks), Scout II front springs with the Jeep main leaf, Probably Scout II heavy duty 1/2" lift shackles... It looks like I can drop down the front brake line mounting point so as to not nead new brake lines, we'll see. For the back I think I'll go with the shackle flip and some sort of AAL and/or a 1" block. Heck after that is just measuring up for shocks and finding the right length...

[67Gladiator]

What are the best sources for extended brakelines? Stainless?

Thanks

[jeepbob]

My old 70 J3000 bog truck was lifted with extra leaves in the springs. My 65 Wag was lifted with a combo of extra leaves and an AAL in front and extra leaves and a shackle flip in back. It now has a spring over in front. It also has a 3" body lift.

[Josh D]

Jode,
I've never seen weldable steel shims, only aluminum and brass (not that they don't exsist, but I haven't heard or seen). If you got a welder, I'm sure you would also have an angle grinder or torch, why not remove the perch and reweld the perch on with the correct pinion angle. That would be the 'RIGHT' way tongue.gif :D tongue.gif !

cocco_78/67Gladiator,
I used braided stainless lines from Groodrich listed for '74-'76 CJ w/11X2 drum brakes and 4" lift. I thought ones listed for CJ's of the same year as my truck ('71) would work, but the fitting to the hard line was different. I'll look to see if I still have the part number. I don't think there would be any diference from the 67, 69 to my 71. They work real slick, allowing plenty room for flex without being to long or short. Look good too :cool: !

Josh

[jode]

:D My buddy had a Wrangler with 16 penny nails welded in as shims :eek: BEAT THAT!
Who needs the grinders when there's JB Weld? Why not jsut JB Weld the alum or brass shims inthere? :eek: ;)

[Josh D]

Jode your scaring me!

[Rande]

Why bother with pads and shims? Just JB weld the springs right to the axle tubes.
****, should have thought of that a long time ago.

[jode]

LMAO :D

[67Gladiator]

Josh -- Thanks

[miked]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 67Gladiator:
What are the best sources for extended brakelines? Stainless?<hr></blockquote>

did my braided stainless from the local speed shop, just measured them out and installed them. not too bad, i think the brand was earl's if i recall correctly

[J Hound]

Jeepkid;
I just bought a 69 J-2000 and was researching lift kits when I found this forum. Unfortunately I'm in the same boat; it looks like a custom lift is in order. Does anyone know if I can swap a 72 gmc 14 bolt rear-end for my Dana 44? I want to put my 72 gmc 3/4 running gear in this 69 J-2000. Any help is appreciated.

[jpjeeper]

OLD POST

Go to BJSOFFROAD.com

Or hell creek..

get your lift... DONE

[J Hound]

Thanks! I take it you've already addressed this issue once before.




OLD POST

Go to BJSOFFROAD.com

Or hell creek..

get your lift... DONE