1968 jeep gladiator j2600?

[rustyolred]

I have found what I am being told is a 1968 Jeep Gladiator j2600. It has a Buick 350 with unknown auto trans? I am assuming TH400, but you all know what assuming does. I am being told that the rear axle is a Dana 55. I can't find any info to support this nor can I find any info on a Dana 55. I am also being told that it has a Dana 44 front axle which is most likely true, but would it have open or closed knuckles? What rear axle and t-case should it have? I have yet to see this truck in person, that is why I am asking these questions. I will post up more info when I see it in person. Thanks in advance for the help.

[tgreese]

Tech library: http://www.ifsja.org/tech/figures/db.html#rear

'68 should be an AMC 327.

Maybe a Dana 53? Yes, D44 front.

Closed knuckle. No open knuckles until '72 in CJs and '74 in full-sized models.

Tech library also contains VIN decoding and year-by-year model breakdown.

[Elliott]

TH400 and D53 most likely. There is no D55.

[joe]

I agree w/ Elliott, should be a D53 rear. Good axle till you try to get parts for it.

[rustyolred]

it is a 2700 not a 2600

turns out the truck is a 2700 not a 2600. also the fender badges show it to have the 350, as does the vin number decode.
vin is 2406Y19******

The truck is priced at what I think is a good deal, not too much rust and engine runs good, tranny shifts good and t-case works. What are some areas of trouble that I should look for? I have never purchased a jtruck of this vintage(never older than 81). Thanks in advance for the help.

[skeletor]

the amc 327 was phased out in 1968, so some trucks could have gotten them.

[joe]

J2600/2700 use the same rear axle. D53 for that year.

[lkmarsh]

A 40 year old truck with no rust is a great score, Congrats to you! First off, replace everything rubber, steering rag joint, fuel tank lines, everything. Start saving for a timing cover. Check out TAPerformance and Postons for 350 parts. Its a good motor. What do you plan on doing with your truck? That will determine how much upgrading you will need to do. The Tech Archive is Your Friend!

[rustyolred]

pics added

Here are a few pics of the 68. Hopefully I will be going to get it soon.
What do you guys think? It has more rust than I remember, oh well. The rhino grill and the rest of the front end look great.

[rustyolred]

Here are a few pics of the 68. Hopefully I will be going to get it soon.
What do you guys think? It has more rust than I remember, oh well. The rhino grill and the rest of the front end look great.

TTT

[KaiserMan]

Well besides needing a heck of a cleaning it looks to be in pretty good shape. 3/4 ton 7,000lb GVW trucks are fairly rare to find.