2wd J trucks

Bill Moore · #1 07-15-2010, 01:14 PM

I know Jeep phased these out for FSJs in the 60s. I have never seen one personally, but have heard of a few around. I was talking to a FSJ enthusiast from Argentina yesterday, and he mentioned ~90 percent of the FSJs there were 2wd. Cost cutting measure evidently. Here, a 2wd jeep is the kiss of death for resale, it seems odd they were so popular when you could buy 2wd other types of trucks. Anyone know if the Argentine Jeeps were just cheaper than the other truck makes?

**Tad** · #2 07-15-2010, 01:26 PM

I've only seen one 2WD JTruck in my life, late HS years so about 1974-5. Yellow Gladiator a friend of mine had with a straight 6, 3 speed which I assume was a T90 and 5 on 5.5 lug pattern is about all I can recall.
He eventually converted it to 4WD, moved to AK and I never saw it or him again.

68_Gladiator · #3 07-15-2010, 01:26 PM

if i could have a 67' 2wd Gladiator id take it, ive wanted a 2wd street rod and think a gladiator with a hot motor would be cool. would be a lot different then all the lowered short box chevy street rods you see.

mud89 · #4 07-15-2010, 01:52 PM

IIRC the 2WD J-trucks were only from 63 to 65
They didn't last long, as the wagoneer 2 doors

joe · #5 07-15-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68_Glaiator

if i could have a 67' 2wd Gladiator id take it, ive wanted a 2wd street rod and think a gladiator with a hot motor would be cool. would be a lot different then all the lowered short box chevy street rods you see.

X2
I've been looking for a 2WD J-truck here for a long time. Someday I may just have go back to South America to snag one. I've worked in S Am and don't recall ever seeing a 4WD J-truck. But there some really nice 2WD ones though especially in Argentina.

68_Gladiator · #6 07-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe

X2
I've been looking for a 2WD J-truck here for a long time. Someday I may just have go back to South America to snag one. I've worked in S Am and don't recall ever seeing a 4WD J-truck. But there some really nice 2WD ones though especially in Argentina.

Be sure to snag me one too.

ive thought about just getting a 4x4 and converting the front to 2wd. or just swap the body onto a shortened C20 frame

Tonka J200 · #7 07-15-2010, 02:16 PM

My '63 J200 (the Tonka Truck) is a 2WD. (Model 2306F - 4000 GVW, 2WD)
I'm not sure of the exact date that they phased out the 2 wheelers, but I think they were available until mid '67 or so.

They were available with either independent front suspension or a solid "tube" axle like mine. It's a 230 Tornado six with a three speed T-86E transmission. It also has a 4.10 geared Dana 44 rear with a PowerLoc diff.

It uses the same front hubs, etc. as a 4WD, they just have a steel cover plate bolted on in place of the drive flange.

Mine's the only 2WD J-truck I've seen in person, and I know the production numbers were pretty low.

I don't know what to tell you about the Argentine Jeeps. Were there other makes that were actually produced in Argentina? If not, I'm sure the locally produced Jeep trucks were quite a bit cheaper than other makes that had to be imported. Just guessing...

Gambler68 · #8 07-15-2010, 02:51 PM

Shoot, get yourself a length of axle tube, some spring pads and shock hangers, cut off the knuckles from any crap front D44 and you have yourself a straight tube axle for the price of welding and a little bit for the steel.

chrisnsarah · #9 07-15-2010, 03:00 PM

I believe the majority of Wagoneer Panels were 2wd.

Tonka J200 · #10 07-15-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisnsarah

I believe the majority of Wagoneer Panels were 2wd.

From what I've been able to find, the Panel Delivery Wagoneers were split pretty evenly - about half 2WD, half 4WD.

joe · #11 07-15-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonka J200

My '63 J200 (the Tonka Truck) is a 2WD. (Model 2306F - 4000 GVW, 2WD)

And a most beautiful truck it is Frank!

chrisnsarah · #12 07-15-2010, 04:14 PM

I've seen one 60's 2 door wagoneer (not a panel) in a Picknpull yard that was an ex-military vehicle. Had the brass plate on the dash. I was surprised to see it was only 2wd.
I have yet to see a 2wd J-truck in person.

Tonka J200 · #13 07-15-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe

And a most beautiful truck it is Frank!

Wow, joe, I was the recipient of your 15,000th post! Do I win a prize?

Bill Moore · #14 07-16-2010, 05:31 AM

is this the only 2wd on the board?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonka J200

My '63 J200 (the Tonka Truck) is a 2WD. (Model 2306F - 4000 GVW, 2WD)
I'm not sure of the exact date that they phased out the 2 wheelers, but I think they were available until mid '67 or so.

They were available with either independent front suspension or a solid "tube" axle like mine. It's a 230 Tornado six with a three speed T-86E transmission. It also has a 4.10 geared Dana 44 rear with a PowerLoc diff.

It uses the same front hubs, etc. as a 4WD, they just have a steel cover plate bolted on in place of the drive flange.

Mine's the only 2WD J-truck I've seen in person, and I know the production numbers were pretty low.

I don't know what to tell you about the Argentine Jeeps. Were there other makes that were actually produced in Argentina? If not, I'm sure the locally produced Jeep trucks were quite a bit cheaper than other makes that had to be imported. Just guessing...

mud89 · #15 07-16-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonka J200

My '63 J200 (the Tonka Truck) is a 2WD. (Model 2306F - 4000 GVW, 2WD)
I'm not sure of the exact date that they phased out the 2 wheelers, but I think they were available until mid '67 or so.

They were available with either independent front suspension or a solid "tube" axle like mine. It's a 230 Tornado six with a three speed T-86E transmission. It also has a 4.10 geared Dana 44 rear with a PowerLoc diff.

It uses the same front hubs, etc. as a 4WD, they just have a steel cover plate bolted on in place of the drive flange.

Mine's the only 2WD J-truck I've seen in person, and I know the production numbers were pretty low.

I don't know what to tell you about the Argentine Jeeps. Were there other makes that were actually produced in Argentina? If not, I'm sure the locally produced Jeep trucks were quite a bit cheaper than other makes that had to be imported. Just guessing...

That's very interesting, you certainly saw more Gladiators than me..
By the way I think you are right and i am wrong for the phase out of the 2WD J-truck

It's not the end of 65 but rather the beginning of 67 : i found an AMA spec for the 66 models were the 2Wd trucks were mentioned, but in a price list from the end of january 67, i found only the 4WD trucks (here is the J2000's page)