J 3000 Gladiator

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Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

Hi All, new to the forum but not Jeeps. I just picked up a 1965 J 3000 Custom Cab? I talked with someone who looked up my serial/vin # and learned it was built in Oct. 1965 and sold as a 1966, and he noticed an emblem that was 1966. When i transferred the title into my name the previous title showed it as a 65, as well as his registration. Maybe someone can look thru the pics and let me know more.
It has the 327 Vigilante, 4 speed. I am also interested in what made it a "custom cab"? Did they all have that badge or is there a option that is unique?
I believe i read somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 were built in 1965 and 100,000 built in 1966, out of each year only 16,000 were built with the 327. I like the "unicorn" / fewer built projects. However finding parts are more difficult. I am only the 3rd owner. It runs and drives, was registered with plates thru 2016 and then was more less retired in favor of a newer truck from the previous owner. I am currently in the process of replacing worn parts, gaskets, etc. So far I have rebuilt the Warn 4x4 hubs, the front drum brakes, front shocks, and water pump, thermostat, timing chain cover gasket, gaskets, gaskets and more gaskets lol. It has all the glass, unbroken, very minimal rust, alot of it still original and in working order.
It was originally "empire blue" i believe was the name, and unfortunately sprayed white, but very thin coat and peeling, i will be wet sanding it off and back to the blue.
Anyone with more info would be greatly appreciated, also i have noticed quite a few members here are from Colorado, i live in Thornton.
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Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

A few more
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Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

A few more
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will e
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Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by will e »

Good looking truck. Welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of good information and encouragement here.

We have an annual gathering in Ouray next month, it looks like it is about 6 hours from you. Come on over and see us if you are interested. There should be about a dozen FSJ's.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
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Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

I love Ouray, usually go in Sept over the holiday but I’ll see what I can do. Thanks
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mud89
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Location: Burgundy, France

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by mud89 »

I could be the guy who provided the build date
"Custom Cab" is an option which included for these years the following items : cigar lighter, chrome front bumper, chrome grille, stainless windshield mouldings, body trim molding and vent wings, roof rail mouldings
Do you have the engine number on the alternator bracket ?
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle

Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

mud89 wrote:I could be the guy who provided the build date
"Custom Cab" is an option which included for these years the following items : cigar lighter, chrome front bumper, chrome grille, stainless windshield mouldings, body trim molding and vent wings, roof rail mouldings
Do you have the engine number on the alternator bracket ?

Looks like 3167134
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mud89
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Location: Burgundy, France

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by mud89 »

Thanks for looking, don't look like the engine number, should be like this : KJC xx7xxExx, it's on a little plate on the bracket, maybe it's lost
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle

offthebeatenpath
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Joined: Thu May 30, 2019 6:19 am
Location: Bozeman, Montana

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by offthebeatenpath »

Good looking truck!
How is it that your truck is a '65 as a J-3000, and mine is a '65 as a J-200? Was that a mid-year change?

Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

offthebeatenpath wrote:Good looking truck!
How is it that your truck is a '65 as a J-3000, and mine is a '65 as a J-200? Was that a mid-year change?
Not sure , looks like mine was built Oct. 65
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jpswapmohn
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Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by jpswapmohn »

That mirror light is pretty trick, and someone already added lights where the pie plates would be. I also like the older tach on the column. It looks “correct”. Even the tailgate looks solid. You found a really solid example from the pictures! Congrats.

I don’t know the color codes, but that think will look amazing in that metallic blue that is on the dash.
One day I will wake up and realize that my jeep is complete...one day, I just know it.
88Wag, LT1/4L60E/NP242, J20 axles, etc. http://imgbox.com/g/rNuIasKYrS
95YJ, STaK, D44's, SOA, ARB's, Bilstein 5150s, 35" KM2's
50 CJ3A
77 J-10 (sold)

Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

jpswapmohn wrote:That mirror light is pretty trick, and someone already added lights where the pie plates would be. I also like the older tach on the column. It looks “correct”. Even the tailgate looks solid. You found a really solid example from the pictures! Congrats.

I don’t know the color codes, but that think will look amazing in that metallic blue that is on the dash.
Thanks! I would love to see how much blue is still there, yea the light has me confused as well, it is very old, still works, not sure if it was a parts store add on or ?
It’s a metal housing even. The pie lights are modern KC, I’ve seen others with lights there but I’m partial to the original pieces, I just can’t find a set.
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mud89
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Location: Burgundy, France

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by mud89 »

offthebeatenpath wrote:Good looking truck!
How is it that your truck is a '65 as a J-3000, and mine is a '65 as a J-200? Was that a mid-year change?
Yes it's a mid-year change, J200s became J2000s and J300s became J3000s around january 1965
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle
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jpswapmohn
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Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:08 pm
Location: CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by jpswapmohn »

Pie pans can be hard to find, but a lot of folks are going the other direction to get some extra light out front. I think Kaiser invasions lights there considering stamping in the valence, just never did add them as far as i know.

Maybe someone on here will be doing the switch and have a set available for you.
One day I will wake up and realize that my jeep is complete...one day, I just know it.
88Wag, LT1/4L60E/NP242, J20 axles, etc. http://imgbox.com/g/rNuIasKYrS
95YJ, STaK, D44's, SOA, ARB's, Bilstein 5150s, 35" KM2's
50 CJ3A
77 J-10 (sold)

Topic author
HighDesertWheeler
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 4:25 pm
Location: Thornton, CO

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by HighDesertWheeler »

mud89 wrote:Thanks for looking, don't look like the engine number, should be like this : KJC xx7xxExx, it's on a little plate on the bracket, maybe it's lost
Think I found it,
710E13
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mud89
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Location: Burgundy, France

Re: J 3000 Gladiator

Post by mud89 »

Thank you , IIRC it means october 13 1965
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle
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