1970 Gladiator Restomod

Area to show off your Custom Build threads.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Received my new lenses today:D HUGE improvement in brightness of the tail lights. I also installed the new back up light lenses and bulb, low and behold they work!

Image

And for reference the part number:

Image
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by tgreese »

:-bd Exciting!
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Stuka »

Looks a lot better! Love the bee hive backup lights.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Chubbinius
Posts: 351
Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:33 am
Location: SD, CA

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Chubbinius »

Love the beehive backups and the bright/clear red lenses look great!
1970 1414X Wagoneer "The Pig"
-Custom Special
-Dauntless 350 V8
-D27 front/D44 rear
2006 XK (65th Ann Edition)-DD
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Thanks! I still need to pull the lenses back off the tail lights and paint the inside of the housings white to make the lights pop a little more firm believer they need to be as bright as possible. One of my biggest fears is getting rear ended, had several over the years. All of them quite minor but still a concern.

Received the clocking ring for the transfer case today, pics will be following but wanted to note the part number. Using Advance Adapters part number AS-8603. Chose it because it is 3/4” thick and maintains the circular register so things will align well and the machines sealing surfaces are intact that should reduce the potential for leaks. I have no worries of it having enough spline engagement due to the thickness. My 2wd transmission output shaft is too long and needs cut off, so just cutting it longer than normal.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

And pics :D

Just mocking up at the moment, I may have to change the clocking location so it won’t get completely buttoned up until install.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by Yeller on Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Not so much part of the build but a repair to keep going until the drivetrain comes out. I think I got all of the good out of the transmission mount. The transfer case was laying on the crossmember and finally rubbed a hole in the inspection cover. Took it all apart, replaced the mount, welded a patch on the hole and reassembled. Drives like a different truck, quieter, shifters are aligned, vibrations are gone, just all around so much more pleasant.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by Yeller on Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Stuka »

As a side note, you no longer need to put img tags around the attachments. You can just attach them and they show up, which is why your posts above have duplicate images.

That mount was toast!
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Thank you for the update Suka! I edited a few of my posts

Yes it was, the tcase sits 1-1/2” higher than it did before.
Last edited by Yeller on Thu Sep 16, 2021 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

I also need to make an update about the brakes. The booster was leaking and was having intermittent issues with the front brakes dragging and had traced it down to a faulty master cylinder. So with those issues I had a booster and master cylinder from the parts van and installed them, stops better than ever, doesn’t leak and the brake dragging issue disappeared.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Parts are arriving :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

5jeepsaz
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:07 am

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by 5jeepsaz »

Great J series truck, great thread! Thanks for posting it up. Watching with interest. I kept the tailgate chains on my 64, but your clip solution is perfect. Whats with all those parts....
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Stay tuned there is some fun stuff to slowly about start happening 8-)
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Ok that pile of parts……..
Friend of mine has a machine shop in his garage, gets board easy and loves working his machines. He made me a really nice through bar for putting bearing cups on the Dana 60 I’m putting together to consume that pile of parts. Housing done, gears and locker installed today. Will be finished up and ready to install tomorrow :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Dana 60, 99-06 63” chevy springs and brackets are ready to install. I will have a drive shaft back this week. Trying to do mods in one day or 1 weekend. Keeps it fun and makes me think through mods completely before starting. Besides I like driving the truck and can’t drive it if it’s torn apart. :D

Once installed the rear should be about 2-1/2” taller. Which will motivate me to get the front installed. Which is sitting on the bench next in line.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

What do you do when your board on a Friday night? Tear the truck down that you planning on using Saturday :P

Pulled the Jeep in the shop and got out the plasma cutter and whittled the rear suspension completely out including the spring hangers that are welded, riveted to structural crossmembers and welded some more, that in its self took as long as the rest of the job combined. But we have 63” Chevy springs installed and the new Dana 60 and it’s ready for use tomorrow :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Once the sun can up today I was able to get a few mostly finished pics. Still needs painted and shocks changed but functionally complete for this week. Drove it more today, wow was the old rear tired. It’s much quieter, vibrations are gone along with a bad shake that felt like a bent wheel that I had been chasing. The new springs ride unbelievably better.

Oh and we still got to that planned work for today :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Stuka »

Yeah, the post mounts are really on there. Which is good, but makes it a lot of work to remove them.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

I just cleaned them up enough to work, if I ever pull the bed and fuel tank I’ll work on them some more. The front ones may just get left LOL. Especially if the springs will come off, these were quite happy where they were, wound up cutting the springs off at the eye
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
User avatar

Topic author
Yeller
Posts: 1521
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:54 am
Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: 1970 Gladiator Restomod

Post by Yeller »

Sad news…… haven’t had a chance to dig into it but by the evil sounds coming out of the top of the motor sounds like the cam lost a lobe. Only been a few days and am missing driving it. On the upside bring on the 6.0, 4l80e and 241 8-) 8-)
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909
Post Reply