1970 Gladiator Restomod

[Yeller]

Ok back to the Gladiator.

Decided it was time to do something about the cab mounts. The old rubber pucks were squished and a PO added some belting material to attempt to repair it. Also the bolts were worn from the spings and they rattled. So I picked up some CJ tub pucks from my favorite old Jeep parts store Harmon 4x4 in Tulsa OK. The CJ pucks just happened to be the correct thickness, the body lines now line up well with the bed, the cab was a little low before.

So i used a holesaw and cut the hole in the frame to 1-1/4” and installed the pucks under the cab. I can’t do the same to the core suport without pulling the front clip off so I added fender washers to make the height match the cab and the springs are still in use there. Should be a nice change in NHV, whether there is or not, the cab should be better married to the chassis.

[sierrablue]

That's awesome!

Does mine most likely have the spring setup? Just one bushing...what's the advantage of two bushings vs. a bushing and a spring loaded bolt?

[Yeller]

Mostly they don’t squeak lol. The passenger side didn’t have any of the original rubber left, just 4 pieces of rubber belting or cut up tire. The spring and rubber pad was how Willys did it all the way to the beginning. By the 60’s most others were using double sided rubber pucks with a steel bushing in the middle similar to these.

[sierrablue]

OK lol. I think somebody has done similar fixes to mine--glad to know the CJ rubber works. If/when I decide it needs it, I'll probably stick with the springs (assuming they're not trashed) and replace the bolts. I haven't noticed any squeaking out of mine, so I'm not too worried about it.

[Yeller]

I can confirm fewer rattles and vibrations, so I’m very happy I took the time to make the change.

For anyone interested here’s a link to the bushings that I used. I didn’t buy this kit but it is the same manufacturer as the pieces I used.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/55008_00.htm

[Papa George]

Very nice build. I am impressed with the hydro boot brakes.

[sierrablue]

Yeller, I like how you have this labeled as a Restomod, yet it's one of the more stock looking rigs on the forum here

[Yeller]

Yeller, I like how you have this labeled as a Restomod, yet it's one of the more stock looking rigs on the forum here

Thanks! That’s the goal, wolf in sheep’s clothing

[Yeller]

Very nice build. I am impressed with the hydro boot brakes.

Thank you

It is not that complicated of a mod. The hardest part is getting the push rod the right length. I’ve done several of them in all sorts of vehicles.

[sierrablue]

Yeller, I like how you have this labeled as a Restomod, yet it's one of the more stock looking rigs on the forum here

Thanks! That’s the goal, wolf in sheep’s clothing

IMO it's always cooler when it looks more or less stock. Most of our stuff looks stock, but underneath is pretty modified, though only as we see it needs it. And that's the look I'll be going for with the EV conversion on my rig.

[Yeller]

Something good is happening

[sierrablue]

Is that something good going to turn out to be an Atlas?????

[Yeller]

OHHHH YEAHHH

[sierrablue]

Dang! That's awesome!

[Yeller]

Getting there. I wish they would supply a shift boot that actually fits and is large enough to actually cover the hole. Feel like it came out ok using the supplied boot and the original boot.

[sierrablue]

You pay how much for a tcase and they can't even give you a decent boot? What a rip off

[Yeller]

Yeah I’ve complained directly to their VP years later still sending the same crappy boot. It’s actually a nice boot, just wrong for the application.

[Yeller]

All installed and happy, happy, happy

I did have to clock it up a little higher for the exhaust to clear, which also meant I had to rework the mount over a little for it to clear the floor. The rear drive shaft came out 11” longer and the front is 2” shorter. The longer rear shaft was a huge improvement in drive line angles and helped smooth out vibrations.

[Yeller]

I’ve put a few hundred miles on it now and am extremely happy. Some vibrations I’ve been chasing are gone and for whatever reason the drivetrain is quieter. Advance supplied me with a 33 tooth speedometer gear. It was 4% fast, not too bad. I had a 34 tooth gear, which is a 3% change so it’s right in the very close ball park lol.

[sierrablue]

Sounds awesome!

Yeller, what're you running for wing windows? I would really like to keep the stock ones but I'm REALLY tired of the whistling, and I know the later gaskets won't seal it around the hinge (which is where it's leaking anyway, of course, why wouldn't it be?). Do I break down and get some later ones or is there a trick (other than ducttape) to fix it?