64 Gladiator Tribute

[BigJ200]

Just wanted to share a few photos of my 1964 Gladiator Truck that I designed and built in honor of our Military men and women. Lots left to do yet, but it's on the road now after 2 1/2 years.

Here's what it it looked like when I went to check it out. Love at first sight...


I paid the owner and my friend Travis and I worked on getting it started. It took a little while and when we were ready to go, a huge storm rolled in. It rained all the way home with wipers that worked half the time. But it was a short 10 minute drive to my place...






And after 2 1/2 years of hard work, here it is today... Almost complete...









Here is my clean engine bay. A 04' GM 6.0L, 4L60e, NP241, Dana 60's F/R.


My Warn PowerPlant winch. I took it apart and painted it the body color...


Now it is time to paint the bed sides, put on the doors, build custom bumpers, and a lot more.

I will post a complete build thread soon.

MB

[Mean_Green_401]

My gosh, love your truck. What is the exact color, i love it. What size tires are you running?

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[wvrefugee]

DUDE!!!!

[jaber]

Sweet build...

[BigJ200]

The color is Marine Forest Green semi-gloss - #24052. It also comes in Lusterless #34052. It is a single stage paint.

I am running 41 x 13.50 x 17 Super Swamper IROK Radials on 17 x 9 Mickey Thompson Aluminum Wheels.

MB

[Mean_Green_401]

Thanks, I'm a fan of the color. Where did you get the headlights?

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[Stuka]

WOW, amazing truck!

[BigJ200]

Thanks, I'm a fan of the color. Where did you get the headlights?

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

They are 7" round black projector headlights with H4 HID bulbs. They are available all over the internet. I have not yet driven at night with these, but I expect them to work very well. I hope they are as good as my Hella headlights. They also have H4 HID bulbs. The only reason I changed to these black lights is because they go very well with my overall green and black color scheme.

I should be able to give an update on these soon.

MB

[BigJ200]

Short test run...





MB

[AwesomeJ10]

that is a beautiful J truck!

[70 Gladiator]

Glad to see you here MB. They are going to love to read and see this build. Looks like the first run went well.

[BigJ200]

Thanks for the kind feedback.

Just a few more pics to check out. I eliminated the glovebox and welded it up. Now it holds my stereo, vintage air conditioning/heat controls and 2 vents.






Plus, I created a tray on top of the dash in place of the original speaker.



I installed Extreme Dynamat and a new carpet kit...



MB

[ShawnQ]

Any update on those headlights?

[serehill]

That is awesome & dyna mat is the only way to go That is a nice rig I love seeing some doing it right.

[BigJ200]

Any update on those headlights?

The headlights are perfect. And just like my Hella headlights, they have a solid horizontal line on low beam, which makes it very nice for a lifted Jeep. They don't blast into the cab of the car in front me at stop lights and they don't create a dangerous blinding situation with oncoming traffic. They also have a nice bright white tone (even without relays) and they project the perfect amount of light on each side of the road, making it easy to see wildlife. On high beam they are seriously bright.

I will test them in fog and winter weather conditions.
MB

[BigJ200]

I initiated the 2nd stage of trimming my front and rear fender flares for added clearance. Personally, I like the FSJ flares, so it is very important to me to trim them in such a way that I still maintain the OEM look. Most people will not even notice that they've been modified when I am done.

The front trim work has added 4-5" of clearance.







I am experimenting with adding a small "flat fender style step. If I like the look, I will attach them to the 3/16" plate rocker guards; not currently built.



MB

[BigJ200]

The hood support rods, hood latch and grille are all painted and installed. I really want to paint the aluminum radiator black for a better look. But I need to research whether or not it will hinder cooling.

I also got the drivers door on. Now it just needs to be adjusted.











MB

[Stuka]

Truck is coming along nicely!

[jaber]

Looks awesome.
Rather than paint, get some black window screen and put it between the grill and rad.

[ShawnQ]

Did I miss the details on your lift kit?