Description
The Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Pickup, or J-series is a series of pickup trucks built and sold by numerous companies from 1962 to 1988. The Jeep Gladiator/Pickup design is based on the large SJ platform of the Jeep Wagoneer and remained in production for over 26 years. The Gladiator formed the basis of the U.S. Army's first postwar pickup trucks, designed as civilian vehicles and adapted for military use. The Jeep Pickup was also built in many other countries, including Mexico by Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) and Argentina by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA).
Jeep Gladiator (1962–1971)
The Jeep Gladiator was introduced in 1962 and used a standard pickup truck design consisting of a body-on-frame chassis. It shared its basic architecture and front end with the Jeep Wagoneer.[1] Gladiators were designated as J200 and J300 models until 1965, and then as J2000, J3000, and J4000 models from 1965 to 1971, with the model number denoting the wheelbase.[2] In addition to being a pickup truck, the Gladiator was available in a variety of other configurations, including a cab-over chassis, a tow truck, and a camper. The cargo area could consist of a conventional pickup bed or a flatbed.[3]
The Gladiator was powered by a new 3,8-liter Jeep "Tornado" overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine developing 142 hp (104 kW). This engine power was transmitted to either the rear wheels or all four wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. Gladiators could also be ordered with dual rear wheels, called "duallys." These duallys had a four-speed manual transmission.[3]
The options list included an automatic transmission (an industry first), air conditioning, power brakes, power steering and (as with the post-war Jeep CJ) a power take-off for a variety of accessories such as snow plows and pusher mechanisms.[1]
In early 1963, Willys Motors changed its name to Kaiser Jeep Corporation.
In 1965, Jeep's "Tornado" engine was replaced by a 3,8-liter inline six-cylinder engine from AMC. That same year, AMC's 5,4-liter V8 engine, producing 253 hp (186 kW), also became available.
In 1967, almost all rear-wheel drive versions were discontinued due to lack of demand.[2]
From 1968 to 1971, Buick's 5,7-liter "Dauntless" V8 engine producing 233 hp (172 kW) was offered as an optional engine.
When Kaiser Industries decided to exit the automotive industry in 1970, Kaiser Jeep operations were acquired by American Motors Corporation. The vehicles were all now equipped with AMC engines, with the Buick engine replaced by either a 5,9-liter or a 6,6-liter AMC V8. Furthermore, the Gladiator received the same grille with the AMC emblem as the Jeep Wagoneer. This was the truck's first styling change since its introduction.
