1966 Jeep Gladiator Thriftside Pickup Restomod
In the world of collectible vehicles, this is what’s known as an FSJ, which stands for Full Size Jeep, and which encompasses the early line of Jeep pickups first introduced under Kaiser ownership. This 1966 Jeep Gladiator Thriftside is an FSJ with some major deviations from stock: It’s been heavily customized and converted into a restomod with help from a modern General Motors V8 powertrain and a Dodge Avenger interior. The truck has also been extensively personalized, one example being its pristine cargo bed with a fresh oak on the bed floor and diamond-plate bed sides. The fuel filler is out of a UH1D helicopter. The camouflage paint was applied in 2022.
This Gladiator is now powered by a General Motors 5.3-liter Vortec V8 sourced from a Chevrolet Tahoe of unspecified year and backed by a GM 4L60-E four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. According to the seller, this Kaiser cruises at highway speeds with ease. A New Process transfer case now operates the four-wheel-drive function. The powertrain had 43,000 miles before the swap, and a new wiring harness was required for the build. The modern fuel-injected engine is reported to start “hot or cold without smoke.” The engine bay, includes a new aluminum radiator, presents as strongly clean.
The Gladiator was media-blasted and epoxy primed before being painted, noting no body blemishes, nor interior leaks and new cab seals. The Jeep has a replacement aluminum cab floors and no rust. A 13,000-pound electric winch is now mounted on the bumper. The cargo bed presents very strongly, showing no damage to the floor or bed sides. The glass is in good, scratch-free condition. All lighting is reported to work, with the seller noting all new wiring and an aftermarket 52-inch light bar. The underside presents as strongly clean, with minimal surface corrosion.
The interior was sourced from a Dodge Avenger, the cloth upholstery showing no rips or other damage. The carpeting is new, as is 80-mm sound and heat insulation in the cab. The dashboard has a carbon fiber wrap and new Dolphin instrumentation, plus a Pioneer audio system with SiriusXM capability. The headliner is in good, sag-free shape. Both the air conditioning and heater work. The seller reports the new speedometer’s readings are inexact.
The seller reports that the chassis was lubricated and inspected within the last 1,000 miles. All four shock absorbers and their bushings are described as new. The seller states that new brake linings, wheel cylinders, lines, and a dual master cylinder have recently been installed, noting that the power-assisted drum brakes will lock the wheels. The Goodyear Wrangler tires have covered an estimated 1,000 miles, the seller says.
(The last I can find on this vehicle is that the Hemmings sale was denied in 2022 with a high bid just short of $10,000.)
