68 Kaiser Gladiator-12v conversion

[Mudbull]

Hey guys, Im relatively new here and new to diesels, but since my dad's into classic sports and muscle cars, so I'm not new to restoration and fabrication. I figured its a good time to start a conversion thread (btw, i like pictures). Ive always wanted a 4x4 truck, I finally came across a 1968 kaiser gladiator to make it how i want. I was thinking about putting anything from a GM 6.2 diesel, cummins 6bt, to a ford 6.9 IDI...




My friend, chevyboy91188, found a great deal on craigslist for a 96 ram 3500-275k miles, automatic, 4x4, all stock.


A series of unfortunate events lead to my car (70 Duster) getting totaled by a moronic sorority girl, and me blowing the auto trans in the ram while i was towing a donor shell back home. Chevyboy (theres a trend here) lent me a hand and his driveway to swap the slushbox out for an nv5600. The nv5600 had sat at the sellers for a few months, so it was full of mud and leaves. I used about 5 gallons of diesel in a weed sprayer to clean it all out. It does however look clean, and apparently was rebuild 40k miles ago.



Now im using the ram as a daily driver until my car is done and i can get started on the kaiser swap.

[Mudbull]

Plans for the kaiser are to keep costs down by reusing as much as i can from the ram on the kaiser. I plan on using the rams: front seat, wiring harness, gage cluster, heater a/c box, drivetrain...basically im only using the kaisers fenders, cab, and bed.



Im not going to do anything crazy performance wise to the engine, just 4k GSK, 60lb ex springs, bigger injectors..But i really want to run a dual tank WVO system. The rams getting a 4" exhaust to a 6" stack within a week that will find its way onto the kaiser. The kaiser will have a ram frame shortened to 120" wheelbase. Id like to run 37's on the kaiser and dont think that i need to run any more of a lift than the rams stock springs and leveling kit for them to fit. I plan on running on board air (with these air horns i just got, and a bigger tank/another compressor later) and either a hydraulic or electric winch.

[delsilver]

Your basic concept is great. Just my opinon but that Ram looks in pretty good shape to be used as a doner. You might be able to come out money ahead buy selling the Ram when ready and getting a doner with the body gone.
The other side of the coin is you know what you have with the Ram
Just my thoughts
Del

[Mudbull]

Thanks, but i only paid $2k for the ram, and about that much for the nv5600 swap. I know i could make some money off of it, but I like the fact that i know everything about this truck now, and am not walking blindly into a pile of parts.
I only paid $650 for the kaiser, and have sold off the engine, intake, trans...ive already broken even on that with the frame and axles to sell still. I talked with my friend chevyboy91188 a while ago, were going to shorten his old frame, swap the axles, engine/trans, etc over to it. Then the current plan is that hes going to rebuild the ram for his cousin.

[TEX]

GREAT project and really good start. thanks for all the pics
welcome to CF

and I will be glad to help when I can, Im not going to BS you if i can help great if i dont know the answer lets find it.

again welcome

[Roadhazardguy]

Cool jeep, it will be sweet with a cummins!

Remember the one on Tremors?

[Mudbull]

Thanks a lot guys for the compliments and support! Ive seen the one on Tremors, I believe it's the same year..It seems like I'm so far away from getting to this project, but once im there, there's only going to be about a month of metal work, then fab up some body mounts on the frame, and run some wires. Should be more complicated than I made it sound, but not too long of a project.

[Devilman]

Awesome project man! I love the old gladiators!

[Mudbull]

Finally have a chance to work on the kaiser. A few months ago we shortened a RCLB frame to 120" wheelbase, rust repair on the cab is underway (rocker panels, floors are non-existant). The bed will have to be 80% new, fenders are practically the only salvagable piece, but thats for later.

[Mudbull]

Fixing rust on the cab. Hopefully the cab will be in primer within a month so that it can be set on the frame and see if anything needs to be modified before the floors go in. Ram's on the road for another month while the school semester's still going on and my car is regaining my trust...

[Mudbull]

Bit more progress...Just waiting to tear the Ram appart..hopefully once the frames sitting next to the cab things will move very quickly...

[Roadhazardguy]

Very nice! That whole process looks very familiar..