KING KONG 7.3L Hemi - 1 tons - Long Arms - 40s *My Dream Gladiator Build*

[TwoCarGarageYT]

New Username, new build, but my 3rd JT. After scouring the internet for months I found a V8 swapped JT with super low miles at a price I could actually afford. I jumped on the opportunity and then decided to go all in with the build. It's a build I never thought I'd have in my garage. I'm not wealthy (working class job) and I'm not a shop or sponsor build. Just a regular Joe (but my name is David).

I'd like to share this experience. So, here's my first video attempting to do just that. I'm new to all things social media outside of this forum. So, please, provide feedback. Tell me what you like, didn't, or would like to see more of. I'm going to try to document as much as possible.

Let's get onto the truck. Here are the big stats:

2020 Gladiator Rubicon
AMW4x4 392 Hemi conversion - Stroked to 448 cubic inches - 7.3L - 650HP!!!
8HP75 AT
Dana UD60's w/ 4.88 gears - e-lockers
40/12.5R17 Toyo RT Pro on 17x9 KMC VI beadlocks
Rebel Recon DSS King coilovers front - King 2.5 shocks and coil spring rear
EVO MFG long arms for JT

I'll be getting into a full build breakdown in a future video, which I will also post here. There is also a lot of work to be done before the end of this month for EJS 2026! Stay tuned, as I make progress I'll post up here.

So, why KING KONG?

Ford came out with the 445 - 7.3L Godzilla engine... well this is a 448 - 7.3L HEMI
Naturally, King Kong is gonna beat up on Godzilla. Plus, this thing looks like a pissed off Silverback!

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[caryt]

Why a rear 60 petty weak for 40's and 650HP

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

Dana 60's are pretty dang strong. They're meant to work with 40" tires. I don't plan on doing burnouts on the boulders so I'll take the clearance and weight savings. Similar story for going with a "narrow" 40x12.5 tire. A dana 80 is stronger, but also heavier, hangs lower, and adds expense.

Time will tell if I made the right decision. For now, the UD60s geared to 4.88 are quite a bit beefier than the D44's that were under it.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Enjoy!

 

[RudeJeepin]

Dana 60's are pretty dang strong.

Time will tell if I made the right decision. For now, the UD60s geared to 4.88 are quite a bit beefier than the D44's that were under it.

I'd have no problem running 60s and 40s together. As long as your rock crawling and not rock bouncing, I don't see an issue.

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I'd have no problem running 60s and 40s together. As long as your rock crawling and not rock bouncing, I don't see an issue.

Agreed! This thing produces A LOT of torque in 4lo. My style is to crawl over obstacles, not slam. A buggy this aint!

 

[WestwallNF104A]

New Username, new build, but my 3rd JT. After scouring the internet for months I found a V8 swapped JT with super low miles at a price I could actually afford. I jumped on the opportunity and then decided to go all in with the build. It's a build I never thought I'd have in my garage. I'm not wealthy (working class job) and I'm not a shop or sponsor build. Just a regular Joe (but my name is David).

I'd like to share this experience. So, here's my first video attempting to do just that. I'm new to all things social media outside of this forum. So, please, provide feedback. Tell me what you like, didn't, or would like to see more of. I'm going to try to document as much as possible.

Let's get onto the truck. Here are the big stats:

2020 Gladiator Rubicon
AMW4x4 392 Hemi conversion - Stroked to 448 cubic inches - 7.3L - 650HP!!!
8HP75 AT
Dana UD60's w/ 4.88 gears - e-lockers
40/12.5R17 Toyo RT Pro on 17x9 KMC VI beadlocks
Rebel Recon DSS King coilovers front - King 2.5 shocks and coil spring rear
EVO MFG long arms for JT

I'll be getting into a full build breakdown in a future video, which I will also post here. There is also a lot of work to be done before the end of this month for EJS 2026! Stay tuned, as I make progress I'll post up here.

So, why KING KONG?

Ford came out with the 445 - 7.3L Godzilla engine... well this is a 448 - 7.3L HEMI
Naturally, King Kong is gonna beat up on Godzilla. Plus, this thing looks like a pissed off Silverback!

Outstanding! It'll be nice to see this rig get built to its full potential!

 

[Muddyape]

Kong looks great! I just put the Rt Pro 40’s on my rig about a month ago and I LOVE them

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

Kong looks great! I just put the Rt Pro 40’s on my rig about a month ago and I LOVE them

Excellent! I want to say they are pretty quiet for how aggressive they are, but the exhaust is still pretty loud and may skew what I'm actually hearing.

I'm excited to air them down and get them on the rocks.

 

[MaximusTX]

New Username, new build, but my 3rd JT. After scouring the internet for months I found a V8 swapped JT with super low miles at a price I could actually afford. I jumped on the opportunity and then decided to go all in with the build. It's a build I never thought I'd have in my garage. I'm not wealthy (working class job) and I'm not a shop or sponsor build. Just a regular Joe (but my name is David).

I'd like to share this experience. So, here's my first video attempting to do just that. I'm new to all things social media outside of this forum. So, please, provide feedback. Tell me what you like, didn't, or would like to see more of. I'm going to try to document as much as possible.

Let's get onto the truck. Here are the big stats:

2020 Gladiator Rubicon
AMW4x4 392 Hemi conversion - Stroked to 448 cubic inches - 7.3L - 650HP!!!
8HP75 AT
Dana UD60's w/ 4.88 gears - e-lockers
40/12.5R17 Toyo RT Pro on 17x9 KMC VI beadlocks
Rebel Recon DSS King coilovers front - King 2.5 shocks and coil spring rear
EVO MFG long arms for JT

I'll be getting into a full build breakdown in a future video, which I will also post here. There is also a lot of work to be done before the end of this month for EJS 2026! Stay tuned, as I make progress I'll post up here.

So, why KING KONG?

Ford came out with the 445 - 7.3L Godzilla engine... well this is a 448 - 7.3L HEMI
Naturally, King Kong is gonna beat up on Godzilla. Plus, this thing looks like a pissed off Silverback!

NIce find, I had similar find except mine is a EcoDiesel but I am also running UD60s, 4.88s e-locker, 42x13.5R20s Nitto Trail Grapplers on KMC Grenades, Rebel Recon DSS King Coilovers but I am running the Rock Krawler Long Arm Kit. Looking forward to watching your build. Check out my build as well.

Maximus Build Thread

 

[GI Grandpa]

NIce find, I had similar find except mine is a EcoDiesel but I am also running UD60s, 4.88s e-locker, 42x12.5R20s Nitto Trail Grapplers on KMC Grenades, Rebel Recon DSS King Coilovers but I am running the Rock Krawler Long Arm Kit. Looking forward to watching your build. Check out my build as well.

Maximus Build Thread

New Username, new build, but my 3rd JT. After scouring the internet for months I found a V8 swapped JT with super low miles at a price I could actually afford. I jumped on the opportunity and then decided to go all in with the build. It's a build I never thought I'd have in my garage. I'm not wealthy (working class job) and I'm not a shop or sponsor build. Just a regular Joe (but my name is David).

I'd like to share this experience. So, here's my first video attempting to do just that. I'm new to all things social media outside of this forum. So, please, provide feedback. Tell me what you like, didn't, or would like to see more of. I'm going to try to document as much as possible.

Let's get onto the truck. Here are the big stats:

2020 Gladiator Rubicon
AMW4x4 392 Hemi conversion - Stroked to 448 cubic inches - 7.3L - 650HP!!!
8HP75 AT
Dana UD60's w/ 4.88 gears - e-lockers
40/12.5R17 Toyo RT Pro on 17x9 KMC VI beadlocks
Rebel Recon DSS King coilovers front - King 2.5 shocks and coil spring rear
EVO MFG long arms for JT

I'll be getting into a full build breakdown in a future video, which I will also post here. There is also a lot of work to be done before the end of this month for EJS 2026! Stay tuned, as I make progress I'll post up here.

So, why KING KONG?

Ford came out with the 445 - 7.3L Godzilla engine... well this is a 448 - 7.3L HEMI
Naturally, King Kong is gonna beat up on Godzilla. Plus, this thing looks like a pissed off Silverback!

I would love an update on how the 40x12.50 Toyos perform for you. Not my JT, but my TJ has 40x13.50s on Pro Rock 60s and sit 83" wide and most trailers I have borrowed over the years are only 84" wide. I hadn't seen a 40x12.50 before today

 

[MaximusTX]

I would love an update on how the 40x12.50 Toyos perform for you. Not my JT, but my TJ has 40x13.50s on Pro Rock 60s and sit 83" wide and most trailers I have borrowed over the years are only 84" wide. I hadn't seen a 40x12.50 before today

Mine are 42x13.5R20, not sure why I put 42x12.5R20. But other than being expensive they are great.

 

[Muddyape]

I am on Fusion 60’s with 5.13’s. Just got away from my 39” BFG KM3’s to go to the 12.5 RT pros on mine and like I said previous, I love them. I didnt even balance them and they are smoother and quieter than the BFG’s plus around $300 PER tire cheaper. On the gladiator, hitting 8th gear on highway and they fit with 3.5” of lift on the Rubicon

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

NIce find, I had similar find except mine is a EcoDiesel but I am also running UD60s, 4.88s e-locker, 42x13.5R20s Nitto Trail Grapplers on KMC Grenades, Rebel Recon DSS King Coilovers but I am running the Rock Krawler Long Arm Kit. Looking forward to watching your build. Check out my build as well.

Maximus Build Thread

I definitely know this build. I've been on the forums since they JTs came out and your JT is hard to miss! A lot of similarities. Do you know what shock length your running in the rear?

 

[TwoCarGarageYT]

I would love an update on how the 40x12.50 Toyos perform for you. Not my JT, but my TJ has 40x13.50s on Pro Rock 60s and sit 83" wide and most trailers I have borrowed over the years are only 84" wide. I hadn't seen a 40x12.50 before today

I'll definitely provide updates and honest reviews as I figure out what works and what needs to be improved. So far I like the skinny 40s. I'm surprised how quiet they are but the V8 does provide a bit of background noise so hard to give a fair opinion on that.

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