Leaf springs??

[avere3]

So yesterday I found a post on a Facebook page asking for advice on choosing between a Wrangler and Gladiator. There was one odd post where a guy said the Gladiator had a higher tow rating and longer wheelbase, and it had rear leaf springs instead of live axle. (I'm guessing he meant coil springs, not live axle, but he could be under the influence of something...) He said his also had the 3.0 Eco Diesel. The replies here aren't mine.

Now I do recall seeing a JKU or JLU on leaf springs once, so this got me wondering if anyone made a conversion for this, and why.

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[GI Grandpa]

So yesterday I found a post on a Facebook page asking for advice on choosing between a Wrangler and Gladiator. There was one odd post where a guy said the Gladiator had a higher tow rating and longer wheelbase, and it had rear leaf springs instead of live axle. (I'm guessing he meant coil springs, not live axle, but he could be under the influence of something...) He said his also had the 3.0 Eco Diesel. The replies here aren't mine.

Now I do recall seeing a JKU or JLU on leaf springs once, so this got me wondering if anyone made a conversion for this, and why.

The Jeep J8 was a pick up based on the JKU and came with the Vimatori 2.8l CRD diesel and yes it had leaf springs in the rear. Mostly sold overseas as an vehicle for the military. It's possible they put the 3.0l EcoDiesel under the hood at some point before they stopped making the truck.

 

[avere3]

I'm aware of the J8, but this guy says he had a Gladiator. The J8 is the same size as a JKU, isn't it? That would negate him saying the Gladiator is longer.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

(spitballing here) Maybe he’s talking about the first run of Gladiators in the 60’s?? Haven’t researched the year(s) of that manufacturing run but I’d assume they had leaf springs

 

[GI Grandpa]

I'm aware of the J8, but this guy says he had a Gladiator. The J8 is the same size as a JKU, isn't it? That would negate him saying the Gladiator is longer.

Another option would have been an AEV Brute Doublecab, but it came with coil springs on all for corners unless someone modified the rear end of the JKU it was built from and swapped in an EcoDiesel, but my guess is he is confused

 

[Badunit]

I guess it can be done (photo attached), but he's talking like this is how Gladiators come from the factory.

 

[avere3]

(spitballing here) Maybe he’s talking about the first run of Gladiators in the 60’s?? Haven’t researched the year(s) of that manufacturing run but I’d assume they had leaf springs

I thought about that. That could be an interesting restomod with a 3.0 Eco Diesel.

 

[RudeJeepin]

No Gladiator ever came from the factory with both leaf springs, front or rear, and the 3.0 EcoDiesel. Never happened.
That was never even a combo in the Ram 1500.
Now if he was the second owner, or was high, than maybe.

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