Retro Gladiator build, my modern take on the Old Honcho

[smlobx]

You obviously have serious skills (and cajones!).

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[azmojave]

Killer Jimny!

 

[Whisperingjim]

This is going to be aa neat build.

 

[JTGuy]

I think I hear a call from SEMA and EJS on your line.

 

[Warped]

I love the old Honcho trim and wish I had the mad skills and ability to cut up a new truck. You should show a pic of your Prospector as well. Will be cool to see them side by side when near completion.

 

[Toyfrog]

AndyB gonna have more followers than that Taylor what ever her last name is girl.

 

[Zachanadandy]

What is the wheelbase post cutting? Are you sticking with gladiator rear suspension/ driveshaft or did it end up close enough to JLU dimensions to go that route?

 

[AndyB]

So while I was waiting for parts I started doing the foundation work for a solid build. This rig will be used on trails for sure and although it looks nice it must perform. I mentioned the air compressor in an earlier post but I also thought some storage would be wise too. I installed a 2.5 gallon air tank, and ran an arb manifold incase I went with Air lockers (more on this later). The air tank has ports for air chucks front and rear and a remote air fill in case of compressor failure. Each port has a separate shutoff at the tank incase of damage on any line the whole system is still solid.

This is a Viair tank and fits transverse at the crossmember before the spare tire (in case you wanted to try the same).

I added two 3/8 bus bars by the battery. The positive bar is protected by a 500amp marine fuse. Both have 2/0 leads running to the rear of the vehicle. There are no other attachments to the battery.

So at this point in the build the front fenders came in. I went with American Adventure Labs inner fenders. I am a big fan of the dzus fasteners and for ease of access they are hard to beat. I had to do some minor modification for fitment around the fenders but nor bad. These will be coming off again for color.

The new visor returned from paint and is attached with 3m vhb tape, using some adhesion promoter for good measure.

 

[Oilburner]

Killer Jimny!

Looks like an old Suzuki LJ

 

[AndyB]

I mentioned earlier the plan for the air tank. Here is the diagram if it helps.

So the Axles. The initial plan was to go with dynatrac prorock 44's . This was a builders axle and it housed Yukon gears with an ARB locker. It was the rear axle where the problems began. A miss-communication between vendors cause the wrong rear axle to be delivered. Then we find out that Dynatrac isn't selling builder axles for the rear. The delay would have been 4 months. Now I am a big fan of these axles but a delay like this is way too long. I am just an hobbiest that likes to build/restore a vehicle or two. I am not a shop, so unfortunately I had no pull to fix this problem. Not to worry though, I found a solution. More to come.

This might be a boring photo to some. For me it represents hours of work and a very sore back, not to mentioned brain damage for time spent on my back under the dash. What you are seeing is, a Sidewinder switch housing holding an Icom 2730a dual channel ham. Receiver is mounted under steering wheel and a remote plug has been mounted on the passenger side of the console. The factory switches for the lockers removed and a 12 control Voswitch mounted in place.

Here is the control unit for the Voswitch. It is mounted under the backseat passenger side. There is a body plug in the floor here. This means I never have to go under the dash to install an accessory again.

 

[Mules]

Awesome build!! Can't wait to see the 40's mounted.

 

[AndyB]

Wheels and tires finally came in. I went with 40's Milestar Patagonia mounted on Icon Rebound Pro wheels. If you know, these are the only dot approved street legal bead retaining wheels (at least that's what the nice salesman said).
Looks like I need to reduce some image sizes to continue. So might post more tonight later.

I saw questions about my little LJ. Quick story, about 5 years ago a friend calls me and said he saw it for sale in Placerville California. It was rusted and clapped out. Had been rolled a bunch and barely ran on 1 of its 2 cylinders. I had to have it. 5 years later and tons of work I finished a complete frame off resto.
It's a 1972 suzuki Jimny LJ20. Some parts of the world call it a Brute. Water Cooled, 2cylinder 2 stroke.

 

[AndyB]

Finally, time to assemble the bed. Notice the wires on the ground? More electrical work coming.

So earlier I mentioned routing power to the rear of the vehicle. Some must have even thought that's a lot of amps. I am installing a 12.5k winch in the back and need to support all the juice. The air compressor pulls a lot of amps also, nearly 82 at 100psi.

So here we are, the bed is finally assembled.

The Genright bumper is next. I loved how lightweight it is and it allowed me to do something different with my reservoir shocks.

Lots of trimming, then mounting the brackets, followed by modifying the way the d ring mounts attach.
Then pull it all back off and send it out for color.

For the rear bumper more work to be done. I am installing a rear winch and don't want it to look like an afterthought. Time to break out my metal knife and dig in.

And just like that, it looks like it came that way. Off to the powder coaters it goes. Just a reminder, this is a motobilt bumper. It comes included in the bed kit.

 

[AndyB]

The decals have arrived! I had these custom made by a friend of mine. Here's the only problem. I've never done this before and I feel a little over my head. Oh well, no sense crying about it. Let's do this.

It's really starting to look like my plan. Hours of sweat and a few arguments with my helper/wife and I'm pleased.
I hear a truck pulling up...

So here is the solution for my axles.
I guess I should discuss my suspension choices. I have a friend who runs a offroad shop and builds lots of rigs. We share ideas and when I discussed building this I asked him what he would do for a build. Now I know coil overs are very popular. I struggle with the package itself. As cool as they look the don't really fit in the space and usually require a larger offset on the wheels to clear them. Then the setup, I only know one way. First weigh the rig, then install the right springs. Find a shop that has a test and tune day. Drive a bit through several terrains and speeds come back and adjust, then repeat. Done properly, this is the best way and they are awesome. I'm just not into all that. Here is what my friend came up with for a plan. Rock Jock pro edition 3.5" kit, with 2.5" Fox Performance Elites.

Front, I was still waiting for Rock Jock high steer knuckles to come in.

Here is the rear installed.
The stock drive shafts are no longer an option. I sent measurements off to JE Reel and new ones are on the way.

 

[AndyB]

These are Rock Slide Engineering's sliders. Mounting them was a pain. They involve pulling the body mount bolts. I used an induction bolt heater to soften the factory lock tight, but they are also self tappers. They suck to remove. These sliders are now part of this truck.

The custom badges came in. I know it's a small thing, but I really like them.

Here we are, it's finally sitting on all 4.

Front bumper is back and installed.

Rear bumper and lights installed. The lights below the tail lights are BD designs squadrons. They are recommended by Motobilt, but not included. Totally worth it though.

Front winch installed. This is a Come Up 12.5k winch. If you haven't heard of them before, there demo involves using the whole thing submerged under water. Not that I dislike Warn, but my rear winch was limited on space and Come Up makes a slim line that fits in small spaces. It's 12.5k winch also.

Rear winch in place. So I have to say, these winch hooks didn't last long. In later photos you will see I replaced them.

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