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Cj-5plus Or What If The Gladiator Was Made In 1955?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Rustman, Oct 25, 2024.

  1. Oct 25, 2024
    Rustman

    Rustman Member

    Charles Town, WV
    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2019
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    This is only an idea. But it's one I've had for a year and still think it's a good one. I have this fantasy of an early CJ-5 but with a six foot long cargo box. Something I can go to the store and put 2x4's in the back (with the tailgate down) and I could go camping in. Put up some canvas on wood stake sides and bows like a military truck or trailer and set up a bunk over one wheel well, with room for my stuff on the other side, stove on the tailgate, no mosquitos and perfect sleeping weather... you get the idea. Anyway today I overlaid my idea against a side profile of an early CJ-5 and came up with the following:

    [​IMG]

    It's roughly 44 inches longer than an early CJ-5 and the wheelbase is currently 120 inches. Anyway, just throwing it out there for conversation. I'm not about to start building this thing. I am 2-3 years away from that right now.

    Matt
     
    Dwins1, 73cj5, Stakebed and 2 others like this.
  2. Oct 25, 2024
    HellaSlow

    HellaSlow Member 2024 Sponsor

    Los Angeles, CA
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    Stakebed, Beach66Bum and Rustman like this.
  3. Oct 25, 2024
    T. M.

    T. M. Rubicon or bust!

    Boise, ID
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    Jan 11, 2024
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    Interesting. Like a CJ8 but made from a Early CJ's, packing an extra 20" of wheelbase and 10" of bed, and probably better looking.
     
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  4. Oct 25, 2024
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    If you chopped that Jeep truck from Dirt Every Day down to half/cab, it's pretty close:
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Oct 25, 2024
    HellaSlow

    HellaSlow Member 2024 Sponsor

    Los Angeles, CA
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    Also kind of reminds me of this monster...


    I'm 10000% sure you'll have the full attention of this forum if you decide to take the plunge and start building! :beer::watch:
     
  6. Oct 25, 2024
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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  7. Oct 25, 2024
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Or one of these Coast Guard babies...

    OIP.HPKZqKE-CmntSKvBaJpcmAAAAA.jpeg
     
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  8. Oct 25, 2024
    compostwerks

    compostwerks Sponsor

    Canterbury, NH
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    Jan 1, 2011
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    Hey boss, I know what your fantasy is...
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Oct 25, 2024
    T. M.

    T. M. Rubicon or bust!

    Boise, ID
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    That's sweet! Looks like some thick tires on it too. Excuse my ignorance here, but is that built off of a MB/GPW? Is there an article on the history of these coast guard long-jeeps?
    Now this, on the other hand, is painful to look at.
     
  10. Oct 26, 2024
    Rustman

    Rustman Member

    Charles Town, WV
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    Dec 28, 2019
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    All great responses. In no particular order...

    The Coast Guard Jeep certainly has some influence on my design, here's a bit more on them http://www.ewillys.com/2013/04/08/coast-guard-lengthened-jeep/ the one in New Jersey in the museum is the only one I know of to still exist. That Mexican army Jeep functionally ticks the boxes, but what a mess going from the CJ front clip to that pickup box. I hadn't even heard of "Dirt Every Day" until now, but yes, aesthetically that is the closest to what I'm imagining. A CJ-6 with a bed extension would again achieve the functionality but not the aesthetics, also while I don't plan on anything really technical, I do want to not have that much past the rear axle.
     
    Stakebed, HellaSlow and T. M. like this.
  11. Oct 26, 2024
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    Better to cut it in half if you want a truck. Make the bed independent from the cab.
     
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  12. Oct 26, 2024
    Jw60

    Jw60 New Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Trails end,...
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  13. Oct 26, 2024
    Jw60

    Jw60 New Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Trails end,...
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    timsresort and Stakebed like this.
  14. Oct 26, 2024
    Jw60

    Jw60 New Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Trails end,...
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    This model is a 36" stretch.
    My advice is to stretch only before the axle.
    If you stretch both ahead and behind like a cj8 you will triple the work.
    [​IMG]20221119_182956 by Joe the adapter guy, on Flickr
     
  15. Oct 26, 2024
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Cut it up! Cut it up!
     
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  16. Oct 27, 2024
    Rustman

    Rustman Member

    Charles Town, WV
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    All great input. I had thought about the M170 route with the big opening. But I have no intentions for a rear seat, just a little area behind the front seats to throw a coat, hat and lunchbox. That's a good point about the Scramblers. I don't think I'd want the extra rear overhang as well as the extra work. The video short isn't loading for me, says it's private? Lastly. I've gone back and forth in my head about separating the cargo box. What would the the specific advantages of that?
     
  17. Oct 27, 2024
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Less stress on the body work when the frame flexes?
     
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  18. Oct 27, 2024
    HellaSlow

    HellaSlow Member 2024 Sponsor

    Los Angeles, CA
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    Dwins1 likes this.
  19. Oct 28, 2024
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    this.
     
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  20. Oct 28, 2024
    Dwins1

    Dwins1 Member

    Port Richey, Florida
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