Thoughts on a J20?

[adsm08]

So I have a chance to acquire what I believe to be a late 70s J20 series pickup. The engine and trans are likely to at least need total overhaul, as will the axles, but the frame and body are solid as far as I know (that will be verified before an offer is placed).


Anyone know anything about these trucks? If I buy it and find that the engine and trans are a total loss I will more than likely go the route of throwing a Cummins B in it.



EDIT: Not so sure it's a J20 anymore. I'm thinking it might be older, and has a more rounded front end than the J20s. Waiting on pics from the owner.

 

[88_Eddie]

it's a jeep, a brand new one would need an overhaul


i'd get it if i had the funds though. i'd plan on doin the cummins swap anyhow, to me, throwing money into a jeep engine is like buying gears and a locker for a d28.

they have pretty bullet proof drivetrain as well, what are they dana 44's f/r and a new process or dana t-case? add a solid body and frame and it'll be a sweet ride when finished. i really like the body styles as well, throw some pics up when you get them

DO IT DO IT DO IT

 

[LIMA BEAN]

I loved Val & Earls gladiator step-side in the movie Tremors, just a cool tuff truck.

 

[straycat]

I had a 78 J20 many years ago. It had the original AMC 360 V8 and 4 speed trans. It came with leaf sprnigs front and rear. It really drove like a schoool bus to me due to the wide wheelbase and it was very stiff. It had only a bench seat. Can't remember if they ever had real bucket seats in them at all. Lets see.... it was a T-18 4 Speed, Model 20 Transfer Case, Dana 44 front and Dana 60 Rear. So it was a very heavy feeling when you drove it. Got space to haul bikes in the bed....that was the best thing about it!!! lol

 

[adsm08]

it's a jeep, a brand new one would need an overhaul

Well it's old enough that its a good jeep. Not the modern junk.

It belongs(ed) to my wife's "rent-a-dad" who just passed recently. His wife is looking to sell off some of his never-finished and now less-than-wanted projects to try and get some money around. I've been driving past this truck wondering how I could get it since before I met my wife.


If it's not rotten and the money is available, I probably will get it.



I actually can't say that I've even ever seen the bed. The way it's parked you can see the cab from the road, but nothing behind it.

 

[bobert]

We have a 76 J20 ambulance. It seems to have a lot of power. 360 4 speed 4x4 pto winch. Works great in the snow.

Those are the years Jeeps had a bunch of ford parts.

This one needs a bit more work to be as reliable as our 81 Chevy 3/4 ton. But It has been sitting for a while before it got surplussed.

If the one you are looking at has a 401, those things are pretty sought after.

I think the older ones were called J4000s or J2000s.

 

[exbass94]

Those J-series trucks are freakin cool. Ever since I saw the movie Twister I wanted one. Do it!

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

Get it, man. J20s are hard to come by anymore.

 

[baddis]

i had a 78 j20 with a 360 and turbo 400 trans. i hated it. it had a wander in the front end i could never get rid of. new tires all new steering. had a friend turn the wheel and you could see the frame flex as the tires started to turn.

 

[RatDog8o8]

I love the older Jeep pickups like the Gladiator. They are cool and tough....if it will work out, I'd go for it!

 

[88_Eddie]

i still say get it, if anything, it'll make you appreciate your RBV more

 

[bobbywalter]

CHECK IT OUT if its solid get it.


6.5 is a relative drop in as is a 4bt with the bread truck parts

 

[Ozwynn]

I had a 78 J10 with a 401 and a 4spd. It was fast. Needed a high volume fuel pump to keep up. The engine would empty the carb before the stock oem style pump could fill it.

 

[JohnnyO]

If it isn't rusty I say jump on it.

 

[superdave1984]

Check these out. Kinda cool.
http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=110&acctID=1157

And another
http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=111&acctID=1157

And then this monster
http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemID=74&acctID=1465