Jeep Gladiator: a legendary pickup with a national past that now comes in a reverse version

Jeep Gladiatorone of the queen brand’s legendary pickups in 4x4s, follows 60 years. A truck that left an indelible mark in the 60s and 70s, and even is made in the country between 1963 and 1977, where it showed the strength with which it was built.

Based on the platform of Jeep Wagoneerthe bodied version, the Gladiator SJ was sold between 1962 and 1988 and marked a milestone as it was one of the first civilian vehicles adapted for military use of the United States Army. Quite the opposite of the Willys Jeep, which was born for the war and became civilized after some time.

After 26 years without pickups (the latter being the Comanche), Jeep launched the 21st Century Gladiator in 2018, a restored variant based on Wrangler which has not only inherited its aesthetics but also the skills and machinery to deal with the most extreme off road.

This model, made in Ohio (United States) hit our market last year and is sold in two versions (Overland and Rubicon) with 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6automatic gearbox and, of course, all-wheel drive.

Multifaceted like the Willy

Based on the Wagoneer platform, Gladiator was launched along with different body types to suit the needs of different users: farmers, transporters, machine shops, individuals and outdoor enthusiasts.

For this reason, this model has been available since its launch six decades ago, both in the chassis cab version and a crane, truck or even as a camper.

Ang first generation The Gladiator is sold in versions with rear and integrated traction and moved thanks to the revolutionary 3.8-liter engine, with 6 cylinders in line, that delivered 140 CV power.

This machine is known as one of the first overhead camshaft available on the North American market. In turn, in 1965, the powerful engine was incorporated AMC V8of 250 HP.

Six years later, the Jeep Gladiator Roman fighter lost its name just to be called Jeep Pick-Up or J Series. This does not harm the performance of this model. Conversely, it acquired “off-road” characteristics with the Dana manual all-wheel drive system in 1977, followed by the Quadra-Trac system in 1983.

At the same time, the range was diversified and its equipment and finish were closer to those offered in sedans at the time.

In this way, versions like Pioneer They offer elegant interiors, chrome bumpers and metallic molding on the window frames, while the Honcho variants have exclusive upholstery designed by the firm. to Levi.

The end of the commercial life of the first Jeep Gladiator came in 1988, when it was replaced by Comanchea shorter model available until 1992. Since then, Jeep will not offer pickup to its customers until 2018, with the launch of the new generation of Gladiator.

The silver pickup

Manufactured since mid -1963 at the Santa Isabel plant in Cordoba, the Jeep Gladiator became the third truck produced by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA), behind jeep pickup and the Guidethe model it replaced.

At that time, the local offer consisted of Ford F-100, Chevy C-10 Y dodge d-100, also made in the country. Finally, Gladiator broke the mold with an innovative style of straight lines that contrasted with the rounded figures of its rivals.

The IKA truck also stands out for being the first in the market to have a independent front suspension and torsion bar, which optimizes its performance on uneven terrain and guarantees greater stability in curves.

The Gladiator has two versions that differ in their load capacities, 500 and 1,000 kilograms. Both have well -known machines Continental 6L 226 (3,707 cm3, 6 cylinders and 115 HP) equipped with other models such as Baqueano and Kaiser Carabela.

Although it was later replaced by a machine Tornado Super Power 230 of 6 cylinders and 3,770 cm3 generated power of 132HP. Both engines are accompanied by a three-speed manual gearbox (T90) with a steering wheel selector. Traction can be simple or integral.

Ang second generation of the Gladiator, known as T-80was introduced in 1967 when Régie Nationale des Usines Renault was already a majority shareholder of IKA.

This pickup differs from its predecessor by having a new grille that covers the width of the nose and by incorporating a ZF box 4-speed with floor lever.

This variant was made until 1971, when it was replaced by the version T-1000the most powerful of all (motor Tornado 233 with 7 banks and 170 HP of power) and the single also has a variant with a diesel engine.

As mentioned in Franco Cipolla’s book “IKA La Aventura” as a whole they were made 27,811 units of this truck between 1963 and 1977.

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