It's not the dog, it's the truck that should be given all the credit for the hunt! After all, the rig is what got the hunter to and from the chase! We've run across more trail rigs purpose-built for hunting than we can shake a stick at. They're almost always sleepers sporting old rusty and faded body panels, with trick custom componentry lying just under the surface.
Dave Mello of Tustin, California, built this '66 J3000 pickup for chasing birds and elk around his favorite hunting grounds. The old Jeep is a very capable machine and could be used for more than just chasing critters. We found the Gladiator in a rocky wash being tested after the suspension system had been installed. This is one old truck we'd love to be crawling over rocks and rolling down the trail with during the fall hunting season. If you have a cool hunting rig or a truck built for any off-road use-be it around the farm, getting to the backwoods for work, or just recreational wheeling-send us photos. We're always looking for great unique feature trucks.
This is typical of a hunting...
This is typical of a hunting rig's basic interior-the telltale sign that this sleeper isn't an ordinary truck is the Auto Meter gauges and the Edelbrock fuel injection control system.
The J3000s suspension is built...
The J3000s suspension is built around Deaver Springs Soft Ride leaf spring packs and Bilstein 5100 shocks. The custom-built Currie Enterprises Dana 44 front axle is fitted with 4.10 gears and disc brakes.
Under the faded and rusty...
Under the faded and rusty hood rests a 383ci small-block Chevy V-8. The engine was built by ATK Engines and is fed by an Edelbrock Pro-Flo2 electronic fuel injection system. A TH400 transmission transfers the power to a Dana 300 transfer case.
Tech Specs
1966 Jeep Gladiator J3000
Drivetrain
Engine: 383ci small-block Chevy V-8
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: Dana 300
Front Axle: Currie Enterprises Dana 44, 4.10 gears
Rear Axle: Currie Enterprises Dana 44, Detroit Locker, 4.10 gears
Suspension
Springs & Such: Deaver Soft Ride leaf springs, Bilstein 5100 shocks
Tires & Wheels: 33x12.5 Goodyear Wrangler M/Ts on 15x10 Pro Comp wheels
Other Stuff: PSC hydraulic steering system with Saginaw box, S-link tie-rod system with 3/4-inch Heim ends, Currie Enterprises disk brakes, Power Train Industries driveshafts, ABS Power Brake hydroboost, custom exhaust system