Rare Rear: 1975 Jeep J10 Thriftside Pickup – SOLD!

November 29, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

At one time, every American truck manufacturer differentiated their pickup bed type with brand names based on which side of the bed walls the wheels wells resided. For Chevrolet, it was “Fleetside” versus “Stepside”.  Ford used “Styleside” versus “Flareside” while Dodge offered “Sweptline” or “Utililine” beds. Lesser known to many is that even Jeep followed suit labeling their truck’s beds either “Townside” or in the case of this 1975 J10 originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in LaTrobe, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)the very rare “Thriftside” traditional style pickup bed.

Reported to have only 55K original miles and featuring a repaint in the early 1990s, the current caretaker has their 1975 Jeep J10 Thriftside listed for $17,500.  Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their J10 priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $7,800 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $18,100.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $12,800 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $20,700.

Jeep’s full-size pickup, originally called the Gladiator until 1971 when it became the J-Series, was largely based on the company’s SJ Wagoneer platform built under the Kaiser, AMC, and Chrysler brands between 1962 to 1988.  The Jeep Gladiator J-Series is noteworthy for remaining in production for more than 26 years on the same automotive platform.    The Gladiator name was dropped after 1971, after which the line was known simply as the Jeep Pickup or J-series. The pickups were designated as J2000 and J4000 models (the 3000 series was dropped in 1971) until 1973, then as J10 and J20 models from 1974 to 1988.

The This-Old-Jeep YouTube Channel features this 1973 Jeep Dealer promo reviewing the entire range of J-Series trucks offered that year:

While we’re not crazy about the liberal application of undercoating on this J10, we love the conversion to front disc brakes as well the extreme rarity of a stepside Jeep bed. With the prices of these rare Gladiator pickups on the rise, we predict this truck will not be for sale much longer.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“I am selling a 1975 Jeep J-10 “Thriftside” model pickup truck. This truck is fairly rare for this year, and road-ready. Mostly original and fun to drive, this truck has only 55K original miles, and is ready for many more! Here are the details:

I bought this truck from a local Jeep enthusiast(He had 4 others), who obtained it from a local collector who had it redone back in the late 1980s. Last on the road in 1991 until I bought it. The gentleman I purchased it from did the following: Converted the front drum brakes to factory disc brakes, along with a new master cylinder. Installed an electronic ignition(I have the original distributor if you want to convert it back to the original. He also installed a new gas tank, and sending unit.

After I had it trailered back to me, I did the following. Had the carb rebuilt,and installed a new fuel pump.Also replaced the temperature gauge,as it died, and pegged all the gauges.All gauges work fine now.Also replaced the turn signal switch assembly,and all signals work,as do the headlights, taillights, and parking lights.

Original 258ci inline six cylinder engine,with a TH400 automatic transmission,and Quadra-Trac full time four wheel drive.The truck fires right up hot or cold,and comes to a nice idle within minutes.No smoking,or funny noises.Great oil pressure.Occasionally one of the tappets starts to click,but usually goes away within minutes of driving.Runs nice & cool with no overheating issues.Transmission shifts fine,and the transfer case fluid was just changed along with the vacumn lines for the low/high range diaphram.

Bridgestone tires were replaced by previous owner,and have plenty of tread left.Original Jeep dog dish hubcaps.I just replaced the shocks both front & back.

The truck was repainted back in the late 1980s,but still looks great as it was kept indoors and not out in the weather.All body lines are straight,and no evidence of repair.There are a few nicks,cracks(half dozen?) in the paint(approx. 1/4-1″ in length).The interior of the bed is in amazing condition,with evidence of very little use over the years.These trucks from this era were known to rust out,but the only evidence I can find of previous rust is in the floorboards,and looks like it was repaired prior to the restoration.Very solid.Probably came from either out west or down south.I recently had the bed lined by Line-X,and also had them undercoat the entire underside.All aluminum trim & grill look great with no dents.All glass is original,and no cracks or pinholes.

The interior is original,and still looks great considering the age.A couple seam splits on the back of the bench seat,but still very useable.No cracks or splits in the dash pad.Door panels look great with no issues.New carpeting is in the cab,but not permanently installed.Needs trimmed,and adhesive applied,along with bolting the seat back in.

Overall,a really nice truck that is very hard to find in this condition.Not interested in any trades.Clear Pennsylvania title in my name.Also have a factory workshop manual & owner’s manual that go with the truck.

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Show or go: what would you do with this restored 1975 Jeep J10 Thriftside?  Comment below and let us know!