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What's Up From Nm. Any Info To Help Me Fill In The Blanks Would Help.

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by D1RTD0GG, Feb 13, 2019.

  1. Feb 13, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Been following your forum for a couple weeks now. Just bought a 1971 Jeepster Commando over the weekend. Y'all are a bunch of geniuses when it comes to this stuff is what I found on your forum so far and thank you for all the quality info. I've got some questions about what exactly I have I know it's a Jeepster I know it's a Commando titles as 1971 but, from the research I've seen the four cylinders came with 4.27 gears and mine is a 225 dauntless with 427 gears. Do you think these we're switched out or the motor was switched out? Or was that an option because the only other option I found was 3.73 or 4.10. It's been 13 years since I did any rain chain on a Jeep and looking forward to doing more. Here's some pictures also where the ashtray used to be there is a missing knob anybody know what that knob goes to there's a cable that runs through the firewall into the engine compartment that is just left dangling. Also another bracket that looks like it's supposed to have something but there's nothing there. What are some of the main mods I should be looking into as this will be my daily driver for the next few years until I can afford something else the drive while this get strip down further. And this steering box what is it what style any information would be great. It is twin stick never had one or used one but it seems cool want to try and keep it close to classic but with some modern enhancements. With the 4.27 gears and the dana27a and dana 44(from what i can tell) are 35s realistic down the line. Did these come with rear turn signals or just brake light. Well I'm officially rambling any info identifying some of these things would be helpful.
    P.s. anybody running that Weber dual carb set up?
    Can't figure out how to post pics from phone when i get to computer will try then.
    Meet Google Drive – One place for all your files
    Ok this should be link with pictures off shine of the things in trying to figure out.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2019
  2. Feb 14, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1,598
    You need permission to view the link. If you are wanting to stay stock, stay with the stock tires too, IMHO.
    I have found looking at many pictures on Goggle helpful to see what your model looked like originally, and how it looks with the different modifications people have made. Then you can decide better what you will like your own ride to look like.
     
  3. Feb 14, 2019
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    Messages:
    940
    The pictures loaded for me.
    I suspect the cable that ends in the engine bay was for a manual choke.
    The empty bracket in where the throttle cable sheath attaches, the actual cable would have attached to the carburator throttle shaft / linkage.
    The steering box is a factory Saginaw unit (desirable).
    The circular tin cup by the exhaust manifold would have been where the warm air tube from the air cleaner would have attached.
    The axle ratio could be 4.27:1 from he factory, it would best to pull the cover to confirm the ratio and change the differential lube. Who knows, maybe you will find a power lok limited slip unit in there.
    The unused portion of the pullys are for power steering pump and smog air pump.
    The original 3 speed would have been a T-14.
    The twin stick operation depends on what the transfer case is. Need pictures of the transmission and transfer case.

    Welcome from Michigan.
    Oz
     
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  4. Feb 14, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Sorry about the pics not loading for you. I hadn't enabled linksharing on my Google drive but fixed that after i got a notification that you were trying to access the pictures. You should have no trouble accessing them now. 35 are something I might like to do eventually probably 3 to 5 years when everything else is set. for now the tires that were on it or Sunrise 31 by 10 and 1/2 picked up a set of used 32's to get it home. Not wanting to necessarily keep it all stock just want to keep that classic look I will add a roll cage because if I go Wheeling with my two sons I don't plan on pushing the envelope but plans change and I'd rather keep us all safe. This Vehicles main function would be my daily driver and getting me in the family away from civilization for short vacations and weekend wheeling.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2019
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  5. Feb 14, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Wow thanks for the great info. I will have to post some pictures of the transfer case and transmission. I tried to take those pictures real quick while my son was taking a nap. As of right now I'm doing what little tinkering I can we just move back to New Mexico from East Texas and the hotel we're staying in until our house is ready isn't too keen on me doing a whole bunch of wrenching in their parking lot so little by little I'm doing whatever research and tweaks I can I appreciate the wonderful insight and info. So glad I found this forum. Thanks again
     
  6. Feb 14, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Here's what she looks like now. Had to rewire tail lights but could not figure out how to get turn signals out of them probably just going to end up buying an all-new harness because all the wires in it or so brittle there just snapping. Really looking forward to this whole project both my boys are really excited and enjoy just hanging out in the Jeep while I scratch my head and figure out what I'm doing. The older one asks me every day when I pick him up from school "are we going to work on the Jeep today?"but until my repair manual shows up in the mail is mainly taking inventory,making lists, and doing research. As of right now the engines running strong steering is responsive the brakes are my biggest concern I know it's not a new modern vehicle but wow. My 1971 Lincoln Continental stoped in half the distance this Commando can. filled the fluid, bled the brakes I'll probably just try and put some new ones on because that's not too expensive and if I'm still not happy I will be looking into disc brake conversion because safety is high priority considering this will be my daily driver and will Cary very precious cargo. Thanks again for all the info pictures of transfer case and transmission will be posted tomorrow
    IMG_20190212_072953_601.jpg
    20190213_114746.jpg
     
  7. Feb 14, 2019
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    Messages:
    940
    Great father - son(s) project, it should make for some good memories.
    Here you go, this should provide several hours of research reading.(y)
    Oz


    Jeepster Service Manual


    (Edited for spelling)
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2019
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  8. Feb 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Hi - the 4.27 gears are unusual. Could be it was once a 4-cyl... I think a 4-cyl would have a T-90, not a T-14, same as the CJs did. You could check that. I also think the VIN would reflect the engine type - the CJ VIN in '71 does, as I recall. Could also be that 4.27 gears were optional for the Jeepster in that year. And Jeep was very flexible in that era about equipping Jeeps however the customer wanted on special order, so they could have had that ratio from the factory even if the brochure did not offer them.
     
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  9. Feb 16, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Here the pics of transmission and transfer case.
    First ones are of the top side of the transmission where the shifter is located found a stamp there the next ones are of transfer case and the back end of the transmission from the drive shaft found some tags are. Then some pictures that look like the suspension has been altered. I noticed angle iron had been welded on for a wider mounting surface for the leaf spring suspension. They measure about 55 in eyelet to eyelet on the leaf spring. I'm wondering if they cut the old ones off and welded these ones on from a YJ possibly? If they did that would make adding a small lift a lot easier. Anyway that's as far as I've gotten so far trying to do sneaky work in the hotel parking lotwelded leaf spring brackets.jpg
    stamp on transmission shifter 1.jpg
    transmission Stamp close up.jpg
    transfer case.jpg
    leaf spring width.jpg
    20190216_145801.jpg
    Link to folder with all pictures
    Commando - Google Drive
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2019
  10. Feb 16, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
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    18
    Well the title says it's the original and that it came with a V6. I don't know how to cross reference VIN numbers if you do or have a link that would be awesome. Either way I'll start googling now. At this point everything that I've uncovered it seems to me that it may have been a custom order I don't know because when you look under the Jeep then the axles look like they've been repainted the suspension Hardware looks brand new so someone may have gotten under there and switched what used to be on a 4 cylinder out to the 6-cylinder not sure if they would have been interchangeable like that between the t-90 and T14. Also added a link to the folder that has a bunch of pictures of the undercarriage transmission transfer case housing numbers that I found. While under there I did find what appears to be a suspension modifications cuz it definitely doesn't look stock I'm hoping to switch things out to fit YJ Springs or something more common which would help me out later on down the line if I decided to lift it
    20190216_163213.jpg20190216_163235_HDR.jpg
    Easier to read vin with manufactured date
    20190216_163213.jpg
    Folder
    Commando - Google Drive
    Thanks for the insight.
     
  11. Feb 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    We have a VIN document which you could look at. It's in a sticky thread at the top of the "early CJ-5" forum. Not sure it covers the C101, but you could look. I expect the 8705 is Jeepster and the F means something. The last part is the sequential serial number.

    The T-90 has a non-synchro 1st gear and is marked "T-90" on the side of the case. The T-14 is synchro in 1st and "T-14" or "13-02" cast into the case. You'll have to get under and look to see the casting number on the driver's side. The T-90 is a different bell (engine-side) pattern than the T-14, but adapting a T-90 to the Buick is easy, as engine swaps go.

    Transfer case is a Dana 20, which all Jeepsters came with AFAIK. 947362 is the Jeep Corp part number, 300... is a Dana-Spicer number.

    On a 20, a t3win stick is separated by axle. One shaft for each axle. There should be a pill in the shifter that prevents a different range for front and rear - that would be bad. Stock front leaf springs are 1.75" wide and the rears are wider and outboard of the frame, but I don't recall the width.
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2019
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  12. Feb 18, 2019
    D1RTD0GG

    D1RTD0GG New Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Messages:
    18
    Yo timgr, I've seen you all over this forum and you seem to be very knowledgeable. I started a new thread because I blew up my rear end. But I thought I'd ask you here in case you didn't see the other do you know of any other rear ends that are direct replacements for the factory Dana 44 that these Commandos came with there are no Commandos in local junkyard and I'm going to need to switch mine out until I can get it fixed. I'm pretty sure the rear pinion is seized due to lack of lubrication because there was none in there.

    Capture+_2019-02-18-17-13-02.png
     
  13. Feb 21, 2019
    KeyserSoSay

    KeyserSoSay Collector of Hobbies and Vestigial Skills

    Edgewood New Mexico
    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2017
    Messages:
    128
    Hey Dirtdog- My son and I are in ABQ working on our own Commando project. I'd be happy to know you and potentially compare notes (and maybe parts) on our builds. I've met a few others locally who have done some great Commando builds as well.

    I had a rare seizure event last year where I (briefly) forgot everyone's names (and it took me a good while to get acclimated to my new psychoactive medications), so our Commando Project had to get placed on the back-burner a little bit. Don't let that fool you though, as we are gearing up for a resurgence as soon as the snow melts off the dark side of the Sandias where we live.


    Check out our build thread below. There is a big gap in the thread since last June, but we're about to put the gas/fire/hammer to it again over the next 8 months.
    New proud member, will need your help with my 72 commando

    You might also enjoy this thread too- my other project (4x4 1 ton short-bus) which will also see some progress in the coming months after too long a hiatus.....
    Building La Tortuga: 1983 Ford-Collins E350 4x4 ShortBus

    The folks here on this forum have been about the greatest I've encountered on the interweb as I've repeated the fake-it-til-you-make-it model of building various skills and toolsets over the years on everything from bee-keeping to well-drilling (you've come to the right place).
     
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