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1973 Commando

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by garage gnome, Mar 3, 2022.

  1. Mar 13, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Jun 19, 2009
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    3,083
    I mentioned selling the Commando after I have had my fun with it to my mom and she said no way! I guess she wants to drive it then. :D
     
  2. May 24, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    So I have been staring at this thing long enough, and have a great idea as to what to do with it. :sneak:
     
    blalp! and Fireball like this.
  3. May 24, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    :waiting:
     
    blalp! likes this.
  4. May 25, 2022
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
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    Nov 22, 2010
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  5. May 25, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    It is going to require the use of junk I have laying around. :D

    It is going to get either a 283, 327 or 350, a T98 that is already adapted to GM, 2.46:1 D20, a 4" lift front disc brakes and a vacuum brake booster since I know where one is.

    I’ll probably focus on suspension and brakes first, because it does run fine right now. Would be nice to test that out before doing a drivetrain swap.
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2022
    dozerjim, fhoehle and Fireball like this.
  6. May 26, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    There is a Commando here with a 4" lift. That is a sharp looking jeep. I am so pumped to build mine now. Too bad I have to finish Snowshoe and my cummins swapped c20 first. :cry:
     
  7. May 26, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I really don't like the way the rear springs in that lift kit. Way too vulnerable on the departure.
     
  8. May 26, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    It’s not much different than cj springs.
     
  9. May 27, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Must be the picture angle, but they look asymmetrical with the axle forward of spring center.
     
  10. Dec 3, 2022
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Picked up a rust free front clip today! This will make fixing it up so much easier.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Bill F, dozerjim, jeepstar and 4 others like this.
  11. Feb 3, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Finally had the ambition to pull the old nose off and put the new one on. It looks so much better now! I also fixed the power steering lines and automatic choke. Too bad the rest of the tub needs major work. :cry:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Feb 3, 2023
    Stakebed

    Stakebed Member

    Lake Co....
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    So that is what New England rot looks like?
     
  13. Feb 3, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    It’s can be pretty bad. I’ve seen some pretty rugged components rotted through on vehicles.
     
    dozerjim and Stakebed like this.
  14. Feb 3, 2023
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    The frame looks pretty good from what can be seen there.
     
  15. Feb 3, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    There is from frame rot near the spring hanger on the drivers side.
     
  16. Feb 3, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Video of my mom driving it. She hit reverse while going to second, but it was her first time driving it.

     
    dozerjim, homersdog, OzFin and 4 others like this.
  17. Jun 7, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Since the jeepster man was having a sale, I ordered a bunch of parts for the commando. One of which being a lift kit and I swapped out the wheels with aluminum ones I had. Really digging the new look.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jun 7, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    How much lift, and how's the ride compared to stock springs?
     
  19. Jun 7, 2023
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    You’ve made it so nice now you’re going to have to wash it.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  20. Jun 8, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    It's a 2" lift and hard to compare ride quality because the shocks were all blown out. It doesn't ride too bad though. Each spring pack has one more spring than the stock ones.
     
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