My First Jeep - A 71' Commando Learning Experience

Good Morning, I just read through your thread and it looks like it will be an awesome build with your son. I still have a 46' Ford that I rebuilt with my father in High School and still drive it to this day! As for the body, it only took four of us to lift it off and one person to roll the frame out from underneath. I also removed the from clip so the body wouldn't have to be lifted so high and it was lighter. Hopefully I'll get back to mine in a bit, and I will definitely be interested to see how yours turns out.

 

While I'm on here I will give a little update. I have been doing a bit of research and a lot of looking. I can't for the life of me find a Buick 231 or 350 anywhere near where I live. Every junk yard says they haven't seen them for at least 10 years. Crap! So, I've been looking at the Vortec 4.3L for an engine swap. I like the fact that it's smaller then the V8 chevy's for the limited engine bay space and can, with an adapter, be mated with the 3 speed already in the Jeep. I also found an adapter that will mate the 4L60 with the Dana 20. So many decisions, I want to have everything planned out before I go down one road.

I do know that there are a lot of Blazers and S10's for sale and for cheap. I'm very tempted to buy one and start the transplant from there since junkyards want about $900 for a 4.3L with accessories, but no transmission.

 

Luke, did you ever do the engine swap ?

 

Yeah, kinda left us hanging here. Would love to see an update.

 

Unlikely we will see a response - the OP has not been to the site since October.

 

Sorry guys, still here and working on it. I'm going a different route and I will update soon.

 

So, I bought a totaled '94 S10 Blazer and I'm going to use the frame and chassis for the Commando. It has the 4.3L V6 that runs very well, but needs a new rear axle. I plan to do a body swap. I don't know if this is the best of moves but I would like to have modern components in the vehicle (Power steering, power brakes, fuel injection, ect.) and I couldn't pass up the price. I have hacked up the Blazer.... I guess we will see how things go. I assume that it will be a nightmare, but how many people can say they cut a car in half? Pictures of the victim....

Blazer

 

And the dead Blazer


I cut the floor pan out of the Blazer as the Commando's has a good bit of rust and it may be helpful for body mounts, tranny tunnel and seat mounts. I also cut out the firewall as it has mounts for accessories. I'll see how things go

 

I want to see more of pick up

 

Keep the rocker panels intact on the Commando tub or it will fold in half like a taco. I would also keep the firewall intact on the Commando. It has more dish for engine clearance, and can accomodate any accessories needed.
If you end up not using the original front bumper (or rear for that matter), let me know because I would love to buy it.
-Donny

 

Just bought a 71 commando over the weekend here in Albuquerque. It looks almost identical. I just started another thread before i saw yours. There are a couple prices missing to my "puzzle" ig you habe time email me or check out my thread for pictures with questions "what's up from Nm"
It's yours also a twins sick transfer?

 

Late to the dinner party.

I agree that rusty is subjective. To someone from the desert thay may seem like a lot of rust. Not bad for East Coast, looks like an honest Jeep and very restorable.

Looks like your making good progress.

Dve

 

My father born in the North Carolina Mountains (Spruce Pine). His high school friend had the
Ford, dealership in town. We would go by to visit him and he knew I loved Jeeps. He took us out on some mountain
roads to look at property in a used Commando just like that. Funny thing it was probably only a few years old then.
I loved that thing. I wish I could have talked my dad into buying that. With me being about 11, I knew I couldn't get that Commando, but I knew I would have a Jeep someday.

I remember leaving the mountains early one year because of flooding from a tropical storm in 1977, and the road
was flooding and washing out behind us. Down in Marion, a lot of mobile homes were underwater and a red CJ
was carrying people out through the high water. It had to be fairly new.

Funny, the things you remember so well.


Dave