CJ7 commando front end conversion

Has anyone ever put the front end of a Commando onto a CJ7? Ive been intersted in doing it myself but I would like to see a picture of someone who has already done it. please post a picture or email me at
Cabelln1@citadel.edu

 

Yes I have seen someone who's done that. I'll have to see if I can find the picture. Looked really good.

 

Found it.

 

Looks good, would definately like to see it on a CJ7 but that cj5 looks great. Im wondering are those the stock fenders on the CJ5? Im pretty sure they were lengthened on the CJ7 and ive heard rumors that CJ5 fenders have been put on Commandos.

 

Early model cj5 and Jeepsters with the V6 and inline 4 used the same length fenders. In fact the Jeepster grill is just a cj grill with the "ears" added on for the parking lights. Not sure you could do it on a later model CJ7 because the fenders are longer and Jeepster changed to the Commando or "Bull Nose" design.
Keith

 

You need a bullnose front end for a CJ-7 - the earlier Commando nose will be 5" too short.

A bullnose front end would be different... I like the bullnose Commandos, but almost everybody else finds them ugly.

 

Why couldnt I put the fenders from a CJ5 on my 7? Ive got a v8 under my hood and there is enough room to spare, Ive also seen V8's put into those CJ5 so I dont see why it wouldnt work. As far as the bullnose goes I really dont think that is for me. I think thats a face only mother could love, LOL.

 

As soon as I get the parts Ill geive everyone here an update as to how its going, I'm up for taking a risk and if it doesnt work I guess Ill have some really cool jeep parts to mount on my wall.

 

You could, but the Commando hood is too short. Plus the CJ-5 fenders from that era are the same as the CJ-7 fenders.

The hood and fenders from '72-on are 5" longer than from '71 and earlier, Commando or CJ. The wheelbase is also 3" longer, and that extra 3" is between the cowl and the front axle. It could be done, but it's either going to look like an abomination or you'll have to spend a lot of time/effort on shortening the wheelbase or lengthening the sheet metal.

 

yeah I think I could lengthen the hood, shouldnt be too hard since it doenst have too many curves in it.

 

The sides of the hood are pretty straight - you could maybe make one long one out of two short ones. Or, the later hood on the CJ has a straight section added on to the rear to make it 5" longer - maybe you could do the same with the Commando hood.

 

i've actually got all the parts and am waiting to find the time,,going to splice 2 hoods together and use the commando grill,,,you will need to modify the radiator attachment points,,im putting mine on a 92 yj

 

I havent investigated to see the radiator yet but I was sure I was going to have to do some wirk down there. Whare xactly did you do to modify it? Your still using your original radiator right? Ive go a V8 engine and I hope my radiator isnt too big. Thanks for the help guys all of hese comments are really helping me out.

 

"ALL4JPN" if you find the time and get it all wrapped up shoot me a picture of it. Are you using two commando hoods? or the commando hood and the YJ hood?

 

If your doing it on a CJ you shouldn't have to modify the radiator mount much. The Jeepster grill is just a CJ grill with the park light ears spot welded on. Only difference would be the way the radiator was mounted on the early CJ's compared to the later V8 cj.
Keith

 

i havent put them on yet,,,,the radiator thing is the commando grill is like the early cj-5 grill,,,,theres about a 6 inch long box of sheetmetal welded to the grill itself,,,on the yj/cj-7 later cj-5's the radiator is mounted real close to the grill,,basically have to hack off the box and either fab up rad mounts or take the rad mounts off the cj7 grill and weld the to the commando grill,,,the only other hiccup i see it the hood latch(not the external ones),,,,im probably just going to use the external ones,,,i was going to start the swap, but Camp Jeep but that part of the project on hold,,,,,that and i just got used rears with 4:10's to replace the orig. 3:07's,,,,,busy,busy,busy

 

Awesome, well give me an update when you get things going.

 

The only thing you definitely can't do is what you've never tried. Go for it.

Dave

 

You all sure about the early and late CJ fenders being 5" different in length?

You sure the difference is not 3" for both the wheelbase and the fenders?

Aren't the Commando fenders the same as early CJ fenders except for the rocker panel area?.

 

from what ive been told the early CJ fenders are the same, but its the late cj's that have the longer fenders I think. I just recieved my grill in the mail today but Im still waiting to pick up the 2 CJ7's that I bought. The owner misplace the titles and has to get new ones and hes taking his time with it. Ill take pictures when I get everyhting going and try to show everyone if there is any problems. Im really excited and hope to set my CJ off a little different than everyone elses. I dont like to blend in. Well talk to you guys later.