73 Commando Help

Not sure if this is in the right spot, but does anyone know if a 1972-1973 Commando tub is the same as the earlier ones? Thanks! Curt

 

no
they are different

 

I had thought that only the bullnose sheet metal is different (ie cowl forward), but I could be wrong. Maybe Jim could expand a little on his answer, or you could double-check on the Heapster board. http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/offroadjeepjeepster

 

I vote for the idea that they're the same from the cowl back. I used to have a 72. The 72-73 AMC versions received the same wheelbase stretch that the CJ-5 got to accomodate the inline AMC 6 cyl engines but I believe the stretch was all from the cowl forward, hence the switch to the uglier bullnose.

 

Ugly!?!? Au contraire, mon frere ... Distinctive!

 

71 and prior 101" wheelbase
72-73 104" wheelbase
I never said it wouldn't work
just said they are different

 

that could be, I'm no expert
I can think of the firewall, the floorpans, and numerous body mounting holes and other access holes that are in different places
I'm pretty sure one could "make" it work with some fabrication
all I am saying is that in my opinion, it's not a direct bolt on replacement

 

Ugly is subjective. I had a 72 bullnose that I thought was really quite appealling. But I prefer the earlier style. The best though is a regular CJ front clip on a Commando tub, really fetching. I once saw an early CJ that someone (for some unholy reason) had put an early Commando front clip on, looked hideous.

As far as the differences in tubs pre-72 and post-72, the differences if any would be minor. I know for a fact that the doors and tops interchange so that tells me that the "stretch" was all in the front clip from the cowl forward. The only difference in the tailgates was the addition of a bubble or wart to allow the spare to be flat mounted in the bed. In short, if I had a good body from one era and a good frame from another I wouldn't hesitate to marry the two, which I assume was what you were wanting to know. It might not be a direct bolt on but what in Jeeping ever is?

 

i'd stick out too far. But would you paint the fenders?

 

I guess it would theoretically work on an intermediate. Sure would look funky. Might look sort of like a swb Landrover. Somebody somewhere must have done this already, I mean people have made 4-wheel drive Pacers for crying out loud!

 

EB! Need some coil springs on the front though.

 

my first post and I think I have to change my name already. Front end is different, but still an animal in the woods.I had thoughts of a scrambler tub which I believe to be 104". not many scramblers around to measure up, the north east eats them alive. Haven't seen one in years.