Educate me on Later (AMC) Commandos

Educate me on Later (AMC) Commandos Updated pics!!!

So I have a chance to pick up a 73 Commmando, I know my Early Jeeps pretty well but my AMC era knowledge is definately lacking.

The guy that has it dosnt know much about it other than its straight six, runs and is for the most part all their.

What drive train combo am I likely looking at? From the pics I can see clutch pedal so Im thinking 258 w/5speed?

On with the pics.





Im 99.99% sure its coming home with me just want to get an idea of what im getting into.

Thanks in advance!

Greg

 

Chances are pretty good it's a 258 and it'll be a T-14 three speed. There are a few 232's around that had T-18 4 speeds but they're not too common. 72/73's are referred to as Bullnose because of the flat front grille. Rear diff will be a D-44, front is a D-30 which are very easy to convert to disc brakes. 304 was the optional engine with either a T-15 or a TH400 auto.

 

Sweet, thanks for the reply.
D44 Rear is what I wanted to hear. I have read that you want to avoid the AMC 20 rear end.

 

Mmm. The 232 may have been ofered with the T-18, but I think maybe not. Only the 258. I have only seen one 258/T-18 Commando, and never a 232/T-18 (232/T-14 yes though). If it's a T-18, that's a real find... much better than the T-14. If it's a T-18, it'll be the close-ratio version. More likely it's a T-14 3-speed though.

Centered flanged D44 rear, D20, D30 front, 11" brakes. The bullnose Commandos have a lot in common with the Intermediate Jeeps; the D300/M20/weak transmission era didn't start until 1980.

 

I've only ever seen one with a 232/T-18. It was the last of 10 identical Commandos that a guy I met had bought from a local military base up here in Ontario. Apparently they had been used by our NATO forces. I believe they were all 72's.

 

If you still have the ends of your p/s hoses their is a place here in Colorado springs that will take your fittings and build a nice set of stainless braided lines out of them.

 

Welcome to the club!!
Fun to watch people stare at you

 

Amen to that brother R)!

 

I get alot of that all ready from the beard.R)R) Its not as long now though..


EDIT: This one, assuming its 258 would have the D20 t-case? were their any other t-case options like D18?

 

Nice find. Body looks solid ,interior appears good ,engine bay components seem to be unmolested. Congrats.

 

D 20 was stock.
258's have real good torque too.
Stock manule wasnt that great, my only complaint.

T-18 or better a sm420 and your good to go.

I am not the best source for 258 info but I would think there is a T-18 that would bolt in no adapter needed?

 

Indeed! Would I need custom drive shafts to rock a drive train like that?

 

Thats interesting.. I am a welder by trade so that probably wouldn't be too hard.
I'm guessing that they would have to be balanced by a drive line shop after..

 

It's about $80 to shorten a DS here in Boise for reference...

And the D20 was the only TC available in the Commando's...

Good find; how much if you don't mind me asking?

 

Im going to swap the dude for a KTM that I have.