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New to site: In process of getting "69 Commando

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by jarhead, May 13, 2008.

  1. May 13, 2008
    jarhead

    jarhead New Member

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    Hello:

    Found a "69 Commando in pretty good shape. Want to fix her up best I can.
    Don't plan on winning any prizes, just want it to look good and drive well.
    Was wondering about how far to go, to get improved steering and brakes. I have a J4000 that I did my own Disc Brake conversion on front and back. I'm no mechanic, just got lucky mixing and matching parts from Waggoners and a "78 CJ 7. Already had good steering in the J Truck. But this Commando... Don't think I can pull it off as easy. So I was wondering, is it to far fetched to think of getting a wrecked late model Wrangler Unlimited, which has a 103 inch wheelbase something similar and swapping the frame, after cutting a couple of inches off of it, axles , steering and whatever else may be needed to make it work?
    If this sounds crazy, cut me some slack, I'm new to the site and haven't a lot of experience in this area. I never know how people are gonna feel about swapping things around, don't want to offend any purist. But I like the looks of the commando and want to be able to drive it and enjoy it. It wont be no trailer queen at all.
    Thanks for any advice. I plan to get back on this site when I can every day or two to learn as much as possible, but I work 10 to 16 hours a day and cant always spend as much time as I would like on the computer.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2008
  2. May 14, 2008
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    I say go for it, whatever you need to do to make it work for you. 10" brakes and Ross steering were really the two big weak points on the Jeepster.
     
  3. May 14, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

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    I have the Saginaw steering on mine, but it's still a beast with SOA and 33s. I am looking at power steering pumps etc now- have a guy in Jax area with a unit for sale. Why not add a pump ect to it instead of hacking on the frame? Just seems like a lot of work to accomplish the same result. Oh, and Welcome to the site, Jarhead!
     
  4. May 14, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I'd expect any wrecked late model Jeep is going to be wildly expensive compared to upgrading the chassis you have. Don't assume - check out what you can really buy the WU for ... I'd guess it has several thousand dollars worth of parts value, minimum. JMO - you're dreaming unless you have $10K set aside for this project. Even that may not be enough, depending on the priice of the wreck.

    You would gain the coil suspension though, which would be a big plus. I think that the conversion would be a big job though.

    Welcome from Boston!
     
  5. May 14, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    JMO - if you can shorten a frame 2", you can just as well lengthen a frame by 17". If you want to start with a "late model" chassis, you could probably get a YJ wreck for short money... they are "old" but still have a fairly modern drivetrain. No coils though, leaf springs.

    A '69 commando will have a short engine compartment, so a YJ inline 6 (any inline 6) wouldn't fit very well.
     
  6. May 14, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
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    The other way around is buy a running YJand put a Commando nose on it, been done, search here.
     
  7. May 14, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

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    Huh? And then you have a Jeep with ? Reason I like the commando is because it's longer than the stock jeep. ...And has that funky slanted back and tailgate. Just adding a commando nose to a Jeep would do nothing for me. Just sayin'....
     
  8. May 14, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

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  9. May 14, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Welcome from San Diego!
     
  10. May 14, 2008
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
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    Just saying too.

    Diferrent strokes for different foaks:)
     
  11. May 14, 2008
    jarhead

    jarhead New Member

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    Hello Folks:

    Thanks for the welcome and all the good advice. Just got back from work and checked the site quickly. Getting ready to go and make a payment on it now. When I learn how to post pictures, I will try that out.
    At work today, I did a lot of thinking about options. Money like always is an issue. Cant just dump a lot into it. What ever I do will be slow going. I will be getting a 401 block and heads for my J4000 in July. That will take 3 to 5 grand to build up over time. Was going to put the AMC 360 which is in it , into the Commando. Both have TH400's in them. Shouldn't be to hard to make work. Did a few searches on this site last night, may just keep the v-6 that is in it and the Ross steering, try and tighten it up and still try and work out a front Disc conversion. Saw some things about ignition upgrades that I may be able to do.
    Drive train and such probably isn't the worse thing to worry about. The body looks pretty good and so does the interior. I'm more worried about the rockers and trying to come up for replacements: Some sheet metal is riveted to the body where the rockers should be. Have no idea what it looks like underneath. May be fine and was a previous owners idea of "rocker panel protectors." Most likely not though and I will want to fix them.
    If any one has a source for replacements. Feel free to pass it along.
    Once again Thanks for responding.
     
  12. May 21, 2008
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Mark Vilbert at justjeepsters.com has outer and inner rocker panels. I had a local place bend me up three sets of outers, cut a chunk out of a partster I had for them to use as a template. I lucked out, my inners were still solid.
     
  13. May 21, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Just some comments -

    The Jeepster rockers are very vulnerable to rocks. Unless I planned to drive only on mud, sand and pavement, I'd skip the stock replacement rockers and weld in some square tubing to make rock sliders. Without sliders, you'll get big dents.

    Which transmission does this Jeepster have? I'd strongly advise not to swap in the 360. You'd just be making headaches for yourself. Unless the transmission is an automatic (the TH400), any 3-speed manual transmission that came in the Jeepster won't be up to withstanding 360 power, not by a long shot. I'd instead be happy with the V6 for now (a strong and reliable engine) and focus on the steering.

    If I wanted to put a V8 in later, I'd find a Buick V8 ... though I would not if I meant to keep the 3-speed manual transmission. Much, much simpler installation than the AMC V8.

    hth!

    <edit> Ok, they both have the TH400. However, the TH400 for the two engines isn't the same. The Jeepster will have a Buick nailhead TH400 transmission with an adapter ring to the BOP (Buick-Olds-Pontiac) pattern. To bolt up an AMC engine, you'll need the nailhead-to-AMC adapter ring. This adapter was used for a few years by Jeep, and you could probably find one with some searching, but most of the TH400s matched to the AMC engines have a TH400 made specifically for the AMC engines. Otherwise not compatible without changing the transmission to the AMC-pattern.

    However, even if you could get the AMC adapter ring, the Buick V8 is a much better choice than the 360. All you have to do to put in the small block Buick V8 (300, 340, 350) in place of the V6 is to move the radiator forward. Nothing else changes - a very easy swap. The TH400 is plenty strong for a V8.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2008
  14. May 21, 2008
    jarhead

    jarhead New Member

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    Pack Rat and timgr:

    Thanks for the replies. I will try and get ahold of Mark at the just jeepsters site and see what parts might be available. I did email him last week and never got a response. Maybe I should just call one of his numbers.
    Thanks for the information on the TH400 and AMC vs. BOP engines. I purchased another TH400 a few years ago for $50 and had it rebuilt with a 32 spline out put shaft to mate up to a "doubler" transfer case for my truck. Guess what? I think it is the nailhead TH400 also. Will give me something else to deal with when the time comes.
    The more I think about it, the more keeping the 225 in the Commando sounds good. And like you say, just focus on the steering and I plan to get a Dana 30 from a CJ if I can. I contacted a man who has a 72 Commando which he said he would sell to me as a parts vehicle. We never talked prices yet; would enough parts transfer to make it worth it? It's over 200 miles away and would be a bit of trouble to get it here.
     
  15. May 22, 2008
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Depending on what he wants for it, probably worth buying for parts. D44 rear, D30 front to mount your CJ disc brake parts to, switches, wiper motor and linkage, tailights, doors etc etc. Might get you a good D20 too :).
     
  16. May 22, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

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    X2!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heck yeah! If you have room to store it- I just sold my junker 67 for $530 on ebay after I took what I needed...I was bidding on a commando power steering pump, pulley and bracket that went for $230 some-odd dollars last week on ebay. Also lost out on a set of brake lights at $100. If you can get it for 500 odd dollars you will be getting a deal. I sold mine with a good TH400 and front and rear axles for that kind of $$, and it looked like this:

    [​IMG]

    http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/grouperboy/67%20Commando/
     
  17. May 22, 2008
    jarhead

    jarhead New Member

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    Thanks for the advice Pack rat and grouperboy. The man with the AMC Commando asked me to get back a hold of him once I have my 69 Commando and give him more specifics on what I might need. I kind of shot down the idea of taking his Commando off his hands because I didn't think it would be worth the trouble. But heck, after what you guys said, it looks the spare parts may well offset any trouble moving it a couple hundred miles.
    Really wish I had mine already. The man is letting me pay for it a little at a time, each pay check.
    I've had a Painless wiring harness laying around for late 70's CJ. Was gonna try and adapt it to my truck. Think I will try and upgrade the Commando with it. Any one done that? Much trouble?
    Thanks again for input. Got a go out and patch the roof now. After a winter of ice storms, high winds, falling limbs and torrential rains, notice some stains on the ceiling for the first time last night.
     
  18. May 23, 2008
    grouperboy

    grouperboy n00b

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    Best of luck to you! I'll be driving my commando this weekend...
     
  19. May 23, 2008
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Haven't done the wiring up grade yet but the half cab I'm building will definitely have a new harness. Well worth the effort when you consider the original is 35+ years old and you never know what the previous owner's were up to with the wiring until you get into it.
     
  20. May 23, 2008
    jarhead

    jarhead New Member

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    grouperboy: Enjoy your Commando this weekend, I envy you, and have been daydreaming lately while working about the day I can drive mine. Went to a car show last weekend and my wife mentioned how fun it would be to bring the Commando to one someday. Many people have never seen one. Mine may never be show quality, and never be a trailer queen, but it will be nice enough for us.
    Pack Rat: You make good sense. Any thing will be an improvement over 40 year old wiring. shouldn't be hard to make work, will swap out the "flammable" amp-meter while I'm at it for a voltmeter. Are pictures available of your Half Cab. My wife and I saw one for sale near our home town as we were driving off to our honeymoon a few years back. Took down the phone number but waited to long to call. When we did call, it was already sold. I sure like the way they look.
     
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