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New owner of a '69 Jeepster - Questions on stock wheels for disc brakes

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by Magilla, Mar 2, 2011.

  1. Mar 2, 2011
    Magilla

    Magilla New Member

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    Hey all,

    Just picked up a '69 Jeepster with Buick 231 even-fire, 24-gallon aero tank (installed), painless wiring harness (installed), and it came with a spare front clip and hood (rough, but straight), and a brake booster / MC set up. It also came with a disk D30 from a '72 Commando, and a '72 Commando rear D44 converted to disks (they're AMC hornet disks and pads). Body exterior an 8, paint a 2, and interior is a 6. Rust is not bad (surprisingly). Some cleaning and POR-15 or Rust Bullet, and a new or cover-up rear tray in back will be perfect.

    Intent is for a relatively stock look, with upgrades to power steering and disk brakes. Twin-stick the D20 (my stock shifter is toast, and leaks). I am going to paint it semi-gloss OD Green (like VIP Huey aircraft paint) with white star on hood, lettering ("C101-1969"), and semi-gloss white top.

    I have lurked and looked for weeks - but here's my question:

    Wanting to put stock-looking wheels on the disc brake axles. My 15" stock Jeepster rims don't fit.

    What size rims fit?

    Did the '72-'73 Commando have 15" or 16" rims?

    I am trying to get some old CJ ris from Collins Bros Jeep, and the lady there tells me that 74-81 AMC only used 15" wheels.

    What size do I need, and what rim width? I know they are 5x5.5", with large hole for the front hubs.

    Also, since I am doing the front axle swap to a 72' D30, I am converting to a 1-piece driveshaft.

    Anybody know if the '72-'73 commando front driveshaft from a manual will bolt in directly? (mine's a manual trans)

    Does the frame extension on the 72-73 to fit the I6 and V8 affect the driveshaft length?

    Thanks for the help!!!
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2011
  2. Mar 2, 2011
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    welcome from so-cal.............
    think stock later cj rims will work ( 76 on up), and Ford 5.5x5 with big hole should work as well
    Jim
     
  3. Mar 2, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    As bkd says you will need rims from the later CJ with disc brakes to clear the caliper if you want to keep the stock look. Commando were 15" but there was an optional 16" rim, not many of those around, had a set, sold them. You wouldn't want them anyway, won't clear the calipers. Not sure what backspacing you'll need off hand.
    The Commando standard trans shaft won't just bolt right in because, and this will answer your next question too, the extra 3" in the wheel base was added to the front so, whether it's an auto or a standard, the shafts pretty much have to be, you guessed it, 3" longer.
    Oh ya, welcome to the "other" Jeepster Commando board. You'll probably notice most of the JC people here are on the JCCA as well, not many left at the AJC, kind of a ghost town over there.
     
  4. Mar 2, 2011
    Magilla

    Magilla New Member

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    Thanks a bunch, guys!!!

    Rims from a '72 Commando should clear the stock front discs, though, right?

    As far as driveshaft, I guess I'll get a slip-shaft custom made from Denny's driveshafts. $189.00.
     
  5. Mar 3, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    No. 76 and up CJ with disc brakes.
     
  6. Mar 3, 2011
    Magilla

    Magilla New Member

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    Now I'm confused. I thought some 72-73 Commandos had disk brakes?

    Collins Bros wants $75 a wheel for stock 15x8 wagon wheels from a CJ.
     
  7. Mar 3, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Not at all. CJ didn't start using disc brakes until 76 when they were optional, 77 is when they became standard equipment.
     
  8. Mar 4, 2011
    Magilla

    Magilla New Member

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    AHA! Thanks for the update and the education!!!

    The D30 axle I have has been converted to disk with CJ5 1-1/8th" rotors.

    The D44 rear has been converted to disk with '74-'75 AMC Hornet Calipers and Rotors, and D92 pads.

    OK - Looking for '78-81 CJ5/7 stock steel wheels for the disc brakes.
     
  9. Mar 4, 2011
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    I'd kind of like to see pictures of the D44 disc brake setup. I'm assuming it doesn't it have any type of emergency brake at all?
     
  10. Mar 5, 2011
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
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    Stock rims will clear the calipers if you use a small wheel spacer. Mine clear using a 2" spacer (because I had them lying around), but I think you could probably get by with 1.25". You might run into fenderwell clearance issues in the back though if you space them out too far, the Commando's rear fender isn't very forgiving in the amount of space it offers.
     
  11. Mar 14, 2011
    Magilla

    Magilla New Member

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    D44 rear set-up used 74-75 AMC Hornet calipers with D92 pads, and no, they don't have parking brake option...

    Thanks for the hint about spacers!!! I think 1.25" spacers would work great! I am sticking with tall and skinny 7.00 x 15 bias ply (STA Super Traxion or Power King Super Traction II). They are 30" x 7", and fit on the stock 15 x 5.5 (or 15 x 6) rims. Even with the spacers, the rear tires at 7" should fit perfectly!!!
    I'm going for the military look (but I don't want NDTs or NDCCs). Think old Land Rover tire look.
     
  12. Mar 15, 2011
    larrylunk

    larrylunk participant

    Longmont, CO
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