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New Commando Family-brief Rundown

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by TBY_Jeepster, Aug 16, 2020.

  1. Aug 16, 2020
    TBY_Jeepster

    TBY_Jeepster New Member

    Long Beach CA
    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2020
    Messages:
    3
    Howdy,

    We, my wife and I recently (yesterdday) acquired a new C104 Commando. it is a '72 it appears to be fairly unmolested but received a 360 amc motor at some point in it's life.

    When I went to pick it up it had a decent fuel leak past the accelerator pump diaphragm and the accompanying stutter off idle and rough idle/low idle speed. I found a replacement at autozone and now it idles and drives fine.

    My first concerns with the vehicle are related to the suspension and steering so I will be looking in to tightening up the steering system, replacing bushings and links and likely upgrading the brakes to disc in the front.

    The wheels and tires that are mounted currently are in very good shape but rub on the inside at full lock. I will likely mount wheel spacers to alleviate this as I do not care to track down new rims and tires right off the bat.

    Another issue I am trying to sort out is the passenger side of the hood sits ~3/4" higher than the driver's side when closed. the hinge looks straight and original but has some play in the bushings. the passenger side looks slightly bent but is also original in appearance, the 2 do not track together visually...ie whn looking over the fender they are not at the same angle. so I'll be tracking that down and sorting it out shortly aswell.
     
    timgr, colojeepguy and Fireball like this.
  2. Aug 16, 2020
    ANTHONY DRANE

    ANTHONY DRANE New Member

    Friendly, WV
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2020
    Messages:
    43
    Welcome. You'll find good help and friendly folks here. If you have worn out bushings on a hinge, the spring can cause it to not sit flat. Mine is a C101 so I can't speak to your hinge/ spring set up, so that's possible. It might just need adjusted. Hoods are, in my opinion, the hardest body panel to align. Good luck
     
    TBY_Jeepster likes this.
  3. Aug 17, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Greetings. A C104 already has 11"x2" Bendix drum brakes, and these are a popular upgrade for earlier Jeeps with lesser brakes. Upgrading the brakes would not be high on my list. The front knuckle has a stop that you can adjust to keep the tires from hitting the frame on full lock. Often this happens when wide tires are fitted to narrow rims, causing a bulging profile.
     
    TBY_Jeepster and Alan28 like this.
  4. Aug 17, 2020
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    Are you sure of your shock absorbers ? I changed mine and all was better afterwards.
    Spacers are not loved by insurance lies in my county. This change many things on the car.
    Maybe change the rims is enough.
     
    TBY_Jeepster likes this.
  5. Aug 17, 2020
    TBY_Jeepster

    TBY_Jeepster New Member

    Long Beach CA
    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2020
    Messages:
    3
    This is a project vehicle so I will start by pulling things off and familiarizing myself first and foremost.

    It doesn't appear that the hood hinges are intended to be servicable, they seem to be pressed and staked pins where I would want a bushing and cotter pin or nut/shoulder bolt to be

    I expect the shocks will be getting replaced as I intend to replace the leaf springs aswell after I confirm where it sits relative to factory ride height.

    I will look at the front knuckles and see about adjusting the steering stops, good tip. As far as brakes go, I live in LA where people have no regard for your potential stopping distance. I have several sets of Chevy A-body disc brakes in the garage so I may look into mounting those if a refresh of the current system proves inadequate. and yes the tires are wide for the rims as is the "style" round these parts.
     
  6. Aug 17, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Parts for the Bendix drum brakes are cheap. Used on millions of cars and trucks in the past. Just FYI. I believe the usual source for front disk brake brackets is Chevy truck, or find another Dana 30 with front disks and swap knuckles - lots about this if you search. Anything written about this topic for the '72-75 CJs will be applicable to the C104. Oh, and welcome!
     
    TBY_Jeepster likes this.
  7. Aug 19, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    The 11x2 brakes on the C104 are more than adequate for stopping the vehicle. Make sure the shoes are not contaninated with oil, grease, or brake fluid. A power booster can improve them more than any single other upgrade. You may already have power brakes. A disc brake conversion isn't needed.
    My older brother had a C104 bullnose he swapped a 454 Chevy into. It went to the local 1/8 mile dragstrip many times and embarrased a lot of muscle cars. He could howl the tires under hard braking with the stock brakes, only with the addition of a hydroboost style power booster. His wife drove it to school where she was a teacher.
    -Donny
     
  8. Aug 24, 2020
    TBY_Jeepster

    TBY_Jeepster New Member

    Long Beach CA
    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2020
    Messages:
    3
    I do have power brakes, the booster may or may not be in great shape. I will assess the situation when the heat index drops a bit. When I drove it home it took more than comfortable pedal pressure to hold it at a stop (auto trans) and there seemed to be no real braking until just before the bottom of pedal travel.

    So:
    The booster is suspect,
    The cylinders may be nearly seized
    the 33's may be a bit much for drum brakes.

    I'll update when it's 75f outside again I currently cant drink beer quick enough to keep up with sweating
     
    HeavyIron likes this.
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