71 Jeepster Buggy Project.

[commando72]

Well I have been collecting parts for the better part of 2 years now getting ready to build a dedicated rock buggy/off road rig. Looks like the final part arrived tonight so here are some starter pics for the thread.

Tonight's addition 92 S-10 for the FI 4.3 and 700R4


The base vehicle, 71 Jeepster Commando


The short list of specs
4.3 TBI/700R4/D300 Dana 44/4.27 gears
33" Boggers for Rear/33" Truxus Fronts
SOA w/soft flexy leaf springs

Jeepster Frame/Cowl forward section with tube from Cowl back.

The goal is light and cheap. 2 year (or less) build schedule working on it at night after the family goes to sleep.

I will post more pics when I get the Jeepster here from storage; start the SOA and the final gutting of that drivetrain.

[Super Scout]

This will be pretty coool.....

[Deadman 94 xj]

Awesome.

[highlandercj-7]

Sweet, that will save the nice Commando from gettin beat on.

[commando72]

Thanks everyone. Will be posting some of the s-10 parts in the classified. The bed could be used if the sides were replaced, the floor and walls look brand new... The interior is almost perfect also.

Rod, That is the goal. I am doing a repaint of 1/2 the Commando in the spring and it's going to be a cruiser after that!

[Sloth_Fratelli]

nice! i love less common jeeps

[zak77cj7]

Commandos are awesome. nice find!

[ridgerunner97]

Man I can't wait to see where this goes! Its already making me want an Early CJ5 again in the WORST way...

[commando72]

Got the S-10 stripped of the dash to get the wiring out. Daniels and Miller will be getting most of the body this weekend so if anyone wants a good bed floor/bulkhead for an s-10 bed, let me know prior to Saturday am or it's gone.

Hope to pick up the Jeepster from storage on Sunday, depends on the weather...

Got the axles drained and ready for some parts, will post up some pics tomorrow night.

[commando72]

Spammer?? ^^^ If not, I really don't get it...

[commando72]

Got some of the axle prep done tonight. Stripped both diffs, kept the good ring and pinion from one and the housing from the other. Should be ready to "put together" a complete d44 rear in a couple of days.
I need to add some shims to the carrier bearings and test fit the gears/carrier and see what kind of pattern they make. Putting a lunchbox locker in this, so no spiders for now.

Gears...

[commando72]

Short update. I got the front clip off and the cowl section is in really bad shape, worse than I thought. So...off to find a donor cowl section on Thursday. Here are some pics of the RUST, not much useable metal here.


The drivers floor/body mount that isn't.

The passenger side is just as bad. So I am going to look at a donor cowl with good front body mounts on Thursday, hopefully it will be something I can use. Otherwise I will be searching for another Jeepster/Commando for the project.

[commando72]

Been a while since I updated this. Gave up on the green cowl section, too far gone. Got another cowl from another Jeepster that was in better shape. Cage base is tacked together and the cowl is fit onto it. Hope to get the SOA done this weekend and the body section mounted on the frame.

[commando72]

Got some stuff fitted up tonight. The 4.3 is tentatively in the right place, axles are bolted in, steering is connected to the box. Pictures below.

Got to get some paint on the other Commando for the Bantam fest so this will be it for a while.

[tjblair]

looks good! Aren't going to have this one ready for the bantam fest? LOL

[gonecheenin]

looks like it's headed in a cool direction!

[commando72]

Thanks guys. I don't think it would be ready if I worked on it 24/7 until the day of the parade. Turtle pace on this project, HA.

[Super Scout]

Thats the way to do it. Go to fast and you will end up burned out and it will sit in your garage for 3 years unfinished... And everytime you open your garage door you get disgusted and walk away again... Lol ask me how I know. Anyways its looking good man !

[RalphDogg]

great project!