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71 Commando clutch linkage

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by jeepsterjeff, Nov 6, 2006.

  1. Nov 6, 2006
    jeepsterjeff

    jeepsterjeff New Member

    South Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
    Messages:
    4
    I need help. My father bought a 71 Commando a few years ago, then found out there was no clutch linkage in it. apparantly there is nothing between the fork and the pedal. He then discovered the previous owner had removed the linkage to have a hydraulic converion installed, but did not finish the job.

    It is a stock 225 set up and I've looked around but can't find any linkage kits or parts. I found one place that does hydraulic linkages, but they only make mounts for conversions, not for the stock 225, and they only had the slave, not the master cylinder.

    Amy other problem is that the Jeep is in Utah and I'm in Texas, so although I've seen the Jeep a couple of times, I've never looked under it to see what it actually there.

    Can anyone point me to stock linkage set-ups, or what I will need for a hydraulic conversion? I would like to get this thing running and bring it down here, but when I go pick it I need to know I'll have everything to put it together without any delays.

    Jeff
     
  2. Nov 6, 2006
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    Was originally a cable setup...
     
  3. Nov 6, 2006
    Jeepsterman

    Jeepsterman I had a beer with Panzer.

    Southgate, MI
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    90
    If you don't want to go to hydraulic, check out the Advanced Adapters chain set-up or I believe there is a tech article on this page to build one. That would be a lot easier than hydraulic. It was a cable to begin with.
     
  4. Nov 6, 2006
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    the AA set-up won't work on a Jeepster I believe, as the cable has to come up thru the floorboard and then attach to the pedal.
    The Jeepster clutch cable set-up (1 piece) was somewhat problem prone; probably why yours is missing.
    There is supposed to be a reinforcing washer on the end of the cable that fits into a reinforcement plate welded/bolted to the floorboard. This is what keeps the cable from pulling up thru the floor when the pedal is depressed. Over time and use, the floor can get the "oil can" effect (boyink, boyink) (sorry Mike B.).
    Anyway, I don't recall if aftermarket cables are available, as they have been disco from factory for many years.
    You most likely need to see another so you can visualize what you'll have to do or what you are up against.
    Maybe another Jeepster owner can give some more info.
     
  5. Nov 7, 2006
    Hansh

    Hansh Going Mobile

    SE Wisconsin
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    Dec 7, 2004
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    425
    Check with Novak, they have a hydraulic set up that works with the 225. You may have to do a custom modification to connect the master cylinder.
     
  6. Nov 7, 2006
    Vhatt

    Vhatt New Member

    East Texas
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2006
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    21
    Just a long shot but you might try Georges Jeep Parts I believe in Georgia, he helped me with some factory parts for my engine rebuild and said he had all kinds of stock parts NIB on his shelves. I've only delt with him once but he really helped me. His number is 601-542-0013 he is kinda hard to catch but well worth it when you do. Good luck and have fun with that 71..........:beer:
     
  7. Nov 7, 2006
    jeepsterjeff

    jeepsterjeff New Member

    South Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
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    I appreciate the answers. I checked with Novak a while back. They did not have a mount for their kits that would fit the 225. Maybe I'll have to get their kit and make my own mount. I'll first check out Georges and the AA kit and see what they have.
    Thanks!
     
  8. Nov 7, 2006
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Question for you guys - doesn't the Jeepster have suspended pedals? If so, then the cable for a '72 might (be made to) work. There's a lot of similarity between the Commando and CJ of that year. There's a good picture of the '72 linkage here: http://www.c104.net/manual/Section_05.pdf

    Otherwise, you might be able to use a universal clutch cable for hot rods (I presume such things exist). Someone here also mentioned that a later model Mustang has a cable clutch that can be adapted to Jeeps. If you go to Summit racing, there are lots of "high-performance" replacement cables for Mustangs and Capris, which could possibly be adapted. IMO it would be a lot easier and cheaper to make the existing cable clutch work than to adapt to a hydraulic clutch. The cable clutch is fairly simple mechanically, and as long as the length is sufficient, all you'll need to do is adapt the ends to fit.

    <edit> Another point - if you have the sheath to the original cable, you could rig a cable that will work for a while. An air-cooled VW uses a very long cable clutch, and the part is really cheap. Use the threaded end at the clutch fork (it'll be metric, so you'll need a metric nut), thread it through the original sheath, and clamp it at the pedal end. I'd think a cable clutch would be very easy to repair, at least temporarily, with what you can find at any FLAPS and a little thinking.
     
  9. Nov 7, 2006
    jeepsterjeff

    jeepsterjeff New Member

    South Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
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    Thanks. I have some experience with the Capri cables (replaced or repaired several on a 77 Capri I owned). If I had the Jeepster here I think I could make a good fit. I've got some cable linkage parts of cars kicking around, but I didn't want to have to take the time to build a set-up in Utah and hope that I could get it right so I could drive it to Texas. I suppose that if none of the web sites suggested in the other answers have what I need, I'll need to see what I've got, maybe buy a couple of other used cables, put together a tool bag, head to the mountains and hope for the best.
     
  10. Nov 7, 2006
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Well, if the car is in good condition, you don't really need a clutch to drive it, especially if it's mostly highway driving. You can start it in gear, and match speeds to shift.

    Good luck with the NOS/used cable - you could also try the big Jeep yards in CA, listed in my post here: http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37451 (not the AMXfiles one).
     
  11. Nov 7, 2006
    jeepsterjeff

    jeepsterjeff New Member

    South Texas
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2006
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    Yes, I though of that too. The first time my Capri cable broke I was in between San Diego and LA. I drove it all the way to Salt Lake, via San Francisco, to get home and fix the thing. Problem is that since we have never actually drive the Jeep since we bought it, I am not sure how dependable it is... fun, fun, fun.
     
  12. Nov 8, 2006
    captain cj

    captain cj Member

    Crystal Beach...
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    Sep 27, 2005
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    331
    I believe Krage has the cable for the commando.Part # 992610 Clutch cable for 67 to 71 comando W/225 v6 84 1/4 long $24.95. HTH
    Steve
     
  13. Nov 8, 2006
    JustEnos

    JustEnos Member

    Fox Point, NS,...
    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2006
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    Something else I need to add to my "parts needed" list. My cable appears to be a piece of steel cable with some cable clamps on it at the pedal end (haven't really looked at how its hooked up underneath), but it works good.
     
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