1968 Jeepster Convertible

Just about done with my '58 CJ5 restoration and up popped a '68 Jeepster Convertible project. I am going to look at it and hopefully take it home on Sunday. The hardest part of the restoration is done...that is convincing my wife that we need not only another Jeep but another project Jeep.

I am familiar with the early cj5s, wagons and trucks but not the Jeepsters.

the Jeepster has the v6 w/ auto transmission. I am told it has low mileage and spent most of its life with the original owner who started a restoration but did not complete it and it sat in a garage for 15 yrs.

Hoping you Jeepster guys out there can give me a little advice on what to look for such as common rust areas, parts that are usually missing and hard to find, trouble areas with the frame, etc.

Thanks!

 

This site has a great bunch of friendly guys and tons of info.
http://jeepstercommandoclub.com

 

Convertible and not a Roadster? Different. A Convertible is more collectible.

 

Body- rockers, floors front and rear, floor supports, tailgate, windshield frame, front inner fender supports, fenders
Frame-really not a lot of problem areas but mostly the rear around the shackle mounts. Really depends on how much salt it saw before being stored.
Parts are really no harder to find than they are for any other old Jeep, most Jeepster/Commando guys own at least one if not more for spare parts or have parted out a couple. Not speaking from personnel experience or anything .

 

Yes, that's true. As I am also fairly new to the Jeepster realm, I simply wanted to point out another source. Besides, I think he already knows about Earlycj5.com

 

Thanks for the good info.

In the Northeast its all about the condition of the body. The body on this '68 is reported to be fine, meaning no rust repair needed. I want to make sure I look in the right places for rust that may not be obvious.

timgr- it is a true convertible- seems all original w/ two tone paint, continental kit, etc. Has a black top- would it originally have come with a white top if it is the yellow/white two tone paint combination?

Thanks,
Tim

 

Keep us posted. I know of a 67 convert for sale in MA but they want a stupidly huge amount of money (21k).

 

Picked up the Jeepster on Sunday night. Very good body. Has power brakes, power steering and power top. Some assembly required

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx27/tpnealon/Jeepster008.jpg

 

Looks to be very solid, not really used to seeing them this far north without rusted rockers . I'd be curious how they mounted the P/S box since Saginaw steering wasn't used until 70. Hopefully it was done right, seen some real hack jobs over the years. To check what color top it originally came with look on the passenger side firewall above the battery, might still have the trim tag there.

 

I bought it mainly because the body is so good. the only rust through is a quarter sized hole on the bottom of the passenger side fender. It appears the frame was painted, has new body mounts, lot of the chrome was re-done which leads me to believe someone was doing an extensive restoration before they gave up. The steering is currently frozen. Looks like the saginaw conversion was never competed. Is it the same as a later CJ box? Looks the same as a spare that I have. Will take some more pics when I get the extra parts organized and out of it.

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx27/tpnealon/Jeepster004.jpg

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx27/tpnealon/Jeepster005.jpg

 

Think you got a heck of a deal, sounds like a relatively easy restore. There's something about the boxes that might be different, I'm thinking it has to do with the splines on the pitman arm being offset? Have to look into it, can't remember where I read that.