1967 Jeepster Commando - I am new to the Jeep family

Hello folks.

I will soon be starting my first resto. It will be on the 1967 Jeepster Commando. I have started a blog to track my progress. Check it out if you have a sec. I would appreciate your comments and advice. I love this forum site, by the way. I will be checking it often as I move along. Thanks everyone.

The blog (which has the pictures of the Commando) is...........
www.goincommando.wordpress.com

 

Welcome from Nova Scotia. I'll be watching your build closely

 

Welcome, looks to be pretty solid from the pictures on your blog. Words of advice? Might as well look for another one or two or ?? for parts, the more the merrier R).

 

Jim, thanks for the welcome......i will be sure to start the thread.....great idea! :v6:

 

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I located a parts commando today that i bought for $200. Thanks! :v6:

 

the original three speed manual transmission is shot.......should i rebuild that transmission or should i consider something else? If something else, what are your suggestions?

 

looks like a good vehicle to start with

 

I would ditch it and get a 4 spd.

But.

First if you havnt already
you must sit down and make a list of what you want from your jeepster project.
then form a plan to make that happen.

For instance Daily driver D/D then maybe an automatic.
Or good weekend trail rig maybe a 4 speed. Ect.

My advice pick your tranny first and work out from there. MHO.

IF you dont make a plan then you will soon find you have bought something expensive you later wish you hadnt...

 

If the transmission is the T-86 I would think about replacement just because parts for that are kind of slim picking. I have seen in the past that Herm the overdrive guy has them . I haven't checked in awhile.

 

you have a SWEET Commando grouperboy!!.......and so do you, trickpatrick!!

 

Great advice, Trickpatrick. I will do that.......what type/brand 4speed should i go with?

 

If you write your plan down on paper, with estimated costs next to the big items, and then research availability of items it can really help firm up your plan. Talk to people who are actually running the parts and not just going off what they have read about on the net. Try finding a local club to get ideas of what other people are running. Try asking any local shops about mods that they have installed and what the benefits/problems they saw. Then try to evaluate if you have the tools and time to do the work, and what things you will have other people do and budget accordingly. Above all else this forum has a knowledge base head and shoulders above any other so ask lots of questions.

 

The early Chevy 4 speed sm420 will bolt up to your bellhousing.
I recomend it.
It is way beefier than your current Trans.

It has a granny gear for the woods that I love.
It does shift like a old truck not a car...
You would need the adaptor to your Tcase.

I also recomend Herm.
theoverdriveguy.com

I bought my sm420 and adaptor as a kit from him.
I have 2000 miles on it now and am very happy with that combo.

If you look at my build thread on the jeepster site you will see some pics and such of the tranny.

This tranny is a common swap into early jeeps and thier are tons of writeups on it. Search here and google.
I drive Mine daily around town and some offroad.
If you dont mind shifting, then bang for the buck you cant go wrong IMHO.


Herm also has a 5 speed he is selling now that has a somwhat low first and overdrive I would look at that as well.

When I took out the T86 in mine I was shocked how puny it really is.
I call it a sewing machine.

Pic from last wheeling trip.

 

OK, Trickpatrick. What should the list/plan look like? What the key components? I have started the building process. But before it goes any farther, I wanted to consider your advice and pencil my plan. As always, thanks for the advice. If any of you other Jeepster folks want to chime in, please do. :v6:

www.goincommando.wordpress.com

 

Well you asked.

First this is my opinion.
Forget about a budget.
just take each step the smartest way you can.
If you can do the labor then do it.
If you can fix the part and it will be reliable for your needs then do it.
Remember a used jeep is just used parts, a few more used parts wont hurt.
Even if you can afford someone to do all the labor,
you will get great satifaction from anything you do yourself on it.
Dont make an unobtainable time line for completion.

I recomend this web site for sage advice also.

http://www.vernco.com/id434.htm


Before deciding anything I would look at as many Jeepster's as possible for ideas.
Heres a bunch of pics I have collected. I am sure you can find more as well.

http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q200/trickpatrick_album/Jeepster%20Commando/

Then you need to decide what kind of rebuild you want.
Icecream getter. Mostly to all stock.
Daily driver with modern brakes ect.
Part time trail rig.
Full on rock crawler.
To name a few.

Am I going to lift it? how much?
What size tires. Will I need better springs.

Then you can decide on tranny, axle gearing.

Get this in order and tell us what you decide and then we can recommend where to go next..

 

Thanks. It def. looks a LOT better in photos than up close! Need to do a ton of work on it this spring

 

Will do.....and thanks
www.goincommando.wordpress.com

 

Hi - I'd suggest that you do as little as possible to get your Jeepster Commando to a driveable state first. Then wheel it to see what you want to change.

If the T-86 is broken, you can put all the gears from a T-90 into the T-86 case to fix it. I have not done this myself, but I know it can be done, and others here can give you advice.

If you've never owned a Jeep, you will be pleased and surprised at where the factory-equipped vehicle will take you. A little experience with driving your Jeepster will help to focus where you want to go with a buildup. There's nothing really wrong with the vehicle in its factory condition...

 

Ok...another question........do any of you guys know if there is a company out there that re-manufactures the original seats (front and back) for the 67 commandos? if so, who is it. if not, where is a good place to locate quality replacements?

btw, my rebuild is missing the back seat.

www.goincommando.wordpress.com :v6: