New Commando owner - questions on a major project

Just bought my first Jeep ever. 69 Commando that I picked up for $300. Price was right so I figured I don't have much to lose.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q8modlzid40r82w/AAAOP0-9zB8y-uppv7Cn_vYda?dl=0

The most impressive part is that its been sitting for 9 years at least. We changed the points, put a battery in it, and poured a little gas down the carb. Didn't turn over more than three times and that ol Dauntless V6 fired right up. It idled pretty smoothly for the few seconds that it ran. Did it a few more times just because I was so pleased but thats as far as we got before I had to leave it.

Loading it on the tow bed was a challenge as two wheels did not want to roll, front right and left rear. The shifter seems to move but the range shifter is definitely frozen with rust.

Im only looking for a driveable beast, I don't really need a pretty car, actually thats more attractive to thieves so semi-ugly is just about right, but having some clearance and having a 4x4 is a huge plus as we have some very steep roads and soggy mud is common in our area.

But I'm wondering how much of a job Ive taken on getting those wheels and the range shifter freed up? Unfortunately I only get out there once a year (Hawaii) or so, so this is not only going to be a project, but it's going to be a project with long breaks in between. Our place is on the rainy side of the island so this thing will be subject to a lot of moisture and corrosive ocean air which always makes staying ahead of the rust a challenge. I should probably dunk the entire truck in a tub of silicone sealant when I leave

Any tips or trips to getting the beast roadworthy is much appreciated. So far my only running start is that it came with new tail light lenses the owner had stored away in some closet. Oh, and a new steering box and power steering pump, although after nine years of rusting in the back, I'm using the word "new" in only the most liberal sense, not even sure if the pump will work. The steering box seemed to be ok. Former owner said it wandered pretty badly before she parked it.

It also came with two spare doors, the rear hatch and the side windows, so it's more than complete, but that top is pretty much dissolving with rust around all the edges. Ill probably just used it as a template and build an similar profile top out of treated plywood - easier for me to build and quieter on the road and in the rain that way too.

Anyway, not my first project car, I've been doing minor restoration for years, but this is definitely the rustiest of many projects lately. The body isn't bad but the floor is just about gone under the seats and there's not much solid in the rear either - wheelwells are both completely pockmarked with small rust holes. Gonna be a fun job Im sure. Fortunately Hawaii is mostly concerned about the basics for the annual safety inspection - brakes, lights, turn signals, etc.

Feel free to share your ideas. Thanks. And aloha!

ps Can someone decode that serial number for me?

 

Hi Gowest, Welcome to the forum. Nice commando you picked up there and the price was more than nice! Having many projects myself (4 are Commandos), I try to keep everything in a running and driving state. To do that, I find the main thing is to catch up and keep up on lubricating all the lube points on the vehicles.

Shifter stick is common on Willys/Jeeps. Clean the ends of the shift shafts with a wire brush and tap gently on them to free them up. Most shift mechanisms take lube, but are overlooked/forgotten about. Fussy, my current daily traveler was sitting for 22 years and $284.00 (and a few hours each day for a month) later, I rode in it all last summer. This summer, I've had to do more work, but I was expecting that.

Catch up on a few things each day and you'll be road worthy in no time. Then you should not have to sweat the sitting/parked time.:driving: