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Tator Tot..'69 Commando

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by trickpatrick, May 28, 2007.

  1. May 28, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    I have wanted to post a build for years.
    Let me start by saying I have been trying to build a 3b for 4 or 5 years and finally realized it wasnt going to happen.
    I stripped it completly down and I just dont have the time or resourses for this much work.

    I had an epihpany when my S I L bought a J10 for cheap and was wheeling soon after.

    Found this Commando the title was in Don Simplots name and so It will be know as Tator Tot from now on.


    For the price of some springs for the 3B I bought my Commando.
    The 3b just isnt practical for north Idaho. To short for snow and ice and to cold.So the Commando just makes more sence here.


    As you can see the commando was lookin pretty sad. and 2nd gear sync is out they wanted 1499.00 for it and it was sitting for a couple months on the back of a car lot. I offered him 800.00 and he said how soon..:)



    Most of the parts I have been scronging and building for the 3b will bolt right on the Commando:) D30 sm420 ect.

    I have a donor car buick skyhawk77 with oodfire 231 so i have lots of good donor parts like manifold and HEI carb ect.



    It drove home but just.
    What I know so far.
    The motor 225 is strong no problems.
    Choke was wired open. and whole carb is suspect.
    Has 44 rear 30 spline 3.73's large rear brakes:)
    27 front one leaky wheel cylinder.
    2 small rust spots on passenger floor.
    Frame is very solid no crack's and body mounts dont show any hard use.
    Original steering.
    oil all over everything underneath.
    Tranfer case works leaking usual areas.
    Front drive shaft is wobbly in splines.
    Has bad clutch chatter and home made clutch linkage.
    Replaced trans mount but havnt tried it out yet.

    When I looked under the dash I jumped up and ran to the battery to disconect. bare wire everywhere:rofl: Dont know how it hadnt caught fire.

    This will be a low budget build not a complete redue wont try that again:rofl:

    Here is a starter pic wish me luck.

    Having attachment issues will post more pics soon.


    View attachment 18071
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2007
  2. May 28, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2007
  3. May 28, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Cool!

    There's just something about the Commandos...
     
  4. May 28, 2007
    Hansh

    Hansh Going Mobile

    SE Wisconsin
    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2004
    Messages:
    425
    Have to agree!
     
  5. May 29, 2007
    1969 CJ-5

    1969 CJ-5 AZ Native

    Whiteman AFB Misouri
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
    Messages:
    154
    What rim and tire combo is that? Looks good! Going to have to meet up with you next time I am in Boise to see what a running Jeep looks like.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Well I dont like square lights on jeeps not even tail lights. Soo..
    Heres a few pics of my new tail lights.

    View attachment 18197

    View attachment 18198

    View attachment 18195

    View attachment 18196

    View attachment 18199

    The color around the light is Khaki and I have decided to do the whole thing in that color looks better in person.
    The spare is just for mockup.

    I had to switch to a solid state flasher and will put in diods later.
    Way brighter:)

    Will fill in around welds with a little bondo when I get to some bondo work.
    But over all very happy with it and I can take them out and reinstall stock ones if I feel like it down the road.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2007
  7. Jun 4, 2007
    brandon533b

    brandon533b Member since 2007

    Yakima,WA
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2007
    Messages:
    220
    i have to say, i like the round tail lights too.:beer: looking great!
     
  8. Jun 5, 2007
    MountainJeep

    MountainJeep Ringmaster, Circus Crew

    Centennial, Colorado
    Joined:
    May 9, 2006
    Messages:
    224
    Nice buy for $800
     
  9. Jun 5, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Clutch release bearing mess?

    Was hoping to drive the jeep abit before tearing it apart much, but the clutch chatter was getting real bad.
    I knew I would be putting in a sm420 so went ahead and took out the stock trans today.

    Here is what I found.


    View attachment 18217

    View attachment 18218

    View attachment 18219

    View attachment 18220

    View attachment 18221

    Couple ???'s

    I am not an expert on clutch's but the bearing does not look like it fits on the support coming out of the trans.??
    It looked to be walking aroud the input shaft just behind the splines you can see the wear on the shaft.
    The bearing is obviously shot I checked the part #number and its right.
    It looks to me like something is missing or the wrong bearing support??

    Anybody with more experience with this know whats wrong missing??
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2007
  10. Jun 6, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Having trouble with pics but finally figured it out anyway sorry for missing pics just click on my photo bucket and there all there.
     
  11. Jun 6, 2007
    grumpy2

    grumpy2 Member

    Royal Oak
    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2006
    Messages:
    58
    Nice commando !
     
  12. Nov 20, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Been awhile having camera probs.

    Was going to buy a twin stick kit for the d20.
    But I had some D18 levers so I came up with this took an hour and the bracket is a leaf spring mount off an old frame.
    I took the stock pipe mount and cut it in half.
    I will be able to slide it in and out for best adjustment.
    I can drill holes in the bottom of the levers and they bolt right up to the rails.

    Will add set screw's to shaft and some spacers between the levers.
    Almost free project:)

    View attachment 20430
     
  13. Nov 21, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Most excited I have ever been opening a box.

    Bought this from Herm with adaptor.
    Paid around 950.00
    Rebuilt sm420 and adaptor for my D20.

    View attachment 20443

    Have rebuild kit for the d20 on the way now from Herm.

    He managed to get the tranny shipped for around 50.00,
    truck came through town in the middle of the night.
    Met in a mall parking lot.
    Wife thought I was nuts.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2007
    1969 CJ-5

    1969 CJ-5 AZ Native

    Whiteman AFB Misouri
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
    Messages:
    154
    I would meet someone in a dark parking lot in the middle of the night for one of Herms SM420's.
     
  15. Nov 22, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    I had my big white work van sitting in the middle of the parking lot.
    In pulls a semi we get out and unload a big box into my van we shake hands and I drive off must have looked a bit wierd.:)

    Herm does an excelent job up boxing up the tranny very inpressed.

    When I bought a welder on ebay , it looked like it had been rolled down a hill.:rofl:
     
  16. Nov 24, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Well I didnt notice it when I bought it, but there was something wierd behind the seats.
    After looking at it for a bit I relized it was there for a rollbar to mount too.:rofl:

    Funny thing was it wouldnt budge.
    I gusse over time it had swollen?
    No matter what I did it would not come out so I had to cut it out which wasnt that easy.
    With all the crap under it I would have thought it would be rusted out under it, but no.



    View attachment 20464

    View attachment 20465
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2007
  17. Nov 26, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    I am installing a hydraulic setup for the clutch.
    Bought the master new for a camary.
    The rod in the fore ground was stock but too long.
    I bought the heim joint and made a new rod out of one of the bolts shown.
    I took the head to my bench grinder and rounded it out like the original.

    View attachment 20494
     
  18. Nov 26, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Installed the threaded studs and bolted it in from inside the firewall.
    With right length and installed.
    I figured I would take the clutch pedal out and drill a hole,
    but it was already there:)
    Adjusted the heim joint for stroke and put a spring on the pedal and its good.


    View attachment 20495
     
  19. Dec 7, 2007
    burke

    burke New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2007
    Messages:
    8
    ha, I can't get over that big chunk of wood. Look forward to seeing your progress.
     
  20. Dec 31, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Thought I would share some more progress.

    Had a cool idea for my dash.
    Cant stand the gauges that came in the jeepster,
    and they were toast anyway,
    so I wanted to come up with an alternative that would still be jeep like.
    Looking from the back of the jeep I noticed that the 2 sides of the dash were the same.
    I am a sucker for balance, so I came up with the idea of 2 glove boxes.
    Then I thought hey I could put a cj 5 speedo in the center.
    Dont have the speedo yet but you can see where I am going in the pics.

    http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q200/trickpatrick_album/Dash project/
     
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