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What to look for

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by thistle3585, Apr 28, 2014.

  1. May 6, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    Here are photos of the Commando in question. http://www.crossroadswood.com/flatiron.html I'm now on the fence. The original photos were a little more forgiving of its condition. The engine was rebuilt 15 years ago but never started. There is only one small place rusted through in the body but the top has some rust spots. Everything else is surface rust. I'm looking at this as a frame up restore. Any thoughts? I'm thinking of offering $1800.
     
  2. May 6, 2014
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Doesn't look too bad overall, the top attachment to the body is a little disturbing and looks to be a good layer of bondo peeling off that left fender. Still a lot of good tops out there and good fenders but availability may vary depending where you live. Does look like it has the flanged 44 rear. Engine may be a little problematic since it's been sitting that long. OTOH it might be OK too so all the bad points may work in your favor. $1800 isn't really out of line, might go in at $1500 and work up from there.
     
  3. May 6, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    What are the options on another motor? Is there anything out there that can be dropped in relatively easily. I have a straight six out of a '79 CJ7. I'm not sure if that would fit or not?
     
  4. May 6, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    Sorry. Duplicate post
     
  5. May 6, 2014
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    Straight six are a little too long due to the front cross member. Easiest drop in would be a rear drive 3.8 or even a 4.1 Buick although the 3.8's are more plentiful.
     
  6. May 6, 2014
    Dks62

    Dks62 Member

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    Andrew--Where are you located? It doesn't say in your profile.
     
  7. May 16, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    Thanks for everyone's help. On my way down to check out the '66. I stopped to look at another one which turned out to be a 1949 Willys Overland Jeepster. The guy wanted less than what the Commando was going for and it would also be less work so I ended up buying it. I told my son we'd look for another Commando next fall as a winter project. I have the summer to put this one together.
     
  8. May 16, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    8)

    Pics!

    H.
     
  9. May 16, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    I am picking it up next week, so I'll get pics then. The owner had started to restore it and completely disassembled it, did all the body work including welded new floor pans in. He got the body in primer then passed away. I bought it from his son. Everything is there except the canvas top. It needs painted and put back together. I'm real excited.
     
  10. May 16, 2014
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    It was those Jeepsters that really got me started on all this. Almost bought one myself.
     
  11. May 17, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    I picked up my Jeepster today. I'm not sure how to post photos to this site. I uploaded them in my album. I assume people can look at them there through my profile. Do you have to be a member a certain amount of time to post photos? I searched through some of the help areas but didn't see anything on it. I can post them to my website on monday. Unfortunately, can't do it from home computer.
     
  12. May 17, 2014
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    You need a Photo Bucket or similar free picture hosting site then you can link from there to here.
     
  13. May 19, 2014
    thistle3585

    thistle3585 New Member

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    I posted photos at http://www.crossroadswood.com/flatiron.html I haven't had a chance to unpack it but everything seems to be there. The body work is 97% done. There are a couple small spots that need some attention but I think it just needs a fresh coat of primer then going to paint. My plan at this point is to pull the body off the frame and go to work on the chassis. I'm trying to find the proper manual for it. I'm assuming this vehicle is outside the category addressed by this site so I'm going to do some searches for some other forums or groups to use as a resource in the rebuild. Through a series of trades, I've got $500 out of pocket on this so I think its a good starting point.
    Andrew
     
  14. May 19, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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  15. May 19, 2014
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

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    At $500 I think I could have talked the wife into letting me squeeze one more project in the shop 8).
     
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