78 CJ-7 or 68 Commando

[2BAD4U]

I just found what appears to be a steal on a nice 1968 Jeepster Commando, but I have a 1978 CJ7 . What would you do?

1978 Jeep CJ7
- Original AMC 304 (not running, jumped timing) 3-speed, Fiberglass body (has cracks in front fenders and under rear seat, but will repair fairly easy), lockers front & rear with stock 3.23? gears, fiberglass hard top, 31's on aluminum wheels, Howell F.I.

1968 Jeepster Commando
- Complete and original, unaltered
60, 000 miles, with original hardtop, roofrack, perfect interior.
Dauntless Buick 225 V6 V6, 3 Speed. Motor Stuck.

I'm thinking the Howell F.I. and the wheels onto the Commando with the rebuilt 360 sitting in my garage. What abot a tranny? I'm not sure if the commando has an auto or manual, and it would be GM based, correct?

What do you think? I called and talked to the guys wife, they are going out of town until Monday, but she said the commando is in excellent shape for its age and looks good. ($600. firm)!

 

[2BAD4U]

Just talked to the owner. The Jeep sounds very nice & unmolested. It is white with black interior, 3 speed manual, hard & soft top, no rust, except a few small bubbles, and he stated that you can eat off of the under carriage!
He'll be back next week, and I'll probably get it if it's half as nice as it sounds. No engine in it, but has one if I want it.
What tranny would you put in it behind the 360? What tranny might it have?
Thanks,
Mark

 

[IOPort51]

I think if you vote you should post who you are.
why you have the opinion you do is optional.

I vote commando with V6

Not a fan of fiberglass
360 too much for frame design and may need compleat drivetrain replacement to match.

 

[Kane]

I love the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 motor so I would stay with that and rebuild it. That would also keep the jeep true to it's unique coolness.

 

[IOPort51]

Down with that!!

I love the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 motor so I would stay with that and rebuild it. That would also keep the jeep true to it's unique coolness.

 

[elwood blues]

Just for the coolness factor I would keep the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 in the Commando too.

 

[2BAD4U]

I was looking on the net last night, and there is almost no aftermarket support for the Commando's. That kinda sucks, but it's still a Jeep, and you can customize as needed.
I was thinking about the engine as well. It would be a very tight fit lenth wise for a v8. The owner has another engine, but it's frozen. I'll try to find out more about it when I look at it. The original engine ran so good, he pulled it out and put it in a custom CJ5 fiberglass project. I like steel also, so if it is pretty much rust free, that would be a huge plus up here in ct.
I can't wait to check it out. I would want to lift it enough to run 33's or maybe 35's. It has a 44 rear, but a weak front, so axels would be needed if I lift it. Another option would be to soak the cylinders and try to get it running and sell it for a nice payday. Then I could get something else.
Well see.

 

[CJ]

Man - I'm confused - do you want a CJ or a Commando?

What is it? Pick one and go with it! Enough said on my end...

 

[2BAD4U]

Man - I'm confused - do you want a CJ or a Commando?

What is it? Pick one and go with it! Enough said on my end...

Well.....I want a Jeep on the road, NOW! I'm not big on the fiberglass body on my CJ7 . If the body and interior are in good shape on the Commando, I'll probably go that route. Plus it has more room for the family!

 

[2BAD4U]

Well....I'm Goin' Commando!!
I bought that 68 Commando, and quite possibly got the best deal ever (for me anyway)!
It has 59,xxx miles, 2" lift via new Wrangler YJ springs & hangers, 31" tires (p.o. thought they were 33's, kinda hard to tell as it was dark, snowing, and they were bald & a bit low on air), metal hardtop (rare), roll bar (out of a CJ), Soft top w/ bows, a few spots of surface rust (not rusted through anywhere), nice complete interior, and it was running a year ago, so everything works & is good. The engine was swapped for another project, but a complete one that was in the other project, but has been sitting for awhile. Supposedly the other engine turned over, but was swapped anyway.
So I will be selling my CJ7 .

 

[Kane]

So when can I stop by and see this bad boy.

 

[2BAD4U]

I haven't brought her home...yet! The seller is real cool, and wants me to get it before Spring, as he will be moving then. I don't have a trailer, so I'll have to rent one. I'll get it in 3-4 weeks, as I would like to sell my CJ before I get it to minimize the Bi*ching by the better half.
I'm pretty sure that I can get the old 6 running w/o too much trouble, so I should have it on the road in spring!

 

[elwood blues]

How much do you think you're going to want for the CJ? I can start puttin' the word on the street up here that I know of one for sale. Pics of it would help too.... Got to say though, the Commando sounds pretty freaking cool

 

[2BAD4U]

How much do you think you're going to want for the CJ? I can start puttin' the word on the street up here that I know of one for sale. Pics of it would help too.... Got to say though, the Commando sounds pretty freaking cool

Thanks Elwood, I appreciate that! :rock:
I'll get it ready pretty soon, and I'll post up here before anywhere else.

 

[dave123]

would like to see pics of the commando. You got something there that is a piece of history, and you should keep it the rest of your life.

I would go as original as possible on the motor.

I would take any odometer reading with a grain of salt, that baby could have rolled over before many of us were born...

congrats

 

[2BAD4U]

Here is my Commando! The CJ7 is gone

 

[CJ]

Dude! Sweet!

Looks like you have another great project!

 

[elwood blues]

Dude, that thing is freaking SWEET!!!

 

[IOPort51]

That is at least 50 big boy toy cool points!! They have to let you into heaven now.

 

[Old Dog]

The jeep gods must be happy with you. Great find.