• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Jeepster Commando Restoration Project

Melensdad

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
Well I'm not sure if RESTORATION is the correct term to use, because I don't know if I will be restoring it or if I will be making it into a mild street rod. But in any case, there are REPAIRS to the body that must be done, so I hope to document some of those, and ask for advice along the way.

Picture 1 is the car as I picked it up. Looks pretty good until you get close.
Pictures 2 and 3 show the interior. It is in pretty good condition. The seats are in surprisingly good condition. The rear interior panels are shattered on both sides, they are brittle plastic and aftermarket replacements out of fiberglass are available. The seats are all in good condition but may be pulled and replaced with highback front seats?
 

Attachments

  • DSC00047.JPG
    DSC00047.JPG
    61.1 KB · Views: 1,175
  • 1-interior-overview.jpg
    1-interior-overview.jpg
    111.9 KB · Views: 1,170
  • 1interior-overview.jpg
    1interior-overview.jpg
    53.9 KB · Views: 1,157
Re: Commando Restoration Project

Photo 1 shows the shattered rear interior panel.
Photo 2 shows the windshield frame is rotted, I already have a replacement for that.
Photo 3 shows the dash, it is in very nice shape. The interior of the glovebox is cardboard, and has collapsed. Plastic replacements are available and I will replace it. The radio trim is rusted, the AM radio is broken. It will be upgraded with an Alpine San Francisco AM/FM/CD player.
 

Attachments

  • 1rear-trim-panel.jpg
    1rear-trim-panel.jpg
    57.1 KB · Views: 1,156
  • 1windshield-rot.jpg
    1windshield-rot.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 1,145
  • 1dash-overview.jpg
    1dash-overview.jpg
    83.9 KB · Views: 1,145
Re: Commando Restoration Project

These 3 show the passenger door, and the various bits of rust and corrosion.
 

Attachments

  • 1passenger-interior-door.jpg
    1passenger-interior-door.jpg
    38.3 KB · Views: 1,124
  • 1doorsill.jpg
    1doorsill.jpg
    101 KB · Views: 1,121
  • 1window-chrome.jpg
    1window-chrome.jpg
    87.5 KB · Views: 1,111
Re: Commando Restoration Project

Trunklid (fiberglass) paint peeling. Tailgate rust. Front hood hinges.
 

Attachments

  • 1hood-hinge.jpg
    1hood-hinge.jpg
    55.2 KB · Views: 1,099
  • 1tailgate.jpg
    1tailgate.jpg
    67.2 KB · Views: 1,089
  • 1trunk-lid.jpg
    1trunk-lid.jpg
    60.9 KB · Views: 1,086
Re: Commando Restoration Project

Here is the passenger side quarter panel. Before and after sanding. I am undecided, but I may simply cut it off and replace it with a new one. This one is rotted through in the back, which is pretty normal. It was repaired with Bond-o at some point but the repair was not a very good one and the rot continued. I may do another bond-o repair or I may replace. But for now I am just exploring the condition of the metal and the amount of the damage.

The sanding is the extent of today's work. I was happy to have gotten just this little bit done. It took me an hour to make room for it in the garage as I had to move the tractor to the other garage, rearrange my implements, etc. And then the whole family went for a scooter ride.
 

Attachments

  • 1passenger-rocker-panel.jpg
    1passenger-rocker-panel.jpg
    45.5 KB · Views: 1,105
  • 1passenger-quarter-AFTER.jpg
    1passenger-quarter-AFTER.jpg
    28.4 KB · Views: 1,154
Re: Commando Restoration Project

Bob, have you considered doing up the body in a "Woody" package? I know it's not an actual Woody, but I can visualize it with that type of finish.
 
Not considered a "woody" but I'm definately going to at least do a 2-tone paint job. I want the front grill area to be a cream pearl. Also cream pearl will be the area above the metal trim line and include the windshield frame, trunk lid, top of the doors, etc. The remainder of the body will be something else but we are not sure what. Up for consideration are metalflake blue and cherry red. Red is a nice fun color, also school colors for the local High School where the lovely Mrs_B teaches. So that is high on the list. But my daughter seems to want a medium metallic blue.

Woody trim might be something to toss into the mix? I'll see what the family says.

As for the wheels, again totally unsure what to do there. Could stay with the stock wheels, paint them body color and add some pearl pin stripes? Could go with a modern alloy wheel. In any case, the tires will be upgraded, the tires on the car are very worn. Probably safe to use for a few short drives to town, but sure wouldn't want to take a trip, even a short one to the next county, on these things.
 
That one sure is pretty, but it is a 'standard' version and mine is one of the 'deluxe' versions with all the added trim pieces, interior touches, etc. Not sure that he will find too many buyers at $23,950 but I suspect the way car restorations go, I will end up spending a tidy sum to get mine into similar condition.
 
DaveNay said:
WOW! That is quite a reach from the drivers seat to the transfer case shifter! :eek:
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. Better take a passenger along just to have someone over there to put it in four wheel drive!
 
Naw. You won't shift that H-N-L lever to L while moving, and seldom up.

I had a 72 Wagoneer with I think that same running gear. I would shift up 2L to 2H after clearing the top of this driveway at maybe 4 mph, but I don't think I ever did that anywhere else. At walking speed it's no big deal to stick your head under the dashboard for a moment. L is for rock crawling, otherwise 1st gear or an a/t's 'low' is low enough.

Claim-top of driveway.jpg

And here's why it worked better to start up the driveway slow. It could get tricky after it had rained or worse, snowed, all night.
Claim-lowerdriveway.jpg

After climbing out of this hole it was 20 miles of unmaintained logging road to the nearest neighbor, a phone, (or cell phone reception) and 40 miles to gas or a tow truck. You didn't want to hit it fast and risk breaking something.
 
California said:
At walking speed it's no big deal to stick your head under the dashboard for a moment.
Click to expand...

Yeah....that's still when a 14pt buck is going to waltz right out of the woods, and step in front of my vehicle. :hide:
 
I've been gathering up parts and supplies and generally getting things ready to start doing some work so I've not made much actual progress. But I do have a question about carpets.

Is there any advantage to ordering carpets from one of the internet sources that has the dimensions for the Jeepster VERSUS going to a local shop and just having them make up a carpet for the vehicle? I suppose the price might be cheaper over the internet but I expect the shipping would be pretty high.

Thoughts?
 
Bob, wont the carpet tend to plug up your drain holes in the floor?

carpet? in a Jeep?..:pat:

I'm sure this was a typo.. couldn't be talkin' 'bout the Jeep
 
No not a Jeep, a Jeepster. Think a sissy Jeep. I'm building it for my daughter. This won't be an offroader or a rock crawler. The Jeepster Deluxe Convertibles were designed to be touring cars in the old fashion. I'd tend to think these were some of the last examples of touring cars produced in America.
 
NO PICTURES, but I am starting to make a bit of progress on the Jeepster.

I replaced the battery today with a new Auto Zone battery, no big deal there.

Started to work on the power top. Actually I was trying to figure out how to work on the power top. It is pretty rare that I have a power top, but it also works manually. I was able to get some movement out of the power top mechanism. I won't claim I have it figured out. While the power mechanism is not lifting the top from the fully opened position, if I start it manually, the mechanism seems to be able to move the top v_e_r_y - s_l_o_w_l_y. The motor seems strong, but something is obviously not right. Still, I suspect that since the power top's electric motor is running and sounding good, then I think it can be fixed. If I can figure it out.

The master cylinder for the brakes is about shot. Needs a rebuid or replacement. The carb also needs to be rebuilt. It starts (eventually) and runs well (eventually) but starting is a chore and it must be warmed up for an extended period to actually drive. My intent was to get it loaded up on a trailer and taken in to my mechanic to have him work on the brakes . . . but with all the rain the trailer is now sunk into the yard. I had the option of further destroying the lawn to dig/pull/push the trailer out but opted to wait until my clay soil dries before pulling the trailer out!
 
Bob ,
A number of years ago I restored a 1947 Willy's Jeepster . They are a kick to drive . My wife could never get the hang of the shifter on the steering wheel . The good news is most parts are avalible to restore one . Look for the "JEEPSTERMAN" for all you weather strip needs . He is great and had everything I needed .It is a small Mom & Pop type company . I know yours is a newer model ,but I believe he will have your rubber needs too . Oh and go with molded carpets !!! You get a much finer fit .
Do you have the continenel kit for the rear ??? Thats a class act !!!
 
Allen mine had the continential kit, lots of chrome, and lots of aluminum trim pieces. In fact one of the reasons I bought this one is because it had EVERY piece of trim included . . . I've seen small pieces of trim sell for $100 on eBay and I didn't want to try to track down a dozen pieces of trim or more. I have been spending much of my time collecting parts. I have some NOS chrome rearview mirrors to replace the rusty ones. I found reproduction fiberglass interior panels for the rear. I think I ordered all the weatherstripping from the JEEPSTERMAN. I know I ordered some parts from him.

What I can't find are the molded carpets you are referring to. Where do I find those?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top