The commando.

[REDxj5150]

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/318156_10150741411559617_505084616_146108114_1453603609_n.jpg[/img]
So here it is. not much, but i've got all life.

[img]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/314132_10150741411879617_505084616_146108117_2094214135_n.jpg[/img]
chassis, have a couple dana 44s lined up.


[img]http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306669_10150741412239617_505084616_146108121_1008284926_n.jpg[/img]
fenders and grill.


I got the transmission/Tcase with it, the doors, and the windshield frame. the rest is for the most part junk, but i'm ok with that. starting on the bodywork this week, hoping to have it sanded and primered, then i'll start fixing the small amount of rust it has and add the rocksliders. take out the warps as i go. won't actually be too hard, and my dad is helping me with the body so it'll be done right for the most part.

[Bert338]

I'm looking forward to seeing this jeep take shape.

[Dirty LJ]

Thats cool! Keep us posted on the progress!

[REDxj5150]

So here's an update of what's been going on with the commando. we've got it flipped upside down right now straightening the bed and finishing the floorboards. I've been neglecting the frame, but i'll get there soon enough. Gonna go pick up some primer tomorrow and shoot the bottom after the last of the metal working is done. It'll be tan before noon hopefully. Just some small things have to be finished.

[img]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/295044_10150741412414617_505084616_146108124_129459533_n.jpg[/img]
Here's one of the floorboards going in. both of them went in smoothly. we bent a 90 in both of them to butt up to the door frame. this is before we flipped it.

[img]http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/541103_10150741412504617_505084616_146108125_1537428129_n.jpg[/img]
closer shot of how it fit in the back.

[img]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/551318_10150741412594617_505084616_146108126_228277788_n.jpg[/img]
Here it is upside down. I rolled it before it even got axles under it. That is also a mock up of how the rock sliders will be. since the previous owners had cut the bottom of the body off with a torch i saw it a perfect opportunity to put some 80 wall 3x3 square tubing in there. and a 2x1 piece of angle iron to make it look semi original to follow the old body lines. You can also see how bowed the bed is from that shot. as of today, not so much...

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535463_10150741412664617_505084616_146108127_856339214_n.jpg[/img]
there's a better one just for the hell of it.

[img]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/556476_10150741412814617_505084616_146108130_939758173_n.jpg[/img]
most of the bed bracing in. it's straight now!


[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560400_10150741413074617_505084616_146108131_137700780_n.jpg[/img]
Here's the freshest one i've got. capped the back of the sliders and it's all welded on. just lack 2 small 2" pieces to connect the bed bracing to the rock sliders.

[Bert338]

Thanks for the pictures and updates.

[REDxj5150]

Some more updates .

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552909_10150741415234617_505084616_146108170_1910093820_n.jpg[/img]
This is the cowl, and my right foot. You can see the bow in it, and there's plenty of warpage by the vent too. I'm fixing that tomorrow.

[img]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/527878_10150741413444617_505084616_146108138_295825411_n.jpg[/img]
Fresh from today... Yes! Its made it half of the way back over. I finally put that center piece that was missing from the floor in.

[img]http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/539021_10150741414679617_505084616_146108160_260051364_n.jpg[/img]
Straightened it right out! If you look hard to the right you can see the last rust hole I have to fix on the wheel well. Also visible is that cowl warp through the dash. Soon as I put the portapower on it I'm takin' the body hammer to all of those little ripples.

[img]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/560634_10150741413584617_505084616_146108141_106439095_n.jpgg[/img]
Both sides got one of these put in. They were pretty bad.

[imghttp://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538093_10150741413754617_505084616_146108144_1526043953_n.jpg[/img]
The bottom in flat sand with some patches of paint for those new panels.

[img]http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/549811_10150741414039617_505084616_146108149_119733725_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529771_10150741414304617_505084616_146108153_1081755192_n.jpg[/img]
The axle collection... 14 bolt full float for the rear. 79' chevy (how much for a cheap disk conversion???), and a d44 8 lug (it's upside down) out of a 77' J20. (looking for 5.38 gears for both)

FRAME

[img]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/314132_10150741411879617_505084616_146108117_2094214135_n.jpg[/img]
I was even more afraid of this thing when we first got it. So I blindly pointed a torch at it, and started cutting.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536555_10150741414369617_505084616_146108154_1893423806_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/546497_10150741414449617_505084616_146108155_2060712484_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305645_10150741414504617_505084616_146108156_596384508_n.jpg[/img]
Sorry there's no inbetween shots of the torch action, but here's what we came up with for the front to accommodate the wider axle and YJ springs.
More to come for the rear end because the spring mounts don't seem to be stock. What are you people running for rear springs, or what's a good conversion?



So let me know what you think.

[REDxj5150]

I've been lurking. Sorry... Anyway just wanted to show you guys how the mando is doing now that i'm back in town. Tomorrow the high steer knuckles arrive, and I put the gears in the front end today to get ready for it to all come together. After I put the front end back under it I'm going to move on to the cage. It's gonna be the first i've ever put together, so it should be a real interesting experience. Here's what has been going on with it.

Several months ago now I primered the frame, and put the axles under it. Just to get it fitting right I also put the engine and transmission on the chassis to align it, and make the mounts for it.

[img]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561949_10150741419034617_505084616_146108220_89716107_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/399168_10150741419374617_505084616_146108225_1918108861_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526566_10150741420444617_1256285022_n.jpg[/img]
Mocked the grill up just to see how it looks.
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/535088_10150741420189617_505084616_146108238_143361033_n.jpg[/img]
My dad did only a little bit of body work on it. I tried to keep the bondo off of it. I guess that's what I get when my dad grew up in a body shop.

Painted it just yesterday. Everything except the hood. only because I forgot about the hood.
[img]http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558984_10150741420904617_505084616_146108252_469435556_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/540555_10150741420969617_505084616_146108254_609359285_n.jpg[/img]
Today's shining achievement. I did the gears in the front end, and painted the housing.
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/533774_10150741421199617_505084616_146108261_1279749748_n.jpg[/img]


This weekend is all about starting the cage, and hinging the windshield frame. Now that I'm back in town maybe I'll do a run with you guys if there is any coming up.

Travis

[REDxj5150]

Brown Santa Brought high steer!
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553408_10150741421434617_505084616_146108270_1476638268_n.jpg[/img]

[img]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/560566_10150741421539617_505084616_146108272_1501421643_n.jpg[/img]

[img]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404975_10150741422919617_505084616_146108302_184601452_a.jpg[/img]

[castor07jk]

here is a link that should help.


[url]http://www2.dana.com/pdf/5717.PDF[/url]

[REDxj5150]

That is quite helpful...

It was nice seeing all of you again tonight. I had fun learning what I could from all of your jeeps. (or were all of those jeeps examples of what not to do) Anyway I got some ideas of how to proceed on some things I had in mind for this ol' commando.

Yesterday and today proved very productive on the cage. Tomorrow my dad is going to weld it all up. I just feel that someone who worked in the oilfields as a welder would have a little bit of experience welding up pipe. He's just going to use a lincoln sa200. We don't have all of those super cool TIG welders and MiG welders. Frankly I suck at stick welding. Ask me to wirefeed it, but stick? no...

The majority of the cage has been bent and cut. What's left? The tubes for the seats. There's a newer style XJ in the junkyard, and I liked the seat color in it, so if they're still there I'm gonna go get them. That way I can use my xj as a mock up as to how far apart the tubes the seat sits on.

Here's what's done as far as 7pm today.

[img]http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/526608_10150741421889617_505084616_146108282_703364005_n.jpg[/img]

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/564040_10150741422024617_505084616_146108284_1521206923_n.jpg[/img]

The tubes along the trans tunnel go on top running front to back. For a good cb mount and interior flood lights. The bent tubes on the floor near the doors are the A-pillar uprights. They're going to be fitted into the halo mid-bend. Should be the fanciest part of the whole cage. (that I already made a slight goof on)

[REDxj5150]

Well the roll cage is just about done. We've got 2 more bars to put in for the seats, and then we'll be good to go on that. After tomorrow we'll be tackling that front end some more. I'm gonna do some more research to see how much I should move the pinion in, and see if I need to move the ring gear over a bit too. Then I can rebuild and swap parts from the broken transmission my brother gave me to the 2wd transmission that came out of my chevelle several years ago. Once the trans and transfer case are settled onto the frame we can put the body on the frame. I have a good line on a Hydroboost for my brake system when the time comes, but I'm still in need of a steering column.

here's the latest and greatest build pics.

[img]http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545003_10150741422309617_505084616_146108289_787986783_n.jpg[/img]
Took the windshield frame off for a bit. Everything about the cage just went super smooth, and the whole measure twice cut/bend once thing really does work.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/549443_10150741422504617_505084616_146108293_1671543559_n.jpg[/img]
View from above. Maybe I should have been standing in the very center. This shot makes everything look a little off. Maybe it is...

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/524853_10150741422564617_505084616_146108295_443025906_n.jpg[/img]
I think that the dash runner is the smoothest piece of the whole cage.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/554963_10150741422659617_505084616_146108298_354503211_n.jpg[/img]
The last pieces that need welding tomorrow. I think after that is all done I'm going to take a trip to the junkyard, and pull some cherokee bucket seats. There was a 98' out there last week with some very nice looking seats. While I'm out there I owe my brother a short shaft for a d44, and I might as well see if there's any potential steering columns too.

[REDxj5150]

Welp, another update... Cage is done. High steer is in. It's actually on wheels and tires (lame ones), and put the body on the frame finally.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/549041_10150741422819617_505084616_146108300_614129348_n.jpg[/img]
Wheels, tires, Highsteer.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/380572_10150741423529617_505084616_146108310_1701479450_n.jpg[/img]


[img]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/306131_10150741423609617_505084616_146108311_1314675009_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/564887_10150741502379617_505084616_146108724_827517442_n.jpg[/img]
The Fender, Hood, and Fender flare in the rear are just mocked, Everything is just kinda sitting on there. The engine needs to be moved up 2 inches or so.

[TheBigDogg]

looking good!!

[Dirty LJ]

I think you should stick with those wheels!!!! They are awesome

Though it is coming along nicely! Cant wait to see it out on the trail.

[REDxj5150]

I hate those wheels and tires! They were an unwanted "gift." My dad thought he was doing some good by buying them. I really do want some H1s, but if these are rubbing, H1's will surely rub. If I sell these for what I want I could put that money towards recentered H1s and tires. from this dude. http://www.trailworthyfab.com/189-8-Bol ... ecial.html for some reason 1100 bucks for 5 wheels and 37 inch tires sounds really really good.

[TheBigDogg]

that is a really good deal

[REDxj5150]

Nothing new to really report on.

I moved the engine mounts up so the body would go on the mounts, and painted the cage.
I'm sourcing a few parts on the list right now. I'm getting a TH350->NP205 adapter for 20 bucks from Santa Rosa. Also getting a radiator. It'll be a few weeks on that cause it's still in the partster jeep. the last thing for now is gonna be the heaterbox and vents. Although it's hot for 9 out of the 12 months in this place I'm not gonna go without one. That stuff will be coming from Utah.

I'm pretty much out of money, and school starts tomorrow. The Commando will go on hold for a while. For now I'm gonna do some simple upgrades to the XJ. Starting with the steering.

[REDxj5150]

So tomorrow I'm gonna put a few hours into this ol' dove. I haven't really had any motivation for it, but I did get some goodies for christmas for it. Got some xj seats, my choice of 2 steering columns, a winch, a rebuilt trans with an np203 attached to it, Body bushings. Tomorrow I'm gonna pull the Frankenstein transmission out of it, and put in the new one. Go get some bolts to mount the body down, and hopefully get it mounted. Then I was gonna adjust the fender flares for the rear, and mount those down.

[TheBigDogg]

make sure you take some pics of the progress

[REDxj5150]

Here's the beast that went in it.

[img]http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/581481_10150741502449617_505084616_146108725_1576169361_n.jpg[/img]

Here's what was in it.

[img]http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/562896_10150741502564617_840696471_n.jpg[/img]

Had to get it in the air to get the jack under it. I definitely wasn't going to try lifting that whole thing alone.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/374994_10150741502614617_505084616_146108729_1481673665_n.jpg[/img]

Never had I put a torque converter on so quickly. I was proud of that moment. Then after that It was only about 10 minutes until I had it all buttoned up on the engine. the Whole thing only took me an hour, and that was mostly getting it prepped to put it up in there without the trans tipping off the jack.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532844_10150741502674617_505084616_146108731_761974365_n.jpg[/img]

After I got it up in there I took the stand I was using for the engine and held up the rear of the trans with it. I'm going to have to build a better trans cross member because the stock one shoves the trans into the floor.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/579825_10150741502749617_505084616_146108733_512496184_n.jpg[/img]

I've got 6 possible bolts to use on each side for a cross member, so it will be over built. Here's the whole thing buttoned up. I got a few of the body bushings in. I just didn't feel like it is worth showing. The fender flares are next.

[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/534531_10150741502864617_505084616_146108737_1904953321_n.jpg[/img]

[TheBigDogg]

looking good!!

[REDxj5150]

Forgot to add this other reason why I need to build another cross member.
[img]http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/392402_10150741502914617_505084616_146108738_937864715_n.jpg[/img]

Even if i could drop this one to fit, I'd have quite a driveline conflict.

[TheBigDogg]

did you get the body bolted down?

[bobbed burb]

awesome build/ built not bought

[REDxj5150]

Yea. I don't even know how to spend money on this thing, so I just build it instead.