Any experience with 67-69 Jeep Commando's?
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Wyoming
Any experience with 67-69 Jeep Commando's?
My in-laws have done it again. They bought a vehicle to give to my soon-to-be 16 year old son. I've already put $1500 into the 'free' car ('86 T-Bird) they gave my 18 year old son.
I haven't told my kid he can have it yet - a Jeep Commando. I've heard people tell me it's a fairly rare Jeep. I think it's a '69; it looks like a slightly stretched CJ-5. I can't even tell you what engine it has. It has a removable hard top, and it looks in good shape. From a 1st car for a kid standpoint, it's not too objectionable. Hell-for-stout bumpers, not too much power, probably low cost to insure other than the 4WD factor.
Mom and I are concerned that Jeeps are roll-over prone. Plus the lack of safety gear like airbags, antilock brakes, etc. Looking for previous owner experience on this rig.
I haven't told my kid he can have it yet - a Jeep Commando. I've heard people tell me it's a fairly rare Jeep. I think it's a '69; it looks like a slightly stretched CJ-5. I can't even tell you what engine it has. It has a removable hard top, and it looks in good shape. From a 1st car for a kid standpoint, it's not too objectionable. Hell-for-stout bumpers, not too much power, probably low cost to insure other than the 4WD factor.
Mom and I are concerned that Jeeps are roll-over prone. Plus the lack of safety gear like airbags, antilock brakes, etc. Looking for previous owner experience on this rig.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
I think you're misinformed on the model. A commando does not look at all like a CJ. If it looks like a slightly stretched CJ-5, it's probably a CJ-6. It was an extended CJ-5, just like the scrambler (CJ-8) is a lengthened CJ-7. They were not made real long and are somewhat rare. I've never seen one in person, only a very few in pics. They are narrow, short, and let me tell you I drove a late (78) CJ-5 down a 55mph road and it was something to control. It will get blown all over the road. This would not be a good daily driver for anyone inexperienced in my opinion. Also, you really need to watch out for rust, the tubs can get real bad, but the frames on the early ones were better due to not being boxed like the later (76-up) ones. I'm writing this on a guess, if it really is a commando, I have no advice, because of no experience, but from your description I think it's a CJ-6.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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The jeepster as the comando is called sits low to the ground, not a roll over risk. There weren't alot made, but a few. They were first made by ****** in the late 40's and early 50's, they were a 2wd car. Then amc brought them back in the late 60's and early 70's as a 4wd vehicle. It would be worth restoring and make a great father and son project. They're built pretty tankish and not real fast, might be a great first car hee hee. It will for sure be unique, probobly the only one at his school and it is a 4x4, so that gives it the coolness factor.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
The Commandos are low to the ground for a 4x4. Almost all had steel doors and a hard top. If it has a V6 (as most were), it's the Buick 225 which was a very good motor. A variant of it is still being used to this day by GM as their 3.8 motor. If it's a V8 it may be too much power for a new driver (he wont think so though).
Commondos are relatively rare these days since they tended to rust out quickly and there weren't many made to begin with. Parts would be a challenge to find, but not impossible.
Any 16 year old boy would love to have one I would think. My 17 year old wouldn't turn one down and my 18 year old daughter thinks they are as cool as an early Bronco.
Commondos are relatively rare these days since they tended to rust out quickly and there weren't many made to begin with. Parts would be a challenge to find, but not impossible.
Any 16 year old boy would love to have one I would think. My 17 year old wouldn't turn one down and my 18 year old daughter thinks they are as cool as an early Bronco.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
Kaiser contracted out for a lot of driveline pieces due to their lack of in house manufacturing albility. Buick V6s, Ford inline 6s and Chevy V8s were common in the 60s. When AMC took over Jeep around 1970, Jeeps got the AMC V8s and inline 6s.
AMC did use Chrysler automatic transmissions though, since they did not make their own.
AMC did use Chrysler automatic transmissions though, since they did not make their own.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> heard people tell me it's a fairly rare Jeep.
Very, not many were sold, coupled with the fact they died an early rust death in the Northern states with salted roads.
I worked at an AMC and Jeep dealer for a few years and never saw one come into the shop at all or have anyone ask for parts either though I saw just about everything else. Including SX/4s. I saw one Commander for sale once, but, it was too rusted through for me to buy at the time. A skipped purchase I regret, same as the CJ-8.
Very, not many were sold, coupled with the fact they died an early rust death in the Northern states with salted roads.
I worked at an AMC and Jeep dealer for a few years and never saw one come into the shop at all or have anyone ask for parts either though I saw just about everything else. Including SX/4s. I saw one Commander for sale once, but, it was too rusted through for me to buy at the time. A skipped purchase I regret, same as the CJ-8.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
There are still some decent Commandos in this part of the world. Passed on one a couple years ago for $3,500 due to a bad paint job and a bullet hole in the dash. The 225 Dauntless (Kaiser's name for it) Buick V6 ran great though.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2006
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I had a 71 commando. Look at the floorboards. Even if there is little or no rust, the flat portions had a tendency to tear at the seat mounts. Run it through all its paces,
all speeds, and shift it into 4wd a few times. Like some fords they do not like their
battery cables too long. They will give endless trouble starting if they are even a few
inches too long. Find a forum for jeepsters. There are so many different sources for
parts, but you only have to find out what other vehicle used them. ie; the gas cap
is the same as a falcon. And warn the community lest they get in the vehicles' path,
as it will win any collision with conventional vehicles.
all speeds, and shift it into 4wd a few times. Like some fords they do not like their
battery cables too long. They will give endless trouble starting if they are even a few
inches too long. Find a forum for jeepsters. There are so many different sources for
parts, but you only have to find out what other vehicle used them. ie; the gas cap
is the same as a falcon. And warn the community lest they get in the vehicles' path,
as it will win any collision with conventional vehicles.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
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