Thread: 1971 Jeepster Suspension/Drive

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I just recently purchased a 1971 Jeepster in need of some work and, liking the unusual, I have decided to try to convert this to a two wheel drive street rod with a 350/700r4....something good for cruising even tho I should be past that age. Can anyone tell me if I am dreaming or if this is economically feasible. I don't really have the money to go with a custom made IFS and I know that there are some 2 wheel drive wagoneers, etc. out there. Does anyone know of anyone that has done this and what the difficulties are that I will run into? I guess I would also like to find a heavier duty rear end that would work without a lot of fabricating. Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated. Most Jeep sites think I am nuts for wanting to go to two wheel drive and are not very helpful so I guess I need to turn to the hot rod group for help. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Well, it can be done... Somewhere in the warehouse I have a full sized Bronco converted to 2 wheel drive, I was lucky enough to find a totaled out donor truck to supply the A-Arms and the rest of the suspension. I went to coilovers and a 9" with ladder bars on the rear. I don't have much money stuck in it, now if I should ever work my way back to that corner of the warehouse............

Personal Note: Don't ever again buy half an old warehouse, all it does is accumulate partially done and "lost interest" projects......

Hi Old Buck,
If you have a Willys Jeepster, congratulations it's a 'cool' old piece of iron. Jeepsters were made from '48-'50 , though the last of them were sold into early 51, never heard of a '71
Here is a site that will be able to help you, there are everyone from purists to slash and burn types there with over 2000 members,come on over.
Barry
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/WillysTech

Thanks for the encouragement Dave. I'm not real talented in the way of fabricating, not that I don't want to learn. The last vehicle I had that I made any modifications to was a 1939 Ford sedan. I put a 1957 Olds J2 engine in it (with factory made adapters) and a factory dropped front axle. Had to keep the '39 transmission because going to a hydro was beyond my capabilities. Needless to say, I didn't do many burnouts with that arrangement but it was fun cruising with. To give you a hint of how long ago that was I paid $15.00 for the Ford without an engine (it was a 60 hp flathead with the original radio that worked...great shape too) and $150 for the engine WITH the motor mounts and transmission adapter. So I'm just getting back into it being close to retirement and my second childhood.

That age is right about 75% of this forum maybe a little younger

Thanks for the reply goshawks00. I am going to drop over and see what I can see. Kaiser (the successor to Willys) made the Jeepster Commando again from 1966 (I think) until 1971 when they sold out to AMC. AMC dropped the Jeepster name and just called it a Commando. Mine has a 3.7 Buick V6 with a three speed manual transmission. I know they also made a Wagoneer in the '60s in a two wheel drive but I can't find out any of the specs on them. Also, living in the north country it's hard to find a two wheel drive anything truck. Maybe that's why I want a two wheel drive. My regular vehicle is a two wheel drive GMC crew cab and I had to look long and hard to find that. I'm really hoping that the 2 wheel drive Wagoneer was a straight axle that would bolt on to the Jeepster.

That's even more encouraging Charlie.

Oh ! so you have a Kaiser Jeepster Commando. Well the site i suggested make be of some help but it's real geared towards the willys types. See you there.
Barry

Hey Buck i've seen 2-2wd jeepster's at shows makes a cool ride for sure! if you don't come up with any thing from that site! Try A&P jeep salvage in Oklahoma city...talk with Steve he has & know's more then he should :-) he may be able to help...
I get the same feedback from jeep guys when i told them i wanted to do a drop on a full size jeep j20 truck..here's a photo print a buddy did..

opppsssss pics didn't pass...also dose yours have this type of front end in pic #1

Thanks a lot hotrod. I knew someone out there had to have done it. It would appear to me that one should be able to get a straight (dropped) axle for it if nothing else....kinda like the old gassers. But I really would like to just put a nice drop and have a nice smooth riding/running Jeep. Thanks for the hint on the OK place...I'll try to get in touch with them next week. The Willys place was pretty much a Willys place so I don't think they would relate to me.

Mine does look kinda like that picture...wish it looked as good as that.

Thanks again and, if I learn anything I'll keep posting in case there's another crazy like me out there.

Thanks again, hot rod. Steve sound like a nice guy and answered my e-mail very promptly.

His solutions to my problems were to cut the center section out of the front differential and weld a tube between the two pieces....simple. As far as my question about the rear end being able to handle a 350, he said it should be a Dana 44 and should be no problem.

He also has soft tops for it for sale (new) which is another thing I was wondering about.

Thanks a lot.

Cecil