TJeepster

[NOBLNG]

This one has been cooking in my brain for awhile now. I have a ‘71 Jeepster Commando, and wanted to replicate it. But I figure I will go a little wilder with this one than I did on my 1:1. I was going to use the Commando frame, but the TJ drivetrain is much beefier looking and nearly the same wheelbase.  Thoughts or insights welcome.

Edited April 6, 2020 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I am also putting the TJ front clip on since I really despise the look of that AMC bullnose front end. It shouldn’t be too hard to blend despite a slight difference in width. I braced the front clip before removing it as I want to open the hood also. The Revell kit did not have an opening hood or an engine. I’m not sure what engine I’ll use yet. Maybe the Hemi or 5.0 litre from a ‘32 Ford kit? Definitely not the V6 from the Commando!

[MurfTwice]

I will definitely be watching this. I have both kits and have thought about doing the same thing. 

[Goose1957]

This should come out neat. I'm on board for the ride.

Jeff 

[espo]

I'm going to enjoy watching this build. I'd stay with as much of the TJ as you can since as you pointed out it is better looking. The Hemi idea would be wild and my be a little hard to fit. I don't know where you would find one, but a 4 liter in line 6 with some goodies add might be interesting. Most 1:1's seem to wind up with a SBC or now an LS engine.  With the longer wheel base and the Commando back half of the body this should be interesting.  

[NOBLNG]

On 4/6/2020 at 9:45 AM, espo said:

With the longer wheel base and the Commando back half of the body this should be interesting.  

The TJ is actually a little shorter wheelbase, but I am going to have to stretch the frame to get the front wheels centered in the wheelwells. I’ve had to give it a scale 2” body lift to clear the frame rails over the rear axle. This was an easy fix using the old hockey puck trick.?

Edited April 7, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Rusty92]

Looks really good so far!

[crazyjim]

What's old hockey puck trick?

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, crazyjim said:

What's old hockey puck trick?

Some 4x4 guys would stack hockey pucks on top of the mounts to get a body lift.?

[89AKurt]

I like Jeeps, there is a shop in town that modifies them, and has several for sale.  There are many options available, a very large a open canvas here.  But I would never do one, the suspension *needs to* be articulated, and making all the accessories would guarantee never finishing. ?  I know you will make a killer model, pulling up a chair.

[slusher]

Really great looking project!!

[NOBLNG]

I’ve filed off the tiny bumps that were the frame locating pins and replaced them with .050 styrene pins. Fabbed up some body support channels along with a rear cross member and mounts. I also added another scale inch (.040”) of lift and I can easily add more later if needed.    I trimmed a tad too much out of the wheel-wells, so I have to add that back and re trim them. I also removed the fuel tank. I will either move it rearward to line up better with the filler cap or fab a custom one?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Plowboy]

Definitely be watching this one! I've been wanting to stick a CJ or a flat fender clip on one of these for a while! But, I recently scored the earlier "Safari" version of this kit. So, who knows which one I'll get to first.

 

[NOBLNG]

11 hours ago, Plowboy said:

Definitely be watching this one! I've been wanting to stick a CJ or a flat fender clip on one of these for a while! But, I recently scored the earlier "Safari" version of this kit. So, who knows which one I'll get to first.

 

Well wait until I’m done please. I don’t want your artwork on the same page as my hackjob.?
Edit: Just kidding Roger, you do beautiful work...love your f-100!

Edited April 8, 2020 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

There is quite a difference in the shape of the Jeepster and the TJ. The TJ is also a tad wider, but the plastic is thick enough that it can be sanded to width. I’ve added some Milliput inside the hood as I think I will be very close to sanding right through the hood when I try to mate it to the Jeepster cowl.  I’ve also stretched the frame by 13/32” (scale 10-1/8”) to put the front wheels where they need to be. I kind of like the slicing and dicing but I am in uncharted territory here, so I hope this all works out. Once I have the power train  located I will likely have to lengthen the rear driveshaft and move the skid plate forward?

 

 

Edited April 10, 2020 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I fish-plated the frame where I lengthened it today. I also sanded the hood to shape. I didn’t get into the Milliput, but I think I am close?. I cut the hood free and glued and pinned the front clip to the cowl. I stretched it a scale 10-1/8” which puts the frame mounts slightly out in front of the TJ kit location, but I think I need it for tire clearance.

Edited June 4, 2022 by NOBLNG
Spelling?

[Plowboy]

Wow! This looks cool already! It's making me want to start one of my own! Someday I'll get to it. To many others right now.

[RichCostello]

What is a TJ jeep?

[1930fordpickup]

 The Jeep that he used for the front clip is A TJ. The 70's were CJ's  the 90's were YJ's the square Head light Jeeps.  

1 hour ago, RichCostello said:

What is a TJ jeep?

Greg This is cool, great Idea. So it is now Toledo Area approved. LOL

[NOBLNG]

On 4/10/2020 at 2:17 AM, 1930fordpickup said:

 The Jeep that he used for the front clip is A TJ. The 70's were CJ's  the 90's were YJ's the square Head light Jeeps.  

Greg This is cool, great Idea. So it is now Toledo Area approved. LOL

That is correct Andy. I think the CJ style first appeared in the early 60’s and ran well up into the 80’s. Probably the longest run of them all. All the utility Jeep vehicles have 2 letters to designate the body style. The Jeepster though (from ‘66-71) was originally designated C-101, as it had a 101” wheelbase. The one I am using is a C-104 (‘71-‘73) because when AMC bought Kaiser they stretched the wheelbase to 104” so they could fit their I6 and V8 engine in it. They also lost the iconic Jeep grill and fenders and added the “bullnose” front sheet metal, which I am getting rid of because it is UGLY!

PS: Thanks for the approval Toledo!?

Edited January 23, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Plowboy]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

 They also lost the iconic Jeep grill and fenders and added the “bullnose” front sheet metal, which I am getting rid of because it is UGLY!

 

You just hurt my Commando's feelings Greg! ? But, yeah they did ruin it. They paid for it too as sales plummeted. Two years and it was gone.

[NOBLNG]

54 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

You just hurt my Commando's feelings Greg! ? But, yeah they did ruin it. They paid for it too as sales plummeted. Two years and it was gone.

Yes, I think that front end killed it! They managed to stuff those engines in the CJs and they were produced up to 1986...and actually the CJ (civilian Jeep) body style style started in 1944 with the CJ2 flat fender.

[RichCostello]

11 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

 The Jeep that he used for the front clip is A TJ. The 70's were CJ's  the 90's were YJ's the square Head light Jeeps.  

Greg This is cool, great Idea. So it is now Toledo Area approved. LOL

OK, I know what a CJ and YJ is, and I think this is a very cool model, but I still don't know what a TJ is.

[NOBLNG]

On 4/10/2020 at 1:49 PM, RichCostello said:

OK, I know what a CJ and YJ is, and I think this is a very cool model, but I still don't know what a TJ is.

A “TJ” is this body style (1997-2006) which returned to round headlights, but the turn signal lights are now mounted in metal fenders rather than in the grill. This was the first utility Jeep with a coil spring suspension. They are very capable off road vehicles. The suspension articulation is something that is just not attainable with leaf springs...not to mention a much smoother ride.

 

 

Edited September 7, 2022 by NOBLNG

[RichCostello]

OK, I'd never heard that before.