First off, I'm very new to the automobile industry. I have little experience in the build up area. I've bought 2 XJ's already lifted(one 3" w/31's and one 7",fullwidth w/36's) and I just wheeled those making a couple trips out to TSF and playing on the rocks out there. I did work to them in addition to regular maintenence but nothing extreme
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I've now sold them both. My father has found a Jeepster in my area for a couple hundred bucks. No idea if it runs yet, I haven't had time to find out.

Now I've searched the internet and found that alot of people find that there is no aftermarket support for the rigs. So for someone who hasn't been through a whole lot of fabrication on existing vehicles is a rebuild a good idea when its based around a Jeepster?
I've gone through 2 years of welding/machining in highschool and feel pretty confident in myself as far as that goes.

My main concern is the engine and transmission area. I have no experience here at all.

I'm guession that at $300-600 the jeepster likely doesnt run so either a rebuild or a new engine is in order.
I want to be able to swap in an automatic tranny however.
-If a rebuild is possible, is the Flathead I-4 compatible with any auto tranny's?
-I've read that the jeepsters came with AMC20 rearends. Which pretty equivilant to the D35 correct?
-What front axles were spec'd on the rigs?
-Steering? Tell me why the stock setup is considered to be bad and needing replacing?

My build would be pretty mild. Nothing too wild. Here's what I've got in mind.
-Basic leaf sprung suspension. More likely over than under. However it will be kept as low as possible.
-37" TRXUS MT as it will be driven on the road from time to time.
-Full roll cage
-Locker in the rear at least.

I realize my post is kind of scattered and I'm sure that I'll get flamed a bit for even asking. But I'm asking and looking for any help that could point me in the right direction.

Thanks
-Kevin

BTW: Where'd the search button go?

.
1) My father has found a Jeepster in my area for a couple hundred bucks. No idea if it runs yet. So for someone who hasn't been through a whole lot of fabrication on existing vehicles is a rebuild a good idea when its based around a Jeepster?

2) I've gone through 2 years of welding/machining in highschool and feel pretty confident in myself as far as that goes.

3) My main concern is the engine and transmission area. I have no experience here at all. I'm guession that at $300-600 the jeepster likely doesnt run so either a rebuild or a new engine is in order.I want to be able to swap in an automatic tranny however.
-If a rebuild is possible, is the Flathead I-4 compatible with any auto tranny's?
4)-I've read that the jeepsters came with AMC20 rearends. Which pretty equivilant to the D35 correct? -What front axles were spec'd on the rigs?
5) Steering? Tell me why the stock setup is considered to be bad and needing replacing?

6) My build would be pretty mild. Nothing too wild. Here's what I've got in mind.
-Basic leaf sprung suspension. More likely over than under. However it will be kept as low as possible.
-37" TRXUS MT as it will be driven on the road from time to time.
-Full roll cage
-Locker in the rear at least.

I
BTW: Where'd the search button go?
1) Alot of Jeepsters sell for less than $1K, biggest factor as whether that's a good deal or not is what condition the body and frame are in, many of these rigs suffer from serious rust related issues. If it's a rusted up POS, stay away, aftermarket sheet metal is not well supported. Repairing a rusted out frame is a waste of time, at that point you might as well build a new one. Later commando's (70's) have somewhat better (stronger) frames than the earlier ones. Other than body parts building a Jeepster/Commando isn't much different than anything else. Best bet is to find a nice rust free rig to start with, mine only required a small (1 sqft) floor patch where the windshield gasket leaked in.
2) Your more experienced than most on this board.
3) Depending on the year this rig could have any of a number of engines in it (Buick V6 , AMC I-6 or V8 and earlier ones had I-4's) the 6 and 8cyl engines were available with the Turbo 400 auto trans and Dana 20 transfer case. Good solid setup that can be found for a few hundred dollars. I wouldn't use one of the older 4's to power an auto, they were weak even behind manuals.
4) Most later Jeepsters/Commandos came with a Dana 30 front Dana 44 rear.
Earlier models had Dana 27s. If your running 37's you'll want at least 44's front and rear.
5) The steering on later models have saginaw power steering which is a great setup, earlier models are manual and your not gonna want to turn 37's with that.
6) Stock front leaf springs on earlier models are 1.75" wide and very stiff, later models went to 2" wide but are still too stiff. The rears are 2.5" wide and pretty flexy, they have a serious offset though and are not available in the aftermarket. I'm running 1.5" Rubicon Express YJ SOA springs up front and 52" Chevy's in the rear (I'm mid build so we'll see how that works), I've also stretched the frame rails 5" longer and spread them 3.25" wider to accomodate some other fab work so it may not be a great comparison.
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Follow the American Jeepsters Club site, there's a couple companies supporting aftermarket items, and lately some cage kit's have been offered. They also have a classified section.
Lockers for Dana 30's and 44's are plentiful so no problem there.
Search function is only available to paying members, will cost you a whole $20 a year (best money you'll spend on your project).

Ditto to what Len said above:
There are quite a few N/W members of the American Jeepers Club and the Jeepter-Commando club of American.
Some links:
http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/offroadjeepjeepster
http://www.americanjeepsterclub.org/sw/
http://www.thejeepsterman.com/gallery.htm
http://jeepstercommandoclub.com/
http://jeepstercommandoclub.com/jccawebpages/jccalinkspage.html

You just missed (last weekend) was the Elk Grove Parade. Other events very soon. Oregon Sand Dunes event is soon and a trip to Moab.
You seemed concerned about the drive train stuff basicly the drive trains mirror the CJ's of that era. Body parts (fenders, tailgates), door/window rubber, dash switches, etc seems to be hard to find. Several people are now selling these parts.
As for what you have, it's 30 plus years old ..... no telling how many changes previous owners made to it. It's also pre-73, which is smog exempt in Calif. not sure about Washington
Good Luck and welcome to the sickness

--------------------
"The Heep" 73 Commando, 258 I-6, T-18, Scout Dana 300 w/Tera 4:1 Kit, SOA, PS, Thru-dash Cage, Alcans, OBA, ARB's, Ft disc, Mud & Rust.

GoldToyBox and LCAC_man, I really appreciate your help.

The most encouraging part of the whole thing is the CJ5 drivetrain compatability. Theres a few around here in the classifieds rather often so it shouldn't be too overly tough to find some needed parts as those areas were my main concern.

I didnt get chance to check out the jeep yet as repairs in the shop have kept us after hours everynight. I appreciate the rust tips. I'll be sure to search it for rust, however if its there I'm sure I wont have too much trouble finding it.

Links have been helpful as well.

-Kevin

Bring a small hammer with you. Tap the frame with said hammer to search for bad spots. Especially tap around the leaf spring hangers, and the underside of the frame in the low spots.