Vehicle Description
Tracing Jeep's genealogy would give anyone a headache, but this
1968 Jeepster Commando is pure American off-roader. A rare beast in
itself, it's been upgraded with an aggressive lift for the
go-anywhere 4-wheel-drive, a fuel-injected 350 V8 mated to an
automatic transmission, and the kind of fun attitude that has
defined Jeep almost from the beginning.
Don't confuse this Jeepster from the earlier Willys-designed
version, which was similar. Built by Kaiser, the Jeepster Commando
was bigger, faster, stronger, and with 4x4 abilities, it was all
Jeep. The restoration is a few years old and was done to a level
that won't raise any eyebrows when you take it in the dirt, or when
you pull into a local car show, because it fits in just about
anywhere. It's a great driver quality resto, and you won't need to
worry when you're out having fun. It's a bit more domesticated than
the CJ, and with the more enclosed bodywork, it looks sporty on the
road. The Forest Green paint job emphasizes the flared wheel arches
with crisp lines and a nice gloss on the finish, and it's bolted
together about how you would have received it new in 1968, with a
sturdy reliability Jeep has been known for since WWII. There's a
chrome bumper at each end, chrome rocker panel moldings, and
auxiliary lighting up front, all adding touches usually found on
the restored CJs seen at the Jeep Jamboree. Hard doors and a full
soft top means that this Commando can be driven in all weather
conditions, and the fifth wheel and tire mounted on the carrier out
back matches the oversized units at all four corners of this lifted
Commando. Rugged enough for the trails yet handsomely finished for
the thoroughfare, this is a very special Jeep.
The restoration continues inside with handsome light gray Bestop
seats (high-back buckets up front and bench in the rear) that
really add a sporty feel to the otherwise spartan interior. Painted
surfaces like the dash, door panels, and interior tub ensure that
the basic rugged Jeep-ness of the Commando is undiluted, and the
contrast against the dash pad, carpeting up front and rubber
matting in the rear is quite appealing. Newer gauges in the dash
give a far more comprehensive view of the engine's status than the
originals and there's an Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo for entertainment.
As strange as it may seem, even in 1968 turn signals were not
standard equipment, but this Commando has fortunately been
retrofitted with both turn signals and seat belts for safety. The
B&M shifter in the console manages the TH400 automatic
transmission below with the secondary levers controlling the
two-speed transfer case. There's even decent storage behind the
back seat, complete with a rubber mat, making the Commando far more
useful than the regular CJ.
Long gone is the Dauntless V6 this truck was born with, swapped
with a 350 V8 that now powers the lightweight Commando, providing
it with sparkling performance and gutsy low-end torque to pull it
through the nastiest of off-road obstacle courses. Topped by a
throttle-body injection system and HEI components for durability,
it runs superbly and pulls the Commando around with authority. It
doesn't look like it's been subject to the rigors of off-road use
and during the restoration someone took the time to get the details
right, including a big aluminum radiator to keep the small block
nice and cool. Underneath it's solid and well-cared for, and with
the lifted heavy-duty suspension and Dana 60 rear end, it's worth
noting that it's still ready, willing, and able to head off the
beaten path with plenty of ground clearance. A newer dual exhaust
system gives the V8 a great exhaust note and the 15-inch alloy Weld
wheels are wrapped in 35x12.5x15 Big Foot off-road radials at all
four corners.
Rare and unusual, this is a wonderful find for the Jeep fan who
wants to stand out, and do it in a big way. Call today!
