I need commando help

I have a 68 jeepster commando c101 with no motor or trans. I found a 76 buick 231 to put in it. I plan to put a supercharger off a la saber on it but I was told stock 3 speed trans wont hold up. Got any info that will help????:?

P.S. The supercharger is so I can turn the 39.5x18x15 Micky tompson's. The stock 231 just wont do.

so send me an e-mail or something if you can help..
hotshot99_pass@yahoo.com

 

Geeze, where to begin? First off, where you from? Might be somebody close you could go check out what they've done to theirs. What are you going to be doing with it, rock crawling, trails, mud running, pavement pounding? What have you got or what are you planning on running for axles? 68 is more likely to have D30 rear and D27 front, probably aren't going to cut it with a supercharged 231 and 39" tires. Of course then there's steering. Unless it's already been up graded to Saginaw it'll be Ross. I'm not into building off road Jeepsters but there's lots of guys here that do and can help.
Almost forgot, welcome and you do know Jeep stands for Just Empty Every Pocket, right?

 

I already have 3/4 ton front end and rear from a 77 chevey under it, and full hydrolic steering. I just need to make it move. I plan to use it in the mud, sand and rock's but for the most part just the mud. After all I live in oregon so there is alot of rain. It will never see the pavement again. As for "JUST EMPTY EVERY POCKET", I think I have spent 1300$ total on this thing. My friends are quick to lend a helping hand wen they think my ideas are good.

 

Well you're about 3/4 the way there already then . A lot of guys I know of go with the SM420 and a D300 transfer case because your right, the stock trannies a pretty weak. Another option of course would be the 400 turbo, D20 or D300 combo. Some guys prefer them over standards.

 

would the d300 be the best choice to put up aginst a sm420 or would I be better off with a d20?
And a SM420 has a pto off the driver's side, I think. That would make it spendy to get ahold of.

I prefer to have a standered but it seems the auto would be the cheaper way to go.

 

They're about equally strong but you have better gear ratio selections with the 300.

 

as far as money is conserned I think the t400 would cost less to get a hold of but I am having a hard tome finding an auto trans for a buic 231 set up for a t-case. Any idea where to look or what it will cost to change an out put shaft to accept a t-case.

 

The SM420's go pretty cheap in most places but then you have to deal with bell housings, cltch linkage, adapters all that stuff. The 400 is a well proven and reliable transmission and still relatively easy to find, even with the Buick bolt pattern.

 

Any idea where I should start looking for a auto with the buick bolt patern and set up for a t-case.

 

For the tranny the obvious first choice is a Jeepster up to 71 with a V6 or a Gladiator or Wagoneer from 68 to I think 71 that used the 350 Buick. 72 and 73 Commando and Gladiator/Wagoneer up to around 74 or 75 used the same tranny but with a different engine to tranny adapter. Still lots of Buick bolt pattern adapters around from Jeepsters. Non Jeep applications would include any full size GM product or mid size with a Buick, Olds or Pontiac engine. Just make sure it has a short tailstock although replacement short output shafts are available.
D20's, piles of those around, same source as the 400 trannies from Jeeps. The D300 are a little tougher to get a hold of, later Jeeps and Scouts. Can't remeber which years but they tend to go for a pretty good dollar most times.

 

Where do I need to look to find an auto trans that is ready to bolt to a d20 t-case and a buick 231 v6 to put into my 68 jeepster c101 commando. Did any other jeeps come in that setup so I can just pull one?

 

Nope, no others except the Jeepster and Gladiator/Wagoneer.