18 Jp jpmagazine.com NOVEMBER 2019
CLASSIC COMMANDO
inches of wheelbase during the swap,
moving the rear axle back to the center
of the wheelwell. Full belly skidplating
from R&S Fabrication in Bloomsburg,
Pennsylvania, runs all the way back to
help keep v ita l orga ns sa fe f rom da mage
(including the fuel tank).
Inside and outside, the body received
generous attention, but nothing that
detracts from the overall original look
of the Jeepster Commando. Passengers
are cradled in Corbeau front buckets
and a rear bench, redone in black fabric
by Todd, and surrounded by an R&S
Fabrication 1^3 ⁄ 4 -inch DOM rollcage tied
in at six locations. A cluster of Auto Meter
25 ⁄ 8 -inch Pro gauges highlights the dash,
an old-school Grant wheel steers the
Commando, ammo cans are used for extra
storage, and the Pioneer sound system
beats through wakeboard tower speakers.
The Jeepster Commando’s engine hood
was vented with a nearly full-length alumi-
num louvered panel. The front and rear
tube f lares, and the quarter-panel armor
tied into the sliders and front fenders, are all
R&S Fabrication custom work. Todd tells
us, “Rattle-can black was good enough; it
will just need paint again soon.”
Underneath that body growls a 350ci
V-8 lifted from a 1987 Chevy Blazer. The
350 and all its accessories were completely
rebuilt with the help of Chris at R&S
Fabrication. A mild build included ported
heads, Hedman 1^1 ⁄ 2 -inch short-tube
truck headers, a GM Performance intake
manifold, TBI fuel injection, and HEI
ignition. The TH400 was worked up a bit
with a reverse manual valvebody, TransGo
Pulled from an ’87 Chevy Blazer, the 350ci V-
was rebuilt and fortified with ported heads,
Hedman short-tube truck headers, a custom
exhaust, a GM Performance intake manifold,
TBI, and HEI ignition.Underneath its tail we found a 1980 Corporate 14-bolt rear axle that had received the same
resurrection and suspension process as the front axle, ending up with a 4.56 Powertrax
Lock-Right. It also got a RuffStuff Specialties rear disc brake conversion.Keeping the stock grille maintained a classic
look, even though the fenders are full customs
from R&S Fabrication. A Dave’s Customs
Unlimited CJ front bumper offers a sturdy
perch for the Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500.