ROCK COMMANDO

Mike Shaw built this '67 Jeepster Commando with the help of his grandson Clay. Mike and his son Chris are avid off-roaders and have spent many days and nights working on project vehicles over the years, but this project was different.

It was a third-generation off-road build. Clay was just 10 when Mike taught him to weld, and only 13 years old when he helped Mike build the frame for the Commando four years ago.

They worked together on much of the Jeepster build, Clay getting tips from his grandfather on everything from bodywork to electrical and welding to painting. Not long after the custom Commando was finished, it was time for its first official outing. With barely 20 miles on the engine, the Shaws took the newly finished Commando from their home in southern Utah to the SoCal desert.

That's where we met the Shaws and this stunning Jeepster. The linked long-travel suspension system and stretched wheelbase helped it walk through a field of boulders with no trouble. A high-powered, fuel-injected 408ci Ford V-8 roared when throttled up. And the Jeepster hit a home run with us and onlookers alike with its classic style and superb engineering. Join us for a walk around Mike Shaw's Commando as we reveal the remarkable craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The front end of Mike Shaw's Commando stands on a Dana 60 from an '08 Ford Super Duty. The Dana 60 was rebuilt, stuffed with 4.30:1 G2 Gear & Axle gears, and located 4 inches forward of the original axle's location. A hydro-assist high-steer system includes a PSC Motorsports pump and RedHead steering box tucked up and protected by 14-inch steel plating. The custom Pitman arm peeks out from its steel shield to swing sturdy steering arms.