JK-Forum goes to the 2019 Auto Enthusiast Day and spots a one-of-a-kind 1977 Jeepster build with retro style and modern firepower.
A Saturday is like a pizza. Even when it’s bad, it’s still kind of good. There are those Saturdays when you just stay in and get caught up on housework and that show you’ve been wanting to binge-watch. They may not be the most action packed, but they’re productive and relaxing. Then there are those Saturdays when you get out of the house and go do something fun. That’s exactly the kind of Saturday JK-Forum‘s editor, Derin Richardson, recently had. He went out to the Angel Stadium of Anaheim to see the sights during the 2019 Nitto Auto Enthusiast Day and ended up getting some shots of this cool Jeep Jeepster Commando.
Synergy MFG, an off-road parts manufacturer, created it. They largely stayed true to the looks of the 1967-1971 Jeepster Commando. They kept the big, round lights and tall, narrow grille up front; half doors on the sides; and angled taillights in the back.
But Synergy MFG also made some major changes to their rig, some of which are more obvious than others. It’s easy to spot the narrow front bumper, winch, and off-road lights. The meaty tires are immediately noticeable. Thankfully, there’s no roof in place so the interior is, too. It’s modern, but understated and features a wood-rimmed steering wheel, metal gearshift and transfer case knobs, and black quilted seats.
That little badge on the front fenders is there for a reason. There is a V8 under the hood. Unfortunately, it’s not from a Jeep of any age. It’s an LQ4 6.0-liter LS V8 from a Denali-grade GMC vehicle. It’s connected to a 4L80E four-speed gearbox and sends power to Dana 44s with Rubicon lockers from a JK Wrangler.
This Jeepster has a lot more Wrangler DNA than that, though. Its entire frame is from a JK, but Synergy MFG shortened it by 15 inches so that their build would have a 101-inch wheelbase, just like the vintage Jeepster they based it on. That must’ve taken a lot of Saturdays to pull off. Based on what we see here, all of them must’ve been good ones.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
