My New Comanche

[Root Moose]

I brought my "new" Comanche home this past weekend. Here are some pictures.

It's a 4.0, 5 speed, SWB. The truck is originally from Colorado and has been in Ontario for about two years. Of that time it has been parked for approximately 18 months and it has only seen the beginning of an Ontario winter before it was parked. It is truly, mostly rust free. There is a bit of surface rust in a few places but the underside is excellent and far better than my 2001 Cherokee... and my Cherokee is very decent.

There is a backstory to why it was parked. Long story short: the engine is "blown". I'm not sure what blown means in this case as I can start the truck and it roars to life instantly. The throttle return spring is pooched so it jumps to WOT as soon as you touch the throttle and it has milky oil in the sump.

Maybe it is only a blown head gasket... which is concerning since a blown head gasket on a 4.0 is unusual... usually something else is fubar to cause it. I'm not terribly concerned about it since my plan is to gut the drivetrain and interior in order to swap everything from the rusted out but built '98 Cherokee (TNT long arms, ~5" of lift) that I bought last month.

 

[ox4mag]

Sweet! If you don't already know, elcoyote (Mario of Adventure Trailers) has a 92 Comanche that he has built into arguably the best Comanche out there. Shoot him a PM with any questions on this platform or search the forum for his posts on his Comanche upgrades. It's a sweet rig!

 

[mountainpete]

Great project!

While I never owned one, Comanche's hold a special place in my heart. I distinctly remember back in the 80's coming home after a car show with my Dad and reviewing every detail of the Jeep brochure. It showcased a Laredo edition in two tone black/silver with a roll bar. I even cut out the picture and put it on my wall. Probably stayed up there for five years or more.

Pete

 

[jeepmedic46]

Congratulations on a great find and a great project. Comanches are awesome vehicles.:sombrero:

 

[XXXpedition]

that's an awesome platform. :victory:

 

[Root Moose]

Thanks guys.

I actually blame Mario for my most recent obsession with these vehicles.

I've got a few things I need to do on my XJ and then I'll be turning my full attention to this truck. I figure by November or so it will be in the garage. I'm debating how much of an expedition vehicle it is going to be as I built the XJ for that role. I figure at most it will get a flippac and a trailer for towing the car to events. Now that both me and my wife are racing it seems like it could be a good fit.

 

[Root Moose]

Btw, anyone have a rust free tail gate kicking around? The truck didn't come with one.

 

[SixLug]

swap over the new style front end!!

 

[Root Moose]

Yep, going to swap all the "modern" stuff including the dash and doors. Probably won't bother with the tail lights. It requires custom metal work and is not worth it.

 

[elcoyote]

Congrats on the MJ! Rare find in such good body condition. What year is it? Is the 5 speed an AX-15? If so, they are bomb proof. I have the full set of factory manuals for 1992. If you need any factory tech info, drop me a line. I look forward to watching you bring her back to primo shape.

 

[Root Moose]

Thanks Mario, I just may take you up on that.

In other news, looks like Ad has found me a tail gate.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Very nice Chris, i look forward to the rebuild.

 

[4Rescue]

Neat!!! There was a guy around Portland a few years back that had a comanche in "JeepSpeed" trim and it looked like FUN to take out to the dunes. Do those cabs have more room behind the seat then say a Toyota P/U that is literaly a flat wall??? It looks like you have room to adjust the seat back and still have room to stuff some things behind the seat. THat would sure make a single cab livable to me.

Neat new truck can't wait to see what you do to it. There aren't many of these around in good shape anymore so it's always fun to see a new rig get started espescialy a rarer one eh. Good luck mate.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Root Moose]

Mario, the truck is a `88. I believe it has a AX15 but my "paleounibodyjeep" memory isn't what it used to be. It's a 4.0 engine and a 231 case so that means AX15 I think.

Dave, there is not really any space behind the bench, at least when I have the bench set for me (6'+, 34" inseam). It is somewhat troublesome as I'm not sure where to put some of the stuff I have envisioned (electronics, tools, etc.).

It looks like there should be some space behind the bench because of the B pillar thickness but don't forget that the XJ 4 door and MJ doors are very short. The seat rails go farther back than the rear of the door opening.

I've been tickled pink this week every evening when I come home from work and drive up the laneway to see the MJ sitting in its place. This just may be the first vehicle I've dragged home where buyer's remorse doesn't settle in after the novelty wears off. Mind you, I've dragged a lot of POS's home. This one is different, it's actually worth a damn as a starting point and I'm itching to get messing with it.