BreakOut

NEED HELP ON THIS BY TONIGHT!!!





Not sure if this is supposed to go here but i need some help. I found this 1986 Jeep Comanche and its pretty damn cheap to the point where i cant resist on buying it. Truck has no rust and runs. Guy says theres no dents or scratches on it. He wants $500 for it and i can bring it home. I need advice on either to jump on this or just steer away from it.


Heres whats in his listing and some pictures:

This is a 1986 Jeep Comanche V6 5 speed transmission. it has a snow blade also,we have never had it on so we dont know if that works or not. The Jeep Runs but ticks and leaks a little oil. Crank windows, 4 wheel drive works fine. It doesnt have a battery. there is some minor rust. Its a good beater truck or to part out.The last time it was driven was this last fall.



http://images.craigslist.org/3ke3o03...a06c391215.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3k73mf3...5300d41f13.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3nf3k53...9e83551e12.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3n23p13...e9db611c98.jpg

winston427

Jump on that without hesitation. I see MJs in my area that are beat and broken starting at 1500 and up all the time. If they run they are usually 2000 and up. Plus you might get lucky and find that thing sitting on a D44 rear axle.

REWSTER

if you have the room/ money/ time then jump on it

see if he takes $300 i am a cheep bastard

cheapJeeper

If that's a V6, be warned that it's a POS Chevy 2.8 V6.
That's a big reason to stay away from it, unless you're prepared to either replace it with a 3.4 (I think) Camaro motor, which would be your easiest/cheapest route.
(Others will chime in on this, I'm sure....)
If you're up for a lot of wrenching, this might be a good project for you.
If you're looking for a reliable Daily Driver, maybe not so much.
A 4.0 I6 would probably be a better choice..
But it depends on what you're looking for.
Good luck!

nick_n_ii

1986 Jeep Comanche, if it a Metric ton model it will have the very strong very rare (to my knowledge) AMC 20 rear axle. The V6 how ever make it a very undesirable MJ.

I'd say get it.. The parts alone are worth more than your going to pay for it...

BreakOut

Is it a big deal to switch out the wimpy 2.8L to a 4.0L?

nick_n_ii

From what alot say and I'm not 100% on this they have different fire walls. Your better off up grading the 2.8 to a 3.4 V6

BreakOut

^^^Damn so should i just back off and let someone else buy it? I mean i would love to put a 4.0L in it instead of a 3.4.

a1racer

heck yeah me to i would give him like 300 to 350 but i am a cheep *** to. don't pass up on a mj

ktmracer419

cant stick a 4.0 with the 2.8 firewall, pretty much out. it can be done, but too much work than its worth.

I have seen comanches around here go from $500-$2000

Some in GREAT condition with lowish miles (under 60k) I would love to ****** up a ho 91-92, but i don't ever remember seeing one for sale.

BreakOut

Can i stick a 4.0L in a comanche that has a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine?

mflueras

I think it's worth it for the parts. The V6 is a dog and the 4x4 train is very weak from the front shaft (stick in a can...) to the taller tcase ratio so you have a world of work ahead of you if you want a worthy trail rig. If you're just going to beat it around town it'll probably be ok but I wouldn't dump a lot of money in it. I'd buy it just to part it out.

cherokee4meplz

I'd pay 500 for it, that plow is worth that alone if it is all there and works or can be overhauled.

whowey

If it runs and drives and 4wd operates/....
Buy that thing without hesitation.....

There is ALOT of misinformation flying around in here.....


Yes, the 2.8l Chevy mistake is a POS.. But you have options....

The 4.0l is more work to get in than going with a 3.4 or a 4.3. But it can be done. The firewall and radiator/header panel areas are different. It takes some work, but it is not an undoable job.

Axles... The front is a Dana 30(like all other North American) Cherokees/Comanches. The rear is either a Dana 35 or an AMC 20. The 20 has a perfectly round cover. It gets a bad reputation from Full-Size and CJ guys because of the pressed in axle tubes and the fact they got 2 piece axle shafts that like to come apart with big power. But the Comanche version has one piece axle shafts and a welder can cure the tube problem.

Trannies... The manual behind the V-stink was an AX-5.. the same tranny used behind the 2.5l motor in other years. Unfortunately this tranny isn't really up to constant service behind a 4.0l.

Transfer cases... You had either the NP 207 or the NP 228. The 207 was the part time case and the NP 228 was the full-time case. Both cases are fairly equal to the more common 231 and 242 transfer cases. But there isnt much aftermarket support for the early ones. The final drive ratio for the 207/228 was 2.6:1 compared to a 2.72:1 for the later cases.

Where in Iowa are you??