1986 Jeep Comanche, A change in path
04-13-2013, 06:00 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
1986 Jeep Comanche, A change in path
So after finally selling my 2-door XJ, i was in the market again for another jeep as a DD. I quickly decided its gotta be a Comanche. Having one for a trail-toy/turned DD you get a lot of comments and enjoy some of the looks. Have always wanted one as a dedicated DD while keeping it simple and not getting too overboard with upgrades. (mild gas saver)
Now after going 0/7 i finally caught a break and found one barely a mile from my house.
$400, 4cyl, 2wd, 4spd manual, Longbed. and this is one solid MJ.
out of the 7 MJ's i've looked at in the last couple weeks only 1 had an actual solid frame, all the others had frame rust at the least ranging from small holes on the inside rail to more the half the unibody frame gone
But finally a solid start to a long anticipated 2nd build. Gonna a be blast i'm sure, many plans to get started on and still a few $ to play with.
The initial plan is to go with a 94-95 XJ donor (ideally a rust bucket with solid driveline) and swap. Complete harness, engine, trans, drivetrain. Simple D30 up front and a C8.25 from a Liberty (disc brakes and factory LSD). Possibly a simple lift >3" and a good amount of rust proofing.
I'll be taking a number of pictures to start out as a solid starting base and then update as I get going.
Now after going 0/7 i finally caught a break and found one barely a mile from my house.
$400, 4cyl, 2wd, 4spd manual, Longbed. and this is one solid MJ.
out of the 7 MJ's i've looked at in the last couple weeks only 1 had an actual solid frame, all the others had frame rust at the least ranging from small holes on the inside rail to more the half the unibody frame gone
But finally a solid start to a long anticipated 2nd build. Gonna a be blast i'm sure, many plans to get started on and still a few $ to play with.
The initial plan is to go with a 94-95 XJ donor (ideally a rust bucket with solid driveline) and swap. Complete harness, engine, trans, drivetrain. Simple D30 up front and a C8.25 from a Liberty (disc brakes and factory LSD). Possibly a simple lift >3" and a good amount of rust proofing.
I'll be taking a number of pictures to start out as a solid starting base and then update as I get going.
04-16-2013, 07:30 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
So the plan is to find a solid drivetrain out of a 94-95 XJ. Swap the complete drivetrain and wire harness. End up with an H.O, updated MJ with (in my opinion) the easiest and most reliable operating system they put out. Until then its just a matter of picking away at it.
but here are some pics as it sits
4cyl. motor is completely locked. Went to start it and the starter turns *
* but won't turn over. Tried a breaker bar on the crank/balancer bolt and its not moving. So the motor is scrap weight, Kinda anticipated this.
despite the smell of old interior and wild animal life, the interior isn't too bad. Its even got bucket seats!
Gonna start tearing this down soon and start the rust P.M. part of the build
but here are some pics as it sits
4cyl. motor is completely locked. Went to start it and the starter turns *
* but won't turn over. Tried a breaker bar on the crank/balancer bolt and its not moving. So the motor is scrap weight, Kinda anticipated this.
despite the smell of old interior and wild animal life, the interior isn't too bad. Its even got bucket seats!
Gonna start tearing this down soon and start the rust P.M. part of the build
04-17-2013, 08:26 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Picked up my donor jeep tonight.. 95 XJ- $650. What a beer can this body is but at least the drive train is solid!
04-22-2013, 08:39 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
After some fun with the donor jeep and a small incident with a tree 
it was time to tear into the MJ
gonna hopefully finish up removing the interior and the rest of the wiring in the cab this weekend... then starts the dusty part.... body prep and rust repair
it was time to tear into the MJ
gonna hopefully finish up removing the interior and the rest of the wiring in the cab this weekend... then starts the dusty part.... body prep and rust repair
04-28-2013, 09:36 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
interior is gone, floors are not as solid as i had thought. No big deal just some sheet metal to weld in and its good to go. Also got the bed removed and besides the top of the wheel wells the bed is SOLID. Not to mention all the bolts came right out, it ended up being fairly painless.
going to remove the doors and then power was the entire thing then the wire brush storm begins!
going to remove the doors and then power was the entire thing then the wire brush storm begins!
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05-07-2013, 07:10 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
passenger side floor boards. just 2 spots to fix. Everything else is solid enough to keep.
06-08-2013, 10:53 PM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
salvaged some floor board from the donor xj... mostly part of the tunnel
interior floors sealed and coated
rear chassis sanded sealed and coated
06-09-2013, 08:23 AM
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
i used rustoleum rust reformer as a down coating, then brush applied rustoleum industrial semi-gloss paint. added a little "will-bond" to the paint for some extra stick!
I would have went lower on the donor but there were other people on the way to look at it.... Or so he said.
but now that i think of it yea its kinda funny i payed more for the parts vehicle than i did for the jeep i wanna keep. I guess $250 is the difference between buying one that runs and drives and one that doesn't
