terrawombat Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 I've had my eye on Craigslist for many years in search of two Comanche unicorns: 1) 1987 Laredo with factory power windows/door locks and every available option 2) 1986 factory-equipped 2.1L turbo diesel I'm happy to say that I've found my second unicorn. I'll admit up front that it's not exactly the model that I wanted. I was really hoping for a fully decked out MJ like Rob (automan) has, but since so few factory diesel MJs were ever made (does anyone have the exact figure?) I couldn't be too picky. I also told myself after my second Comanche floor repair job that I was done with that and I would only look at vehicles south of Virginia, but sometimes you need to make exceptions and a factory diesel Comanche is one of those exceptions. My plans are quite simple - give this little truck a second chance at life. It needs a lot of body repair, complete repaint, brakes, engine tune-up (hopefully that is all), and an interior refresh. This is going to be a long one so try not to fall asleep - I'll keep this thread up to date as I make progress. Specs: 1986 Jeep Comanche Factory-equipped 2.1L Renault turbo diesel, 5-speed manual Factory-equipped metric ton package (I believe, hope to find original build sheet to confirm) AMC 20 rear, Dana 30 front, 4.10 gears Only picture I have so far: The seller lived about 10 minutes away from where I went to college so I had to stop and snap a picture in front of the engineering building where I spent a large majority of my late teens, early 20's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Yes! Yes! Yes! Congrats! Let me know if you need any more help or have any questions! Good luck! Rob :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Picture looks good! Love to hear more of the story about how you found it and all the details. Sure there will be more pictures of the interior real soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 Yes! Yes! Yes! Congrats! Let me know if you need any more help or have any questions! Good luck! Rob :cheers: I will be constantly messaging/nagging you for info - don't you worry. Picture looks good! Love to hear more of the story about how you found it and all the details. Sure there will be more pictures of the interior real soon! At this current time, pictures from 20 feet and further are about all you want to see. Other than the diesel engine and metric ton package this is a bare-bones MJ. In fact, I was surprised that it came with a carpeted rear panel behind the seat. Unfortunately someone got to the original build sheet before I could so I'm not able to confirm that the Metric Ton package is factory, however, it does have the AMC 20 rear and upgraded rear leafs so it's not too far-fetched to believe it came this way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Nice find Terra. AMC 20 rear, Dana 30 front, 4.10 gears, and the 2.1. Sounds like all the best hard parts are there. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 It's always fun to find something so elusive that you'd think that all of what could be found has already been. So cool to see another one of these pop up! Nice find! :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 I know the previous owner , looking forward to see what you do to it . Btw if you're looking for any garnet interior parts I have some extra pieces / parts . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkers Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 I assume that's Kleers? If so I suspect you'll be happy at the end of this journey. I was thinking we should do a locals meet sometime, a sorta jeeps/jave thing (without all the cliche.) Id like to see one of these up close to try to figure out what all the hubbub is about... For anyone interested, there are three more Diesels on my Good/Bad list this week in the classifieds... and an 88 Laredo with power windows... if... you like em rough... http://mendocino.craigslist.org/cto/5083692547.html and... An 87, unknown interior http://northmiss.craigslist.org/cto/5112117900.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 I dug into the truck a little bit today to assess just how bad the interior really is.... Patches for days: What could be hiding under such patches? The following pictures are not for the Comanche faint of heart... ....you've been warned I'll be calling around to a couple of local shops next week that do classic restos to see what kind of damage I'm in for. I've done enough floor pans for me to know it's almost worth paying someone else to do it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buxmj Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Wow, I think that is the worst I've seen posted. Great find on the mj, at least the frame rails look good? Good luck with everything, hope those floors don't cost an arm and a leg. Buck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 I assume that's Kleers? If so I suspect you'll be happy at the end of this journey. I was thinking we should do a locals meet sometime, a sorta jeeps/jave thing (without all the cliche.) Id like to see one of these up close to try to figure out what all the hubbub is about... For anyone interested, there are three more Diesels on my Good/Bad list this week in the classifieds... and an 88 Laredo with power windows... if... you like em rough... http://mendocino.craigslist.org/cto/5083692547.html and... An 87, unknown interior http://northmiss.craigslist.org/cto/5112117900.html Yes, this is Kleer's old truck. Why do you suspect I'll be happy at the end of this journey? The only hubbub about the diesel is its rarity. Other than that, it's just another ordinary MJ, I suppose. I was only able to find two diesels on your list. One of which is opsled's old truck. I sent the white one to my buddy who lives up in Michigan. He likes to buy unnecessary vehicles so I wouldn't be surprised if he bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkers Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 The substructure doesnt look bad - you can buy pre-cut floor pans online so it shouldnt be a disaster. A good blaster and welder should have that right in no time (I hope...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 ...The following pictures are not for the Comanche faint of heart... ....you've been warned... I can honestly say that I've seen worse. However, I really don't think they're all that bad for putting floors in. Done it in a few MJs now. I wouldn't call it fun by any means, but definitely necessary in saving a rare MJ. Very jealous of what you have there, sir. I'd love the opportunity to work on it... even to the point of throwing out ridiculous offers like putting the floors in it for nothing. For real... I'm feeling generous today. Get it to MN, bring the sheet metal with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 How about I buy you a round trip plane ticket to the lovely Baltimore Washington airport. I supply transport, lodging, food, beer, sheet metal and ,of course, a diesel MJ for you to work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Hmm... that's sure an interesting offer. PM sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 Loving the porno red interior! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babyblack86 Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Text me at 609-412-5935. I have pics for your build book of this truck. I hauled it into NJ from Connecticut. I'm the second sig on the title. I'm not smart enough to get pics on CC, so contact me direct, lol. Good luck with the restore job. I have an 86 X diesel I did myself. I'll get you some pics of that one as well. Nothing special about them other than the rarety. Best numbers I heard was 75 or 80 registered in the US total. Not everyone appreciates the fact that there are so few. Those of us who do get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 19, 2015 Author Share Posted July 19, 2015 Loving the porno red interior! If things pan out the way I hope I may have a full gray interior being installed from a donor truck. At which point I'll be shipping the entire porno red interior to you. Text me at 609-412-5935. I have pics for your build book of this truck. I hauled it into NJ from Connecticut. I'm the second sig on the title. I'm not smart enough to get pics on CC, so contact me direct, lol. Good luck with the restore job. I have an 86 X diesel I did myself. I'll get you some pics of that one as well. Nothing special about them other than the rarety. Best numbers I heard was 75 or 80 registered in the US total. Not everyone appreciates the fact that there are so few. Those of us who do get it. I'll send you a text later today - thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Hell yeah! I'd love to have it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 Hell yeah! I'd love to have it! I'm serious - I don't want it. It's not in great condition, either except for the rear carpeted panel, rear trim piece and B-pillar covers. The dash has some cracks, the door sill covers are scratched and the seat has a tear. Once I'm 100% positive I will not be using it, I'll gladly put it all on a pallet and ship it down to you...you just pay the freight. Not much to update. Got a brief chance to work on the truck tonight. In the process of completely gutting the interior so I can begin cutting out all of the bad metal. My dog loves his new chill spot: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JENSSEN Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 If you were local i'd fit the floors and get my lady to weld them in,...She's good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Jeez - so many offers to come help me weld in floors...I might as well have a ComancheClub gathering at my place. Started receiving various engine parts today. The ACDelco alternator arrived...all 70A worth! Bolted right in and seemed to be doing okay immediately on startup as I was registering about 13.2V and would bump up to 13.6V if I revved it a bit. Noticed that as the truck ran more the voltage started dropping all the way down to 12.0V. A little puzzled, I leaned over the drivers side fender to see if I had a loose wire on the alternator and as I did that I laid my forearm down on two relays that are bolted to the inner fender well...and they were HOT! Not having a service manual (or any manual for that matter) I don't know what they are, but I decided to yank them both out anyway. The truck kept on running and my charging system voltage bumped up to 13.5V. It appears I have a resistance issue that needs to be taken care of. I'm guessing the terminals in the relay plug-in base are beyond corroded and need a good cleaning. Since the engine wiring harness is so small I'll probably just go over everything once the rest of my parts show up and I really dive into the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I'll have to pass on the interior. I honestly am out of room to store anymore MJ junk. Hopefully someone can salvage the parts and put them to good use. Thanks for the offer though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Just in parts gathering mode at the moment: Also, big thanks to none other than Rob (automan) for cluing me into the 1986 Comanche factory service manuals on eBay: The coolest thing about the factory service manual is all of the additional I.S. (Informational Services) bulletins that were attached to the end of the book. There are about 45 of them in total and it's basically an inside look into AMC/Chryco's engineering department at the time of the truck's release. There were apparentely a lot of known issues with the trucks that were never serious enough to make it to a recall and the I.S. bulletins served as a means for the dealerships to identify this issues and correct them. I have already spent about 2 hours reading through some of these. It's like a mini time capsule for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 What's with the dial indicator? Timing? Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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