GonzoTheGreat

I started off with basic tune up stuff, plugs/wires/cap/rotor, it needed tires, and the battery cables were in typical shape for a 34 year old vehicle. Since the two side mirrors were the size of a quarter, and the rear view had lost most of its shiny stuff, I got 3 “new” junkyard mirrors, and picked up a decent toolbox. I bought a set of snow tires for the steelies, and put summer tires on an old set of alloys. the only thing left was to track down a slow coolant leak. I never left a puddle, and there was no oil contamination, so I went ahead with a heater core. Turns out the windshield has been leaking for A LONG time. It was rusted across the entire bottom edge, and most of the top. I also still had the coolant leak, and it turned out to be a cracked block. The drips landed on the exhaust down pipe, hence no puddle. I had planned to keep the major components original on this one, but I guess the Jeep has other plans.

I’ve been a lurker here for over a decade now, but I have yet to start a build thread. I figure it’s about time. The other 2 and a half Comanches I own are more fun, but this one is what I have the most pictures of, and over the last two weeks it’s had a bit of an overhaul. So here we go. Last year I bought an ‘89 2.5L aw4 2WD with only 50k mi on the ticker. It had zero options besides the automatic, ie: manual steering, AM radio, cigar lighter delete, etc. It only had one stock side mirror, and a useless aftermarket other-side mirror. It was as “base model” as it gets; the old man special. For a New England truck it has amazingly little rust. It’s the only one I’ve seen around here without at least blisters on the rockers, and everything but the floors was solid. The guy who used to own it spent his winters in FL, so it basically just made dump runs during the summer months. The plan was to keep it stock, daily drive it, and stick to basic maintenance only.

I think he means these guys, but idk what crimper is narrow enough to get in there. You only need to squeeze one of them though. That’s what the buss is for. Solder would work.

Sorry, I think I fixed it now.

Amp I’ve had good luck with this one so far. I hid it under my dash and wired it into rear speakers, so I could keep my factory AM system untouched. It’s not super small, but the price is right, and it gets pretty loud. It syncs to my phone on start up, so I don’t have to push any buttons or anything.

The plug should screw up from underneath to shut off flow. The end is exposed because you would put a hose on it to drain the radiator into a bucket or something.

Kind of hard to see in the pic, but if it’s on the opposite corner from your filler neck, yes, that’s the drain petcock. There should be a stopper in there. They typically screw up from underneath that flange.

I went several years ago when it was in Munson, and there were half a dozen MJs. And we definitely got more respect than the bolt on, quadratec, “zombie apocalypse” type wranglers.

I’d be down if it’s toward the end of April.

Looking for a 2.5L short block. Though I would prefer a complete engine from the “Renix” TBI era. what I really need is a block though, which I understand is the same throughout the 2.5L production run. So I’m not going to be too picky. If you have a 2.5, I want it. located in central Massachusetts, willing to drive to most of the northeast US.

I appreciate all the feedback. I think I’ll try the stop leak method for the time being. Then I’ll track down a decent used engine without having to rush. I think with the amount of labor needed to weld/braze, I might as well just swap the engine. It’s also January. If I can put off an engine swap until the weather warms up, I’d prefer that. I’ve always been leery of those magic stop leaks and “head gasket in a can” things, but if I’m only trying to buy a couple months, I’ll give it a go. Thanks Guys!

Hey guys, I’ve been chasing a coolant leak for a few days now on my ‘89 2.5L. Finally found the smoking gun: right above the driver side motor mount, it’s at least a two inch long crack. I’ve never welded cast before, but my brother has some experience, and we have access to mig, tig, or stick. Since it appears to be only the coolant jacket at this point, is it worth trying to weld the block? Or would that be a band aid at best? it only has 56k miles, so I’m somewhat surprised, but it’s incredibly rust free for New England, so I had planned to keep this one happily in stock configuration, ie no drivetrain upgrades. If it makes more sense to swap the bottom end, so be it, but to sum up: does anyone have experience welding a cracked block, and did it hold up long term?

I believe that’s the clutch starter switch, which does not apply to you, with an automatic.

The inside of it is really not that intimidating. https://comancheclub.com/topic/39369-spare-tire-hoist-repair/

I’m very excited to see this. Please make a build thread and keep us updated.

It was worse when I got it. It’ll ride again though! also, my bad. I didn’t realize it was already registered.

oh hell yeah! I'm in Millbury (outside of worcester). I'm in Lowell quite a bit for work. I didn't realize the bellhousings were different from the 2.5 to the 4.0. thanks!

Yeah whoever made it pulled the whole pedal, bracket, and release handle from the cab. You can see it mounted on the outside of the frame at the front of the bed. It's pretty cool. I'd just love to know what happened to the front half of the truck...

I kind of figured, but I thought I'd ask to be sure. thanks guys!

Hi guys, I picked up a homemade MJ trailer last year, and Id like to get more info on it and get it into the registry on here. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to have any luck, but does anyone know of a VIN location anywhere on the back half of a truck? It still has the original "frame" and axle. It spent its life in Gloucester, MA before I bought it. the previous owner bought it from a neighbor, who had built it. PO is unfortunately deceased, so I can't get any more details about its origins. Here's a pic so I can show off: It was actually really well built. Even the parking brake was saved, and still works, which I thought was pretty cool. PO used it to haul firewood, but I'm thinking it might make a great little primitive camper.

'89 Jeep Comanche 2.5L, AW4 (I think), 2 wheel drive This is my new daily driver in Worcester county, MA I am the proud 3rd owner of this little guy. It had 50,751 miles when I bought it. It's an old man special, with no factory options besides the automatic, not even power steering. I will probably start a build thread with more details. It is in excellent shape. It came with a folder full of maintenance receipts and even some original paperwork from the dealership.

'89 Jeep Comanche I don't know any of the original specs. I bought it as a bare chassis several years ago with no drive train components. It's in Worcester county, MA This is the donor chassis for my '88. It currently has about 6" of lift. Front end is a Wagoneer Dana 44 with limited slip. Rear is a Toyota 8" with factory e-locker. Both axles have 4.56 gears. I will include more details when I start a build thread.

'88 Jeep Comanche some pics from its glory days: This is how it sits today (sadly neglected): 4.0L, AX-15 swapped, NP231 with SYE, Dana 30 from a '95 XJ, still has the Dana 35, but it's spit out a couple bearings, and it's going away. it's in Worcester county, MA I've done a ton of work to it over the years, and had a ton of fun with it, but the chassis is too far gone to be savable. I have a donor chassis and all sorts of plans in the works, so when I start digging into it I'll start a build thread with more details.

This is ingenious. way to go.