streetjeep2.5

Was the needle off before putting it in and plugging it into the harness? If it was not, but is when in plugged in, sounds like incompatible electronics to me. Adjusting the potentiometer has nothing to do with where the needle is when the ignition is off. You may have "hurt" the tach when putting it in. Did you remove the tach from the cluster or maybe bent the needle in some way? I put an 88 or 89 in my 87, and hooked up an external tach to adjust the potentiometer, but had no problem with it setting at 0 when off before nor after adjustments. Something goofy with the matchup. Another thought; did you insert the plug in on the back right side up? I don't know what it would do, but I think it possible to plug it in upsidedown.

Smoothed mine also and added a gauge cluster recently. I agree. I like the "clean" look! Take a look at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2095444

I believe Advance Adapters supplies radiators for this conversion. Pricey, but better than a burned up engine!

If the original picture on this post of the tail light in the pickup is what was being sold as a comanche tail light, it is written on the side of the pickup in the picture "87 dodge".

My 87 SWB 4x2 2.5 TBI 4 speed w/no power anything except brakes and no ac and was rebuilt with a very mild cam and Clifford header and single in dual out Flowmaster and high flow converter scoots along pretty good for a 4 popper. The cam and header and exhaust helped by at least 15hp, I think. 'Course, no power anything helps! ;)

In Montgomery City. It's at Exit 175 on Interstate 70 about 50 miles out of greater St. Louis. North of the exit about 7 miles. If'n you intend to swing through, let me know when in this thread or email me.

Sorry, but I am one of those without a digital camera and don't have the cable necessary to connect my cell phone to my computer. Gotta use your imagination!!! :cheers:

Bought a gauge unit about 3 months ago from one of the guys here, and finally put it in my 87 4x2 2.5. Everything works great! But, did something to make things look a bit different. I painted the plastic bezel that goes over the gauges to match my interior color, which is maroon. Really makes for a classy and different look! Hardest part was getting the potentiometer squared away, but it's done!

Such feelings don't change no matter how old the daughters get. Mine are now 34 and 37 and I feel the same as I did when I sold my Harley 45 Trike I was going to build when I needed to pay "birth" bills, and sold a given to me for free 1964 ChevyII Nova station wagon 283 w/3 speed on the tree when family needs were there. I would sell my 'manche to help if needed also, and put myself in total debt to help if something major medical came along.

Oh, great! I have a weird jeep! :ack: Anywho, I guess I will find out on startup. And, my engine bay is the one that is sized for the 4.0, so I think I have the "later" wiring. I really hope so! Maybe I shudda gone back to making for me a street chevy from the mid to late 50's so later stuff was no problem? :bowdown:

By the way. God did it for you also.

Since I am a Lutheran pastor, I had the joy of telling others that when Comanches and every thing else in this fallen world is no more, God the Son taking on Himself human flesh to provide for us what we cannot provide to God - perfect obedience - means having what will make having the greatest of any vehicle, a jeep, not even a thought, for eternal life because of the forgiveness of sin he gained means all else is finally nothing. Yet, in the things that are what I enjoy in this life, I loved hearing from my daughter who lives in Kansas City and was able to be with her sister (our oldest daughter) and our Son-in-Law, in the Omaha area, and our very loved 10 and 7 year old grand children, which we could not be with because of the way Christmas and Sunday's fell, that they thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the Birth of Christ Jesus by opening the gifts we sent and others gave, and that they were very thankful. I also rejoice in how this birth of Jesus means that our 10 year old grand daughter was able to talk to her close friend in our congregation, who is also 10, but is soon to have brain surgery because of a tumor, within the great promise this means because of their baptism. So, what did I get for Christmas? What God was giving in the birth of Christ; nothing I deserved, but by His grace I have it.

This is what I was told by "Comanche Addict": "Yes, this is true. However, I ASSume by your user name you have a 2.5L engine in your rig? If the donor vehicle of new cluster also had a 2.5L engine, you will be fine and the tach RPM readings should be correct. However, if the donor had a 4.0L, you'll probably have to calibrate the tach to read the correct RPMs. There is an adjustable potentiometer in the tach used to calibrate it." I REALLY do hope this is true and it's easy to do!

oppps! sorry! Not "changing tachometer" but "changing odometer". :oops:

I will soon be switching my 87 to a gauge cluster. Mine comes from an 88 or 89 4.0. I was told by those that have done it all MJ's and XJ's are wired to take gauges. You do have to, as said, replace the two sending units, but the wiring that plugs into the back of the instrument cluster is already prepared to be either gauge or light, tach or no tach. I assume the difference is simply the way the back of the cluster is wired. I was told by those experienced with it the tach has a switch of some sort to go from a 2.5 to 4.0 reading. I have my cluster but have not torn into it yet. It is all on a thread I started in the tech section called "changing tachometer".

If you have a vinyl or material cover of some sort, and no bows, while driving it will flap terribly and have a big depression in the middle of it from the wind going over the cab and into the bed. You still have it some with the bows, but not that bad. I am thinking someone at one time made a roll up or fold up hard cover one. Doubt if it would be available for a comanche, though. Again, I like the vinyl one with bows and snaps for the flexibility of being able to take it off and store behind the seat if I need to haul something and I am not at home.

Missouri requires no proof when it comes to changing out an odometer that you fixed it to reflect the right mileage. If it does not, and you sell it, you have to report the difference, cuz if they can prove you wrong you are in big trouble. Probably taking a picture of both before changing would be a good safeguard. BTW, in missouri if the car is more than ten years old it is exempt from needing an odometer reporting. Found this out by emailing the guy in the govmt in Kansas City that is in charge of such things.

I would never punch holes in the side either. Mine has rails that clamp on top of the bed sides with inserts for front and back. The cover snaps to them. I have had mine for at least 6 years and it still snaps and fits great and looks good. I keep it conditioned with Duragloss 201 Vinyl and Leather Dressing. Use this on my interior also instead of ArmorAll.

Yes, this is true. However, I ASSume by your user name you have a 2.5L engine in your rig? If the donor vehicle of new cluster also had a 2.5L engine, you will be fine and the tach RPM readings should be correct. However, if the donor had a 4.0L, you'll probably have to calibrate the tach to read the correct RPMs. There is an adjustable potentiometer in the tach used to calibrate it. Thou be correct, oh great discerner of email handles! Soooooo, thanks for the heads up! :thumbsup: And, I wondered; since I have to take the new old odometer out to calibrate it, what about taking my current one out and putting it in the new old one? Tada! Correct mileage!

NEVERMIND! just read further on the NAXJA site and he said it's already wired. KEWL!

I like the snap on. If I need to remove it while away from home to haul something, I can roll it and store in behind my seat. Can't do that with a solid one! :brows:

Just looked at the NAXJA site on doing this. Based on what is said, am I to assume all XJ's and MJ's are wired for the Tach to work? He did not say anything about hooking up the tach, only changing the oil and coolant sensors. :???:

Thanks to all. I am told it is out of an 88, either MJ or XJ, so I will do as said in the previous post and hope the "c" clip does not hit the space station! :cheers:

bought a dash unit with gauges and tach, but want to reset odometer to what my truck actually has. Anyone ever done this for a comanche? I am sure I need to remove the speedo, but what then?

Downey makes a soft snap on one for both 6 and 7 foot bed specific to the Comanche. I have had one for 6 or 7 years, and by taking care of it (garaged at night) it still looks and works good.