GrumpysMJ

From one newbie to another, welcome. I just got my first MJ, and I can tell you there is a lot of good info here, both from members and by going through old posts. I've picked up a lot of good info and tips. Had the same problem as you, about my little 4 cyl being to "slow". Previous owner had put 235/75/15's on it which threw the gear ratio way off. Just put some 215/70/15's on it and now it scoots right along. Have fun with yours, I am with mine. GrumpysMJ

Back on March 5th I joined Comanche Club with my newly purchased 88 Comanche, with the plan of keeping it completly stock cause of the shape it was in. Well, the better half, who really didn't mind me getting another project, took a first ride in the Comanche a few days ago. She's used to her 2010 Outback or my Mustang or our Dodge van. Needless to say she wasen't to impressed with how bare the Comanche was. First thing she told me to get was carpeting instead of a new floor mat. Than she said the bench seat has to go, she wants bucket seats. So now I'm searching for Comanche buckets or buckets out of a Cherokee 2 door, as I understand their the only ones that will bolt right in. Carpet is going to be ordered next week. As these were options back in 88, I should be able to still keep it stock. Installed a re-man steering box and new track bar, and smaller 215/70/15 tires, all of which took care of my steering problems. Took out the old floor mat and did find some rust, but knock wood it only surface rust. Scraped and wire brushed it, with POR 15 going in next week, covered by some roll on truck bed liner. Decided to name it Grumpys Toy Truck. Wife's been calling me Grumpy for 35 years, tag on Mustang reads Grrumpy, and tag on van reads Grumpaw (grand kids call me that). I'll see if I can get some pic's up asap. GrumpysMJ :USAflag:

Thanks. Sending you a PM. GrumpysMJ Got one, Thanks.

Thanks, GrumpysMJ

Also, and correct me if I'm wrong, I think only the lower arms are available, with only the bushings available for the upper arm. At least thats what Rock Auto lists, as far as stock replacement. Couldn't really see the upper beam bushing. Just figured it, like the others, were worn. Lowers are the worst and will be first. GrumpysMJ Just found a site, Quadratec, that has the upper arm with one bushing installed and the beam bushing sold seperately. If it's that hard to change out, I'll probably change out everything but that bushing. Their prices are better than Rock Auto anyway. Forgive a Noob for not doing his homework!!!

Thanks. Track bar is first, already have one on order. Replaced steering box (manual steering) took care of 90% of the looseness. Track bar had some play in it. All the other parts seemed to be tight, and lubed. Just going over everything to get it to 100% reliable and tight. Should have thought of taking wheel off to do control arm. Had to do the same thing when I changed the arms on the rear of the Mustang. GrumpysMJ :USAflag:

My questions may be routine for you all, but I'm new to Jeep and stright front axel parts. It's concerning an 88 Comanche base model 2 wheel drive. Just got back from having a steering box installed, new tires, and a front end alignment. They let me inspect the undercarriage and I found the following: Needs a track bar. Control arm bushings are shot--they appear to be the original, 144,000 miles. I plan on buying new track and upper & lower control arms rather than trying to replace the bushings, and will be going with stock replacements. The truck will be used only as a run around and taken to shows, so I don't need hi performance parts. Questions--- Can the track bar and control arms be replaced with the truck on the ground, or does the axle have to be supported? I have a set of ramps I made for my Mustang, and they'll get the front end up another 8 inches. I do have a floor jack if the axle has to be supported, and I know to do only one side at a time. It would be easier, for me, if the swap can be done with the truck on the ground. I have compressor and air tools if needed. Thanks for putting up with a newbie's questions. GrumpysMJ

Zack, I sent you another PM. GrumpysMJ

I found an original am/fm cassette radio for my 88 Comanche. However I need the factory plug with several inches of wire still attached from the harness. If anyone has one left over from a part out or a stereo upgrade could you let me know. Thanks, GrumpysMJ

If you go to a web site, Team Cherokee, go to body parts, on page two, you'll find a rear slider window for a Comanche, and it's new. Dosen't come with the rubber seal tho. It's 149.95. Hope this helps. GrumpysMJ :USAflag:

bulliwagen, I understand what your saying, and if this was my only hobby vehicle I'd be with you. My main show car is my 07 Mustang GT convertable. Bought it new and have modded it since day one. Shown it and drive it. That takes care of my modding itch. Totally agree about it not being a collector item. Its just the fun factor of having a 25 year old truck that is 99% stock and in such good shape. Go to any show (I've been to many and judged a lot) and you'll always see people looking at the older stock cars n trucks. Trust me, if the truck was modded or up-graded in any way, I'd probably continue to change it. This one needs so little, oe radio and an NOS seat cover, stocker size tires, and I'm done. I'm an old 63 year old whos still young at heart. Having something like this reminds me of the first cars I owned in the 60's. Just plain n simple. GrumpysMJ

Here's some pic's of the new toy. (I hope) http://s1354.beta.photobucket.com/user/Grumpy0374/library/?view=media#/user/Grumpy0374/library/?http%3A//s1354.beta.photobucket.com/user/Grumpy0374/library/?&_suid=136278434484708565948392035692

Cracker, totally agree with you about his kid. I guess he was so disappointed with his son that he sold it so cheap. I remember giving my son his first vehicle on his 16th birthday, a 94 Chevy S-10 Blazer. He was one proud kid. Kept that truck all thru college and law school. Guess his son wanted something more than a plain-jane stripper pick-up. Anyway, his loss, my gain. Now I gotta ask, how do you post pic's on here? With cars, tools, and firearms I'm great. Puters, just so-so. GrumpysMJ

I gotta wait for the wife to add pic's. I'm used to other forums where an attachment is available. I thought about modding it a bit but have decided to keep it original and show it. It's really that nice. Have a line on an original 88 Jeep radio and found a site that has NOS bench seat covers. Drivers side is worn and original foam is worn. I've refoamed seats before so I home free there. For what I'm going to use it for I just don't need or want to mod it. It just needs a good engine and under-carriage detailing, I go to a lot of car shows, both Mustang specific and shows where anything is allowed. I can honestly say this Comanche would win in a stock class. I posted some pics on another forum, the Jeep Cherokee / Cherokee Talk in my garage, same user name, GrumpysMJ. I'll get some pic's up asap. GrumpysMJ

Fishersville, between Staunton and Waynesboro.

It needs a good engine detailing and a steering box. I really think I'd like to keep it as stock as possible. My main play car is a Mustang GT Conv.. I bought the MJ on a whim when the owner came into the Lowe's where I work to get an auto for sale sign. Got to talking with him, went to the parking lot to see it, and bought it. The auto gods above just love us old retired geezers. GrumpysMJ

Greetings from a newbie. Just bought an 88 Comanche. It's about as base as you can get, 4 cyl, 4 speed, manual steering, 4 x 2. Thing is, xcept for an after market radio and a real good re-paint its all stock. And, no rust, anywhere. Got it from the original owner. He spent two grand on a paint job and wanted to give it to his son, but the kid didn't want it. I got it for the price of the paint job. I'll post some pic's as soon as I figure out how to. GrumpysMJ :USAflag: