lil_loco

UPDATE: I picked up 2 trucks this weekend... seems they are coming out of the woodwork dime a dozen: 1991 (unknown trim) white with custom Jeep leer cap, sunroof, red interior with cloth bench seat 4.0HO Auto :clapping: 2wd. Too bad the sunroof leaks a bit, I like bench seats and I already lost one to mold :ack: so I am crossing fingers I can get the seal fixed soon before it gets worse as the headliner is already sagged. It also came with the original owner's manual and a owner's manual for an 86. Image Not FoundImage Not Found 1989 Eliminator 2wd short box red with dark gray interior... ended up in worse condition than I expected :( as the tilt steering mechanism for the steering wheel was fubar but she started and ran beautiful :yes:. Even with being a 2wd with bald tires and a flat on the right rear we managed to mount the ramp truck to take her home. Definitely got in a rear end of some kind, maybe lost direction in a snowstorm but still salvageable for parts. The box is safe and the interior/rear slider was mainly what I was after... I can cope. Image Not FoundImage Not Found I also grabbed a drive train from a 93 XJ which will be used for the 4x4 convert of the white 91. It has been a busy weekend and I am only at the collecting stage! I almost brought home a bright red 86 XLS with a brand new 350 4bolt and 5spd tranny :drool: but that was not a cheap one (2500$ cdn) and not good for 4x4 convert. http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-86-JEEP-CAMANCHE-PICK-UP-350-CHEV-W0QQAdIdZ73763373 So let the project begin! Here is the plan: Take the 91 and make it 4x4 and fix that leaky sunroof Get the 86 up to highway capability any suggestions for the sunroof issue would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: I picked up 2 trucks this weekend... seems they are coming out of the woodwork dime a dozen: 1991 (unknown trim) white with custom Jeep leer cap, sunroof, red interior with cloth bench seat 4.0HO Auto :clapping: 2wd. Too bad the sunroof leaks a bit, I like bench seats and I already lost one to mold :ack: so I am crossing fingers I can get the seal fixed soon before it gets worse as the headliner is already sagged. It also came with the original owner's manual and a owner's manual for an 86. Image Not FoundImage Not Found 1989 Eliminator 2wd short box red with dark gray interior... ended up in worse condition than I expected :( as the tilt steering mechanism for the steering wheel was fubar but she started and ran beautiful :yes:. Even with being a 2wd with bald tires and a flat on the right rear we managed to mount the ramp truck to take her home. Definitely got in a rear end of some kind, maybe lost direction in a snowstorm but still salvageable for parts. The box is safe and the interior/rear slider was mainly what I was after... I can cope. Image Not FoundImage Not Found I also grabbed a drive train from a 93 XJ which will be used for the 4x4 convert of the white 91. It has been a busy weekend and I am only at the collecting stage! I almost brought home a bright red 86 XLS with a brand new 350 4bolt and 5spd tranny :drool: but that was not a cheap one (2500$ cdn) and not good for 4x4 convert. http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-86-JEEP-CAMANCHE-PICK-UP-350-CHEV-W0QQAdIdZ73763373 So let the project begin! Here is the plan: Take the 91 and make it 4x4 and fix that leaky sunroof Get the 86 up to highway capability any suggestions for the sunroof issue would be greatly appreciated.

ya Id love to see that interior... might give me an idea for my new 91 I am pickin up tomorrow...

I just did this, thanks for the writeup! To add: I had no center e-brake (stick 86) so my variation was to get a 2cup cup holder and mount it to the e-brake part of the center console so it blocked the 'VOID' and made space for my "coffee" and change... pics will follow...

Good to see there is something to fit a short box and it looks awesome too! what fits a long bed?

^^^ wow that is intense! here is honey: Image Not Found

1. Front Differential 2. Transfer Case 3. 4wd Transmission 4. 4wd Transmission Wiring Harness 5. Shift Linkage For Transfer Case 6. Shifter and Bezal For Interior 7. Front and Rear Drive Shafts 8. And All The Nuts And Bolts For Everything I found this on a google search... am I missing anything now? How are 2wd Comanches in snow?

Being a n00b to the Jeep, Comanche, Modding thing I thought Id ask the most common question out there. Fresh Thread for fresh ideas: I am bailing on the engine swap for now it is too complicated and when I was looking for a cap for my 86 to keep my junkyard treasures dry I found a gorgeous 91 4.0ho AW-4 with cap and sunroof that doesn't leak which solves all but one new problem... it is 2wd. So what is the to-do list for a 2wd - 4x4 swap? What can stay and what has to go? Is it just tossing on a front axle and t-case (and of course drive shafts)? I really love bolt-on procedures.... :waving:

anyone got pics of the red interior? I am picking up a 91 with 'dark red' interior and I want to know what I am getting into...

for your interest re interior colour options: Black Med Blue Charcoal Cordovan Garnet Honey (this is that nasty bright gold/yellow I have in my 86) Tan Slate Blue Almond Nutmeg according to the parts catalog....

must be that damned exchange rate.... even when dollars were at par they wouldn't adjust the "add half" minimum markup.

I have an AW-4 lying around to fit to a 4.0l... and a D44 3.55 ready for the 86.... the possible 3.07 would make good ROE since people like perchless axles... the last 3.07 was a easy sell. I got quoted up to 1000$ per axle... too bad you aren't close by. What gear are you running on your 2.5 4spd?

I don't blame the truck any means whatsoever, sadly to keep up with traffic in some parts of the 407ETR, on the 401 near Quebec border where the 18wheelers will run you over if you are in their way, you got to go that fast... I just would prefer a more matched engine for my driving styles and routes something that has more bang for buck. The XJ I use as a DD right now loves to go fast, stays around 2200-2600rpms, even with a heavy duty 50mph bumper and winch on front and Surco rack with lights and 31" tire on top.... hell my 1990 4banger Tempo loved it at 160kmph... so there has to be something cheap and fast for an engine swap. (there is no he)

Here anything 1988 or newer needs regular emissions testing and I like to avoid those like the plague... Also the 86 is already plated and insured and if I go to an 89 insurance jumps significantly. :shake: I worry that I might end up not wanting to kill the 89 although the body is a bit banged up towards the back... the 86 was supposed to be a donor as well but then I found the engine was re manufactured with only had 10,000kms on it, the interior was next to perfect and the truck was more solid than my 88. :wall: I am not allowed to harbor any more Jeeps they are already being scattered all over the province. so the whole front end can't just be swapped without fabrication? I mean everything from firewall forward, fenders, hood, front, the whole deal? and then I keep my chrome front clip? Is it a hard job to do? ... gotta brush up on my terms I guess....

I probably should have done this a while back but here goes: I got my first Jeep (not MJ) in April this year... ever since they were first on the showroom floor I have drooled over Comanches and I finally got not one but 2 and maybe 3 and counting... so here they are Truck #1: 1988 Pioneer originally 2wd 4.0 (non ho) 5spd.... now running 91 XJ drivetrain 4.0ho, AW4, NP231, minispool front posi rear (still 30/35 3.55), cold air intake via air-box and snorkel which also keeps the computer dry. Also has 12" lift and 32" tractor tires on 16" AR rims... I didn't build this but I know the guy who did, he can also receive credit for reignited my MJ love with this beast. BTW its for sale since there is almost nothing left to do with it but play... Image Not FoundImage Not Found Truck #2: 1986 XLS 4x4 reman 2.5l AX-4 NP207. Bastard pack rear, Rusty's 4.5 front. I even have the owner's manual! It was originally going to be a body donor for the 88 but when I picked it up I couldn't bring myself to kill it. Now it is my daily driver and pet project. Plans: Engine upgrade, Automatic Transmission, longarm 8" lift, and a future facelift.... among other things... Image Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not Found Truck #3: 89? don't know how long it will last its a parts truck... but that was what the 86 was supposed to be... Cheers!

Id be taking the whole truck... It is on the road.... so clarification: to go 4.0l while keeping as true to the Comanche as possible and using my 86 as base, guess ill lose the GM percentage but still NEVER DO EMISSIONS AGAIN!! I would need a front end/hood off another Comanche that originally had 4.0l so I don't have to mess with modifying the firewall as well as the wiring and senders so... Using the 86 as a base: Id put the 89 front end and engine into the 86, put the 89 wiring and senders into the 86, have some fun and toss the 89 interior into the 86 (yay! no tan and a decent wiring harness for stereo), maybe the doors too, but for the 4wd what part of the drive train needs what? I have a NP242 from a 91XJ lying around needing a home (I prefer the ft-4wd anyhow) so that out of the way then I can toss in an AW-4 as bolt-on? or do I still need mods? Can't I keep my current drive shaft from the 86? I also have a D44 3.55 lying around so I could sell that 3.07 to someone who wants to regear. This route, if I am not overlooking anything would be easier for me to do and all I would need is an auto transmission which I was planning to buy anyhow.... right?

ok so a 4.0 out of an 89 MJ will do the trick? what if it is 2wd? I just located one that has a D44 3.07 and black interior and he wants 400$ cdn...

the red exterior was the more likely case for a black interior from what I have seen if you want to go hunting for a good match.... my 88 came with sunroof from factory and I believe they said it used to have a dark gray interior (it is red exterior) I also found a couple red ones with the black interior... actually buying one as I type that has the black interior Id like to put a sunroof in the 86 AFTER I line-x and strip the interior... not fun when everything starts to rot because of the seal leaks... lost the bench seat to mold on the 88 :ack:

ya I am not feeling the love for the 4.0l, kinda want to keep the All Makes Combined ratio on my 86 and stick to something GM under the hood and NOT lose my front-end in the process. Also not liking how the 4.0l sucks my wallet dry in the XJ I use a DD... I confess I have a heavy foot on the gas and average 130kmph. I have now heard equally bad and good things about the 2.8l. I do see a lot of tub jeeps hosting a 2.5l running 35s on stock gearing and not having trouble breaking 100 (kmph)?? Other engine options other than the 3.4 MFI that will max towing and not drink my wallet dry? Of course I don't want to modify the body whatsoever (rad swapping and mounts are unavoidable). Would the fuel sender from the XJ tank work for any of the swaps suggested? Id like to us as many parts from this donor Jeep as possible since scrap prices are le crap right now. I need a better engine... the 2.5 needs a rebuild but I can't lose my truck for too long. cheers!

a second tank would rock for long distance travel... say cross-country. No reason to keep it 'full' all the time, could just alternate tanks and think of those long lineups at the pumps where the only available pump is on the 'wrong' side... not anymore! :clapping:

too bad I can't drive standard to save my life... so I have to swap out the AX-4 to auto before I hurt it anyhow. Is there a better auto option then that would be happy to work with both the 2.5 and the short future engine upgrade? I think most of my bogging problem is that I can't find good shifting points and I am too scared to hurt the transmission. Going 4.56 will cost me 2k alone in regearing :( So to clarify: redrilling the flexplate for t-converters is for the swap to the 3.4 or just the transmission swap? TV drop-down cable same deal? Never fear... I plan on staying far away from carbs unless we are dealing with my Ninja, my initial plan was to get a crate FI or modify it to take on FI.

Hypothetically.... If I were to keep my 2.5l (which only has 10k or so - reman) would swapping to auto transmission alone (3spd) make a noticeable difference? or do I also need to find 4.10s (a rare find around here, rarer than a 3.55/3.07 D44 rear)? If that is the case then I can save $$$ as I wait until the weather is friendlier or to pay someone to do my swap and find decent 3.4 MFI engine...hmmmm I have the whole running 86 XJ (4x4 Auto 2.8, unknown axles but tow-package) coming my way anyhow since it cost the same as the NP207 part I need to replace on my MJ. How do I know if the Torqueflight 904/909 auto tranny (GM) is 60 degree? I just know it is what is used in place of my AX-4 on either engine (2.5 or 2.8 ) and the shifter and peddles will match since they are both 86s. so the 3.4 would bolt on to the rest so long as my TF-904/909 is a 60 degree? Is there any machining or spacers or such that need to be used? I know some engines match angles but use a different bolt pattern... Are 4.0MJ fuel sending units available at NAPA or such places? 4.0 MJs are not easy finds around here, let alone any MJs that people are willing to part with or not stripped and rotten to death... so with the :Canadaflag: exchange rate I am looking at almost 3k eh? LOL ;) Are there any good write ups for first timers about this 2.5 straight to 3.4 swap (i like pictures)? Particular the wiring thing?

but is it still bolt-on with the 2.5?

I blew out my speedometer gear on my 86's NP207 and after waiting 2 weeks for the part i got a nice memo from the supplier that it was backordered indefinately... gee thanks. In the meantime I have been searching for a compatible auto transmission (TF-904/909) to replace my AX-4...today I found both in a perfectly priced 86 XJ running a 2.8l V6. Since the 86 MJ is running 2.5l and can't keep up with the other cars in the slow lane on the roads I use and won't like the weight I am going to toss on it with mods and the need to tow (reinforcing frame is going to be done), I was planning on going to a larger engine or something with tons of power and I read that HT 3.4 is a bolt in replacement for the 2.8l V6... which is quite interesting and will save me tons of money as well as open the door to much bigger options. But now the real question is how hard is it to swap the 2.8 from the XJ into my MJ?

I am also interested in a 2nd tank, but on my 86 longbox... would the longbox without spare tire underneath work easier?