cbates44

I just talked to the rebuilder. I did, indeed, misinform you guys. The engine and transmission were taken from a 1998 Cherokee Sport and installed as a unit. So it does have the proper transmission. I discovered that it does not have cruise control, and though he no doubt has the parts and would let me have them as part of a deal, he will not install them. I don't think I want to get into pulling the wheel and whatever else would be involved, so I did not ask other questions. Again, thanks for all your information, help, and opinions. As someone suggested, I will just try to find one that is original. I will be looking for a long bed, preferably with the heavy suspension and a five speed manual transmission. I would not consider any without the four liter engine. Clyde

Eagle, I definitely want a flush toilet. At my age it is NOT a luxury. Clyde

Thanks for all the help, guys. I was worried about the body, but I do have some faith in the guy. I have not heard anything bad about him, but then there are lots of things I have not heard about. I will try to get in touch with the original owner. It was a one-owner vehicle. Maybe he can enlighten me about the condition of the body. The state the vehicle is in would mean it would be a bit of a hobby for me. But I don't want to get in too much over my head. As for the transmission, it is a five speed and it is connected to a four-liter six. If that means he changed the transmission, then I guess he changed it. I can not remember everything he told me. I forgot to ask him about cruise control, so when I call to learn about that I will inquire about the other things you guys brought to my attention. I would like to have the extra payload because I want to find or build a slide-in camper for the truck. I want it to be fully self-contained, and that means it will be heavy. I meant to buy such a truck three years ago, but got my wife involved and ended up with a Tundra. It has less payload than the normal-duty Comanche, and that is not enough for most campers. In fact the only self-contained campers that claim to be built for the Tundra run upwards of $20,000. Too rich for my blood. And they are nearly impossible to find used. Clyde in Fairmont, WV

I just began looking for a truck to replace my leased 2006 Tundra. The local Cherokee rebuilder has a Comanche that looks fairly good. It is an '87 two-wheel drive that he converted to four-wheel drive. It began life with a four cylinder, but he installed a four liter six, a 2000, I think. It has a five speed manual, the one that came with the four cylinder, I think. The rebuilder says that it has a 3.55 ratio since it began life as a four cylinder powered vehicle. He had the truck repainted since he was going to keep it for himself. It would come with a somewhat rusty tailgate taken from another truck (he has several for parts) that he did not have painted because he wanted a better tailgate to go along with the quality of the rest of the truck. He installed A/C in the truck. He told me that it has a Dana 44 rear end. From what I can determine, the Dana 44 came only on the seven foot bed as part of the heavy duty kit. It does need new seats because the seats are from a four door, hence do not go forward to provide access to the storage space behind the seats. He has two door seats, but they are pretty dirty and ragged. I don't know what it would cost to have them reupholstered. He said he would trade seats with me when he gets some, but also said they are few and far between. The questions: How can I tell if it is a Dana 44? Can the Dana 44 be a limited slip differential? If it has the Dana 44, can it be increased to the "metric ton" payload that was possible with the long bed? Could it be worth $3000 if all is as I have reported? I know the value question is very subjective, but any help will be appreciated. Clyde in West Virginia