8valvehero

Exactly like that. I'd just pound the body relatively flat with a BFH and bolt that thing right up.

Hey amigo I was reading your build and had a thought- How about bolting in some TJ rear corner armor over that dent?

:ack: HOLY BLOCKAGE BATMAN! Do the radiator and heater core still flow???

Yeah dude, which side? The '86 is far more rusty than the '88 and I don't have the location and resources to undertake an engine swap. This way I can chip away at the build while still driving the truck daily. Yeah I'm from FL and I was stunned by the cost and availability of nice cars out west.

UPDATE So if you recall my first post, my driver's side door has been inoperable and secured with ratchet straps. Today I decided to finally do something about it. Thanks to WrenchMonkey's great writeup (http://comancheclub.com/topic/14466-broken-door-hinge-welds-cheap-n-easy-fix/) I was confident that I could get it done. After reading so many Canadian threads about 'passing safety inspection' is makes me chuckle to think about how here in the USA, I was able to register and insure a vehicle with such glaring issues as this: It came right off with a tug and 2 sec. of grinder: I used 1/4" plate steel for the backplate and tapped the holes to 8mm x 1.25 so I could use some extra 13mm Jeep steering column bolts that I had laying around. The bolt with the big washer is where I used an existing hole in the body: I also had to make a new striker pin mounting plate. The molding in the body made getting this one in the exact spot i wanted it difficult, but it still works great. I even tapped the striker hole so it threads in like it should for easy adjustment: I had to mess around with hinge shims and striker placement for about an hour but finally found the sweet spot. It swings smooth and latches easy. Success! :banana: THANKS FOR READING!

Hey gang! I've got another weird one! I've got an '88 with a busted slider. My donor has a perfect one-piece rear window. I want to keep my camper top open to the cab, so I was visualizing making my one-piece window hinge at the top (into or away from the cab, whatever is easier) like a safari window- or maybe simply making it removable. I've been scrounging around the modded-truck realm of the internet trying to find out if it's possible, but can't seem to find any examples. Am I just p!ssing up a rope here? Here's the inspiration, a Breezer window: (too bad these never caught on... if the internet pics are correct, babes love to hang out of 'em ) I'm thinking that it would be easiest to use a porthole-style hinge and clamps: Safari window: Here's an idea I thought was neat: Use Wrangler hood catches as the closure and hinges: Please share any ideas, caveats, love, hate whatever that you guys may feel. THANKS! Edit- I know I can't drill tempered glass. All attachments would have to be clamps, adhesive or a carrier frame.

After searching and finally measuring- 4.0L ba10/5 LWB 2WD- 60" 2.5L AX4 LWB 2WD- 64.25"

Dig that brand new Scirocco in the background!

Theyre both 2wd. No front shaft. Are they both 21 spline?

Yeah she's a pittie. Her name is Pepper Ann. Totally different. '86 has a lever off the passenger side of the latch that you press. On my other Jeeps you just move the latch directly. The rear drive shaft for the '86 model is big and bulky. The front is tiny and weak looking. The hood latches are entirely different and will not interchange. But that's it? if so I'm keeping it as a spare.

cool. Just searched it and found out. is it a good box? should i sell it?

It's a 4-speed manual. I assumed it was a BA. what is it then? :dunno:

Hey gang. Thanks for reading. I've done some searching, but can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I recently came in to ownership of a clean& driveable '86 2.5L LWB 2WD ba10/4 that I want to use as a donor for my build: http://comancheclub.com/topic/42813-project-sipsey-88-pioneer-long-bed. The plan is to swap the interior, bed, doors and all the body panels on to my '88 4.0L LWB 2WD ba10/5. I know (I think :hmm: ) that some of the stuff on the early '86 is kind of hard to find and someone else on CC might want me to list something in the classifieds area. So what are those "tough to find" parts for the 1986 year and is there anything that I can't easily swap in to my project? I don't need the axles, brakes or any drivetrain stuff (maybe the driveshaft would be a handy backup if it fits). Also is there any downside to having the '86 interior? Thanks again for the input! Pics for clicks:

Yes, Minuit good call. It turns out to be an '86 just like me! Old man had it listed as '88. He also had misspelled 'Comanche' so nobody got to it in the 2 hours it took for me to see the Craigslist ad. It was meant to be too- because I was supposed to drive out to help a friend with an ailing Isuzu today, but that got called off so I was browsing for parts at lunch when I saw the bare-bones listing. I should have noticed the clues to the year the first time, but I was too busy jumping up and down then rushing to get money. After a transaction and a handshake, I returned the next day to pick it up. Her name is "Alva": a classic southern name just like her sisters "Mavis" and "Sipsey". Some elbow grease and the paint looks great except for the usual oxy damaged hood that you'd expect to find on a near-30 year old vehicle: Livin' the dream: Ok so here's where I'm stumped for the moment until I can do some more research: I am the lucky owner of a clean, no-frills '86. I know (I think :hmm: ) that some of the stuff on the early '86 is kind of hard to find and someone else on CC might need something. So what are those "tough to find" parts for the 1986 year and is there anything that I can't easily swap in to my 4.0L 2WD LWB '88 (like driveshaft?)? I'm going to search then maybe post a thread asking that question in MJ Tech. Thanks for reading and responding! . :MJ 1: .

UPDATE! In a very unexpected turn of events, I bought a super nice body/interior donor today! '88 LWB 2.5L 2WD 4sp, bench, vinyl floor, 3 of 4 AMC mud flaps and a matching topper. Runs and drives. $400 Only interior issue is the bench seat tear, but I happen to know the whereabouts of a perfect match in perfect condition for $50: Farmer guy was selling it because he was trying to get good gas mileage out of his farm truck and this wasn't cutting it. He bought a Toyota instead. Said he'd only sell to a Jeeper. :thumbsup: First meeting: Things just got really interesting! I'm picking it up tomorrow. Stay tuned for more! :yes:

UPDATE! The uneven appearance of the truck had been driving me nuts, so I bought some 2" spring spacers to level out the rake that the extra leafs had given it. I'm pleased with the results and would like to add some 1" hub spacers to get the stance just right: Unrelated, but cool: I went to do some work for a friend and found that she had this sitting next to her barn. My wife would kill me: Back on topic: I also went to the JY to pick up some wiper arms (they still don't work, but i'm getting there :wall: ) and newer signal sockets to get things shining bright. Then unexpectedly the radiator sprung a leak so I decided that since there was a HO with AW4 in Sipsey's future, I might as well update the closed cooling system to open and use a radiator with the OEM-style automatic transmission cooler built in. I flushed the system twice, bought a new thermostat and went to it. During disassembly, I discovered a couple of PO delights: First there was no thermostat. Also this was somehow holding a hose clamp and pressure: I then noticed that the lower thermostat bolt is really close to the belt. There's no evidence that they are rubbing each other, but it is darn close (less than 1mm): Another angle: It seemed odd that it would be so close until I got it off and saw that the 'stat housing coolant passages and those on the block are different. It makes me wonder if I have the wrong 'stat housing (I know I'm missing an exhaust bolt :roll: ): It's worth mentioning here that my truck didn't have an aux. fan when I bought it and I have yet to locate the wiring for it under one hood (no surprise- the wiring is a mess). The truck did not come with A/C and uses instead a compressor-delete pulley. I figure that my truck must have come with an aux. fan, but it never gets hot when sitting so this begs the question- did it ever have one???? :???: The install was a snap with the exception of having to install new threads in the head for a stripped 'stat bolt that the PO had epoxied in :rotf: . The results look great and really clean up the engine bay! I've still got to get a 91+ overflow bottle so I can clean up the wonky hose routing. Right now I've just got the original pressure bottle with the cap loosened and a plug on the bottom opening. Also- the auto parts store didn't have enough heater hose left for the job, so I rigged a loop for the test-drive. That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

bikes, crawler and a 'manche. what else does one need?

Great start and great plate! Read around here and you'll see plenty of inspiring builds that started with some pretty sad 'Manches... mine included. Stoked to see where this one goes! :thumbsup: edit- and thinking of bad titles-- try getting a parts truck off a guy who 'got it off a guy' with no title and a questionable past. Hello title bond!

edited

Mudflaps are required in Alberta?

Picked up some Turbines w tires today from Lee21490. Got a good deal on 1-year-old tires with a ton of tread left. I was so stoked that I put them on in the parking lot of my work. Thanks a million, buddy! Gimme a shout if you ever want to grab a beer! :thumbsup: Result:

UPDATE TIME My daily driver XJ "Mavis" got jealous of Sipsey and started acting up last week so I had to spend some time and resources diagnosing what ended up being the fuel pump. :fs1: With that problem solved, I used my day off this week to grab a new steering column and intermediate shaft from my favorite local JY donor because mine is destroyed and starts without a key. A key I don't even have... Also it has this: I may end up swapping in my original brown wheel, but for now the black donor looks great and has a strong position adjust spring: I'd had the dash out a dozen times already, so the install was a snap: Having the switches working (I think) means that I can start chasing around my various signal and wiper malfunctions. The OEM buzzer is annoying as hell. I had lots of time left after that so used the opportunity to replace the 8mm square transmission fill plug with a 17mm hex oil pan plug and to adjust the slop in the steering box the best I could. The lower drivers ball joint is out and probably more, but I've got a 4WD front axle coming in soon so I'm just gonna rebuild that one and swap it in to the 2WD asap. From here the only things that separate me from a complete truck is the wheels/tires, front end/steering, and my driver's side door hinge problem. I washed the spring pollen and cottonwood fluffs off then stood back to watch her gleam the best she could; thinking how far we've already come and how far we've yet to go.

Ok so I finally got a chance to go over to the junkyard and gather some info. Here's what the VIN search reveals: "VIN : 1JTML6513JT190486 Country : United States Manufacturer : Jeep Corporation Vehicle Type : Truck Engine : 1989, 6 Cyl. 4.2 Liter / 4.0L I-6 Cyl. MPI Powertrain : 5-speed manual, floor gear shift, part time 4 W/D Line (Body Type) : Jeep Comanche, 4-W/D Pickup, 7.0' bed, 120" wheel base Model and Gross Vehicle Weight : 4001#-5000# : Wrangler Base / Cherokee Base / Comanche Base [1815/2268 Kg] Check Digit : 3 Year : 1988 Plant Location : Toledo, Ohio, USA Sequential Serial Number : 190486 Check Digit Test : VIN valide" That's that. "1815/2268 Kq" means the donor is not a Metric Ton. So what I'm wondering, is what separates the MT from the 'towing package' with big brakes and d44? Is it just the presence of the OEM helper springs and some badges? Also here's a pic of it. I did want the bed, but a dent turned up in the side since I'd seen it last. Still getting the doors and front axle though...

Hey gang! Another day, another weird question from me. Situation: I'm slowly gathering parts to do the 4WD swap on my 2WD LWB 88' 4.0L. Currently, I need to do the ball joints on the 2WD. What I want to know is can I just clean up/rebuild the 4WD front axle and go ahead andswap it in (without a driveshaft connected, obviously) while the truck is still 2WD? Is there any potential problem that this could cause? It all seems pretty plug-n-play and I don't want to double work/spend to fix a dummy front axle that is heading for the dump anyway. Thanks for the input!! :thumbsup:

Hey I watched 'Twister' for you yesterday! I enjoy how all the shots of the Jeep are of it doing rad $#!& until it dies.