Mr.Oz

Son just got this Comanche, 86 4x4 LWB with the 2.8L. already looking at finding a 3.4 or maybe another 2.8 and bore it out to the 3.4. It does have the AX-15 and older 231. Front end from a 97 up cherokee and still the rear D35 with factory limited slip. A 8.25 rear end came with the truck along with the original front end. Has a Rough Country 4.5" lift up front with AAL in the rear. Not new to Jeeps, have a 83 SJ Cherokee, bought it over in Italy and have done all my own work, right now building a 4.6L stroker to toss in. Turned my son on to Jeeps when I showed him that Jeep made J-trucks, like my Cherokee. Then I showed him a Comanche, he loved the looks and really likes that you really don't see them around. So some questions, Will doors from a 99 Cherokee bolt right up to an 86 Comanche. Looking at a pair with power locks, windows and mirrors. Thinking I can just hook up power and gorund run it through some relays then run wiring from one door, under the dash to the other. Plan on doing the brake booster upgrade, found a few Grand Cheros in the yards and some 96/96 Cheros, what would be the better booster and would taking that load sensing valve thing off the rear brakes be a good thing to do. Turn signal lever is not really working, found two steering columns in the yeards, both are tilting ones. One from a 93 cherokee, no air bag, and one from a 96 cherokee, with air bag and key, which one would be the easier install, wire wise? Fuel gauge is pegged full, little gas in tank, about a gallon, ground issue or gauge problem? . Gas tank, fuel pump and lines were replaced by PO about 2 years ago, if sending unit is tost, where is a good place to get another? The gauge cluster has a spedoo, and fuel gauge, then dummy lights. How hard would it be to get a gauge cluster out of a cherokee with all gauges and a tach and swap it into the comanche? I have read that grounding issues can cause major headakes, would trying to tie all grounds to the same place , or at least to a grounding bar, be a good idea? The headliner in the truck is busted up. A little better one came with the purchase, my thought was to maybe use the least damaged one as a mold for making a fiberglass headliner, anyone tried this? Son read someplace that the Rough Country front springs tend to brake. We have a set of 4" lift springs we took off a 03 TJ, the fronts look like they might be good replacements, thoughts? My son would like to put in a cherokee center console, I would like to move te emer. brake from the peddle to the pull type in the console, thought I saw some one already made this mod, now can't find or remember where I saw it. And one last question, where is a good place on line to get a factory service manual, or a free download. I have done this for my 83 SJ cherokee and for anothers son's 79 280zx. Truck also came with a sliding rear window but has the solid window in it now. I think my son is going to keep the solid one. Has a removable bed liner also, son took that out and wants to get rid of it. Both of those might be up for sale. few requests, I also read on this fourm to "protect your rockers" anyone have pics of home grown "rocker sliders" or "boat sides" on these trucks. Also may be looking for a rear "roll bar" and rear bumper pics, will be removing the stock rear bumper and make one that is tucked up closer to the truck. thoughts welcome

sorry, I mean a 3.4l duh

Not shure if this thread falls here or in tech. New to comanches, but not Jeeps. Have had a CJ5, YJ and older son has a TJ. I have the one of last of the big Cherokees, an 83 4 door. Actually sliping a 4.7 stroker in place of the 4.2. My middle son and I will be picking up a the above Comanche. It has a good running chevy 2.8L V6 (already thinking about a 4.3) 5 speed, 4.5 lift, ok tires. Stock bucket seats, working A/C and heat, front winch bumper (no winch), and a, replced in the last two years, fuel tank. Comes with camper shell (not for the comanche, will be selling that) and in the bed of the truck an extra drivers door, sliding rear window, (has the solid one now) looks like duel fan set up (maybe from a minivan) the orig. front bumper and an extra set of axles. Right now, the front axle is from a 93 XJ without the vac actuator and has the biger u-joints. The stock rear D35 has a limited slip. The other axles that are included with the truck are the front stock one and a rear 8.??. All 4 axles have the same gearing, 3.?? the seller said they are the most common gearing for this body (comanche/little cherokee) style. The purchase is already a done deal, just need to go pick it up, so please don't bother saying "pass on this", we will work with what we got. So what should we play with first. In the engine bay, it looks like a bunch of vac lines are not there, but she runs smooth? Even with the lift, its sags in the rear, some small lift blocks? Interior is sparce but it does have the stock buckets....with tape on them. XJ seats will bolt right onto the stock bucket seat frames right?. Needs a dash bezel, the stock one is all busted up. Would also like to put in a center console, anyone thought of putting a overhead console from a XJ in these? The extra drivers door is to replce the one on it because its cracked at the hinges, is this common? should we look at the passenger's side to? Keep the limited slip D35 or swap out to the other rear end? thanks for any insite and thoughts. Oh yea, how hard is it to find a roll bar for these trucks, son is kinda ify about the long bed but I showed him some LWBs on the fourm here and he thinks they look better with a roll bar.