Assman603

Yes. I will be doing a review of the product and how i mounted it. But for those currently interested, it is a rigid molle panel from grey man tactical. I used bolts and washers to mount it on the same board as the amp and sub, and attached a few different molle pouches to it.

Just a brief update on some of the progress of the Comanche over the past year or so. Decided to lose the roof rack, too much weight, not enough benefits. Updated to the new (er) style mirrors off a '97. Started a set of half doors. Added a push bar to the bumper, as well as some Hella's. A few interior mods. AX15 swap parts. Not to mention the Wagoneer nose. A few other odds and ends as well. I will be updating for a more consolidated and comprehensive build thread in the next few months or so as I continue to make progress. In the meantime, enjoy some jeep porn.

I don't get any noise at all from the rack, but it does squat pretty hard under any load. I do however get a hellish whistle from the allen screws on the LED lightbar brackets.

I actually don't have factory A/C in this truck. lol. But i will be swapping in the A/C compressor out of my parts Cherokee to do on board air at some point. I'm going to be re-designing the rack and adding an actual cage, as well as some more suspension modifications. Considering a 4 link in rear. As well as rock sliders, new floor pans, and a lot of lights.

I blew the turbo on the Subaru... so I actually am in the process of swapping that, and now I'm stuck running the Manche in the salt, hooray... Anybody who's interested feel free to follow me on Instagram, @Granite_State_Ordnance for more frequent updates on my projects. I will do a more detailed update on the Comanche when I have some free time.

Incredible build. I love the rear 4 link setup.

I ended up replacing my stock tank with another stock tank... temporarily. I needed to maintain daily drive-ability as my Subaru just blew a turbo. Hopefully it won't have to touch the salt... but it's got 4WD, so how can I not drive it in the snow? How do you guys feel about cutting the bed sides? I really like how they came out, and it should make it quite a bit easier to clean off the top of the frame to keep it free of sand/salt/rust etc. Stay tuned, big plans for the Comanche over this winter.

anybody have any recommendations on fuel cell/pump combos that work successfully with the 4.0?

It's been a little while since I've posted up pics of the old MJ. She has gone through some slight changes over the summer, and there are many more to come... New snorkel, LED bar. flex testing weight reduction... and rust repair...

That's what I was thinking. The r/v / marine battery just has more storage capacity. Which is what I'm looking for.

I'm currently running a red top Optima, but I was thinking about adding a second battery and the dual battery isolation kit. So I can use the red top battery to run the truck itself, and whichever second battery I plan on using to run the winch, lights, and other high draw accessories. My friend recommended a deep cycle marine battery, like what they use on RV's, because that's what he used to run his trailer winch, and he said it worked great.

The headliner is just a roll of mossy oak material. It can be found in the automotive section at walmart. And the adhesive I used was some loctite brand spray adhesive. I used this same spray glue to replace the vinyl door panels in my Datsun pickup. I just cut slits in the corners to allow the material to overlap. It came out pretty nice and hasn't shown any signs of peeling. As far as the rack goes, I plan on putting a roof mouned tent over the back portion, and making canvas sides to enlose the back during inclimate weather. I've also thought about building a rear swing gate to mount a jerry can and a spare tire on. Also, does anybody have recomendations for a winch? Looking to get the best bang for my buck as I am on a budget. Should I also add a second battery? I've read that a second battery, like a deep cycle marine battery, to run the winch is a good idea. Also, what's the best high output alternator for the renix era comanches? Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

I haven't logged in since just after thanksgiving. So I figured I would give a quick update as to the progress being made with my build. I picked up a new steering box spacer and a DIY winch bumper kit from JCR off-road, as well as a set of Rugged Ridge TJ bushwhacker style flares, and so far I'm very pleased with the outcome. All ready for a face lift. New vs. old steering box spacer. The JCR spacer is much heavier duty. Uni-body tie in bracket. I actually mounted it upside down in this picture, but corrected myself before welding the bumper together. Installing the steering box spacer: Finished product: I still need to do the finish welding on the bumper, as well as paint it, and install the rear flares, and the new shoes and pads that I ordered. The Comanche is still progressing and I hope to be posting up more frequently as the weather gets warmer and I have more time to work on it.

Thank you, they ride even better than I thought they would. For such an aggressive tire they have very good road manners. But what really surprised me was their capability in the snow. No problem tanking through 8-9-10" of snow with part time 4WD on. I took a run up Stinson mountain after Thanksgiving dinner, beautiful views after the snowfall 2 nights ago.

Tires came in on friday. Used my weekend to get them mounted and balanced. As well as find some mud before the snow comes.

not sure the brand of flares, some ebay knockoff of a bushwhacker. they're made for the TJ, but i used TJ flares on my cherokee and they fit better than i could have hoped. so i'm definitely going that route. especially because $180 shipped for a set of bushwhacker look-alikes is a lot better than $500 for the real ones.

waaaay ahead of you. updates: Just ordered a set of 33" BFG M/T KM2's and a set of knock off bushwhacker flares.

I really appreciate all the advice! I actually just found another Comanche for sale locally, I'm going to take a look at it monday. I would really like to use this rig as just my DD and a casual wheeler. It's fairly rust free, which is rare in these parts, and it and it's in great shape. Whereas i would rather use something in less good of shape to build up as a serious trail rig. As far as the rack goes, i think I'm pretty much going to leave it as is, aside from putting a canvas cover inside it. It will act more as a utility rack/cap for the bed than a roll cage, seeing how i don't ever want to put this guy in a position where I would roll it in the first place.

I actually plan on doing that exact same thing with the canvas cover. I found a place I can get a roll of waterproof canvas tarping relatively cheap. And ill probably just fasten it to the inside of the cage with a bestop snap kit which can be found on ebay pretty cheap. I'm not sure what brand the seats are. I picked em up for $85 at a swap meet. I just cut some angle iron to fit as new seat rails, then fastened that to a set of comanche seat brackets. I now that you mention the whole thing abiut the cam bolt I will double check them. I also have a set of rj's harnesses that I was thinking about putting them in. I just might now.

I should have been more clear in my original post, The bed "cage" isn't going to be used as protection in a roll over. But as protection from the elements. I'm in the process of making a canvas cover for it. I also do not plan on putting anybody in the bed during any type of off roading scenario. It's mostly for giving my friends rides around town. But I would eventually like to brace it up and put the proper support structure in for it to provide protection in a rollover, what do you think the best way to go about doing that would be? The tubing is old water lines. 90% sure it's HREW, but it's first generation steel from the early 1900's with at least an 1/8" wall, and has held up very well for bumpers etc. even after several front end collisions with rocks and trees. The rack is mostly going to be used for holding equipment for wheeling, camping, airsoft, work, but eventually I'd like to mount an expedition tent up top. Interior update, picked up some racing seats and Simpson 5 pt restraints at the swap meet in Lebanon Valley, NY last weekend. Swapped in the center console from my 89 Cherokee parts rig, and eventually I'll swap in the tilt steering column too. Finally swapped out the idiot lights for the gauge cluster out of the Cherokee too, scavenged the coolant temp sensor, and the oil pressure sending unit, so now all of my gauges function. Did my first oil change since buying the truck this summer. Also, did a head liner and center roof console. Question: I need to make a bar that runs across the back of the seats for the shoulder restraints, what would be my best option? The seats do tilt forward, so I am able to retain storage space behind the seats for equipment/school bag, which is nice. Here's some updated pictures: For the guy who wanted to see the back seat set up. It's just the 3rd row seat from an '87 Suburban, which made it's conversion to a flatbed dually, so it had no need for the seat anymore. But the arm rests literally fit perfectly between the bed rails.

Recently I've been debating with myself on where I wanted to go with my Comanche build. I finally decided on expedition vehicle. So I had some free time on my hands this weekend, and decided to start with a bed cage/roofbasket/lightbar. After about 150 feet of tubing, 1 spool of welding wire and 8 cans of monster I got a majority of it done. Before: Image Not Found After: Fabircation process: And so it begins... All cross sections and supports cut. Notching tubing the redneck way. Top of mounting plate. Bottom of mounting plate. Top hoop fitted and secured. Fabrication cheating... All tacked up. All tacked together and mounted. The picture up top is after all of the finish welding has been done. All I have left to do is notch and weld on the tube for the light bar and lay in the cross supports to the top of the cage. Overall it didn't come out too bad. Everything is pretty straight and clean looking, I made it so I could still fit my toolbox and the seat that goes in the bed and actually offer some form of protection to those passengers. If anybody has any ideas on how I can improve on my design/fab sills. All feedback is appreciated!

I have never seen a stock mj/xj with 32" tires. 31" is the most I have seen and depending on what wheels you use you can have trouble rubbing in different spots. I have heard of people having rubbing wit 235/75/15's I say 3" for 31" tires unless you want to trim. I don't know about you guys. But i fit 35's on a stock height xj by just cutting fenders and folding over pinch welds.

I recently purchased a 1989 MJ off of a friend of my stepdad. Has 47xxx original miles on it. 4.0 I-6, 5 speed manual, 4WD. 4" Lift, with tubular lower control arms, extended swaybar links, upgraded steering stabilizer, and dropped pitman arm. Front end out of a newer (97?) cherokee, completely rebuilt. Chrysler 8.25 rear end out of the same rig with the shock mounts and spring perches relocated to the top of the axle. Unfortunately it's got the Peugot trans instead of the AX-15, but I'll be swapping that out eventually. Has some minor rust on the bed, top of the frame under the drivers side rear wheel well, and the rockers are starting to puss through in a few spots, and the floors have already been repaired once. Truck has a new radiator, thermostat, water pump, and coolant temps sensor. Fairly clean for anything I've seen in the Northeast. So far I haven't done a whole lot to it, changed the gear oil in the trans, ATF in the TC, oil change, swapped in the tape deck from an 89 cherokee, along with the cigarette lighter, and the manual gauge cluster with a tach! :banana: Added a CB radio, light bar, tow hitch, jerry can mount, and fabbed a mount to hold 2: .50 cal ammo cans. Which hold my tie downs, and tow straps/chains. I've had quite a bit of wrench time on XJ's and my mom's YJ, and plenty on my Datsun pickup. Both of my XJ's are the same year as the MJ, so parts compatibility is awesome. But I still have quite a bit to learn, and hopefully I can find help on here when I get stuck. That and posting a build thread always helps me keep motivated when I get lazy. Now for some pictures :rock on: Truck the first day i picked it up: Image Not Found First time taking it out on the trails: Image Not Found How it currently sits: Image Not Found

I also live in NH. Just picked up my first Comanche. I've seen a few others around, but they are few and far between. Good to see somebody else from the granite state on here.