natander2ksometime

More updates to come. Hopefully I'll get some work done on the MJ in the next week and potentially take it on a big trip at the end of the month. For now, here's a teaser.

Small update time. I've been working on repainting the front bumper for a while now. I've learned my lesson on painting things with bed liner. Don't do it. It took me days to strip down this thing, and it's by no means perfect. And once I was ready for painting, it was 5 degrees outside. So I'm painting at work, which I am grateful for. I've got a few cool things to do to it, but it should be pretty close to driving in the next few weeks!

1986 Jeep Comanche 2.8 V6, didn't think to check transmission or transfer case Current Location & current owner: Denver U Pull and Pay Status: On it's way out, picked clean, submitted to yard on 11/03/2025 according to label

I just saw this in the yard and grabbed the VIN to register it. Thanks for doing it already!

Both the truck and the man himself are badass! Thanks for coming out to Moab this year brother. The "new" Jeep is built real well. And it's always good to get together!

Thank you! I am certainly hopeful. It gets real hot in Colorado in the summer, but Brian tested it thoroughly in the heat with the upgrades. Brian did three main things. First, he installed a ZJ fan clutch, which is something I hadn't done. He said the "new" Mopar fan clutch I had installed was bad. It had marks of where the fluid inside had leaked out. What a waste of money. He also swapped radiator caps, as the one I had on there (which was cap #4-#8, I've lost count at this point) was also bad. The other big thing, my clocked NP242 was about to tear a hole through the floor. So, I don't know that I would recommend doing that after all these years of running it. On top of that, the case was about to explode! It was so worn out that the output shaft in the front had a lot of axial play. So, he swapped to a 231, and got a new driveshaft rebuilt. It drives real smooth now!

This thing turns 35 years old tomorrow! I really have changed my image for the truck, from being the fancier, high optioned, most comfortable vehicle in my fleet, to looking at is as a classic truck. It has all the classic truck problems, rattles, and the age to see it that way. For its birthday, it is going to get a new passenger unit bearing, as I discovered that is the source of the horrible noise it has developed recently. I may get it out this weekend to celebrate if I get this swapped out before. I'm going to jump out of order a bit. I want to talk about going and picking this up from my buddies shop a few weekends ago, as this is the biggest adventure this has had in almost two years! The shop is called Old Buzzard's Offroad and Fabrication. He's located in Delta, and is well versed in the MJ world, having built a few of them. That's actually how I met Brian, back in 2019 or so during the MJ Takeover! The gf and I loaded up in the LJ camper, and headed from Denver to the western slope Friday after work. The LJ camper has become a huge favorite of ours, mostly because it works really well and is very reliable. The only downside to this plan was that the gf had to drive a Jeep she had never driven more than a few miles, on a longer maiden voyage trip back home. Because she can't drive the 6 speed in the LJ, she was stuck with the MJ. A setup we saw along the way. Real cool. The first gas stop after picking up the MJ. We ended up finding a campsite on Grand Mesa after dark. It was damn cold. But it was actually really cool to have both Jeeps on a camping trip! The next morning, we hung out with some of her family that were hunting in the area. Lunch in De Beque We ended up picking up some tires and wheels for a buddy in Minturn, which added to the risk potential, as the MJ was real heavy for the two big climbs on I-70. Six tires and a transfer case are a lot of weight for a truck that would overheat on flat ground previously. Luckily, it made both without issue!

You bet there will be! I need to revive this thread, and my love for this truck. Plus, I have a drone now, so I'll be able to get some good video!

The Comanche got picked up yesterday. An old friend of mine took it back to his shop on the western slope to tear into it and figure out why it runs so damn hot. The deadline for Moab is coming up quickly! We're planning another MJ Takeover in September. Fingers crossed that he can figure it out. Otherwise I'll be taking an LJ to a MJ meetup...

I am making some progress, one way or another, on the MJ and will have updates soon! For now, I'll leave my recap of the eighth anniversary of this thing, on June 29th. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On this day, 8 years ago, I bought my mom and I one-way tickets to Arizona to buy this thing. It was the first time I had ever been on an airplane. I was a broke college kid and spent everything I had on it. Before buying this, I was riding my bike all over West Denver to get to work and get groceries. And this thing has taken me to some of the most amazing places in the west. It's been a daily driver, it's been wheeled on some of the best that Colorado and Utah have to offer. It has facilitated meeting some of the coolest people. It's also been a major challenge. It's on engine #3. It has stranded me far from home. It has certainly stumped my above-average automotive skill set. To honor this day, the girlfriend and I drove it up to Georgetown, here in Colorado, to get a beer and some dinner. It hit 240 on the climb out of Denver, and I suppose that's alright. We made it home. Here's some pics. Thanks for reading!

Still around. Still sometimes gets warm. Still drives fine around town. And, I was able to rip it up to Estes Park a few weeks ago. Here's a pic from that to keep this thread alive.

Yesterday was this poor truck's 34th birthday. I wish we could have taken it to Utah this past weekend to celebrate, but it just wasn't in the cards. Part of me thinks it just wants to die, but I won't let that happen. It'll be back in full capacity at some point. I have a bunch to update on this thread. I'll get to it sometime soon.

That's an excellent question! I wouldn't personally hesitate to do it. I believe you are correct with Hells Revenge and Fins n Things. I would be equally concerned about the rockers without some sort of slider. The bumper on a short bed is certainly at risk to hit, but it should be manageable if you are familiar with your truck. With that being said, there are so many more trails than Hells Revenge that would be appropriate for stock-er trucks. I have found so many cool things that didn't require big tires or lockers. If you'd like, feel free to PM me and I can give you guys more recommendations. As far as Sand Hollow goes, I've never wheeled there. I have a bit of concern about how crazy the trails are, but again, I guarantee there are more adventurous routes within the park. I know from experience that there are amazing roads to explore in that part of Utah that go beyond Sand Hollow.

Well, it has been over a year since I last updated this! If anyone still reads this, I'll get it updated in the next few weeks. I'm currently working on putting engine #3 in this thing...

x2 on the updates! This build was a big inspiration for mine!