Backroads

being that its a newer model truck, with a 4.0 then ya its got the AX-15

Yea thats what I come to find out! My haynes manual only has it as a serpentine style belt for th 4cyl. Google yields nothing, so now the info is out there! Maybe I'll ad some pics to my first post to make it more useful. It wasnt hard, just had the puzzled for a second. Also another note that was kinda a :hmm: moment, was the belts for the AMC have 'vertical' ribs, instead of the regular horzontal ones like on a 4.0. The previous owner (god knows who that was and when!) apparently put the belts on upside down (with the ribs and taper out) When I put the new ones on, it was obivous which way they went, so I duno! But either way, she idles a little smoother with them adjusted properly and the fan clutch re-checked (it was wobbling before) and it was just not tight.

I see why no one posted. I figured it out, just didnt fiddle with it enough....and all the grease was blocking my vision :ack: The power steering pump does swivel, but in kind of an odd way. I loosened 3 15mm bolts and 1 14mm bolt that it pivoted on. Just puttin that up there in case anyone else gets a brain fart, since none of my searches concluding to verify that info. But on a side note, after a tune-up shes running great! Few more things to do and I get her inspected!

So my manuals havent showed up yet, and I'm actually stumped as to what exactly I'm supposed to do! The skinny belt that goes to the alternator, easy. The belt in the back I can't figure out. I don't see any kind of bracket to loosen at the PS pump. The alternator slides so that belt slipped right off. I just wanna know the secret, or the order at which I start takin pulleys off and fighting them back on! Thanks in advance.

^ sweet. After shoveling drifts all evening, I changed my plugs, wires cap and rotor and installed my new/old head unit.

I was hoping there was a positive resolution to this thread! Glad you got it started, thats a big step! Keep up the good work, spring IS coming!

I'm very new to a 2.5 but it looks like when you first open the throttle, thats when its doing something funny. Could it be the o2 sensor?

Well I will have to do some poking around then. I already replaced a couple vacuum lines that were dry rotted pretty good so I'll have a better look at it then. Also, when I put my key in the accessory position, I hear something opening/closing clicking/turning....in the engine compartment. Could that be part of this? or something entirely different.

So does that conclude that TBI needs warmer air as opposed to cooler air?

right, its TBI. From what I know and understand all comanche 4 bangers are TBI, whereas in a cherokee it could be either until 86-87. But still not really clear on the purpose. My throttle cable is only to the throttle, so nothings getting stuck anywhere unless another something fails. But if some of that is right, then that tube is just to bring cool air from the grill area and route it to the exhaust header to cool it down? I mean makes sense in a 1986 kinda way...Not really looking to eliminate anything I like my jeeps original! But that tube can definately be improved on if thats its sole mission.

I have an 86 with 2.5L I noticed theres an extra 'tube' Under the intake mani tube. Looks like its going to the header, and after seeing this pic It looks like it does. What and why?! Its that old rotten coily plastic like the intake tube, shouldnt that be melted and on fire? Maybe I'm just trying to understand it all wrong.

I think depending what spacers you use as well, determines if you need to remove that or not. I've used spacers on cherokees, and maybe the flare isnt as big on them as comanches...but theyve always slid right over that. Its actually your bumpstop. If your gonna be wheeling and flexing a lot, some companies make extensions of those so you can still have proper bumpstop without flexing up into your fender and damaging your fender and or tire!

There's some good threads on the seat swap over in the projects section, with lots of pics. Helped me a ton when I did it. Basically, when you get your XJ seats home, you'll need to drill out the rivets that hold the floor mounting brackets to the rails, then swap them out for the ones on your old MJ seats and bolt them in. One thing to remember, the MJ brackets are taller, so your driving position will wind up being a little bit higher than the old seat. If you're a taller guy, I'd avoid getting the "rocker style" buckets from an XJ because you'll wind up sitting very high, and if you don't have a tilt wheel, may even have problems fitting in the seat. General rule of thumb is that most interior parts from the front seats forward are direct swaps between similar-era MJ's and XJ's. If you're grabbing parts off the doors, they need to be from a 4dr model, since the doors on the 2dr are too long. From other Jeeps, some worthwhile swaps are the front sway bar from a V8 ZJ - beefier unit so it improves road manners. If you have/want to add power steering then possibly the steering box from a ZJ, which has a better ratio than the XJ/MJ unit. And the brake booster from a WJ is an upgrade. If you have the 2.5 TBI 4cyl, and are lucky enough to find a good donor at the junkyard, then my suggestion would be to pull some stuff like the coil, ICU, and injector - as those parts are getting harder to find/expensive at the stores, and it will be handy to have spares. Are the steering box bolt patterns going to be the same between comanches and ZJ's? I have an 86 if it matters, and my steering box is a leaker.

Oh I'm more than prepared to do some work to it!!! and yes its got the 2.5 not the v6 so I'm definately happy (well as happy as ya get over a 150ci 4 banger haha) about it. Thanks for the links. Going to change my oil today and have a peek at the brakes.

Brought it home yesterday!!! So now I have some real questions. The brakes suck. I havent pulled a wheel to check the pads and shoes (tomorrow I am) but I noticed the load leveler in the rear is not exactly in working order. I just browsed through the DIY section but didnt see any mods to bypass it, or remove it etc. What would be some advice there? Also I have no interior lights. They are in there, just don't work. I want to pull them out and put LEDs in but wanted to know how they are wired. I'm probably going to gut the interior, I can see holes in the floor and some makeshift patching going on. here's a pic for now! Image Not Found

x3 on just picking up a cheap (not 200 cheap) 86 longbed comanche!

I would vote for the RE with the bracket, or TNT with the bracket. JKS is ok, but the frame side mounting point is less that ideal. I have one, and its constantly working loose.

I would say nay on drop brackets til you have 5+ " of lift based on my personal experience. I have them on my XJ, and theyve caused more problems than good. Granted it does improve ride quality, but your gonna *probably need adjustable UCA and LCAs to get your axle centered right, and with some descent caster. Mine can't come off quick enough! Not to mention I drag them over every rock!

Just talked to my future comanches current owner and found out its an 86. Not that it matters much but I can't wait! Should be taking it home early next week! Build thread to follow!

Awesome post. I already put together my 'build' list, now to just go back in time and order the thing!

3rd pic down from the top would be the part in question. Theres a 'how to' adjust the linkage on many jeep sights, try a google search if no one here comes up with it.

Well you own a jeep, youll become a mehanic in no time :hmm: The area where the linkage connects to the inside of the unibody frame rail is prone to rust. I've seen them twist out of place if the metal gets erroded away enough. Either way its an easy 1st check.

Maybe take a look at the xfer case shift linkage? Is there a xfer case drop on the truck? If there is, possible something needs adjusted a bit?

I would, but I already swapped that into my 00 XJ, the old one has the low pinion 30 in it now with a leaky pinion seal!

I love it :bowdown: Getting me anxious to start working on mine.