89 MJ

That turned out great! I always clean parts up when I pull them off. Even on my Eagle. There is something therapeutic about cleaning up old parts. As a plus, it makes it a lot more pleasant to work on should you ever have to pull it again.

November 2022- @Big_Mark's 89 Build Thread- https://comancheclub.com/topic/62242-from-the-woods-1989-basket-case/ Year/Model - 1989 JEEP COMANCHE PIONEER Drivetrain- Axles: 1999 Dana 30, 1999 8.25 Chrysler 3:55:1 Engine: Renix 4.0 Transmission: Aisin AX-15 Transfer case: NP242 Cooling- 2/55 A/C (2 open windows at 55 MPH) Stock radiator Electrical/Ignition- Renix Ignition High output Alternator ACDelco Gold 335-1008 Costco Battery w/ new battery cables Wiring has been replaced in the sections that were faulty/broken/shorting Fuse block has been replaced, wire by wire. Suspension/Steering- ProComp 6" /SOA rear Bilstien Shocks up front TeraFlex 9550’s in the rear Interior- Whatever the maroon color is called, with a grey driver’s door. Headliner coming soon! Brakes- Stock, Disks in front, Drums in rear Lighting- Headlights have been rewired with their own harness, I've added an interior dome light, I call it "the Sun" cause it's so bright Exterior- Still rough looking but not as bad as it was. It has rattle can white paint job, though it may have been a $200. Mayco special, who knows this is how I got it! Wheel & Tires- 2000 sumthin BFG AT's (pre K/O) size here on 16" Jeep TJ rims Misc- K&N air filter, I don't know if they are better, but I put them in all my cars, at this point it's more of a tradition than an upgrade. Best MJ story- My best MJ story is how I came to buy it. I first saw the MJ in my neighbors’ bushes back in 2010 when I was mowing my mother in laws yard. There was grass growing up through the engine compartment, between the cab and bed, and in a circle around the whole truck. This thing was in full on abandoned mode. We eventually bought my in laws house and after 2 years here I finally asked my neighbor “What’s the deal with the bush Jeep” he said if it was up to him, he’d give it to me for free, but it belonged to his son. His son wanted no less than $1000. for it due to the work he put into it; axle swap, lift, maybe transmission and/or t-case (of this I’m unsure). Since it was really ripped apart in the cab, had a rat p*** smell and “debris” that would fly out of the vents if you turned on the fan, I tried to get it for $800 but he was firm, so I bought it as is for $1k cash. Seemed fair to me, it was a runner after all. And from experience I know how it is with these things, just because you put in $x amount of $ into your Jeep doesn’t mean it’s magically worth that amount, so he felt burnt having spent $2-3k a bunch of years ago and $1k was the price that he could be at peace with. He was able to lend me a battery from another beater he had further back in the bushes, and I was able to drive it out its’ cocoon of grass, across the road, then down my driveway. Since then, it’$ been “Just Empty Every Pocket” in full effect! The Jeep fortunately came with a big tote o’parts, where I still keep finding little nuggets of treasure, things like; door shock pins; Visor brackets (the middle ones/above the rear-view mirror) etc. I’ve done a lot of work fixing what was broken or non-functional. Now I’m at a point where I’m good with it and now it’s time to do upgrades, onboard air, side rails, bumpers, larger tires, winch, as well as fix things that break along the way are all in my future. The other cool MJ thing is remembering that I enjoy turning the wrench. I traded my old Scrambler away a few years ago and haven’t been wrenching on anything enjoyable since, so this has been a great way to escape. Focusing on fixing something that was in disrepair and making it work feels great! I don’t have any awesome trail poser pics or big flex photos to share but I do have a few before and after photos for ya! Granted some of my “after” photos look like some of your “before” photos, we all enter from different angles! Thanks for picking me to be the MJOTM! CC is Awesome! Why? It’s not just for garage trophies or rock crawlers! BEFORE: These pictures were taken just after I drove the Jeep out of my neighbors' bushes and over to my house. That stuff in the bed is the "Parts Pile" that came with the purchase AFTER Interior cab light "the Sun" This looks like a catalog photo, my favorite After Engine compartment, it doesn't look much different than the before, but if you look closely, you'll see improvements have been made

I should get my brother to make a post on this. He’s up to somewhere around 15 guitars.

Very nice!

Glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that

What’s going on with the Libby in the background?

Same with the others, usually the rear of the reservoir is for the front brakes.

Very cool! I googled the company and came up with this: https://isearch.nhtsa.gov/files/1839y.html

This truck is turning out great so far!

I was just going through YouTube when some videos from the AMC Homecoming show in Kenosha popped up. This video starts with a walk around of my Comanche. There is also another Comanche around the 20 minute mark. Its in a couple of other videos too, but none where it was actually walked around like in this one.

I’m jealous of that LJ!

As a 4.0 owner, I don't see any point of swapping to a 4.0. It would be a lot of work for mediocre gains. @eaglescout526 knows a lot about these 2.5s as well.

Here is what @ghetdjc320 did when he put a double din radio in his truck. It may work for inspiration https://comancheclub.com/topic/60136-double-din-install/#comment-617950

I’m running 4.10s on 31s. I wouldn’t run any less than 4.10s on 33s either. If you find a 4cyl 5speed XJ, that will already have 4.10s and the front diff is bolt in. If you still with your 3.07s, you will probably lose a lot of fuel mileage and it’s going to be super gutless.

I think you should see if a GM style HEI distributor is available for the 2.5. It is far superior to the Duraspark. My Eagle had a computer controlled carb with a Duraspark distributor and I replaced it with a Motorcraft 2150 and an HEI and it made considerably more power. It’s a bit apples to oranges seeing as I have the 4.2 in the Eagle, but it’s the route I’d go if it’s available.

Tucson, AZ for school right now. My MJ is still up in WI...for now

Dang, that makes the truck that I jumped until it broke look halfway decent!

I would buy a house. Then I’d make a donation so CC can be around forever, and then I’d buy my own island. You’re all welcome to join me

That’s just fine. The payload on the basic trucks was somewhere are 1500lb.

Yes, but rightfully so. That thing should’ve sold long ago.

I knew there was going to be a response like that!

That interior looks to be in great shape! Can't say the same about the exterior though.

That is going to look great in there!

Take the truck apart. Hood off, fenders off, bed off, doors off, header panel off, etc.. Doing this will make masking easier and prevent tape lines and overspray. You can also do the different panels at different times and now have to worry about running out of air or overspray. And prep is key.

I loved their CJ66 project, so I’m cool with it being the same, but it is a little disappointing that they couldn’t do something new for stuck a huge show.