centralnc

I checked the relay and jumped the ballast resistor this evening with no luck. I tested the circuit just before the fuel pump and had power reaching the pump, but nothing was happening. I guess I will need to replace the pump!! I had never heard that the ground in the drivers tail light is shared with the pump. Maybe I should give that a look tomorrow. Thanks for the advice!!

Thanks for the advice guys. I will swap the fuel pump relay and see if that helps. That is quick and easy. I did not hear the fuel pump come on at all. Nothing clicked and I did not hear the noise. The MJ wiring is not in the best shape. The fuse box needs some serious work as well. I was just hoping that I might find an easier solution to pulling the pump out of the tank. My neighbor is going to help tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping we can solve the problem and get it running. It is nice to be a Comanche owner again!!!

I finally bought a Comanche. It is a 1988 4x4 5sp complete with a camper top. It has not been cranked in several years, so I towed it home yesterday. The fuel gauge does not work, but the owner told me it was almost out of gas. I added about 5 gal of 93 octane. I installed a new battery and turned the engine by hand a few times at the crank. I then hit the ignition. The engine turns over nicely, but it does not fire. I pulled the spark plugs and they are dry as a bone. I checked for spark I found I have plenty of fire at each plug. Since I have fire and air, I assumed that the problem was with the fuel. I installed a jumper wire at the ballast resistor and turned the engine over a few more times. I checked the pressure port on the fuel rail and there was no fuel pressure at all. It seems that no fuel is being pumped up from the fuel tank. The Haynes manual says to replace the fuel pump, but I am hoping that there is something easier that I should try first. Maybe a wire or a fuse? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I think this Comanche is absolutely beautiful!!! I found CC.com when I began thinking about buying another Comanche. This build was the MJOTM and when I saw it ... I was hooked!!! My wife didn't understand my fascination with Comanches. My previous Comanche (years ago) was just that "old truck" I used to drive around. I showed her this build thread and it changed her mind. The story of being the 1st and 3rd owner is terrific. The interior and exterior of this truck are fantastic. I keep looking at it over and over!! You did a terrific job and created a family heirloom. :cheers:

Guys - I think I have found the Comanche for me!! It is not this one that has been setting for so many years. I will post a few pics in a different thread. I also need to ask about brakes. It seems that the only problem with this Comanche is that it has "too much" brakes. Thanks again for the advice on this issue. I now know how to handle an engine that hasn't been cranked in years!!

This is all good advice. Maybe I will use a good degreaser and a wire brush with some low pressure water straight from the hose. The engine is pretty dirty. I appreciate the advice.

Wow... Thanks for all the advice guys. I am going to make the guy an offer on his Comanche today. I hope he takes it. I will definitely pull the plugs and spray the cylinders with PB Blaster. That stuff really works!! I will let it set overnight to let it penetrate. The valve cover does need replacing. I will drain the oil prior to changing the valve cover. I will pour some oil down into the top of the engine before replacing the cover. I will wait between spraying the PB Blaster and doing the valve cover replacement. I will then turn the engine over several times by hand. Using the starter to get things lubing is a good idea too. Questions: - Would it be OK to spray the top of the engine with degreaser, let it set and then hit it with a pressure washer? - Would there be any harm in replacing the plugs while I have them out? Will the re-start foul up new plugs with carbon? - I am guessing that a High Mileage oil might be best for the engine? I will let you know if I buy the truck and then post some pics. Thank you!!

I have found a Comanche that has been setting in a shed for 4+ years. The owner bought a new truck and did not want to solve his small miss in the engine, so he parked it in a shed beside his tractors. The body is in great shape (faded paint but no rust), but the engine has not been cranked in almost 5 years. 1988 MJ 4x4 with 111,000 from the original owner. The owner changed the oil religiously ever 3k miles. Some of the hoses need replacing, but I am more worried about the top end of the engine. What would you guys recommend doing prior to trying to start it the 1st time? thanks.

I appreciate all of the advice. I hope the problem is just a ballast resistor. I bought one for $9 just in case. I can always take it back. I have noted all of the other problems too just in case. I am going to see if I can get the Comanche going tomorrow morning.

If you wouldn't mind looking ... it would be a big help! Thank you.

Can someone help diagnose this problem? 1988 Comanche 4.0L (5sp) - When the key in the ignition is held all the way forward (crank Position) the engine will fire and run. When the key is released back into the run position ... the engine dies. If the key is held forward in the crank position it will stay running even after cranking. This is not my Comanche, but this is how the problem was described to my over the telephone. I have been reading the Chilton manual for possible diagnosis, but it is difficult to narrow it down without putting a voltmeter on the parts. What would you guys suggest I look at first?

I really don't see myself modifying the Comanche for off-road use. We bought about 15 acres of land out on the country and I have been clearing it myself to prepare to build a house. It would be nice to have a good 4x4 to carry the chainsaws and get back into the woods. I would want to keep it nice enough to take to Lowes and maybe camping with my boys. I would like to find a rust-free version that I can keep for many years. I sold my 1990 Comanche several years ago and have regretted it ever since. thanks for the advice.

Those all sound like things I could do myself, expect for maybe the oil pump. I think I am going to buy this one. The owner says it just started missing a little bit a few months ago so he quit driving it. He said that an o-ring on one of the injectors was cracked and that was probably causing the slight miss. I am going to test drive it tomorrow and hopefully bring it home.

I found an '88 4.0 4x4 5 sp long bed. It has had one owner its entire life. Very little rust and was red at one time, but is now a nice shade of dark pink. Does anyone think that 280,000 miles is too many miles for a 4.0? The owner used it as a daily drive for about 20 years. It isn't perfect, but it is available. $1100. Thoughts?

Well the definition of "a little" rust to someone who grew up in MI is very different than someone who lives in NC. You guys were right about choosing mechanical repair vs. fighting rust!!! The rocker panels, fenders and bed were pretty shot and the frame was heavily coated as well. We had a lot of rain here last night and the front floor board carpet was wet.....so, I decided to pass on the 1990 Eliminator. Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. I will move on to the other Comanches on the list. I hope to have one soon. Thanks again to all. :cheers:

thanks again for all of the advice. I am going to look at the 1990 Eliminator tomorrow morning. The price is now $1900. I have a few photos now that I can share, but I am not sure how to post them. I found a wrecked (bumper and grill) mid-80s 2wd Comanche in Raleigh for $350 on Craigslist. Maybe the parts off the 2wd could fix any rust? I want a truck that I can drive for the next 2-4 years that will be reliable and fun. I like working on cars and I thought the Comanche might be a fun project to work on with my sons in a few years. I will let you guys know what I work out tomorrow. thank you.

I appreciate all the advice and comments. I will really look underneath the fenders, bed and cab before buying. My brother is a welder/pipe fitter by trade. It is amazing what he can do with metal. The rust and potential for big problems later are the 2 things that are keeping me from pulling the trigger right now. I wish I had some pictures to post, but the next time I see the truck (Monday or Tuesday) I will need to give the owner a yes/no. My other option is an '88 Comanche 4x4 (5 sp with long bed). 110k miles with a single owner. It was purchased in NC and spent its whole life there. No rust at all. The problem is that it doesn't run right now and hasn't been cranked in 2 years. The owner is asking $1900 for it as is. I would have to drive almost 3.5 hrs and haul it home on my trailer. It is a bigger hassle, older, non-running Comanche....but it has no rust at all. If I could buy it cheaper I could afford to work on the engine and get it painted for the same price as the WI Comanche. The 1990 is an Eliminator so it has bucket seats. The 1988 has a bench seat and the interior isn't as nice. Which would you guys choose? thanks again for the advice!!

I would appreciate some advice from the forum. I owned a 1990 Comanche for about 7 years and hated to part with it. Now I am preparing to buy another 1990 for use around the house. I live in NC, but I found a Comanche that was driven down from WI by the owner when he moved South. It is a 1990 Eliminator (4x4, 5 sp manual) with 91k miles on it. The glass is all good, engine seems strong and transmission shifts easily. It has a bedliner, factory aluminum wheels and a truckbox. He is asking $2200 for it. My only hesitation is rust. It has some rust on the bottom of the fenders and along the rocker panels. It has a bit of spot rust on the bed, but isn't all the way through. The rocker panels are the worst area. I am not certain about the floor underneath the carpet. I lived in MN for several years so I know what salt can do to a vehicle. This is a nice Comanche. 20+ years old with 91k miles means it wasn't driven a lot. This is the 3rd owner and he has taken care of it. Question: How much should I worry about the rust? Is it something that I can work on now and stop or should I buy the truck and prepare myself mentally to put new fenders, new bed and prepare to cut/patch most of the cab? Should I buy the truck or wait for another to hit the market? I am thinking that with all the knowledge on this forum would help me handle any problems that might pop up. Thoughts??? I really like these old Comanches. They are simple and bulletproof, plus they are "cool" in a way that Toyota, Chevy and Ford small trucks can't touch. I would appreciate any advice!!