WranglerMangler

Truck broke down on me again this morning on my way to work. Not far from home. Apparently it wasn’t the ballast. While I was waiting for my wife to bring me a strap, I swapped the coil out with a known good coil and magically the truck started. Continued on the way to work and actually made it. So maybe it was the coil the whole time and it cooled off while being towed? Who knows. On to the next problem.

Well well well what do you know. Got the truck home from “the break down” had a nagging suspicion that it was the fuel pump ballast and sure enough it was. I definitely have a few spare in the glove box now! To be expected while commuting a 30 year old vehicle though. Just part of the fun of driving a Jeep Comanche! Now I know exactly how they behave when the ballast is going out.

It’s amazing how fast 10 even 20 years can go. I have an MJ build that is going on close to 10 years now unfortunately. Hate to admit it. It’s an awesome Jeep that I would love to see done almost more than anything. But life gets in the way. I definitely get it. Keep plugging away at it. Will be that much more glorious when you do get it going. 👍

Well it finally happened. The old CommuteChe broke down on me today. Driving home from work on I-5 and she started with hiccups and sputtering on me, then just stalled out completely. No complaints, seems like a fuel issue. Unfortunately don’t have one of my 5 spare fuel pump Ballast with me. Sitting here on a bank waiting for my good buddy Cody to come rescue us. Hoping the truck doesn’t get plowed. Lol.

Yeah definitely. Lots of good stuff on there as well. Will be nice for future Junkyard trips to have all this information in one spot.

Nice. This is Awesome. Keep ‘em coming!

I’ve been compiling a list now for years about Comanche specific parts and Cherokee parts to look for at the junkyard. Not just stuff I need now but things I may need for future Comanche projects. It seems I always get to the junkyard and totally forget “the good stuff” but then I’ll be driving down the road or working on a Comanche 2 weeks later and remember oh yeah, add this to the list, so I’ve been making notes in my phone. Here they are, what do you guys always look for at the junkyard? Please add to the list. Especially “rare” parts, I wanna know. MJ specific parts- Fuel pump/ sending unit assembly Gas tank if in good shape Gas tank skid plate Tail lights Tailgate Bed if needed or in good shape Tailgate rubber bumpers B pillar interior lights B pillar covers Parking brake assembly Decent seats/bench Center console/ Mini console w/ mounting brackets Rear windows slider/solid Rear window gasket Rear Slider window latch Spare tire tools/ Jack Bed Tool box Transfer case skid plate Front skid plate Under rear window plastic panel Under rear window, back of cab cover, fabric panel Bed liners Rear bumper/ plastic corner pieces Rear bumper plastic step pieces Rain gutter trim Cargo light Rear License plate lights Tail light wiring harness Plastic B pillar exterior cab covers Rear D44 Rear driveshaft Nice headliner or even backing boards XJ parts- 97+ wiper arms 97+ wiper motor assembly 97+ Side mirrors 97+ exterior door handles 97+ XJ door checks Owners manuals Upgraded/Nice Door cards Hockey stick arm rests Chrome hockey stick arm rest door trim Clock, Renix and HO 12v plug panel 12v plug with light Wing windows Oh Crap handles Leather wrapped steering wheel Horn button upgrade Exterior window visors Chrome door handles Electric fan 7 blade fan upgrade Newer fan clutches Fan shroud in good shape (both tabs, no cracks) Under hood light HO/Renix Glove box light Courtesy lights HO/Renix (they’re different) Ashtray light Sentinel light module Seat belts Air box clips (both kinds) Straight Air box ‘92+ air box upgrade ‘92+ brake switch upgrade Fuses and relays Lower dash panel Ashtray Rear D44 NP242 transfer case (always grab the l indicator panel inside) Interior trim screw plugs Valve cover grommets and 90s Aluminum valve cover Intake manifold rubber vacuum adapters Map sensor with hose Crank position sensor Window crank arms Window seals Door seals 21 slot grill 10 slot grill Factory switches and panels Sun visors Sun Visor clips Gray and Black Black A pillar covers Black plastic interior pieces Wood grain/ sliver/ different dash bezel Full 6 gauge dash Oil pressure sensor Temperature sensor O2 sensor Knock sensor 91+ XJ/MJ fuse box (for adding to existing fuse box) Relay center cover with clips (Renix) Renix era window washer tank HO Washer tank Decent rear view mirror (With button) Decent/aftermarket muffler Newer brakes Newer radiator Newer starter Newer alternator Newer Exhaust manifold Newer unit bearings Coil, for Renix and HO Renix starter relay Peugeot Bell housing and mount Windshield wiper module Manual Window regulator Gas cap Glove box cover External slave AX15 Dual Diaphragm brake booster Aftermarket Headlight wiring harness 1 Pc Passenger axle Aftermarket Valve covers Long Arm kits/ shocks Battery Cables if nice Heater hose retainers to valve cover Fuel pump ballast resistor Renix intake tube Upgraded injectors Bored throttle body Aftermarket bump stops WJ parts- Lower control arms Knuckles and calipers for swap Steering Tie rod and Drag link (supposedly DOM from factory?) According to DexJeeps on YouTube the WJ front ends will bolt straight into MJ/XJs (but remember the wheel bolt pattern is different) ZJ Parts- Rear springs for MJ front lowering springs Spring isolators, stronger, metal core, stackable Pitman arm, 1” drop V8 sway bar I don’t have any 2.5L MJs so maybe You guys can add the good 4cyl parts to the list as well. I have Renix and HO MJs so usually It depends on the donor Jeep I’m at for what I’m looking for. And if there’s anything I missed. Let me know. Always looking for something at the Junkyard.

I bit too. Got exactly what you got. Was hoping the keychain was a little bigger. Good luck sir.

Thanks. I thought so too. Had to get it. Easy upgrade for cheap!

Was at the local 4WD swap meet this last weekend and came across this woodgrain dash bezel for $5. Lower piece below steering wheel is missing. Class this joint up a little bit! Need to get a switch panel for the left side of the steering wheel and I will also get a clock to install, next time I have the bezel off. And obviously the lower wood grain piece to complete the bezel. Whenever I remove the old rounded out rusty interior screws, I like to replace them with Black Nitride coated screws.

Real street signs.

We use these at work for water line. This is a 12” MJ fitting, 22 degree bend for water line MJ fitting on top, Flange fitting on bottom. Gate Valve MJ fitting Know it’s not “Comanche” but does “MJ” count?

I’ve been keeping an eye out for these for years in the junk yards. They’re ALWAYS broken. Glad to see someone is making them!

Lol. I always wondered what people would think of the excessively bolted on sliders. I wanted to be able to remove them if needed, but strong enough to build an Exo cage off of. I plated the frame on another one of my MJs and wanted to try another route for this truck. I know how thin the Unibody is on the MJ, and I wanted as much surface area dispersing the punishment these sliders go through as possible. I researched how everyone was mounting theirs sliders and didn’t like any thing I was seeing and came up with that. I try to way overbuild anything I make because I tend to be able to find weak links occasionally. And I’ll put the strength of these up against any out there. PS It was way over $100 worth of hardware in 2019 money and does the factory spring mount bolt really count as 11? Or was it just a bonus?

Added the old Tailgate anti theft hose clamp today. 19-44mm or 3/4”-1 3/4” hose clamp worked perfectly. Was reading through the “are tailgates really this expensive” thread and have been kinda paranoid anyway about having one of mine stolen. I saw Pete M suggested the hose clamp trick. Not theft proof but will definitely slow them down and require tools to remove now.

These came from Extreme Options Fabrication (XOFab) In Enumclaw Wa. https://www.xo-fab.com I’m a fan. Got these for $150 like 10 years ago at the Puyallup 4WD swap meet. I know they still make them but they don’t stock Comanche Length sliders. Just call them with a measurement. Made 1/4” frame plates inside and outside to weld the rock sliders to. Sleeved all the bolt holes. I really like the bump out on the slider as a step for getting into the bed and have even had to use it for a winch point before

Nice to see someone else daily drive a Comanche!! Keep her on the road. Keep up the good work!!!

Think I found the easiest way to load up firewood

It was impossible for me to find the right BA10/5 mount for my first truck. Ended up keeping the wrong AX15 mount that Napa sold me and made it work. Paid like $15 for the mount. Was easy enough. Also had to do the same thing with another truck. Get yourself one of these and drag out the welder.

Congratulations. Now that it’s a MJOTM, it’s a sin to beat on it, so now you gotta make it really nice.

NorthwestMJ just completed his HO swap over on 87 Overland build. I’m sure he would be a great source of information if you come across any questions you can’t find answers for. Good luck. Keep us updated! Looks like a fun project. MORE PICTURES!!!! Let’s see that old girl

Jeep parts, especially really rare ones are like Guns, never sell any to anyone for any reason. Instead of being the guy with the ultra rare black steering wheel, you will be the guy who regrets selling his ultra rare black steering wheel. Any parts and guns I’ve let go over the years I regret selling deeply. Just don’t do it anymore. I sit happily amongst my hoard of guns and Jeep parts. Good find! Great price! Keep the updates coming!

It’s actually pretty crazy, the entire parking lot in this scene was full of Jeeps, many more throughout the movie, plus the main character drove the TJ.

Hit 20k miles driven since June 20th today. CommuteChe is living up to her name. No major issues since driving her. Just racking up the mileage without complaint. I’ve been doing 2000-2500 mile oil change intervals with Delo 15w-40 Diesel oil and Napa Gold 1085s. I get gas every morning and check the oil while filling up. As soon as it starts to turn to dark brown I dump it. The ole 4.0 seems to be happy with it. 6/20/22 3/5/23 She does have a little bit of flex plate knock that has been getting worse and needs addressed soon, the front brakes are in need of replacement and the rear main leaks pretty bad as well. Hopefully since the weather is going to be changing soon, I’ll be able to catch up on some wear item replacement over the weekends to come. Did change the gear oil today as well. Noticed the leak on the diff cover started to worsen. Haven’t changed it yet because it was always full and looked to be in pretty good condition. Came out golden brown. Remember when we used to be able to afford groceries, bills, gas, etc AND HAVE MONEY LEFT OVER FOR JEEP PARTS? Aaaah…The good old days.

Have been meaning to post this one for a while. Definitely not on the list! 2001 Evolution “mall scene”. Not a part of the movie just parked in the background