BeatCJ

No, it's just 33 years of living in the engine bay in Northern California. First thing I noted was cracks in the insulation, then it fell off in my hand in hunks. The large diameter wire to the starter solenoid was really bad, but the engine ground did it, too. The insulation on the smaller positive to the relay was not brittle, must be a slightly different chemical compound.

Oh, I'm pretty sure it's not. I may be unhooking the positive battery cable when I'm not driving it for a while. The line that goes from the elbow on the top of the valve cover to the airbox rotted off, too.

As for plans. Add 4wd. I think I want Fulltime 4wd, so I am looking for a 242. I am waffling on lift and tire size. My original plan was spring over on an Explorer 8.8, level up the front, hack the fenders and go with 35s. But the body is in such good shape, it seems to be a crying shame to hack it up. I think I'm going to try a set of 31x10.50s and go from there. The 18 year old Michelins have to come off to make it safe for others to drive, and I'm well known as a soft touch, my son drove my pickup for 30,000 miles until he put together enough money to buy a dependable car. Seems like I always need a loaner around.

So, I have had my 1981 CJ-5 torn down forever. The 4.2 was clapped out, so I started 4.0 HO OBD1 swap. Then we bought a house, and what was supposed to be shop got turned into a barn, I brought a tub, started rust repair... Anyway, I have always wanted a Comanche, have had several Cherokees, have a 1990 I am putting back together for my youngest son right now. I have been looking for a while, I saw one quite a ways away go up on Craigslist a couple of months ago. Price was a little high for a 4 hour drive. And it stayed up. It looked really clean, but it didn't run and needs brake work. And it's 2wd, and it's the snowy season. So, the price drops a little, and I need to head that way on a business trip in the next month. So I kept watching. And the week before I'm heading that way, the price drops again. So I set up a meet, agreed to 20 percent less than he was asking so bought it. Scheduled to come back the following weekend with my car trailer. And, one of my employees called in sick, I had to cover for him, so there goes my trip. I had be on call, have to be in my district. So, reschedule. And, then a spring snowstorm shows up, and it just seemed stupid to me to drive in the snow 350 miles round trip. So we rescheduled. Again. Finally, everything lines up, and it made it home last night. I started messing around today. First thing is figuring out if it really is a no fuel issue. When I looked at it, tye PO had a battery set in place, and told me there was a problem with the cables, they were too short. It did crank, sounded just like a RENIX 4.0, no noticeable bad noises. But also, no fuel pump sounds. So this morning, after opening the stuck hood from underneath, I went to put a battery in it, and OOPS! Decided before I tried to chase the fuel issue too much I would replace both battery cables. So, that's where I sit right now.

I know. I think I will start with that,even before swapping front axles. I just got done looking through receipts in the glove box. 148k miles in 2000, when this set of tires were put on. So, about 22,000 in 20 years. Kind of makes me sad. The title was in the original owners name. The guy I bought it from bought it not running. He said he drained old gas out of the tank. I think I may be the third owner. It sounded good when it cranked. Well, the frost is off of the grass, time to go pop the hood open.

There is almost no rust on anything, Pete. It was a Northern California truck at least through 2018, then Central Oregon. I think it was non-running for most of the last year and a half. There is a bit of a kink in the driver side front fender, a chip in the passenger front marker, and the twisted bumper. Bed paint is pretty nice, the floors under the rubber mats are mostly shiny. I almost feel guilty, I plan to do a 4wd conversion, lift it and do some fender trimming. I almost wonder if I should get it running and sell it to someone that wants to keep it stock.

Got it home yesterday, beautiful day for a drive. A little additional information. Dana 35 rear axle, with a metal plug, 8 mm square drive. Pioneer Supertuner 3 stereo. And, while the hood release handle isn't broken, the driver's side hood latch is stuck. I'll open that up today, and try to work on the crank no start issue. Pretty sure it's fuel delivery some where. I have a .pdf printed version of the Cruiser54 list, probably start there. It has a couple of minor groinks, but not too bad for a 33 year old truck. Sorry for the potato pics, tablet camera stinks.

No, SW Washington State. I'll get my signature filled out eventually.

1987 Comanche Base 4.0, 5 speed manual, 2wd, SWB I just bought it, I am going to pick it up Saturday. I'll post some photos when I get it home. It's red, body was really straight, the current owner had the carpet pulled up and the floors were in pretty good condition. It cranked but didn't start. I didn't hear the fuel pump running, so hopefully, it will be a relatively simple fix. I was also told that the brakes are spongy. That's not a concern for me, I've overhauled one or two brake systems. It's titled as a Northern California truck, the guy I bought it from said he got it from Southern Oregon, sounds like that may have been the original owners kids.