luckycamper

few more while in gear IMG_9644.MOV IMG_9645.MOV

IMG_9642.MOV

Managed to get home i think by pure luck—green lights and all. Truck stalled a few times and it shook the whole ride. I have some videos (excuse the quality) to demonstrate the sound the engine makes in neutral and while in gear. IMG_9641.MOV

ok good to know. I was just going by auto parts store websites. I know, nvr trust em.

-coolant is good. -the airbox/filter looks to be getting oiled a bit so i checked the pcv valve and it is not the correct one for the 2.5 (not sure if it matters). There is movement in it, not necessarily as much as i’d expect -first video was too long going to try again

Really appreciate it fine sir. I got a ride out here this morning and going to see what i can manage. I’ll chk the coolant and take a video for audio.

thanks man. I did find that page awhile ago and have the fsm saved on my phone!

the sound is while the engine is running in neutral. i haven’t checked the coolant yet but i will in the morning. I hope it is still green.

So many things. I keep finding loose connectors, vacuum hoses, etc and have just been trying to knock out one thing at a time. Currently been refreshing grounds as I also suspect a grounding issue somewhere. Previous owners replaced many parts w budget brands so I’m basically doing cleanup along with everything else. This renix 2.5 is a new beast to me so its a bit of a challenge trying to figure out how things are supposed to be but i’m getting there.

yea, doesn’t sound like the common engine tick or spark knock. I’ll try to take a video tomorrow before I start digging more into it.

update2: have since abandoned the chariot. Before I shut her off I could hear a noticeable hollow ping. background info: bought the truck last month. I wouldn’t say I trust the previous owners abilities or choice in parts but they did say they replaced distributor cap, plugs, wires within the last year.

hey Pete, luckily I have most of my tools in my bed (wrenches, sockets, basic stuff). I just don’t have anything to test vacuum, fuel pressure, etc. Finally managed to talk the gf into picking me up. Nxt dinner date on me. I’m going to try and read up as much as possible and rally for tomorrow morning.

update: got it running rough in neutral. When I put it in gear, the idle gets erratic and it wants to stall. I moved forward a little bit but by this time i’m suspecting something more internal.

As title states, I’m currently stranded and the comanch won’t stay running fml. Was running fine today but when i got back in my truck I was met with dread. It starts briefly and wants to immediately stall until i push the pedal in and then it begins to violently shake before stalling. I had an extra fuel filter in my bed for times like these so i just through that one on. Tried it a few more times and it bucks and sputters out just the same. I’m hoping perhaps someone can chime in with a similar experience and possible solution though I know it could be a myriad of things. I’ve been searching and turning through these forums for the past few hrs but w/o every tool being available to me its hard to diagnose. To sum up: was driving fine today, went to start it up again and engine bucks then stalls.

Jacked her up, spun a wheel, and to my dismay it was just shy of 4/2 so it seems like perhaps a 3.73. darn

Thanks! Yea funny I wasn’t necessarily particular about color but I wasn’t exactly looking for a red comanche either. When I saw the black/red combo w the tan interior I was instantly won over and now I’m really digging it. No a/c but I gotta figure out this heater situation asap! Nightly lows getting down into the 20s and 30s nxt week. Nice truck btw. I’m actually a former central floridian myself (mount dora born and raised). I remember seeing my first comanche back in the day and thinking one day I’ll get my hands on one. Perhaps it was yours.

haha it is a nice secret compartment. If I ever have something small and valuable I know where to hide it

Didn’t find a tag on the front axle so I’ll be lifting up a rear wheel and spinning the drive shaft tomorrow. After some consideration and hearing from you guys I’m hoping it is indeed 4.10 gearing but if it turns out to be 3.55, operation 8.25 shall commence. Unfortunately I have to replace u-joints this week and it seems like I have a pinion seal leak on my hands so either way October has become driveshaft/axle month.

yea I live in Montana so there’s a fair share of hill climbing once you get out of the city. thinking I will pass on the deal for now. Not trying to rebuild a rear diff especially before I open the pumpkin and verify gears…

Hey guys, after reading post after post related to the 8.25 axle swap, I, a novice, still have some questions. I am planning on doing a 4.0/ax15 swap in about a year and ditching this 2.5 and with that, planned on swapping out the rear axle too. As fate would have it, I’ve come upon an 8.25 (3.55gears) out of a 98 cherokee for $125! The only thing is, I believe I have 4.10 gears(?)—bc I’m rocking the 5speed, have to make sure about this first. btw If anyone has a hack to identify gearing ratio sans cracking open the rear diff lmk. So my main question is, with future engine swap in mind, would I be loosing more than gained, if I swapped in axle with higher gears. Btw i’m running 265/75r16 tires.

Previous owners said they replaced cap, wires, plugs and some other little things. Put new wheels on (i have the originals). And by all accounts the truck ran decent. The initial challenges: -bleeds oil and ps fluid like a stuck pig -engine produces slightly more power than a lawnmower. I know these little 2.5s aren’t known for power but I assume this old gal has some things that need attention. -exhaust leak -key broke off in lock cylinder so you literally just turn it w/out a key and it starts. So, in the last week I replaced the lock cylinder and the power steering pressure hose. Although the ps leak has been drastically reduced, there is still a leak coming from the ps gear box. This is a pricey part so I’m going to hold off on it for now and address more pressing matters. I noticed a substantial amount of oil was leaking from the valve cover cap so I fashioned a couple rubber washers out of an old bicycle tube and “fixed” that for now. From the looks of it, oil seems to also be spraying out of somewhere else as well. The primary culprit seems to be valve cover gasket. I’ll have to wait until I get to a car wash in order to spray down the engine bay to confirm though. Also found this in the air box…? Who knew the air box also serves as a second glove box!

Hey guys, first post here, really stoked on finding this community! So here it is: I found this 86 4x4 with the 2.5 and 5speed after being on the hunt for the better part of a year. I was stunned to finally come across a comanche and it actually had a pretty decent frame and body (except the driver’s side floor pan but i’ll get to that later). Rare find here in western Montana. I drove it home and thus the journey has begun.