Classy Comanche

I reckon that's correct. At one point and time I was riding around with my tags out 5 months. They had every right to stop me and ticket me. But they just rode my bumper or either got in the lane beside me and cruised a bit ahead, behind or right beside me. What's funny is when the new jeep gladiators come weaving in and out of traffic to catch up and try to figure out what in the world your driving. I do get thumbs up from a lot of fellow XJ Cherokee's or a quick horn beep and lots of thumbs up from YJ owners. Anyways sorry for the off topic lol.

Heavily looking into it. Definitely getting some high dollar exhaust when the time comes. I should also mention. On YouTube if you look up "1988 Jeep Comanche straight piped" a video will pop up of a street Comanche. Only one I've ever seen. Has like side skirts/body kit? I could be wrong but that really made me full screen the video and go "wait wait wait...hang on" and look at it. I know that's up someone's alleyway. I know like 100 of them were built or something like that. Maybe he's in the group? Maybe he lives near one of you fellas. Don't mean to deviate....but it's sorta on topic?

Oh it's very tempting. The only thing that keeps me hesitant is that the troopers and city police are hot around this time of year. I even had a trooper riding my tailgate on my way to work because I was going 7 below the speed limit. I'm driving a brick on wheels lol, it ain't fast by no means. I'm just worried I'll get pulled for having no exhaust. I've never been pulled before so there's that. Troopers really like to ride behind me. Dunno if they are looking at my truck or seeing if I do something dumb to give reason to ticket me. Who knows

Ah man yeah that absolutely doesn't sound fun. Probably sounded amazing at a standstill. Yeah I know I've heard a downpipe on a 1971 Plymouth Cuda and I swear I thought my ears were bleeding it was so loud. So for now I'll shy away from the straight pipe idea. It's a fun thought to entertain for sure. Fun until you realize it's a vehicle you must drive on the road. And through town.....past a courthouse and police station. But cool story! That definitely gives me more to work with. Thank you!

Ha, well that is certainly nice to know, yeah I'm not sure I want it that loud. I do prefer to hear my radio as well and not sound like a can of angry yellow jackets screaming down the road at 35. I'll stick to the ol' muffler with hole in it for now. I also prefer decent MPG and not "I can't pass a gas station without filling up". Already experienced that in my father's SRT8 SuperBee. Least it gets smiles per gallon

So I plan to have my exhaust done relatively soon. Part of me wants to have a bit of fun and cut the existing exhaust off and temporarily straight pipe it then have exhaust put on. But I'm very hesitant because I've heard rumors that it messes with gas milage, throws back pressure off and could even backfire and mess the engine up. I guess what I'm asking is has anyone straight piped their Comanche/Cherokee?

Yeah I personally wouldn't swap the 4.0. Very good engines. Me personally I would look into your cooling component. Radiator, hoses, pump and coolant reservoir. If the truck sat for so long the Radiator may have issues or could cycle cruddy old coolant through the engine. I know with mine the first thing to go was my plastic coolant reservoir, then my hoses blew and then my Radiator went. Very solid and fun trucks to own. Just need maintenance badly seeing how old they are mine sat for about 2 years and wasn't ran maybe once a month. Any and everything you need should be on Rockauto.com or summit racing. I also highly advise staying away from plastic parts if possible, especially plastic coolant reservoirs. I converted over to a metal Mac tank from macs radiator shop and it's one of the best parts I've bought. Either way you got a good find, good luck! Update: I just saw the pictures. You have a 2.5L and I own a 4.0. I unfortunately have no knowledge on those, the inline 6 engines are a bit longer and the radiator on them aren't sticking out like yours is. But nonetheless I'd still look into the cooling components first. 2.5's and 4.0's are very good engines. I still stick to keeping it stock

I know this is for a manual. But when I was having issues along the lines of this. Particularly going into reverse it would jerk really hard. What it was was my TPS or IAC not working properly causing my flexplate to spin faster than it was supposed to causing it to jerk going into reverse. Perhaps he has a increased amount of air being sucked into his system and extra fuel is being sprayed in? I know my idles were higher when in park. Is your idle high by chance? Just a random shot in the dark?

Oh it is in, I was just saying that was the issue. That's what took so long, waiting got the radiator delivery

Hey guys been trying to get back ASAP. So the coolant issue has been diagnosed and fixed. Water pump was good. Bearings felt good. However the lower radiator hose as we saw previously was leaking. Come to find out that new hose softend up and needed to be tightened a bit more. But what about the coolant I mentioned that was puddled up on the rubber guard below the engine? Ah that was a fun one to hear about. The radiator has a porous hole that was leaking it out causing it to puddle up. So, I filed a return, bought me a new radiator and am waiting for the stickers to arrive from rockauto.com However I am thinking of keeping the radiator just because a family member knows how to TIG weld. I may have him reweld it so I have a nice aluminum radiator back up. But I figured I'd disclose this just in case someone else may run into the same issue. Also the mechanic also stated that when the engine would warm up it made a loud whistle sound. And told me about it. We both do some research and he finds out its the intake manifold loose bolts. Going from manifold fo cylinder head surface. So now when I drive it and put it in park it idles down EVEN more, which was the norm when I bought it in 2020. Anyways this is the disclosure. Keep on jeepin' fellas

Hey guys. So update on this. Haven't ran my truck since Monday. And that was to move it like 15 ft. Have not driven it since. However coolant seems to still be oozing from the hose where I showed last time and the plate that covers the underside of the engine seems to be holding coolant from where it was lost from...sitting? But the Mac aluminum tank is completely full. When I popped open the rad cap some spilled on the tank. But I just wanted to update on that. See if that changes any thoughts on the pump and whatnot

Yeah so this is my coolant set up. So I bought a Mac tank, had it installed and had a plastic catch tank installed with it. The clear hose run through the frame and downwards for it to puke out onto the ground for if whatever reason it gets that full. However that metal tank is full. Completely. When the coolant expands and warms up it gets spit back into plastic catch tank then sucked back up into the tank. At this given moment and time I'm not pulling or tugging on anything just because I have made an appointment to have it checked out, need an oil change anyway. So I'm going for a change and have this like officially checked out before I go and have the pump pulled. It could be the pump or the hose, or both. It's hard to really diagnose due to having a plate underneath it. I got like 3 holes I can look into. But I can definitely confirm it is not overheating. But yeah without getting a good look it's hard to diagnose. Plus the guy that has been working on it knows everything is OEM. So I do unfortunately think it is the pump from your guys opinions and thoughts. But he'll be able to really get in there and do a thorough check, and I'll purchase what's needed if anything is needed. I'm still crossing my fingers it's just the lose fastener/clamp. But I'll definitely keep this thread up to date as it's diagnosed and fixed

It's making a squealing sound. And it's high pitched. I don't think it's my belt because it was 65 degrees. I'm checking some things out. Can't see the weep hole on under the truck due to a plate also. And that's exactly what my leak looks like! Oh my. Yeah that looks identical because it's coming from the coupling up top from the neck and running down, dripping. Yeah I never thought of it being the pump

So here's a new sound.....I actually heard it yesterday morning and really didn't think much of it. This what a failing pump sounds like? The sound does eventually stop. But noticeable when cranked up 20221024_115713.mp4

Very true. When I say left I'm talking standing I'm front of it. It's wet below the coolant reservoir where a larger black cylinder is located. This just really got me discouraged. I'm in my early early 20's and I absolutely adore this truck. But me getting so discouraged almost made me slam my fist down and say "sell it". Although I can't just do that. The thing that sucks is that it's been family owned since. And I'm the 2nd owner. So it would devastate my grandfather if I sold it to someone who just in the end trash it. I'll keep powering through. I'll keep doing fixes. Just going to stop using it as a daily. And that's the bad part. I got another car that's just been sitting all because I got tied up in this and am filled with joy driving it. So I'm just going to have to drive it once or twice I week a reckon after I have it fixed

And here's a side view as well.

Well I actually just now found a leak that's on my lower rad hose..yay. However the tank is completely full of coolant. Note this hose was installed middle of this year when I had my radiator redone. I also found some coolant on the top of some black cylinder at the back of the firewall right inder the bottle holder on the left side of the engine bay. I can't lie. I don't know how much more repair stuff I can handle. Been steady having stuff done to it. I'm just going to drop it by the shop and have tests run on it, oil changed, hoses checked and reservoir examined. After I saw the leak on the hose it really upset me. Especially after I thought I was ahead on the cooling issue stuff

Alrighty I'll crank the heat up to max when I get on the road in a few minutes. I've never noticed like any sweet smell. Then again I wasn't looking. So I'll give yall an update on that. Something to note also. I have floor mats so it would, if I'm thinking on this right drip down onto said mat. Which is dry. But I'll definitely check it and my reservoir level too and give an update as well

Oh interesting. That's cool! OK I'll definitely look into that. I've just been battling this for a bit. It's not been as dire as like doing my starter and stuff. But it's to the point to where its like "ok I'm tired of adding coolant this often. Somthing is up" so I'll definitely do that. Now as to check the floorboard....do I need to run the heat or AC while driving? Or anything? And I assume the HVAC is on the the passenger side below the glove box?

Oh I didn't think of that. Is that on the passenger side? I also don't know how you would do a compression test? Does that require you to remove the block head? And also do I need to drive it with heat or air on to see if so? Never thought of this before.

Well that's the thing. I've been doing that. Been battling this since I had it installed. It's cooling great as I mentioned but it just gets lower and lower each time I drive it and let it cool. Now I haven't even opened the reservoir itself since. I did twice actually a while back. But since I never looked inside it. The photo here is a great replacement as to where it is in the plastic tank. It's actually lower than that. I'm just sort of at a loss because I'm not leaking it onto the floor. I don't have milky oil. It's a blackish color albeit. My exhaust is transparent. Isn't black or white. And the heater in my truck blows hot when I have the heat turned on. AC blows very cold when turned to cold. Somthing somewhere is causing it to disappear? Freeze plugs? Thermostat? I'm finding myself adding coolant I think....every 2 weeks? Somthing like that?

So I have had my my cooling system converted. Aluminum Mac tank with a plastic overflow catch tank equipped. Cools great! However I have noticed as I drive the coolant is spit out into the catch tank when warm. Normal and should do so. But I let it cool down for say 6 hours and go back to check. The coolant level inside the catch tank is way lower than it originally was. It's not overheating. I can place my hand on top of the block and hold it there after a 30 minute drive. No wet spots on the ground. And I've done my hoses and radiator. When the engine is cold is it safe to pop the top open on the Mac tank to check inside? I don't want to introduce air to it and am curious to see if the reservoir is full. But the catch tank is empty. As it is now. Tiny bit of coolant in it. Barely any. I don't know what would cause this since I'm not overhearing at all and am possibly looking into a head gasket even though my oil isn't milky. It's blackish color but I'm creeping up on 2800 miles out of 3000. So it's nearing an oil change. Thanks guys!

Yeah I've still been thinking on muffler styles and whatnot. Rockauto seems to have all kinds of muffler and exhaust parts. I'm leaning kinda towards just having the hole patched if possible or completely have it custom made at the shop and have it put back in place. However part of me wants to try duel exhaust although as Jeff said it just adds to the fabrication time/price. The muffler has been on the bottom of my "to do list" for a very very long time. I'll probably go have it estimated sometime next week since I got 3 or 4 muffler shops nearby

Yeah in that case I'll probably just have a direct replacement. It isn't a show truck so no need to go fancy with it. Been thinking on it, and this helps me decide! Thank you so much!

So I have a nasty hole in my exhaust up under the bed of the truck. I've had it and known it was there since I bought it. Been lazy repairing it It does almost make a sputtering sound upon first cranking and cold idling. It's also very loud. I was wondering if I should go duel exhausts coming out the side. One turned left, one turning right beneath the rear bumper, have them just come out straight on either side of my trailer hitch or have the exhausts sort of swooped down at the tips with them either going out to the sides of the bumper or coming straight out. Or I could just simply have it patched. Very curious and want to explore options. Not looking to down pipe or straight pipe.