Salvagedcircuit

Initial Inspection Initial inspection is what you would expect for a jeep that's 34 years old: it needs attention. My brother did the inspection as I was a distance away from Massachusetts and he was closer by 5 hours. The jeep drove under it's own power, the brakes worked, but were soft and overall the truck was very loud. There was some rust under the driver floorboard, but no where near as bad as nearly every other comanche I found on the east coast. The oversized 31in tires looked brand new and the jeep seemed to have a 2in lift all around. Rear suspension was supremely soft, if you sat on the bumper it would hit the bump stops. The seller's story: He purchased it a few years ago from a guy in West Virginia with the intention of using it around his property / farm. The jeep spent most of it's life in Virginia. The West Virginia seller put an HO engine in it and it ran well. The jeep recently developed an exhaust leak and that was the source of the noise. You could not have a conversation near the engine bay it was that loud. He said a new exhaust pipe would fix it. He installed the tires and did the lift because he wanted to drive it in the mud around his property. He also had the bench seat professionally reupholstered. Unfortunately, the seller recently damaged his hip so he could not get into or out of the jeep easily, so it sat for a few years under a tree on his property and he finally decided to sell it. My brother negotiated a bit under asking price and he took it home the next day. This is it's first day under my ownership. I didn't realize just how much smaller it was than the F250's and F350's my brother enjoys. Quite the difference.

My long overdue build post. It's finally here! What's gold in color, shaped like a truck and has the aerodynamics of a brick? The official paint name is "Medium Bronze Metallic" from the 1988 Jeep book, but gold is close enough. With the amount of time and money I already put into this, I think it's a fitting tongue and cheek name for it. I have been documenting the entire repair and restoration process from initial purchase on my own machine and it's time to write it up. I will make some side guides along the way because certain parts have become unobtanium and solutions had to be made. Without further ado, here's the initial craigslist listing:

That is some excellent reasoning. I should have thought of that. I've never seen my electric fan kick on and was going to take some elaborate drive to test the fan temp sensor. Good noggin right there! Thanks

Absolutely! This was my passenger door during the clean up process. I didn't even know there were holes there!

I know there was discussion on what year window / door seals are better for our comanche's. Does anyone know what the breakdown is? I know the 97+ window seals have double pleats and seal better against the inner glass. I purchased the precision products 97+ window seals and I could only get them to work on the inside of the window, the outside one left a huge gap between the trim and the window. What are the best solutions for the glass, the window track, the door gasket etc... Thanks!

Wow, that's kinda nuts. I did not realize that. I guess I'll have to baby the rubber surround out, then carefully remove the glass, then make sure everything is super clean with no rust before the urethane and glass install. It's that time of night to search around the forum for some full restoration build threads Thanks!

Dang. Has anyone been successful in removing and reinstalling the solid rear glass with the same surround? I'd hate to be out of a vehicle because my rubber surround gave up

Does anyone know if the rubber surround for the solid rear glass still exists? I'm planning on painting my comanche soon, and I'd like to do a professional job. There is a good chance the rubber surround on the rear glass might not survive being removed and re-installed. Thanks!

We won't judge you if you need to bring a very long trailer.... for old times sake

So I'm not the only person who wire wheeled the old bolts, torqued them down to factory spec only to find that the nuts in the frame stripped out. Thanks.

On Copart in Rapid City, SD. 122,460 mi Front damage stated. Looks pretty decent, though copart has a history of dolling up cars. Has the lund top visor and front brush guard. I'd say this is definitely a good repair candidate if it can be insured etc...

Hell yeah! Bring out the CAD! Nice job I have a bench seat myself, but I always love to see folks going the extra mile to make their projects a reality!

Hey guys, I think @eaglescout526 has some goods for sale that could use a new home, wink wink

My dude, You have been a ROCK for this forum. You have let none of us down, you only brought us up! Infinite thanks for all the help you have provided to the many comanche owners just looking for a shred of information on their truck. I tried reaching out to the "Stellantis Historical Services" to find out information on my jeep and they employ only one person to maintain, search and respond to historical inquires. One. I called them too. You single-handedly outperformed said individual for free. She gets a working salary! She nicely provided me with an '88 brochure pdf, but I probably could have found that in a quick internet search. Hell, reach out to her and ask if there's an opening in that department. Who knows maybe there's remote options. danielle.szostak@stellantis.com Danielle Szostak-Viers Stellantis Historical Services 12501 Chrysler Freeway CIMS 410-11-21 Detroit, MI 48288 Best of wishes man!

Well done!

I'm running new moog XJ shackles on my comanche with pho-metric ton leaf springs and my measured ride height is stock

Does anyone know if Downey Products is still kicking? Their website seems non existent.

I'm really digging this setup. I've been throwing around the idea of moving over to a dual fan setup, but I'm not sure how large of an alternator I would need for (2) 10 blade stock fans. I currently have the 105a Delco CS130 family alternator for renix. I'm eyeing a 145a Delco AD244 alternator as a replacement in hopes this would be adequate to run the dual fans. The AD244 is nice because it has built in regulation in the back of the motor and is a similar size to the CS130. The 160a DR44 might also work with a tiny PWM controller. Nickintime did a video on the AD244 conversion, albeit with a location swapped AC compressor and alternator. I'll be leaving the alternator in the stock location. I may need a new belt, but I don't mind. Mine is likely old enough to drink by now I plan on keeping the comanche stock with AC. Maybe automatic windows and locks in the future. No winch, air compressor, plow etc. Going to be used as a daily driver. @GjeepWhat alternator did you end up using for this dual fan setup? Edit: I combed through your excellent son of stink thread and it looks like you upgraded your alternator several times, starting with a rewound jeep/dodge 136a Alternator to a custom 200a+ Nations alternator. Thanks for the excellent guide!

link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/175851580727

Someone at keyparts, just buy this. Seriously, just buy it.

Very cool! I had some pretty fond memories of the cardboard tube Halloween haunted tunnel from my local primary school. Thinking back, it was such an excellent expenditure of time and money by the parents and teachers. Free fridge boxes. String, rubber balls, random plastic figurines etc...

It sure is earning it's keep!

That's a pretty smart way to do it! I should do that lol.

Looking mighty good!

Nice work! Something I have found that works great when cleaning shower glass doors: a single edge razor blade and a scraper. My folks were gung ho about renovating the bathroom shower with glass doors and did not know what to do with soap scum. They purchased Kaboom, Tilex, all the most unnecessary and nauseating chemicals you can think of. A good 'ol scraper does the business and does not scratch the glass. Its the cheapest most effective way to clean glass doors and you don't have to lose brain cells to do so!