Elwiscon

I will be working on my interior soon, I’m trying to retrofit AC on my non-AC 1989 Comanche, already have the HVAC control panel, HVAC box with AC evaporator. As far as I know, the renix computer needs a signal/input from the AC control to kick the engine on high idle when the AC is turned on, does anyone which wires can be tapped or how to control it? My interior is gutted so i shouldn’t be difficult to do wiring work. I can add a relay for the compressor, an electric fan, etc. My question is if there’s some pre-wiring for ac? I’ve heard that you can tap some wires and i’ve also heard that the whole engine harness has to be swapped for an AC-speciffic harness, I rather add wiring. Has anyone done this? I’ve seen some posts on retrofitting AC but don’t explain the wiring. Read somewhere that this capped off connector is for AC control (see picture), connector is located on the driver’s side near the filter box, it has a cap so I assume it’s all factory. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

Finally done with the floor! I ended up using steel rivets with 3M panel adhesive, Brushed POR15, Sprayed 3 coats of Raptorliner. Also raptorlined the undercarriage. Once I get the MJ painted and some engine parts replaced I’ll get to the interior. I will line the interior with Dynamat or some sound deadener and carpet.

I used it on my LJ undercarriage and interior and on the Comanche undercarriage, definitely helps to minimize rust and looks good. I usually do 2-3 light coats. I’ll do my comanche bed once I get it painted and the interior finished.

Definitely! Just raptorlined the floorboards and installed engine mounts this weekend, still have some under-hood parts to replace, as the front end is currently disassembled

I’m not planning to do heavy off roading on it, it’ll be an everyday truck, so I’ll get it painted by a pro

I think it can be thinned and sprayed, but decided to get a paintjob instead, will do Raptorliner on the bed

Looks good, especially with the red accents. I did my undercarriage in black raptorliner with red accents (bolts, track bar, etc) on my LJ. Doing the same on my MJ,

Looks very good! I’m still deciding to go with a smooth Monstaliner finish or paint

Thanks!

It looks great! I’ll definitely consider it for my MJ, I’ve seen some videos and seems doable (for my skills), of course prep is the key. I may do my LJ rocker sliders and ARB bumper first, I was thinking about raptorlining it but i like the smooth look of the Rustoleum. Thanks for the tips

How long have you had it on the LJ? Has it chipped/faded anywhere? Thank you

Thats a nice trailer, matches the LJ perfectly

Definitely! Gotta keep the drain holes clear

Looks pretty good! It looks just like paint with the right gloss. Doesn’t even look like bedliner. I’ll check out Rustoleum enamle

True, I’ll do the lower rocker panels, as they get chips from the tires. I’m spraying Eastwood chassis paint in the unibody frame, at least it helps to cut on the rust. Once i fix it i’ll avoid driving it on mag-chloride, that stuff and salt eat up metal.

Right, i don't mind the look of a well done bedliner finish, but i’m not sure if the look will suit the Comanche, as I stated, i’m restoring it to be driven and used as a truck and don’t want to go too crazy with the modifications or changing the original character, If it didn’t have peeled and faded stripes and some surface rust i would probably leave the original paint. I also have an LJ, I bedlined the gas tank, skid plates and interior to protect it from rust. I thought about doing the whole rig but I’m glad I decided not to.

Yes, there’s a little rust on the door, just replaced a rusted floor pan and I will need to fill a few 1/4” holes on the door as I removed the towing side arm mirrors to swap them for the smaller mirrors. The floorpans will get Raptorliner on both sides. I was lucky to find a relatively rust-free Comanche so there’s no major rust on the body panels.

Thanks for the tips, I agree, prep is everything. I’m putting a lot of work in my Comanche, I wouldn’t want screw it all up with a bad paint job, I rather pay to get it done correctly by a pro, I’ll shop around and prep the truck as much as possible by removing trim, emblems etc before having it painted. Or I may spray Durabak if it’s a good option. I sprayed my jeep tub and Comanche undercarriage with Raptorliner, I’m satisfied with the results, liner is far more forgiving than paint, especially in the undercarriage, I sprayed it for protection against rust more than looks, as I plan to drive it year round. I will also spray the interior floor once it gets a little warmer.

Good point! I plan on driving and keeping the truck for many many years, and since they are getting harder and harder to find I don’t want to go too crazy with it, I want to preserve its character, I would leave the original finish but there’s some scratches, rust spots i’ll be fixing and I want it to look good.

Makes sense but I don’t feel confident spray painting, don’t want to ruin my Comanche with a crappy DIY paint job,

Right, that’s one of the disadvantages.

I searched the forum and other sites for this question and find mixed answers, but at some point I’ll have to decide whether to paint or bedline my 89’. I’m restoring it to be a daily driver, hauler and light off-roading once in a while so not looking for anything too extravagant to keep the original character of the Comanche, regardless of finish, I’ll keep it white or silver with black accents. The bed will definitely be used as such so it will get bedlined regardless. I have used different bedliner products in other projects including Herculiner, Raptorliner and Monstaliner. I like Raptor and Monsta the best, as it sprays nicely and less likely to peel with proper prep. I’m kind of hesitating in using Monstaliner or Raptorliner in the Comanche as I don’t really want the rough texture on it (except bed and rocker panels), unless i can thin it and get a smoother finish. I was quoted $2500-$3000 for a quality paint job, I’m sure I can do a good job with bedliner for far less. I was looking at Durabak’s smooth finish, looks like paint but it’s though like bedliner. Has anyone used Durabak on their comanche or other vehicle? How well does it hold long term? Any pictures? Thank you

Thanks, I did some research before I started, since i have never welded i felt more confident with panel adhesives, saw a few videos where they compared welded joints vs glued joints, in some cases the adhesive is better, but as others stated, fused metal can’t be beat

Here’s more pictures, I used electrical KO seals and JB Weld to close up the floor pan holes, the panels and parts feel really secure with just the adhesive, I’ll look into welding/fastening with some rivets or bolts. Eventually I’ll replace the factory bench with some Corbeau seats, I ordered their brackets and they line up perfectly with the mounting holes/studs , Corbeau part number D848 and D849 see pictures

I’ll talk to my buddy, he works in a body shop but does mostly painting. Thanks for the suggestions