Jfcouper

Anyone else catch the two Comanches in S4E1 of Stranger Things? Wonder if they're in the registry. Would be cool to track! They're in pretty good looking condition too!

Thanks for all the encouragement, I'll definitely need all the luck! lol. I'll definitely use that priorities list style. I like it. I've been learning a lot from all the forum posts, especially the DIY writeups and the tips!

As far as I can tell, its original so 88. But its all new to me! the tag on it is all rust, so I can't even read the ratio. Is there any way to know the ratio without pulling the cover off and counting? It would be drivable in 2wd, right? Any tips on cheaply doing a gear swap? I think I'll go with the 8.25 swap. Sounds like fun to me!

I've got a Dana35 with two locked up wheels. The Differential assembly seems mostly fine, I would guess that the drums are just fully seized from sitting. I removed the plug to adjust the tensioner and a whole lot of rust came out. I think I'm down to three options and wanted to get opinions on the most cost effective; I want to get this thing back on the road for the lowest amount of money. There are a couple ZJ's with good looking D35s at the local u-pull. They charge about 100 for the full axle apparently and about 30 for each side brake assemblies. 1. Fully rebuild the drums with Quadratec's 52001151K kit. Is it worth the effort? I might even need a new backing plates. ~$200? 2. ZJ(or liberty?) disc conversion from junkyard parts. 3. ZJ D35 axle swap - I have to replace the front Leafspring mounts anyways so why not even possibly convert it to trailing arm? Is there anyway to do this with cheap junkyard parts and a bit of welding? Would it be better to convert that axle to leaf spring? I'm open to a lot of possibilities. I like the ease of maintenance for the disc brakes. I like things that I can custom fabricate rather than buying parts kits.

Hey everyone! This is my first project vehicle, I'm excited that it is a comanche! In the first few stages I'm trying to keep everything as cheap as possible. I only bought the truck for $800 and after digging in, I'm seeing why. haha! I'm not intimidated with how bad it is because I'm using the truck to learn a ton of skills such as body work, welding, running brake lines, general rebuild/replace/restore. I've very lofty end goals, I'm inspired by the locally-built Hoonitruck and I want to see how close I can get. I'm starting with my first bought abroad, parked on the Muskegon beach, sat for two years, rust bucket short bed base model 88. List of things wrong from the start: (I'll update as I diagnose more but won't add newly broken things to this list) Oh god the rust... so much rust. Both rear wheels locked up - when I removed the plug to adjust the drum tensioner, I had to dig 1 Cup of rust out first Engine doesn't run Leaky brakes Driver side frame is mostly rust Driver side front leaf spring hanger is 75% gone 25% rust Bumper is rusted off on the left side Missing the tailgate Right fender is bent in.

I did it! Boy were they tough though. I places some bricks between the wheels and then using the bottle jack I was able to put tension on them. Then a solid tap on the axleshaft knocked the tires loose! They were pretty gross underneath. I think the whole brake assembly is beyond saving, so I'll start another page on whether I should axle swap up to zj trailing-arm with disc brakes that I found at the local upull.

You sure have one interesting hobby for collecting. Lol! My 88 comanche didn't come with a tailgate, if you have one, I'd love to buy one! I think my truck is Purple or Dark blue?

That is crazy! I never would have Guessed. Glad to have it back here :)

PocketsEmptied, Good to know. Thanks for the info! JMO413, I've only got a 2.5 lb dead blow that was on clearance at HarborFreight. That looks a lot meaner. haha!

It should be a good time for fiddleheads too!

Woah! Thanks for all the tips guys! I'll be sure to try these throughout the week. PocketsEmptied, I didn't think that'd be possible, I'll definitely give it a try tomorrow! fiatslug87, I've never heard of that before, I might give it a try. Strokermjcomanche I might be lacking the muscle or space to properly swing a sledge from under the bed. I'll be sure to hammer it some more once i get more space by trying PocketsEmptied's tip. Any thoughts on Blue bottle vs Yellow bottle? Does it make a big difference I've only got a blue bottle. eaglescout526. I've got a bottle ready as a last ditch. I guess if it eats the whole rim, then I've just got a good excuse to buy 4 new ones. haha. I'll be sure to post progress here when I work at it!

I just picked up a 88 comanche! There's a ton of problems with it but I gotta start somewhere. First I'd like to get it rolling, the rear wheels won't roll. I gotta start with the fact that this is my first project car, and my first time working on something so old. so I know just a little about wrenchin but not much about rust. I wrenched on a few things on my 07 GC like replacing the coilovers, driveshaft, and a subframe piece but none of it was ever this rusty. Right now both rear wheels are locked up.... It took a couple hours for me and my buddy to safely slide it off a trailer using some 2x6 and and come along. I've tried wd40, a propane torch, rust remover, a pry bar, and a sledge hammer. There isn't even so much as a seam between the lip of the rim and the hub. I'm starting to think It was welded on as a joke. It's a Dana 35 axle. What else can I try? I'm trying to keep it as cheap as reasonable, but I'm inching closer and closer to the angle grinder. I only spend 800 on the truck.

I love YouTube Music, It blends all my music together and adds a couple suggested tracks here and there. I've been really enjoying Dawn FM the Album Video makes me feel like I'm in a Berlin Nightclub again... Good times.

I've been actively looking for about 6 months and I've only seen two. One on the highway, and I took a couple pictures of it. The other one I bought over the weekend.

It seems to have spent most of its life in Muskegon Michigan. Its been sitting for at least 1 year. There's a couple old registrations with names and dates from 1997 in the glove box. Maybe I can reach out and see if they have some old photos?

1988 Jeep Comanche 2.5L I4 4x4 Short bed Location: Ypsilanti, MI Current owner: Me! :) Status: My project truck. Hoping to get it back on the road. Its in really rough shape and the frame is in urgent need of repair. Rear wheels are locked up. Engine doesn't start. Its all new to me and I'll probably need a lot of help figuring things out! Glad to have my name in the registry!

Thanks Pete! Not sure why I didn't see it as pinned.

Did anyone on the Forum buy this? I'm curious to why it sat so long! I had been watching in for months! In the hour it took for me to setup an account with a broker, it sold. I was devastated! But at least the broker got a good laugh when I called and told him the story. I'll have an MJ one day!

Thanks for asking this question, I was wondering the same!

Is there anywhere these rules are posted? I could only find the 2006 rules post that has been unpinned for a long time now.