The "1" in the 8th position designates base model.
Already came upon that conclusion. But a base Metric Tonne got an 'F' in position 8, which is what is confusing. Mine is base trim, but has the Metric Tonne package on it. I've got all the external markers, the different springs, and the D44 but its got a 1 in the eighth position.
Easy there whowey, I was just confirming the "maybe" and you’re correct about the Metric Ton
Here's the list I have for position 8, the list is labeled as being for 1987-1990, but now I doubt its accuracy since when I just looked at my 1990 FSM, the 8th digit is the Engine.
F 5,001 - 6,000 lbs. Comanche, base & Custom, Metric Ton, Big Ton
J 3,001 - 4,000 lbs. Wrangler base & Cherokee base
K 3,001 - 4,000 lbs. Wrangler Sport & Cherokee Pioneer
L 3,001 - 4,000 lbs. Wrangler Laredo & Cherokee Laredo
M 3,001 - 4,000 lbs. Wrangler Sahara
N 5,001 - 6,000 lbs. Grand Wagoneer & J-10 Truck
P 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Comanche Pioneer
P 6,001 - 7000 lbs. J-20 Truck
R 5,001 - 6,000 lbs. Comanche Pioneer, Metric Ton, Big Ton
S 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Comanche Chief
S 7,001 - 8,000 lbs. J-20 Truck
T 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Comanche Laredo
U 5,001 - 6,000 lbs. Comanche Laredo, Metric Ton, Big Ton
U 6,001 - 7000 lbs. Grand Wagoneer & J-10 Truck
Y 8,001 - 9,000 lbs. J-20 Truck
1 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Wrangler base, Cherokee base, Comanche base
2 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Wrangler Sahara & Cherokee Pioneer
3 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Wrangler Sport & Cherokee Chief
4 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Wrangler Laredo, Cherokee Laredo, Wagoneer Limited
5 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Cherokee E.C.E. & Comanche Eliminator
9 4,001 - 5,000 lbs. Cherokee Limited