meljr

I'll wait until I pick the parts up from NorthRidge 4x4 later this month, but I am thinking about cutting a recess and fabbing a holder into the tailgate or the hatch of the camper shell. Supposedly Hanson has a solution -- we shall see. -mel

Wow! That was intense. Walker Evans is the man! -mel

For years, I've done this myself when mounting slicks for drag racing and never experienced a related failure in literally thousands of passes. The idea is to keep weight down and not have the slick rotate on the rim. As others have mentioned, it might work OK for wheeling, but bead locks are probably more appropriate off road as weight reduction is not a sufficient offsetting benefit. -mel

Tempting, but the last thing I need is a new, expensive hobby... http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/tag/2488080021.html

After a little setback this week when the Comanche refused to start Wednesday and drive to the shop to begin the body work, I took it to the shop on the trailer this weekend where it sits first in line with several of my other projects. This was the first time since I bought it in April that it wouldn't start. Strangely enough, it started Saturday and drove on and off the trailer. Go figure. I'll look into this more after the bodywork begins. Here are a few shots I took after I had it on the trailer, mostly of the underside. Not sure what is going on here, but a lot of fluid has leaked under the front sometime in the past. I suspect the most active leaks now are from the engine and clutch slave cylinder. I just hope none of this is from the brake master cylinder. Tomorrow afternoon, I will remove the bench seat to take to the upholstery shop and then take out the floor mat to see what the floors look like. -meljr

Was going to drive it to the shop Wednesday, but it wouldn't start. It would turn over just fine, but just didn't want to start, so I gave up, thinking it was the fuel pump or something related. Went to put it on the car trailer this weekend and decided to try starting again. The fuel pump pressurized the system and after a little more than usual cranking, it started and drove on the trailer, saving me from having to use the winch. When we got to the shop, the Comanche fired right up, drove off the trailer and into the shop. The body restoration starts tomorrow; I'll deal with mechanical issues later. -meljr

Nice start. I like the camo design. -mel

Great link. I'm going to save it for future reference. -mel

I alway enjoy your photographs. The details of the abandoned machinery are fascinating. Thanks, -mel

I just ordered the ARB Safari Snorkel For Jeep Cherokee Xj 1984- Jan 95 (SS1100HF) from NorthRidge 4x4 and I fully expect it will fit my 89 MJ just fine. -mel

Brandon, I feel your pain and hope you get your truck back on the road soon. Of course, I have only had my first Comanche for a few months, but it has been such a good experience, I kind of wish I bought that new 88 Olympic edition when I had the chance back in the day. -mel

Your MJ is an inspiration. I'm completely in agreement that the tube bed is the nicest, most functional addition to an already great wheeler. -meljr

I ask because my wife has always thought the metro's were neat, and if I had the bucks ..... She wants a 'virtable though. The 'rusty' Metro is going in the shop this month for sanding, etching primer and a repaint to look like my late Mother in Law's Hudson Metro (monochrome tomato soup color) from the 50's. The yellow Metro was in primer and ready for paint when the barn fell. It sustained a nasty dent on the roof and I'm not sure what it's fate will be ultimately. I also have a complete coupe that runs with rusty floors but no title and a decent convertible in the garage with no title. I have literally a ton of parts for these old Metros. The 'Studebaker/Desoto' is actually a low mileage 1956 Plymouth Savoy 4 door from Crackerville, Montana that I bought for it's 277 power pack and push button powerflite transmission. It had been hit hard in rear while parked in front of the M&M bar in Butte and the barn collapse took out the roof. There are also two 1956 Plymouth Suburban wagons still in the barn that appear to have escaped serious injury -- a 2 door and a 4 door. Oh yeah, I almost forgot; there is also a 1956 2 door post Plymouth Savoy with a front sub frame and big block K member from a 70 B Body. Drop in a 440, hang the front fenders and you've got an instant rat rod bracket racer. -mel

I've had my '89 Base Comanche about three months now and have put on almost 2,000 miles with little or no unpleasant surprises. It seems to run out of breath on steep grades above 50MPH and there are a couple of yet unidentified noises (low speed 'click' and something that sounds like an exhaust leak or maybe a piston slapping under load). However, with almost 215,000 on the odometer, I would feel confident that it would get me almost anywhere if I wasn't in a hurry. The basics: Mostly rust free with a Long Bed, although I haven't lifted the rubber floor mat yet to check the floors Renix 4.0 that shows reasonable care and recent maintenance 5 speed manual that shifts OK, but is probably not an AX-15 (the case joins together in the long dimension 4x4 with D30 front and D35 rear. Vacuum system seems to engage properly, but transfer case linkage could use some adjustment. 'Part Time' dash light works. Came with fairly new Toyo M+S tires (unstudded) on stock steel wheels. Missing 2 beauty rings. Plain interior with reasonable bench seat, standard steering wheel, uncovered headliner and aftermarket slider After driving it around for a while, I have formulated a build plan with the objective of having a reliable shop truck and medium duty wheeler (double diamond and below). So far, I have picked up a nice fiberglass camper shell that fits perfectly (shown) and a D44 off of a '90 Comanche that was in a local wrecking yard. Here is the short term build plan: Cherry body with complete repaint keeping the stock color (going in the shop this week) Spray in liner for bed and inside cab below dash level after fixing floors if necessary Repaint camper shell to match and pinstripe truck and top to bring out character lines Upgrade dash with full set of factory gages (purchased from wrecking yard) Replace doors with ones off a Cherokee with adjustable mirrors, opening vent windows and power windows/locks (purchased from wrecking yard) Replace mini-console with a short console with insert for two gages from Datsun PU Have bench seat reupholstered in light blue vinyl with dark blue cloth inserts during body restoration and painting Reupholster headliner in medium blue cloth with sun visors recovered in matching vinyl OR-FAB FRONT WINCH BUMPER with grill hoop and light tabs ordered from NorthRidge 4x4 Warn M8000 winch I'm taking off my JK Unlimited Hanson Offroad rear receiver bumper. for the Jeep Comanche Pickup (MJ) Powdercoated Black (also ordered from NorthRidge 4x4) ARB Safari Snorkel For Jeep Cherokee Xj 1984- Jan 95 (SS1100HF) also ordered from NorthRidge 4x4 Rock Rails, probably the longbed super slider version with upper rail from Rocky Road Stock JK Rubicon Moab wheels with BFG KM2 off my JK Unlimited. These will require wheel spacer/adaptors to convert the 5x5 JK bolt pattern to 5x4.5 and move the wheels out a bit. On my JK, this combination measured 31" tall on the ground; should be a little higher on the much lighter Comanche Lift: I'm still somewhat undecided, but leaning towards a 3 to 4.5" utilizing the D44 and maybe the stock D30 that I replaced on my JK with a Dynatrac ProRock. I'll probably just regear the existing D30 for now and order a frankenlift from various vendors (Hell Creek 4.5" rear springs, Rusty's 4.5" coils, TnT long arm with steering upgrade etc.) That's about it for now, wife wants to go see fireworks (If she finds out how much I'm sinking into the Comanche there will be plenty!) -mel

A buddy from my local Jeep club, his business partner and I went in together and rented a larger shop in Independence, Oregon yesterday. This give me access to a complete auto repair and body shop with 3 or 4 bays for my personal projects. After I move my 1989 Shelby Dodge Dakota and two Plymouth B Body convertibles (1963 Sport Fury and 1965 Belvedere II), my 1989 Base Comanche will go in next week to be repainted the original color and to begin a build that I will document in the proper section of the forum. Here are a few pictures of what went on yesterday after we signed the lease: This is my 1963 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible, which has been sitting under a cedar tree at my farm for several years under a tarp. It has been basically mechanically restored, but needs a little body work, paint and an interior refresh. Originally from Texas, it is amazingly rust free. I'm going to paint it the original shade of white (the two tone was done by the movie production company I bought the car from) with a little pearl. To the left is my wife's 1965 Plymouth Belvedere II convertible with a Mopar small block crate motor. It too will get a respray in the original color with some added pearl highlights and a refreshed interior. After removing the tarp, I put a charger on the battery in the hopes I can drive it on and off the trailer for the trip to our new shop. Since my 1989 Shelby Dodge Dakota bracket racer that I recently recovered from a collapsed barn doesn't run, I winched it onto my car trailer and moved it to the shop first with my faithful 1976 Dodge W100 Club Cab Power Wagon that has a little less than 100,000 miles and still runs great. Here are a few shots of the Shelby on the trailer before leaving for the shop. Here we are after backing the car trailer into the new shop in Independence, OR. Finally unloading supervised by Dewey the Dog, who is really the one in charge. Today, I'll try to move one or both of the convertibles so we can get started on the Comanche refresh and build next week. Have a great, safe 4th of July. -mel

I've been having reoccurring grill daydreams lately. I want a Seven Slot Grill with round headlights. So, before someone tells me to get a CJ, TJ, early Commando or FC, I was thinking if I were to get a 10 slot grill and section out the two middle slots and another half slot each side from the center cuts, I would be left with a narrowed 7 slot grill after using platic weld to put it back together. Of course, It would now be too narrow, so I would slice the headlight/turnsignal buckets off the ends and graft in some round headlights from say, a Liberty. Some bondo and plastic weld on a few tabs, and low and behold, a 7 slot grill. I really need a life. -meljr

C. W. McCall, the pseudonym of William Dale Fries, Jr. whose early albums, Wolf Creek Pass and Black Bear Road are definitely my favorites for wheeling and I don't usually listen to country. I've posted this before, but the title single for Black Bear Pass is so outrageous, I've got to get to Colorado and drive that trail/road some day just like I had to go to Gilley's honky tonk bar in Pasadena, TX to ride the mechanical bull in about 1980 after seeing Urban Cowboy. By the way, I managed to stay on El Toro until the 8 second buzzer, but it was the longest 8 seconds of my life and my right arm was hyper-extended for months after. -meljr

Right you are. I missed that. :oops:

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/2452627788.html Note: I suspect the dash and gages have been swapped. The seller doesn't mention A/C, but it is clearly there. Still, it shows potential. Here is the ad copy verbatim: 4.0 I6 has 169,xxx that's only about 7,600 per year. 5Speed Clean title- One owner, who ever buy's will be the Second owner Whats good- New Windshield as of 6/20 Strong Motor, 4x4 works great Good Clutch New Magnaflow Muffler, and Catalytic Converter New High Volume Oil pump, Has New Water pump, Thermostat, Thermostat Housing, and Clutch Fan Battery, and Alternator were replaced back in march by Les Schwab. Starter was replaced shortly after. Full tune up, Cap, rotor, Wire's, plugs Tag's good till 12/12 New Brake Rotor's New Steering stabilizer A/C Works good Heater blows good has Kenwood Cd Player Good tire's Clutch Slave cylinder is about a year old Bed has mat, had a canopy on it since new i took it off cus its ugly to me. One owner, been in family since new belonged to my Aunt, but she gave it to me and I just got laid off and could use the money I just put into it back. The not so good, Clear coat is peeling or peeled all over. very little rust which is rare for a older jeep no head liner. Carpet is dirty seat has some stain's Alignment is slightly off will start drifting to the right if you let go of the wheel, I need to get the tires balanced and rotated still, has a slight shimmy around 50-55 You have to hold it in Reverse other wise it will tend to pop out of gear, only does it in reverse. Aunt said its done it since she can remember. other than that nothing else is wrong. Comanche's are hard to find, and when you do they are in poor poor condition or are ever priced. asking $1650

I bought one of these, with factory detachable luggage and a full front fairing for $2,000 in about 1982. Honda had warehouses full of unsold bikes and brand new ones that were a couple of model years old could be had very reasonably. While reliable, it was not one of my favorite bikes mostly because of poor handling. They were top heavy and the V twin engine sitting cross ways in the frame coupled with shaft drive created noticeable torque steer. Getting on or off the throttle while turning could unexpectedly stand you up or lean you over off the shoulder or into the oncoming lane.. -meljr

1989 Jeep Comanche MJ 4.0 / 5 speed manual / Part time 4x4 (231?) / D30 / D44 / Long Bed Build date: N/A door sticker too faded to read Current Location: Blodgett, Oregon USA Status: Licensed, insured and driven regularly Notes: Light Blue basic model with few, if any options. Grey interior with rubber floor mats and bench seats. Current owner: Mel Lester Jr.

Nice looking job you have done with your truck. I could use some of that sunshine here in Oregon. -meljr

One of the reasons I haven't called the guy is that it could very possibly be either my old one or my younger brothers. We bought two very nice examples from Chrysler as program cars in 1990. If this turned out to be mine or my brother's, well, I'd have to buy it. At the time, I was working on a project in LA and flying into LAX from Portland weekly. Thrifty was our rental company of choice and I became friends with the local managers. When Thrifty did a promotion with Chrysler/Shelby, we always had one reserved for us. I regularly raced a CSX-T and different Shelby vehicles, including a Pantera mule with one of the first Mopar Performance small block crate engines (which is now in my wife's 65 Belvedere II Convertible) at Brotherhood Raceway in Long Beach during the 90s. Those were interesting times. You could get in Friday evening for $10 and race the 1/4 mile around the clock until Monday morning. The idea was to keep kids from racing on the streets and the Brotherhood was a biker gang from Compton led by some big `black dude named 'Big Willy.' No, I'm not making this up -- got pictures somewhere. By the way, I'm cleaning up my Shelby Dakota to race again while doing my Comanche build in you honor. -meljr

I bought an 84 Corvette new and it turned out to be one of the best vehicles I ever owned. The TBI in stock tune was only good for 200 HP as I recall. When I wanted to trade up to an 86 with MPI and ABS, my folks bought the 84 from me and put a quarter of a million miles on the clock. Aside from regular service, it never had a single thing go wrong with it in all that time or a major repair. The ended up selling it to an airline pilot and as far as I know, it's still running. Sorry for the hijack. PS - I think the 86 was rated at about 225HP, but it was a POS compared to the 84 and I ended up trading it for a Dodge Shelby CSX-T, which was a lot more reliable and fun. There is one for sale locally that I have been trying to ignore: http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/2398574060.html -meljr

Nice looking TJ. Welcome to the club. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much better mileage you get with the MJ. -meljr