neohic

Still have your number, Troy. Looks like it'll be Thursday or Friday that'll work best for me. :thumbsup:

Received the replacement tire from Treadwright a couple weeks back. It balanced just fine... which made me happy to put the truck back on all fours. I like them! :) Emissions updates to come over the next few weeks.

Getting excited! Leaving for the recon trip in a couple days! :banana: Plans are to stop and see Jim on Wednesday along with Robyn's relatives up in the Springs area, Thursday through Saturday will be looking at temporary housing and interviews, and then I'm hoping I can work out some time to meet up with Troy one day along with Rick on another. Going to be a busy week!

Colorado emissions compliance, here I come! I cut up the exhaust when I first got it to clean it up some. The Flow Master something-or-other muffler that was on it was a bit obnoxious to say the least. Not too bad on the trail, but hit a hill on the road or pass someone and it was nothing short of Fast and Furious! :bs: That needed to change and being that I needed to add a catalytic, I figured it was a well enough time to remedy everything. Old, busted, dented, and noisy. Old and noisy next to a dumpster score. They're both 2.5" and the dumpster freebie had tons of bends to work with. Giveth to the scrap, and the scrap sometimes giveth back! :D I'll admit that the new pipe has way more welded joints than I'd like to have, but free is free. Some of them along with the short piece of straight is now three or four times recycled from other Jeeps! :rotf: All hung and tucked up as high as it would comfortably could be. Threw in a new O2 sensor while I was in there. The main reason for all the bends is that I wanted to put the fart pipe out to the bumper rather than just dumping out under the back seat. Makes for a huge difference as far as interior noise! The muffler I went with is a cheap Cherry Bomb turbo. I've used them in the past and they last okay. For about $20 a piece, they're cheap enough to not feel bad about banging it around on the rocks. Overall, I'm happy enough with it even though my Jeep season will probably be non existent this year. Next on the list is new u-joints in the rear driveshaft. Major vibrations when letting off the gas. There's a laundry list that it could get, but we'll see what happens and what I have time for.

The engine for now is going to be a stock 1600cc. It's currently sitting under the table in my shop waiting to be gone through. Not sure what it all needs, but it doesn't have much for compression. Stay tuned. As for today, we had a showing on the house today, so I didn't get a whole lot done. I and got myself a quart of Red-Kote to line the fuel tank. Really good stuff!... stinky though. I made up the upper mounting tabs on the tank and finished the welding, then put the tank outside to vent as to not get remarks on the house like "smells like paint" or "made my husband high". :roll: Looks like strawberry syrup!... smells like chemicals. I had a little time to kill before we had to get out of the house so I turned my attention to the dash. It'll get wrapped in black vinyl when it's done, but this is what I'm thinking right now... Overall, I like it. It's the same shape as what was there, but here's my issue with it... ... notice it? From my view, I only see from about 35 mph to 80. I suppose about 30 to 70 is really the important range to keep an eye on, and the fuel gauge is completely visible too which is nice. Obviously those blue dots are place holders for other gauges. It'll be a temperature gauge and an oil pressure. Trying to find a nice set of gauges that sorta match either the speedometer or the tachometer is proving to be difficult. Apparently Sunpro is no more... which is a real bummer. I like the classic look of that tach and I was hoping to keep that going. We'll shall see. In other news, my harness came! Very cool to see everything labeled and easy to follow. I'll make up a filler panel between the bottom of the hood and the top of the front bulkhead to serve as a place to mount the fuse block and to just fill the gap. There's about 4" of open space up there. Getting closer...

I think the best documented build with a 4 link was H3RESQ's. Rear links start around page 20. :thumbsup: ... pretty much the Comanche of the century. :drool:

Should be easy enough to just copy and paste the build thread then!

It's no secret that I was a VW guy before flocking to Jeeps. Sure, I've had way more Jeeps than VWs, but the VWs from my past have been nothing less than special to me. This is mainly the story of my 1972 Beetle. It's been around longer than I've been putting together build threads, so it kind of got the short end of the stick. I've been thinking a lot about this car lately, and I found it fitting that I put something nice together for it. Things start way back in 2000. I was 14 ar the time and I had was bugging my parents about letting me buy my first car. See... I had it in my head that I'd buy something cool and fix it up in time for me to get my driver's license. That did happen... sorta. I started scouring the newspaper classifieds (because that's what we did way back then) along with asking my parents to drive down side streets in hopes of finding that forgotten jewel. That jewel was found in the form of a 1976 Volkswagen Beetle. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/d9aa9148bf627713acff33823ef517c7.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/3fe4bd3da419b9b31890718856571377.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/cb9ccf58f5692594b99a1598ea52f448.png Not bad for a Minnesota car. It was in an accident... sandwiched, actually. The front end damage wasn't too bad, but the rear was pushed in pretty good. This car would end up being a very large piece of my vehicular education. The deal was originally made that the car came with the parts needed to make it whole again, but they were still attached to another car. One afternoon and a sawzall later, and I had the start of something! /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/7e3633429ae552bfb7fb0a1b9bd49baa.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/b2cf006e09544b49001d1318ce9867a3.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/40e14c731a2e3f7c780417df8f6c90cd.png It made for a fun summer! Bodywork... built a hot little engine for it... put it up for sale... wait, wha'?! Yup... just in time to start driving, I put my first car up for sale. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/b8f39a1a1a291ed09f38270be0b97b93.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/a1a2380d8a042cbe38c36fafff84c50e.png The problem with the '76 was that, while it looked good on the surface, it had some rust and a few other little issues. I had it in my head that I wanted a clearer car to start with. This was really the first automotive adventure I'd been on. California, here I come!... and I did! I found the '72 online (that was something special in itself at the time!) and my family decided to turn it into a road trip. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/bab3f15f5107c5282ec65743c2dbb200.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/c3438c00110b2e12caef80c8603f877f.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/ea1a13f1e2f557f5f069ef98326ee922.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/f9219485737766d3ba49f27ff5df5285.png Let the bodywork begin! I was 16, full of ambition, and Dad was willing to help. Time for another fun summer! /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/7855ee9b70307b94d905eca6c332229f.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/3a75b461616bec6bc47f17efff26f851.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/01dac5dd867d446fa407d8fcada1feb2.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/aebc58880c6a327ea12cb68f176240fa.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/091926464223e62cd04d315a10a72211.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/88b13bd3f3aede0dff8db30b6790c6ba.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/3f6fc8610202229d66b9e18b7bb52067.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/02fcb4326ccef639c14e489b41ae5c1e.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/1bfb5cfc5d18b79e3a631e3ae53ea2ff.png /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/3d257538548a7f1d7cb6450f3e23be88.png The car got mostly done the summer before my senior year in high school. By mostly done, I mean the bodywork was finished and everything else got boxed up and filled my parent's garage. All the work was done at my cousin's shop about 50 miles away from home. This made for many, many weekends of spending time with my dad. Some fun, some not so fun, but all making for what I consider important while building a vehicle. Since then the little Beetle has seen car shows, my marriage, a house, a shop, a big move, another house, another shop, all the while being perfectly fine with waiting its turn to be enjoyed. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/55b9508c4bd3b8ca26a23b5362e52b82.jpg /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/175b3b9ff2b061b077a29967587693db.jpg /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/54978d51a660eb7100293a265a92db80.jpg This car was my go-to fun vehicle. I loved it and it seemed to love me back! We too had our fun times and our not so fun times, but it was always in head that that, while fun to have a fleet of vehicles, one can only enjoy one at a time. That being said, the little car would get a few hundred miles or so each year, get put away each winter, and then it would come back out to do it all over again. At this point, the car has been in my possession for 14 years. It hasn't just been me who loved this car though. My dad would drive this car whenever given opportunity. I'd toss him the keys and he'd just run off with them like he had Willy Wonka's golden ticket! The summer we spent working on this car turned out to be one of those experiences that you talk about years later... we still do, and we relate to it like it was just yesterday. I love my dad. Then the decision was made that we'd move to Colorado. That thought was burning in my head everyday since that decision was made... one can only enjoy one at a time. Very unfortunately, this story takes a turn... another major decision was made, and it was time to let the Beetle go. It was a few weeks ago... Easter, I think? My dad and I were sitting in my parent's living room and I just came out with it. "So... would you have any interest in buying the Beetle?" He didn't even skip a beat. "Yup." I told him my price, my parent's talked it over for a week or so, and that was that. It felt like giving up. It felt like sending an old pet off to live with someone else. It felt like... abandonment. I hated the feeling and I hated myself for making the decision. Still, it had to be done. We're hoping to be moving west sometime this summer and moving half way across the country with five and a half vehicles just didn't make sense. Even if we stuck around here, the XJ has its role in life, the Eliminator has its role, the daily driver is just that, the dune buggy will be a fun nice weather driver once done, and the Beetle fit that bill as well. One can only enjoy one at a time... sadly. Today was the day. Funny thing is, the title was originally made out to my parents when the car was first brought into the state. Things have just come full circle. The same tow bar that brought the car to me was being used to pull it away. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/5226f8654f5c733d76907f1829ba6e12.jpg I cried. Never have I cried over a vehicle before. So many memories and so many miles of smiling. I'm happy to know that the car will continue to be enjoyed, however. I'm also happy to know that it will continue to be well taken care of, and I get the joy of being able to keep it in my life and still drive it when we see each other again. We had one last cruise this morning. It was nice. First time out since last year and it had been sitting all winter. Put the key in, turned, and it fired right up as is always did as if saying, "Hey buddy! It's going to be a great driving season!" 30 miles later, I got that thrill again. That smile was back on my face right up until the last turn back into the driveway. /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/d77e18cdd2b8deff5cbad7a1898cebc8.jpg /uploads/archive/72db7ddb67bce7006e21265936c1fac1/232f082bdec53b5045f61c3f6018b97a.jpg So long little car. You will be missed everyday I turn a wrench or the key of another vehicle, and you left so much more than an empty place in my garage.

I think you're due for a new build thread. :peek:

There's been a few changes since the last update. Pretty much everything is painted, back together, new parts added, and it's looking like a car again.

You did! I think it just adds character.

Hmm... sounds terrible, Jim! :doh: See you in a couple weeks or so.

Here's to staying ON the wagon!

Yessir.

Really hoping to be settled in by then. Fingers crossed we'll be selling soon too! One showing yesterday, two today, one scheduled for Saturday... peeps be lovin my hood.

At one time I had four Comanches around here... all 4.0s. Can't imagine trying to move and keep all of them! I'd feel bad taking all that rusty garbage into a "clean" state anyhow.

Here's something crazy... :hmm: We thought this was strange when we listed our first house for sale, but the plot thickens. Our first house was purchased on the fourth day of the fourth month of 2007. By coincidence, we listed the house back up for sale on the fourth day of the fourth month after living there for four years. Yesterday was the big day that we listed our current house for sale. This was by no means planned! Once again, the house was listed on the fourth day of the fourth month after living here for four years. :nuts:

CC discount, of course. :D http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9344-State-Highway-29-N-Alexandria-MN-56308/106648001_zpid/

Got a new lawn ornament tonight. :D Link to listing to follow.

Yessir. I was never close to the action but it was still fun to watch from afar.

Hmm... soon... soon. I'll be happy to put my name in this list this year. . :MJ 1: .

So, here we are in April. In the past I think I've posted up some real doozies when it comes to April. You know... "April Fools" and whatnot. Not this year! This year's April is no joke. This truck has had quite a life getting to where it is and its done it all in style. It's clean... it's well thought out... and yet, it's kind of a little b*@$£. Yup! April's MJOTM goes to... YEAR/MODEL ● 1989 Jeep Comanche Eliminator ENGINE/PERFORMANCE ● 4.0L I6 from a 06 TJ Wrangler with about 18-20K miles on it. Banks Headers, K&N CAI, Jeepers and Creepers 62mm Throttle Body. DRIVETRAIN ● Mostly Stock, AW4 transmission with 6 row Derale Transmission cooler, NP231 Transfer Case, D30 Front Open Diff with new Moog Ball-joints SKF Wheel Unit Bearings , and D44 Rear Limited Slip, with 3.55 Ratio. COOLING ● 2 Row Griffin Aluminum Radiator, with 3 10" Maradyne Perfomance E-fans sitting on a custom made shroud, and a Flowkooler Pump. Also a custom overflow Tank made out of an old Vodka Bottle, and to monitor Things at the Cab an AutoMeter Mechanical Temp Gauge. ELECTRICAL/IGNITION ● Odyssey PC-1750 Battery, with heavy duty battery cables. MSD Ignition 6AL Ignition system. SUSPENSION/STEERING ● It's an array of different components, but consists of mainly a 4.5" Rough Country lift, with the exception of the front 2.5" Spacers (to level things up) and adjustable UCAs and LCAs. Poly Bushings at the axle for the UCAs. Steering is the stock Saginaw Steering Box, with the Off Road Only (ORO) U-Turn Tie Rod and Drag link system, and Core 4x4 Heavy Duty Track Bar and Track Bar Mount. INTERIOR ● Mostly Stock, with the stock bench seat in place, except for the Alpine Stereo with Polk Audio speakers, and the Autometer A-Pillar Dual gauge pod. And a Little Trees Coconut Air Freshener. BRAKES ● Rebuilt Stock Brakes, with Stainless Steel Crown performance front brake lines. LIGHTING ● Stock with auxiliary Rigid Duallys with a spot pattern. EXTERIOR ● Bought it with the paint job that it has on there right now and just added the BFG stickers on the side of the bed, (which came from the very first Baja San Felipe 250 in '86, my dad got them and was saving them so I put them to good use). Also Added the OR-Fab Heavy Duty front bumper with the grille guard, and modified it to fit the Warn 9.5ti Winch. Rear bumper is a "Wanna-be stock" makeshift bumper, with a tow hitch that will soon be coming off. WHEELS/TIRES ● 16" Rubicon Moab Wheels, with 295/75 R16 BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2s. MISCELLANEOUS ● Pep Boys window tint done at home, and some Ricer mods under the hood like a set of Russell Stainless Steel Braided fuel hoses with their respective Anodized AN Fittings to fit into the new fuel rail, and also a small Spectre Breather filter for the Valve Head. Also Custom Heavy Duty Power Steering mount, battery tray, overflow tank mount, Motor Mounts, and Fuel line mounts. FULL BUILD THREAD Remember That One Time?... Tell Us Your Best MJ Story ● Well one of the first times after I bought her, I took her out to a local DownHill riding spot where in order to shuttle you drive up an unmantained dirt road which is absolutely necessary to have 4WD since it's loose rocky and ledgy. So I drove her up a couple of times, and spent half the day out there, because we had a party to go to afterwards. Well as we're going to the party we find out that both my brake lights, and passenger side turn signal were not working, so no biggie we decided that a friend of mine was gonna drive behind me and one up front. After we get to the party, I was lucky to find a parking space close to the entrance, because since I had all the bikes and gear on the truck I wanted to take a peak at it from time to time. Well as time passed by, beer started flowing and people started leaving. and Before I knew it it was already very late, and my friends had left. So since I knew that basically my taillights were not working, I decided to take the back streets instead of the freeway back home. But oh Surprise! Right after I take off on one of the streets with the least traffic I get pulled over.. And I was for sure a bit more than buzzed, so anyways the Cop stops me and asks me the question and I explained to him what happenned, and the he looks at the bikes on the truck and he's says "nice bikes man", to where I respond "thanks", and then he starts looking at the truck and starts asking me all this questions, "What year is this?, I've never seen this type of Cherokee.." So I get off my truck and start telling him all about it, and the bikes and stuff, and then after a while of admiring the truck, He says "Well you know it i very dangerous for you not to have any taillights, and I responded "Yes I know but I live somewhat close by, and it's getting very late and need to get home", to what he responds "all right I'm gonna escort you home, just follow me close by". At this point I couldn't believe it, I was like Jessica you saved my @$$! Anyways.. We get home I park my truck on the driveway I wave and yell "Thanks!" to what he responded "Oh and by the way, I know you're @#$%ed up, Have a Good Night!" My reaction was priceless jaw all the way down to the ground! I was like all right this guy just made my day! so I left the truck all loaded up and didn't even bother to lock it up.. Because I was thinking nothing can really happen after this.. haha and that's how this is my Best MJ Story. CC is Awesome!... Why Do You Think So? ● Because it has a lot, and I mean a lot! Of great info and very helpful people, everytime I see a fellow Comanche Driver on the Road, I always try to stop him so I can talk to him about it, and try to make him join CC. I mean now that I just went to Moab for the 50th Easter Jeep Safari, I talked to a few guys which some of them where already on here, and some of them weren't and I told them just join man, and start posting because you don't know which post that you'll do will help out somebody else, and vice versa. This is a badass site and online community that is always looking to lend a helping hand to the one in need for tech info, or just different ideas. This truck is really something special, I think. I totally dig the two tone paint and the big BFG decals... kind of nostalgic looking! That mixed with the updated front end and it really turns some heads. Add in the Moabs and... well... Moabs on an MJ... perfect! Way to go, man! Beautiful truck and congratulations! -Ben This post has been promoted to an article

Update... the Beetle is not coming with me as I'm selling it to my dad, and I just applied for a position at 4 Wheel Parts.

Well, I picked my parts yesterday. EGR, here I come... I guess.

Ugh... so... three of the four tires are mounted and look great! However, one was deemed "unbalanceable" by the tire shop without an absurd amount of weights. Not happy right now. Waiting to hear back from Treadwright on their solution to this problem. :wall: