ChiefJosh

Sounds good. Dirty, I like your idea, hopefully I'll get around to this one....

I like the looks of the rails you had on pong there. Where are you located at? Maybe I could save myself some shipping :brows: .......

I can't quite picture what you're talking about when you say rock rails. Can you help me out on that one? Any pics? (Edit) Whoops, that one went right over my head. For some reason I was thinking rock rails that tied into the rear bumper. I saw the pics on your other post......

That thing looks like a '99! I'm not sure I've seen a Comanche with that bright of paint! It's sure a step up from my peeling clearcoat.....

I am just putting the finishing touches on my 97+ front clip swap. I am planning on taking some pictures, drawing up a wiring diagram, etc, and I wanted to know if there was anything specific anybody wanted to know. I'd like to make this a good "searchable" thread for anybody looking to do this swap.

Yeah I just left my hood and fenders. The XJ I got the clip off of was a silver color and I didn't feel like hassling with painting up the hood and fenders. The rest of the truck isn't all that pretty anyway. It was a fairly easy swap, I'm working on coming up with a diagram for the wiring, look for a post in the Tech section in the next week. I should have the 33's on this week as well.

Smells like engine oil, so I sort of assumed it was that, I'll check the power steering stuff tomorrow. Man, that would suck if I had to drop the oil pan again, I really hope I don't have to do that....

Lastly, I finished up the front clip swap, except for the grille, it's supposed to be in the mail. Came out pretty good. I decided to stick with the older bumper caps cause I wasn't going to swap bumpers, and I'm also going to end up putting TJ flares on (PA state law). I managed to find a construction site I could get some good poser flex on. I used the opportunity to measure for new shocks. Oh, I also picked up a set of used 33" Claws, so those will go on this week as well. Here she is with the 31's still on:

Then it was on to the suspension. I picked up a set of used RE drop brackets for $145 to my doorstep! I was pretty stoked. I did have to come up with my own spacers. I picked up a 2' piece of iron pipe from the Depot and cut off two 2" sections that I used for crush sleeves/spacers instead of trying to order up the one's from RE. I didn't get any pics of the brackets before I put them on, but they're on now! I also pulled a pitman arm from a ZJ at the junk yard, so I swapped that in as well. That gained me 3/4"-1" of drop, I didn't exactly measure it, but it's close to that. To solve my track bar issues, I ordered the whole setup from TNT Customs. Let me tell you, this thing is SWEET!!! It is beefy as all get out. It's got the superflex upper joint, and a rubber busing at the bottom. I think the threads on the adjuster are like 1 1/4"! Here's some prep shots, and then the whole front end after the install.

I just realized it's been quite awhile since I've updated this thread, so now's as good a time as any. First up was some engine work. I replaced (sucessfully on the first try) the rear main seal; the oil pan gasket; the valve cover gasket. I thought that would cure all my oil leaks, but I was wrong. I've got somethin leaking out the front of the block that I haven't identified the source of yet. I swaped out my old injectors for a set of Ford 19lb with new O-rings and the whole deal. While I was at it, I painted up the valve cover, just for something different.

You always work on this thing in the dark or what??? I'd love to see what it looks like in the daylight all leveled out, you got any other pics?

You know, you should really wear shoes when you're workin on your truck..... :D You're not at the beach.......

Do tell...... How hard is it? What's involved?

No, its defiately up on the front of the block. It's leaking down all over the steering components.

What seals are on the front of the engine that oil could leak from? I know it's not the valve cover or the oil pan gaskets, cause I just did those and they are good. What else is up there?

25.....26 on June 4- You know, that's what I love about this place- it really doesn't matter too much how old or young you really are, what speaks volumes is your experience and how you offer your wisdom to those of us that need to borrow some of it......

MJeff87 - That looks great- I'm just not sure where to step to climb into the bed..... I guess the tire works.... pingpong - do you have any rough sketches of what you're gonna make? I'd like to think I might be interested, but realistically, I wouldn't be interested for 2-3 months anyway.....

It's not bad- I did it in my 98 XJ. I also bored out the TB myself to match the main body diameter, so it's not like a 62mm or anything, I think I made it a full 60 or so all the way through. I did that stuff about 6 months before I upgraded to 31's. It definately upped the performance, but then when I swapped to 31" tires, my AW4/3.55 combo took the performance back to about normal stock. Hope that helps. It's good, but it's not magic or anything.

There's a couple of companies that make a frame end drop, though if I follow you CW, I don't think there are any that make one that will work with the stock track bar with the tie rod on the frame side. They all make one that corresponds with their trackbar. IIRC, those companies are Rusty's, RockKrawler, Rubicon Express, Kevin's Offroad, and TNT. For the price and the options- I just ordered up the TNT setup- kinda pricey, but not over the top, Kevin's offroad was way more. TNT was $230, for new adjustable track bar, new HD frameside mount, with a Johnny Joint on the frame end- none of that heim-$#!& for me. Should be here this week....

So... you mean make it look like a Cherokee????

I say once a Chief, always a Chief - Eagle, who am I to keep you out anyhow! Something about you being a moderator on this forum...... :D I'm definately not saying it was the best optioned package in the Jeep lineup.... It's just the one I've got, so I thought I'd see who else out there was rollin with me :cheers:

That may be so, but...... CPC (Comanche Pioneer Club) just doesn't have the same ring to it as CCC, ya know? CPC sounds like some sort of chemical you really ought to stay away from..... :D

Fiscus- You're right, you can do that. But, as it shouldn't surprise you, then you run into a whole nother slew of problems. Read Go-Jeep's write up on it. He has a RHD, and used a LHD drag-link for his set up. That was one option I was refering to about too much fabrication. I like the JCR setup, and I've heard a lot of good things from those guys, but I just can't swing the cash...

I want to hear from everyone else out there who is the proud owner of a Comanche Chief! I hearby announce the formation of the CCC! :cheers: That is, the Comanche Chief Club...... Well, saddle up and post up a pic of your truck, join in the fun Here's mine, as it sat midway through my SOA project. SOA is now done, and I'm working on ironing out all of the front end geometry, steering, suspension mess...

I don't think this is correct. I don't claim to know all, but every 8.25 disc swap writup I've read is from a ZJ D44, which requires some minor alerations to make fit- It is possible though, and quite common.