Dedaw

Before dropping the pan to check for metal, I took it by the old shop I was a shop b*@$£ for (they're like family now). Had them listen to it, and they are adamant that it's a rod knock. :headpop: Not what I was hoping for, but oh well. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do. I either need to sell it since it's my only vehicle, or work out transportation and give her a new heart. Transportation shouldn't be that hard, and I'm tossing around putting something a little heftier in her and getting her ready for wheeling. On the bright side, one of the techs offered to give me his old axles with 4.10s for free and a set of 31s for $150. And they offered to let me use their snap-on account to buy myself a good welder. :thumbsup:

Seeing as it's 10PM, I'll try and get to that in the morning. :thumbsup:

Awesome! Thanks again! :thumbsup:

The closest example I've found to the sound my engine makes is this video: V9PQI5n3iwk&feature=related Followed by a grinding noise when you shut it off. The guy in the video says it's his piston skirt, and just wondering if anyone else can chime in. Thinking of taking it to a machine shop once I think I've narrowed it down. Engine also feels like it's not running with full power. Thanks guys! :wrench: EDIT: I'm running a 4.0, idk if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks for clarifying, that could've been interesting. :D

Thanks for all the replies, guys! I love the look of bigger lifted trucks, but since I've never been wheeling, might as well get something that'll just get me down the trail to start. And THEN build a better wheeler when I have two vehicles. Next paycheck, I'm thinking of going with: Teraflex 2" spacers from Quadratec ($50) Chevy shackles (Guessing JY?) Rancho RS500 shocks from shockwarehouse on all 4 corners ($240) Rancho RS5401 Steering stabilizer from shockwarehouse ($60) My shocks are almost certainly toast, so I figured while I'm down there I might as well put those on too. Now to find cheap tires... EDIT: Also need to start going through my engine, and making sure I don't have a rod knock. If I do, this will be very short lived. Maybe I should make a build thread now. :clapping:

I think for right now, I'll follow your advice for the 2"-3" lift, and find some cheap used 31s until I figure out what I want to do for sure. Thanks for saving me a huge hassle :) Tossing around ideas of 35s, new engine,stiffer axles, and flat bed. So would be pointless to blow all that on 33s to redo it all. EDIT: I can't seem to find 3" spacers, and doesn't seem safe to stack them... What kind of shocks should I run? How much better are Bilsteins than Ranchos?

If I regear, what should I run for 33s?

Lots and lots of info to digest.. Thanks guys! Is it worth it to shell out for long arms from the get-go. I plan to do semi-serious wheeling, but not to the extent of breaking stuff every time I go out (hopefully).

Good to know. Then maybe worth the little extra for the shorter coils and spacers. I didn't think the rears would be a problem, but was curious. I found the BFGs for $198 at tirerack, but am open to anything really. I want good all-around tires for snow and all the other fun stuff. But, again, new to the whole damn thing. :doh: I'm looking at Rock Crawler steelies. Do I want the 15x8 or 15x10 (which is better for most availability)?

Thank you. :) Would 6.5" Clayton's in the front be better than RK's and spacers? And should I get new 1" leafs in the rear and a 1" spacer in the front, or should my old, beaten rear leafs be okay? EDIT: The Clayton 6.5" are cheaper than the 4.5" RK's, without adding in the cost of spacers. Also, to go a little off-topic: how are the BFG T/A KM2s? Any cheaper tires that are decent for a DD/weekender?

Thanks. I was just browsing, and asking what lifts specifically because I know some people have bad luck with some brands. I don't plan on lots of cutting. If anything, cutting right along the edge of the OE fender flares so I can put on larger flares. So go with about 6.5" coils, long arms (or links?), and SOA the rear? Sorry, I'm really new to all of this. All of the research I've done before I bought this truck (my first truck), still doesn't help me until I can actually go through with a lift and see what all's in it. I had a VW before, and was all about lowering it, so LIFTING something is the exact opposite of what I know lol @mountain, no, an MJ. I was looking at the OME front for an XJ.

http://www.rocky-road.com/xjtrailblazer.html is where I found the OME for $1500, granted that was with johnny join arms, shocks, and high steer. I don't plan on regearing the axles yet, unless I really need to. Maybe a better question would be, how much lift is too much/too little. I like the idea of LCG (low center of gravity) but not hacking up the truck a lot. I want to be able to run about 33s with enough lift that I can take it through decent trails, but not too much that it makes it a pain to DD/easily rolling. I was think 3"-4" of lift should be enough? :dunno:

Jack-of-all-trades, most definitely. I will be using as a daily (for now), but want it to be lifted enough to comfortably go wheeling in as well.

Shopping around for lift kits at the moment. Looking for a relatively cheap lift (under $1,000 most definitely) that will give me 2"-4" of lift. Ideally want to fit 33s with or without cutting. And is OME really worth the extra penny? I've heard absolutely amazing stuff about it, but $1500 is a nice chunk to toss on a lift.

What are your specs at this point? Love the way it looks. (I looked, but couldn't find a lift amount anywhere)

Of course. I'm going to get the parts and make it myself, using go-jeep's guide.

Just bought 200mm Hella E-Code H4s and 100/80 bulbs off Amazon. Expect them on mid-next week. :yes:

Talked to the stereo installer today, and he said that it was indeed the fuses. They say (I have yet to check) that the metal clips holding in the fuses are loose. Is this common? Can it be fixed without going to the JY and pulling out a new fuse box?

My fuel and oil gauges were not working, and tach was off by about 800 RPMs. The other gauges worked. I got a stereo installed, and got in the truck, and none of my gauges worked except the speedo. My guess here, is that they bumped one of the wires, and knocked the instrument cable out of the back, so none of them are working now. I don't want them @#$%ing with my truck, so I'd rather do it myself. Unless, of course, this happens to be a bad ground- then I'll go back, give them a b*@$£ fit and have them fix it. Anyone experienced the same thing? Also, can anyone link me to a DIY about taking out the cluster? Got the bezel off, unscrewed the cluster, and can't get it to come all of the way out. :wall: Did some searching but to no avail. The love/hate with my Jeep begins! :wrench:

...... :waving: I was actually looking at your build thread a while ago. Beautiful truck. Not many lifted comanches around us (that I've seen). Thanks everyone else. :) Just got a new stereo and front speakers installed in her yesterday. Sounds amazing! Once I sign papers on my new job (hopefully next week), I'm gonna take her back to get a sub and amp, and complete my stereo system for an easy $650. :brows:

Hahaha yes. I've quickly turned into a jeep nut, and didn't really think I would. Silly me. I've already seen 79873474 jeeps I wanna add to the collection. It's very nice being one of the only Comanches around my area, and will be the only nice one once I get a lift under her.

Wouldn't be THAT bad. I'll have to look around.

Hey all, new here! Saving another (my first) Comanche from ultimate doom. Just wanted to say hey, and show off my truck. I'll make a project thread once I start working on it more. Picked her up for $1600. Needs paint, loses some oil, and the gauges are out of whack. But I love it. :cheers: Nice tread, but they gotta go! Backed into a giant @$$ tire, pitch black and my view was blocked. :dunno: Interior's in great shape, minus the extremely saggy driver's side. Bought her with 133k on the clock Can't forget the stickers. They add 5HP and 2 inches of lift. So... hey. :wavey:

Thanks guys! I didn't think of the ranger bench. I'll probably go with that one. :cheers: edit: @Remi: Wouldn't that cost quite a bit?