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Hi, this is a very general question, but I've done research on this topic but am having trouble finding something close to a definitive answer. I'm looking into doing a Comanche resto for a first vehicle, as i really like the vehicle, but the reliability due to it being over 30 years old is the main reason holding me back rn. Time commitment isn't a problem for me especially during the summer, and I have a budget of 13-15k. Is it realistic to get one in reliable working condition, a solid body, and interior and exterior within those parameters, and if i do all the work i can myself or with a family member's help? The main use for this would be a DD for at least around 6 years, and some light yard work/pulling a small trailer. I've read the 4.0L is the most reliable engine, and this question is also based on myself finding a Comanche with one and no frame rust within under half my budget. thanks for any help in advance

Lately I’ve been taking after my father jpnjim and learning all I can about Comanches, I’ve been to this forum multiple times over the past few years and just recently decided to join and post. If you are not familiar with this truck I’ll tell you about it. Its a 1989 pioneer short bed 2wd and column shift auto and the bulletproof 4.0 it is a manual window, no ac, low option low mileage truck currently having about 53k miles. The interior is nearly perfect and the exterior just needs a little work to be spot on. It’s a great truck. My dad had put on 97+ mirrors, a bed liner, and a tonneau cover along with the non idiot light gauge pack. Also adding a metric ton leaf setup in the back and some sagged 3” coils on the front and some 29” snow tires to make it movable in the snow up here. I proceeded to sometime around last year bring the truck out of its parking spot where it was for a few years, and get it ready for when I got my license. I washed, polished, and cleaned it up just in time to get my license. And recently I’ve started modifying by removing the bed liner and putting on the oldstyle mirrors along with painting the inside of the bed. Below I’ll post some before and after shots. Edit: 2023 For better cover Photo Page 1: Cb Radio, Fire extinguisher, Journey to Chrome Page 2: 21slot, Air horn, Limited seats, Visor Page 3: Enclosed Trailer, Chrome Ravines Page 4: Page 5: Page 6:

This is a project that has been sat on for quite a while. It was purchased 3 years ago with 280k miles, A blown engine, and rotted out floors and rockers. When I was 16 I stripped the whole interior, cut the rot out of the rockers, put all the parts I need in random places and then just lost interest in it for a while. fast forward 2 years and I finally get the motivation to work on it again so I don’t have to daily the 60k mile survivor MJ in the New England salt land. The engine came out of 2001 XJ That rolled over and was then purchased by my dad in 2003 to be used as a parts truck for his MJ. The 01 Motor sat under a bench for 19 years and fired right up and runs great with a little seafoam in the oil to clean things up. The transmission and t-case came out of my dads old 98 2dr that rotted apart on us and got cut into pieces by us. Rip 98 2dr the rest is being saved for a future trailer build Old engine out The one ton crane from harbor freight doesn’t lift high enough to get the engine+trans out with the header in place New engine in

Picked up a mostly finished 97+ swapped 88 SWB. Plan is finish the swap get it driving, paint it, then 3 inch lift, flat bed, 33” tires. Need a nice daily capable of working and carrying my tools.

Today I bought my first Jeep at the age 24 years old. A 137k mile 1988 Comanche from the original 92 year old owner ( Good ol Doug) . Here in Southern California, even this little rust is shocking... It’s a 1988 5 speed with a 4.0, 6 Cylinder with 2WD, burgundy interior. Thanks to this forum I felt my buy was very good investment! Excited to share with you the little updates I will add to get the Jeep back to 1988. Only thing I’ve found wrong were the tow mirrors don’t hold position anymore. In addition no rear window. Thank you to everyone who kindly contributes their experience to help get these back to great shape. what I’m looking to do in the future. - buff paint, get new decals -Fix / replace mirrors- ? Holes in the side of the door though? With standard xj mirrors? -Bed liner - fog lights -sports bar /w lights kind of worried I paid high at 5800, was listed at 6200. Kind of gave me the eye when I started pointing little things out haha. first thing I did was flip the grill! 1JTMW6411JT041225 *X3 -H9 AGC APA MONOTONE PAINT PACKAGE CBA BENCH SEAT - STRAIGHT BK CGX Head Restraints-Outboard Seating, RR DDJ 5SPD MANUAL TRANS A881 (JA-41) ERB ENGINE - 4.0L I6 MPI GAS GAC ALL WINDOWS - TINTED GLASS JJA CIGAR LIGHTER - FRT COMP LAP FUEL ECONOMY SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT LMA HALOGEN HEADLAMPS MDA FRT LICENSE PLATE ATTACH REQUIRED NAE EMISS CONTROL TESTING &&&&&&&& LABEL PWB QWB SBA POWER STEERING TBG SPARE TIRE - COMPACT WMC BASE WHEEL DRESS - UP (INCLS TRIM RING) Build date 9/13/87 Body code TL61

Hey everyone my name is tyler, I am new to the forums and am in the process of building up my 1990 jeep comanche 4x4. This is my second comanche and I'm building it as a daily driver that will get me through the harsh canadian winters and see some moderate 4x4ing as well as shuttling mountain bikes where ever i ride.

1986 Jeep Comanche "Graham Cracker" 4.0 High Output I6 / AX15 transmission / NP231 t-case / Front Axle is a Dana 30, Rear Axle is a Dana 35 Build date: 3/19/86 Current Location: Chandler, Arizona Status: Daily Driver and weekend rig Notes: This is my second Jeep Comanche. I foolishly traded my old one for a Honda Accord in an attempt to get better gas mileage and have regretted my decision ever since. Which brings us to today. Body and Chassis are the 86 Comanche MJ, literally everything else is out of a 1996 Cherokee XJ. Over 10k in this truck and it runs strong. 4.5 inch lift (not spring over axle) sitting on 31's. Long bed with a JCR steel bumper and historic plates. Original 10 slot grill with an all black/tan interior, american racing wheels, and the underside is bedlined to prevent rust/debris damage. Hood has hood pins instead of a latch, and theres an electric fan installed. The paint job is Maaco but its the most expensive package so here's to hoping it will last more than 2 years. Current owner: Me myself and I

What are your opinions? I have had a few people tell me not to daily drive the Comanche because its too old. I just wanted to hear from some of you. My original plan was to try and eliminate any weak points from the truck from the beginning. Battery, starter, trans, ball joints, u joints, wheel bearings, radiator, etc

I picked up my 1988 jeep comanche in June 2013, I drove front topeka KS to St. Louis MO to get it. I drove it all the way home with no problems. It has the XJ bucket seats and center consul in it, 124,xxx when I got it, I have put all new exhaust with a Gibson superflow muffler on. Converted to an open cooling system, and E-fan swap. I have a 2" boost in the garage waiting to be installed I also have wheel adaptors from 5on4.5 to 5on5 do I can use new JK wheels