Windowsrookie Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I'm looking at a 1989 Comanche 2WD with the 4.0. 123,000 miles, body looks good in the pictures. Interior looks like it's in great shape too. He's firm at $1,200. Is this a good deal? Blue Book says $2,185. Only problem he said is the headliner is screwy. I haven't seen it in person yet. What should I look for? Also, what exactly is the Pioneer edition? And how much work is it to change out the idiot lights for real gauges? -Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 If it has idiot lights, it isn't a Pioneer. And those aren't '89 wheels, those are 2000 XJ (Cherokee) wheels. Nothing wrong with that, but just be aware that things you can see have obviously been changed, so things you can't see might also have been changed. $1,200 sounds like a really good price for a low-mileage truck like that. Swapping the idiot light cluster for one with gauges is very easy. There are several write-ups on it around this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLHTAZ Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I agree...that is a good price. :thumbsup: Pull up the carpet on both sides and check the floors...they like to rust out badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 First off, welcome to the club. :cheers: Swapping the cluster as Eagle said is no big deal, but yours is a column shift so you will need a quick mod for that which a few have done on here and I'm sure will chime in. Far as the Pioneer, it's just a trim package that added a few things from the base model. Oh and Eagle, you know nothing is standard for these things. I've seen more idiot lights in the pioneers than full gauges. :D Anyhow, check the floor boards. If you can't pull the carpet to look, look underneath real good. These trucks are know for rusted out floorboards. Especially in the salt belt. Check above the rear wheel wells and cab corners for rust as well. Pull the airbox cover and see how much if any oil is in the filter. If it's soaked, you should be able to get him to come off his firm price a little but the 4.0 is know for blow by so don't sweat it too much. $1200 is not a bad price and from the pic's, it looks worth it. Just inspect the crap out of it. Also look at where it's parked for big puddles of fluid(oil, tranny, coolant, you get the idea.) :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemsee Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Looks nice. Also has cruise and tilt. Desireable options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ300 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 If it has idiot lights, it isn't a Pioneer. I thought that Pioneers came with the idiot lights?? :dunno: My Pioneer originally had the idiot lights until i put in a full cluster (which was not hard btw). And since the truck he's looking at is an AW4 only the idiot lights had the shift indicator built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 The rest of the guys hit everything spot on! But I must say that the shell on that truck is awesome! I would love to find one like that. That truck is really nice all around. I think I would run a Carfax on it. I have not seen very many Pioneers with the idiot lights either. I would wonder if the cluster was changed. Check and see what Carfax has to say about the mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I have a clock that will fit in Bessie's stall pm me if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windowsrookie Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 What do I need to put gauges in? I hate idiot lights. Will XJ gauges work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ300 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Yes XJ clusters work. Best write-up i have found is here. http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=921205 :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 What do I need to put gauges in? I hate idiot lights. Will XJ gauges work? The XJ cluster will swap in just fine. Just make sure the replacement has the same speedo cable clip on the back. If you swap from the same year it should match but nothing is certain. I believe the only full cluster with the column shift indicator built in was on the police packages which also had the higher top speed indicated on the speedo's, 125 I think. Here's a pic with a modded full cluster for the indicator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepcoma Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I've seen more idiot lights in the pioneers than full gauges. :D I agree, I've seen plenty of Pioneers with idiots lights (mine own included, confirmed by the build sheet and VIN). I did a lot of searching and really couldn't find any definite source as to what actual differences there were between the different "levels" of MJs (except the Eliminator). It seems like you could order any package with any option you wanted, and there's a considerable about of overlap. $1200 for a 2wd seems like a good price for a good body with the cap, it's far nicer than anything I've seen in my area at the same price. Just my preference, but if you're going with an auto the column shifter is the way to go. Headliner is easy to fix, idiot lights are easy to replace (or some nice aftermarket gauges perhaps?). They're just some minor projects to get your started :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperWade2 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 If it has idiot lights, it isn't a Pioneer. I thought that Pioneers came with the idiot lights?? :dunno: My Pioneer originally had the idiot lights until i put in a full cluster (which was not hard btw). Mine DID! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I sit corrected. I keep forgetting that Jeep treated the Pioneer differently in the XJ than in the MJ. In the XJ, which I bought new in 1988, the Pioneer model included full instruments. Apparently in the MJ it did not -- although the '87 MJ Pioneer I bought used does have full instrumentation. Sorry. Alzheimer's, ya know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I sit corrected. I keep forgetting that Jeep treated the Pioneer differently in the XJ than in the MJ. In the XJ, which I bought new in 1988, the Pioneer model included full instruments. Apparently in the MJ it did not -- although the '87 MJ Pioneer I bought used does have full instrumentation. Sorry. Alzheimer's, ya know. I think its more of you never can tell what Jeep did until you see for yourself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver88 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 First off, welcome to the club. :cheers: Far as the Pioneer, it's just a trim package that added a few things from the base model. Oh and Eagle, you know nothing is standard for these things. I've seen more idiot lights in the pioneers than full gauges. :D :cheers: :agree: My 88 Pioneer came with Idiot lights, while the 89 I had came with full guages( now in the 88). Sounds like a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am starting to wonder if the standard trans trucks came with full guages and the auto on the columns had lights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver88 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I am starting to wonder if the standard trans trucks came with full guages and the auto on the columns had lights? Nope, both of mine have/had 5sp manuals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 There goes that idea. I am done trying to figure out Jeep. :nuts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver88 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I just checked my 88 dealer brochure, full gauges are listed as an option on all models , except Eliminator and Laredo lwb. The Tach is only standard on the Eliminator, optional on all others, which requires the Gauge group. It is also interesting to note that the Eliminator was a 2wd swb, but I guess it could have been ordered with 4wd? :hmm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I forget the year cutoff, but early Elims were 2wd and later on they expanded the name to use on 4wd versions too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think 89 or 90 was the first year of the 4WD Elims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 That hasn't stopped people from converting them, though. My 87 Pioneer has gauges, no tach and it's an auto/4wd and buckets. But it has the floor shifter for the AW4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazjeeper Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Welcome my 89 5 speed 4wd has all gages and the 90 auto on the tree has gages bench 4wd on the floor. they are both pioners. the 91 eliminator I am looking at is 4wd auto on the floor bench and has all gages aswell. its a jeep thing. they put on the truck what was in the line to be put on. nothing is in stone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenryiv1 Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 If it has idiot lights, it isn't a Pioneer. I have an 88 Pioneer with only idiot lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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