Project "Third Try" - 89 Comanche

[dunl]

Well, this is the third time I have bought a Comanche, and the third time I have bought one for my daughter, so hopefully it stays around long enough for her to drive.

 

The idea was fairly good body (not many Comanches up here to choose from), give it anywhere from a 3-4.5 " lift, roll bar, lights, and repaint. Bedline it. So, here goes:

 

#1. "Spot", a 1988 2wd long box with the 2.5 engine. Blah. Got it for a bottle of Canadian Club, and upgraded to a bottle of Crown Royal when I sold it.

 

 

Mocked up 33's, no lift.

 

 

#2. 1990 Eliminator Shortbox, 4wd, 4.0l engine.

 

Sold this to a friend who had previously called dibs on it. Great interior, engine purred, easy to smoke the wheels, etc. Body needed some good work, but otherwise bone stock.

 

[dunl]

#3. Now, our centre piece. A 1989 Comanche, I'm guessing a Pioneer, shortbox, 4wd, 5 speed, 3" Rough Country lift, roll bar, lights, repainted - perfect start.

 

 

Did I mention it was $800, but not running? Well, the long version is here:

 

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17906

 

And condensed:

1. purchased non-running. Was told that it stopped while being backed out of the garage one day.

2. changed the cps to find that it still wouldn't start. No gauges, nothing.

3. jumped the pump, sounded fine.

4. found the loose plug on the ignition switch. Gauges now, fuel pump when the key turns, but no start.

5. Distributor seemed to be off 180, and skipped a tooth.

6. Changed the plugs, properly gapped. 2 out of 6 were new.

7. New coil, as the older one gave indeterminate readings. Why not, eh?

8. New fuel filter, new gas, premium at that.

 

Then, I had a friend come over with a fresh set of eyes to look, found my dyslexic spark plug mistake, and we reindexed the distrib at TDC.

 

However, at around 80km or so, we both found out what Death Wobble feels like. :(

 

That's where I'm sitting at now. :chillin:

[freakjeep93]

looks good man that death wobble might be from your swaybar buty idk

[dunl]

Yeah, it looks like the stock one underneath. Got an adjustable one in the garage.

[dunl]

So putting the kick plate back under the dash I figured I would look to see what these connectors were for:

 

 

(did I mention it had a Posi-Lock?)

 

 

Is the one on the right another light plug?

 

 

 

Got this one covered. :)

[dunl]

Well, been busy. Jacked the rear, spun one tire around twice, and the driveshaft went a little over 3 turns.

 

Damm.....that's a waste of a good Dana 44, isn't it? :no:

 

Or maybe I have no idea how to check?

[Geonovast]

Nope, that's the proper way to check.

 

Essentially all 4.0s with a 5 speed came with the sucky 3.07s.

[dunl]

Looks like I got a better looking truck...moving to new geared axles will be pretty much starting from scratch.

[dunl]

So not much to report....new to me 31's, but she sure looks fine with a load on: