twojeeps Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 May be able to get an 86 comanche for around $400. runs but needs clutch work. 4x2, 4 cyl., LWB, body in great shape. I really want a 4x4, 4.0, but came across this. How difficult would it be to make the 86 a 4.0, 4x4?? Should I just keep looking?? Thanks for any advise!!
JOMJ87 Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 86 firewall isnt to nice for excepting 4.0s (IIRC) but the 4x4 swap would be simple with a good donor. I have a 4 banger and its not to bad with the right gears and such and plus its hard to find a MJ with a good body so I say go for it. Cole
GirsMJ86 Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 if it is late enough in the year then it can take a 4.0 with little mods (rad bars and stuff) nuthing to the firewall. but as long as you don't get a 2.8 that is not running right then anything will work with the correct gears and stuff. the 2.5 is a good engine just not as fast as the 4.0 for the most part. i say go for it. i miss my 86 because it had selec-trac and no rust. i say if the body and frame is good then get it and throw selec-trac stuff under it for a 4x4 swap. Alex
Pete M Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 If I already owned the 86 and had become attached to it, then I might attempt a 4.0L swap. But I personally would not seek out an 86 to put a 4.0L in. But then, that truck is cheap enough that I would find it hard not to buy it and fix it to drive while I continued looking for a 4.0L truck. :D
GirsMJ86 Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 But then, that truck is cheap enough that I would find it hard not to buy it and fix it to drive while I continued looking for a 4.0L truck. :D thats what i did with my 86 even if it did have the 2.8 it was still my fav truck out of the three so far. idk why but i really liked it. who knows. and the 2wd on these things work better then most other trucks 4wd systems so it would be good how it is really. if you want an MJ get the 86 for now if you can't find a 4.0 in your price range. Alex
minydigger Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 I've done a 2.8 to 4.0 swapp on my 86. It wasn't hard at all just needed a little reshaping of the firewall to keep anything from rubbing.
87manche Posted November 10, 2006 Posted November 10, 2006 I'd just stick a 2.5 in it. Hop up the 2.5 a little and you'll get more out of it than the 2.8 And it won't fall apart.
surfer1316 Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 if it's a nice truck for a good price, snatch it up, don't forget you can also do 3.4 liter swaps and chevy V8 swaps with the old 2.8 liter trans
GirsMJ86 Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 the one he is looking at has the I4 in it. so all he would need to do is bore it out over 40 and he has a good engine with good power. mine had the 2.8 in it and i loved it minus the oil leak (then again it was a suped up 3.2). Alex
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Hey Alex, Do you know the breking point on the date of the '86 comanche that has the room for the 4.0? I've got the 2.5L and you're right,not a bad motor. It's turnin' my 32's just fine,just not the power of my cherokee. Too attached to my comanche to let it go. It's in the project forum. Getting ready to modify wheel wells. KO :chillin:
Pete M Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Hey Alex, Do you know the breking point on the date of the '86 comanche that has the room for the 4.0? I've got the 2.5L and you're right,not a bad motor. It's turnin' my 32's just fine,just not the power of my cherokee. Too attached to my comanche to let it go. It's in the project forum. Getting ready to modify wheel wells.KO :chillin: Time for a gear change. :D
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Pete, yea i know,the 4:10 will get me thru until i go dana 44's or 8.8. the n 4:56 or 4:88's with a locker.Whatcha think?
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 BTW Pete, what mod did you do to your front wells? Can't decide to remove flares & cut n trim,go with cut and tj flares,or someone said cut and raise existing,tho i don't have the lower body trim to blend into. KO
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 How will the 4:88's do on hiway (freeway driving)?
JOMJ87 Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 I got 4.10s and 35s and I don't use 5th gear except down hill....Just to give you an idea although it prob didnt help :dunno:
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Exactly! only use 5th downhill,rpm's seem ok in 4th
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Duh! Sorry wasn.t payin attention to your info! :nuts:
JOMJ87 Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 F/R but soon to not have the rear if someone wants it....I hate having it on the street so Ill put the money I make from it to get an 8.8 with LSD for now till I go to My true desire of full case lockers and a 9" rear and something nice up front to match with mid 5 gears so I CAN use 5th. Cole
Pete M Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 BTW Pete, what mod did you do to your front wells? Can't decide to remove flares & cut n trim,go with cut and tj flares,or someone said cut and raise existing,tho i don't have the lower body trim to blend into. KO I didn't do much to the front wells. Basically I just cut the front portion off level with the top of the bumper. The tires on the other hand, have done a great job of smashing the rear of the fender. :roll: But I have the wide Ford axles (with a different scrub radius etc) and your experience will be different. Make sure you lengthen the bumpstop to keep the tire out of the top of the flare.
ridergoatee Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 If i gotta adjust bump stops i think i'll try the hockey puck trick. Gotta friend here that showed how well it worked.Alot cheaper and just as stout. :chillin:
GirsMJ86 Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 Hey Alex, Do you know the breking point on the date of the '86 comanche that has the room for the 4.0? I've got the 2.5L and you're right,not a bad motor. It's turnin' my 32's just fine,just not the power of my cherokee. Too attached to my comanche to let it go. It's in the project forum. Getting ready to modify wheel wells.KO :chillin: sry forgot to check this topic for awhile. but no i am not sure on the cut off for the room to fit the 4.0L. just get a build sheet and see how late in the year it was. it got switched over once they had plans for the 4.0 in 87. sort of a half year truck. still had the 86 options and packages and things but 87 body mods. Alex
CWLONGSHOT Posted November 11, 2006 Posted November 11, 2006 My self and some others have done most of the things you are thinking about. Check out the threads on the "MJ PROJECTS" section. Mine is CW's MJ. http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1230 CW
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