My 1986 Jeep Comanche X (3.4L V6 swap coming soon.....)

[86ComancheXNate]

Ok so here's the scoop. I bought this truck about 3 months ago for $950. For what I paid I'm sure getting my use out of it. It has the 2.8 V6 carbed. Its 2wd and runs decent.

 

Now here's the bad part.

It leaks oil like no tomorrow.

Has almost no power.

It's only 2wd.

 

Ok. Here's the next part. I'm wanting to do a lot of mods but I'm not sure what to do. I'm thinking about starting out by getting a beat up but mechanically sound cherokee and swap out engine, tranny, and axles. I'm pretty new to all of this mechanical stuff but I'm excited to learn.

 

If you have any suggestions on what I should do for mods let me know. I'm low on money but I'm saving up.

 

[MancheKid86]

looks like you need a new air filter cover :thumbsup:

[86ComancheXNate]

it was taken off for the picture lol.

[MancheKid86]

it was taken off for the picture lol.

figured 8)

 

welcome to comanche club

[thejeepguyonline]

were are you located? if in California or another state with strict laws about motor swaps it will be expensive and pain full to swap the motor. the core support is different and i think the fire wall is different on the 4.0 equipped jeeps.it may be better to go Chevy and use a 4.3.( the 2.8 is a Chevy motor) nice looking truck and good luck.

[86ComancheXNate]

I'm in Florida so the swap isnt such a pain. I've been thinking about a sbc. But I'm not too sure what I need to do for one. I know if were going for the 4.0 I would have to cut into the firewall because the engine compartment was redesigned in 87'. Will I need to cut the firewall at all for a sbc? :help:

[buxmj]

Welcome to the club, fellow Floridian. Good luck with the swap, I am jealous of all you who can and are willing to take the time to do major projects. Keep us posted. By the way, great find and great price, hopefully it's been in Florida all it's life and no rust.

[jimmy21669]

Welcome...at least it is nice LOOKING.... :dunno:

 

I too have been considering a drivetrain swap...I just cannot settle on WHAT!

[86ComancheXNate]

well I'm hoping I can do something decent with little money. I'm a college student and I'm struggling to find a job. I just got a job at advance autoparts :thumbsup: but I'm only getting a few hours a week.

[COLAB]

Same as mine........Welcome Home :cheers:

[86ComancheXNate]

Well I'm really excited about starting my new job at advance autoparts. That will help a lot with money and some parts. I think I'll be visiting the local u-pull a lot for parts.

 

Now here's the question:

 

What should I look for at the junkyard for parts.

 

I just found out I have a amc 20 rear axle I'm pretty sure I should prolly find a new axle. dana 44 right?

[btm24]

No god no keep the amc 20 thats a rly good axle. do some research on it you will be glad you have it and not a dana 35.

 

Brandon

 

edit: do you know your gear ratio?

[86ComancheXNate]

no I'm new to all of this mechanic stuff I'm trying to learn as I go along.

[btm24]

So was and am I. Your truck Will be fun to work on I'm sure. Maybe one day I can see it in person :D

 

Brandon

 

edit: if you feel like you have no power think about an upgrade in the gears. do you know what gear ratio you have now?

[86ComancheXNate]

how do I find out my gear ratio?

 

I may try to do that today after I take of the carb and try to fix a fuel leak with some jb weld.

[streetjeep2.5]

Yea, welcome to the club!

Had an 86 Cavalier with a 2.8, and the think leaked oil like no tomorrow, all coming from the intake manifold gasket. The end pieces love to leak! I was told to replace them, and take a small punch and create a few small divits on the engine block to hold the seal in place. Does it need a good tune up, like cap, rotor, wires, plugs? Check compression and see how its doing there. That will tell you a lot.

Yea, good looking rig!

[86ComancheXNate]

well I replaced all the plugs and wires, distributor cap and everything when I first got the truck. I know the engine has a pretty bad rod know that gets significantly louder when low on oil. I have yet to do a compression test.

[whowey]

Are you checking all the vacuum lines... I see one in the first picture capped with a bolt... Vacuum leaks is a MAJOR issue with that Chevy carb set-up.

[86ComancheXNate]

yeah I checked the vacuum lines. A friend and I redid the whole vacuum system.

 

oh and I believe I have 4.10 gearing with a amc 20 rear axle.

[86ComancheXNate]

looking to do an engine swap.

 

I'm low on money and wanting to do something inexpensive but wanting decent power.

 

any ideas.

[xjrev10]

People have swapped the engine from a camero before. I believe its the 3.4 V6. Seems to be the most common swap to get rid of that POS 2.8. By all means do not attempt a 4.0 swap. Its just not worth it.

[86ComancheXNate]

its not worth it for the 4.0? I've heard a lot of people suggest them.

 

I've been contemplating a sbc 350 or a similar V8. How difficult would that be and what would I need to do to get it running?

[Pete M]

don't even think about a v8 unless you've got gobs of money to throw at it. there's nothing cheap about that swap.

 

the 3.4 is a great option if you wire in the fuel injection too. I've read that it's pretty much stand-alone on the Camaros and Firebirds and that makes it about as easy as it gets for an FI swap.

 

If your truck feels sluggish, then you might want to try and figure out what's wrong before throwing the guts away.

[86ComancheXNate]

well how much is a lot of money for an engine/tranny swap.

 

idk what the deal with my truck is. I know the engine is dying. Its got a bad rod know which is probably a bad piston. So either a rebuild or a swap is eminent. Is it possible to get any power out of the 2.8?

[86ComancheXNate]

oh and pete isnt your 86 almost the exact same setup as mine except yours is 4x4 and is standard.