turboxr Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Hey all. May be in the market for a Comanche within 100mi of Springdale AR. Just wanted to see what was out there and do some research on MJ's. I'm interested in a 4x4 SWB 4.0 AX-15. Other than that, condition doesn't really matter. These things seem pretty stout. I really need a DD/tow rig for my Merkur XR4Ti. BTW, my name's Joe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 How much of a project are you looking for? I have one... but it needs quite a bit before it's really driveable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 :hijack: I need to see the XR4 :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Really, condition should be at the top of the list, you can change the mechanicals, but not the condition of the body. Plus thats a pretty specific list for such a short distance around you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Meh, I'd rather have the mechanicals in decent shape and have to deal with some bumps and bruises as long as it's not completely rotted out. The specifics can be changed depending on what kind of deal I can find, but, I find myself "settling" a lot for whatever comes my way, so with this build I want to get what I want and keep it. I've gone through quite a few DD's in the past year or two and I want to settle it down a bit. Geonovast, I'd love to get some pictures and info and a price. My email is turboxr@gmail.com if that's easier. Here's the XR4 (well, one of the fleet): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 I would personally be looking for a LWB as a tow rig. While the SWB trucks can tow just fine the extra wheel base is nice when towing. But then again, a MJ is not really the right truck for towing a car on a trailer. They are just too light in the rear. The TOAD tends to push them around. You should honestly be looking for a fullsize half ton or heavier pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Ya, I've thought about half or 3/4 tons but they are just too expensive up front and too expensive on gas. I don't do a lot of towing- in fact if I do tow anything its usually with my boss' aluminum featherlight or with a tow dolly. You do make a good point about a LWB. I want something small enough to do some wheeling in the woods occasionally but also run parts/engines to and fro and go camping with. From the research I've done, I think the MJ is the perfect mix of everything I need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 :hijack: again. How did you get the hood to close with the plenum reclocked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Meh, I'd rather have the mechanicals in decent shape and have to deal with some bumps and bruises as long as it's not completely rotted out. well to find the ax-15 in an MJ you will need to find an 89-92, course if you find a 2WD AX-15 then it doesn't matter, the 2WD ax-15 cannot be mated to a transfer case. Good luck with your search, I'm gonna hazard a guess and say you will be looking for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 There are a few I've looked at/asked about. One is a $350 2.8 86 4x4 not far from here which supposedly runs but doesn't have a windshield. There is a silver 2.8 LWB 4x4 not far as well. I think they want $1500 but it's kind of beat. I ran across a very clean Comanche X LWB but 2wd. I'm interested in a Mercedes diesel swap so I suppose the drivetrain doesn't matter that much. I'll do some searching, but what all is involved in converting to 4x4? Oh, and the hood shuts just fine with no underhood heat insulation on my XR4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 i would stay away from the 2.8unless you plan on swaping. to convert to 4x4 you need a front axle, trans, transfer case, and driveshafts. it all bolts in. not much to it really, all the parts can also be taken off of a cherokee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 There are a few I've looked at/asked about. One is a $350 2.8 86 4x4 not far from here which supposedly runs but doesn't have a windshield. There is a silver 2.8 LWB 4x4 not far as well. I think they want $1500 but it's kind of beat. I ran across a very clean Comanche X LWB but 2wd. I'm interested in a Mercedes diesel swap so I suppose the drivetrain doesn't matter that much. I'll do some searching, but what all is involved in converting to 4x4? Oh, and the hood shuts just fine with no underhood heat insulation on my XR4. It must have been shortend a lot,my hood wouldn't come close to shutting when I mocked it up so I finished gutting the plenum then welded it back to the factory position. Made the IC harder to plumb but came out ok. As for your Comanche search,I would look for an 87 or newer. I wouldn't worry too much about finding everything your after because its not hard to swap in what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 Do you have an XR? Please post pics! Are you on any of the forums? My plenum is already a shorter tcoupe one but yes, you have to take an inch or so off and generally you have to point it down a bit in the front. I'm gonna go take a look at a couple 'manches today. I have a 300D mercedes diesel parts car, so I think a 2.8 would be fine as I plan on the OM617TD swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 I had a black 89,it got hit in the front passenger side so the engine found its way into my sand rail. Id post some pics but something happened to a computer I had a few years ago and I lost a lot of pics. I used to visit turboford.org but the only turbo fords I have anymore are my EXPs so I pretty much stick to ford exp.com. I still really like the XR4 and will probably get another someday,I think its my love of odd cars that made the comanche so appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Ok, I bought a Land Rover for cheap in the interim, and have sold it for a lot more than I paid. I am looking again for a 'manche. I really would prefer a 4.0 but would rather a long bed now that I've thought it over a bit. I could handle a 2wd to start with as I've seen that these things are really easy to convert to 4x4. I'd love to find a Metric Ton, or at least swap in the axle and heavier springs. Were Metric Tons available with 4.0s? My vision is an all rounder- Expedition style build but keeping the functionality of the bed and being able to tow one car on a dolly with it. I'd love to update to the later interior and front clip as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Most metric tons came with the 4.0L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 Found an 87 with 149k miles on it. Clean as a whistle. 4.0, auto, 4x4, longbed, maroon with nearly immaculate maroon interior. It's a Pioneer. Runs pretty well. Guy just replaced the rad, waterpump, and a few other things because it was running hot. Asking $1500. I think it looks like a winner to me. Sounds like it needs a wheel bearing or has a sticky caliper. I'll post some pics in a minute. Tell me what you think. Edit: Here's a link to the pics and some questions elsewhere on the site: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=29628 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboxr Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Guy with the 87 took $1k. Rust free and runs and drives well. Needs a couple hundred to be really really nice, but I'm not complaining. I think I'm here to stay guys. I'll make a build thread when I pick the truck up on Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 You stole that truck from the guy! What a deal. After dealing with rust in my truck I would have paid $ 1K for a rust free shell. Welcome to the club, officially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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