Renosausage Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 So basically I found this Comanche not too far from my house for $1000. It looked like a good deal from the Craigslists AD but after checking it out myself I'm not too sure about it. Here is my examination: The Good 1987 Comanche Cheif 212,XXX miles on it 4.0 L HO Inl 6 Engine 4 WD It has a Rancho 4 in lift installed on it No leaks, Oil and coolant look good Runs with no knocks and shifts gears like normal Its a Manual No rust in floor or in the bed Interior is dirty but can be cleaned Overall it seems to be a decent truck The Bad No rear Bumper The rear left side of the truck has a huge dent in it that someone tried to hammer back out Needs a serious paint job Guy stuck 31s on the rear and 235s on the front :dunno: , No tread either so it basically needs new tires all around Heater control knob is missing Missing left rear light cover My intentions are to buy this beast and fix it up to hopefully resale it. I love working on vehicles and this is definitely a project I would love to tackle. My only question is would it be worth the investment. The guy is selling it for $1000 and he is pretty firm about his price. So basically I'm just trying to get some advice here. Thank You! Here is the craigslists link for pics http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/2134104629.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Seeing as how rancho doesn't make a lift kit for the comanche I can almost guarantee that it is not done correctly. The truck most likely has bad alignment issues. Also the rear bumper and tail lights are no longer made so you have to buy them used when you can find them. IMHO THAT comanche is worth $500 tops seeing as it needs a lot of work. After you invest HOURS of work and spend lots of money it will only be worth $1500 tops. Anyways welcome to the CC!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleag89 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Is it just me or does it look like a LWB with a SWB bed on it?! Look at the bottom right pic in the CL ad. Heh prolly explains the tailgate in the bed, because it won't fit on over the uni-frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 I would get it. Its a super rare chief, with a hard to find black interior. You will most likely need to change the trans out, since that "Should" be the less than stellar 5 speed, and get rid of that crap lift, but the rarity alone would be worth it for me. Welcome. Rob L. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy21669 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Reasons to talk him down on price: 1) That front axle does not appear to be centered, so the track bar was not dealt with when lifting it and it will have BAD bumpsteer. 2) No new control arms with the lift. You can tell by how much the axle is pulled back in the wheel well. 3) Body damage 4) It;s need for new tires. 5) Tailgate? Go $700 max....this needs work, no matter how rare it is you need to make a profit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 I'd say this is already a guy trying to make a quick buck: an owner would know what engine the truck has while this seller does not. Seller is probaby saying "rancho" as that is the only name he knows and thinks it will lure in an easy mark. This is a typical craigslist ad that is 90% BS. As the seller probably bought it "right" for about $500, i doubt you will buy it with enough rom to flip it easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 It looks a bit rough to be a $1000 truck. He probably says it has rancho because of the stickers on the shocks. And how long would it take to detail the darned thing to make it look nicer for a sale? I agree, this isnt the real owner, just a flipper. Though it would be a good basis for a project if you plan to keep it for a while. Make everything right, maybe even find a new bed. As long as it is really rust free, It would be up to you if youre willing to spend what it takes to get this truck. Good luck, and let us know what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Pass on it. Although it may be the super rare Chief, the previous owner or the current seller as done you a huge disservice by stealing the black bench that was originally in that truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robfg67 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 This truck has some positive features, VERY rare Chief, black interior, southern (rust-free) body. But it has SIGNIFICANT negative mechanical issues that will require lots of time & money to make it road-worthy and more of a road-queen. Bottom line, it is NOT worth $1,000 in current condition... I would offer $600 and not budge. Trust me, he will not have a ton of offers and will call back with a counter offer-make sure he has your cell and email so he can find you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddzz1 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 It also is not an HO engine. I agree with the $600-$700 if you plan on doing the work yourself and keeping it as a DD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 If I could pick it up cheap to keep it, i would. i am just not sure it is the best flip option. the OP is not mj guy, just a guy looking to make a quick buck like the seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renosausage Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 Thanks a lot guys for the advice. I've thought through your counsel and this is my plan. First off I would really love to fix this truck but then again the price is just too steep to buy it at $1000. Sooooo.... I'm just gonna wait on it. I will give the guy maybe 2 weeks and then I will show up at his place and offer for $400. If he doesn't take it I guess that will just be a loss and I'll have to move on. If you guys find any deals please refer them to me. The only thing I want in a Comanche is a manual transmission and 4wd. I got a 96 jeep xj for an excellent deal but unfortunately it is a automatic. I really enjoy driving manuals so I really want to stick with a manual transmission on my next Jeep (Hopefully a Comanche) Thanks again everyone for the advice :-) You have saved me from a bad purchase :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Is that a Lund visor on the truck? Might be worth 50-70 to resell by itself. But then there is freight. Not very sure there is much of a market for flipping a Commanche. Fellow here in San Diego got 1 or the 100 Street Comanche Trucks for 2K and has not been able to resell it for $2200 in several months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 this is a $1000. comanche chief : http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/c ... 47626.html or maybe 7 - 800 $ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaquaro Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 this is a $1000. comanche chief : http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/c ... 47626.html or maybe 7 - 800 $ Shawn , the links out a date , he just re-posted . I've tried to reach this guy for the last two weeks but no reply ? Typical CL . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brdhntr Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 just my thoughts on this. $5-700 is fair. the truck needs alot, but could be cleaned up and sold with some improvements. unfortunately, 1 of the must do's is the tires. buying a set of 31's is going to run you alot and take over any profit you might have. the jeep could be worth something if you can find someone who knows what it is, but that will take time. it would be a great fixer. one thing i would worry about that hasn't been mentioned is that the tires are such different sizes front to back. the smaller fronts roll at a higher ratio than the back. it's just like running a differnt set of ring and pinions in the front. there may be no damage if it hasn't been run in 4wd or run to long this way. the main thing would be extra wear on the front diff and other front end parts. most likely it won't matter. chances are the po or new seller had a nice set of tires on it pulled them to sell, putting whatever junk he could find and the tires have only been used for test drives. as a detailer, the interior can be cleaned up some, but the body is shot and needs some work. don't expect the interior to come out spotless, the dash and plastics will clean up pretty good if you know what your doing. the carpet is probably not going to come out with out some serious staining left. the lift is probably just a whatever brand and not rancho. if it's a flip, he's just not in the know of what is there. it's not a big deal anyway as long as the lift is installed right. he has no idea about the engine since he's calling it a 258 and not the 4.0. this shows he knows nothing about this truck, another sign he is just flipping it. i would hold on it and offer him lessin a week. most times when people are flipping, they don't want to sit on it long. if you come in now and give him a low ball he's going to be pissed and won't want to sell it to you later at any price. if oyu want to offder now, just go with 700 or so and explain why. if you wait a week, he'll take much lower. whatever you do, do not let him see you checking it out again until your ready to offer him lower. if he sees you checking it out he's going to think you're really interested and will go at a higher price. i have flipped many, many, many cars and sell cars for other people for a fee. i have some idea of what the seller is thinking. i'm sure others who fil will agree. if you want to keep it buy it at 700 and get it before someone else. flipping it is another story. let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87redmjchief Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'm actually considering buying this mj, i want it for a dd/weekend wheeler. is it a good buy for that? I'm just worried its gonna have engine issues since it seems to have been sitting a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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