My $600 86 Comanche

[CGross]

Saw this over the past 7 or so months sitting outside a local mechanics shop. Hit them up one day asking if it was for sale or something. Guy got the owners information to me saying he was interested in selling it. 86 2x4 4 speed, manual steering, lowest option everything and only 88,500 on the OD. All she needed was a battery to startup. She will need a lot of interior work and the only part that has a hole straight through is the drivers side floor pan.

 

 

She just looks a bit rough in the back on both sides and bits of paint missing. Guy used it as a vehicle on his property mostly and for his kids to drive when they were just learning for cheap insurance. This guy was original owner from June 86, and he has lived 3 miles from here basically since he got it.

 

I'm still learning some about doing things on the Comanche, I only really know how to do stuff on my YJ. :yes:

[thejum57]

Did you steal my Jeep & remove the bed liner????

Nice find! Mine is all the same with power steering, and the bed liner. It had 97,000 on it, bought it from my best friend for $250.00. It has 108,000 on it so far, it's my daily driver. It was supposed to be a cary over till I got my 76 J-10 back on the road, but even if I get enough money to fix the J-10, I'll probly keep the Comanche, it's a great little truck.

[CGross]

So finally got more work into her. Emergency brake needs work (The lines are broken and the line going to the rear driver side is missing completely), got the wheels balanced, fixed the interior ceiling. So she drives and operates fine at the moment. Except the shocks are 100% shot. (You can bounce it for a good 12 times before it stops).

 

Anyone have recommendations on shocks? What's the min/max length they can go? I don't wanna get too cheap of shocks but having some would be nice.

[Shane]

Great find. Lowest options availiable is the way to go, because now you can add what you want and leave off the rest.

[knever3]

I would go with Monroe gas matic shocks, advance auto sell them, here is a place online for reference.

 

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1988/j ... orber.html

 

Under $18 a piece, a no brainer.

[CGross]

Great find. Lowest options availiable is the way to go, because now you can add what you want and leave off the rest.

 

Oh definitely. I love not having a burden of junk on there. I'm even starting to like the manual steering.

 

I would go with Monroe gas matic shocks, advance auto sell them, here is a place online for reference.

 

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1988/j ... orber.html

 

Under $18 a piece, a no brainer.

 

Thanks! Those look like they'd be juuuust fine.

[CGross]

So I'm still working my way on this Jeep. Managed the blow out one of the dry rotted tires that were on it, so now I have tires that cost 3/4ths the cost of the vehicle. :roll: I also gotta replace some of the plastic and trim pieces in the wheel well to avoid any rust issues this winter.

 

Somehow broke the manual window regulator on the driver side, so that's toast. Considering finding a new one or maybe swapping in power regulators from a Cherokee. What'd be price/difficulties on that?

 

Also I get a weird dieseling when I turn it off sometimes, normally when it's warmer. I've ran cleaner through the gas, through the air but nothing. I'm gonna pull the plugs out tonight and see if there's any deposits to be sure. I'm thinking of replacing fuel filter next, but not sure where to go. Cleaned the throttle body, cause that was a dirty lady of the night as well.

 

Thinking my plan of action is replace the shocks (Still haven't done, may do it Saturday), fix the floor missing from rust, making the park brake actually work, and replace hoses and lines under the hood.

[DrHeadlightNJ]

same here just got an 86 xls MJ bought for a grand to sell for 2, but couldn't part with her, so changed all the vacuum hoses and just repaired the drivers side floor pan, I bought one from e bay but did not quite fit in right, too much modifying so just go w/sht metal better off, Gd luck :wrench:

[CGross]

same here just got an 86 xls MJ bought for a grand to sell for 2, but couldn't part with her, so changed all the vacuum hoses and just repaired the drivers side floor pan, I bought one from e bay but did not quite fit in right, too much modifying so just go w/sht metal better off, Gd luck :wrench:

 

You too man! I'm probably gonna end up taking it to a local body shop to fix the floor pan. I just need to pull the carpet up, but I know there's a hole there.

[CGross]

Did the shocks over the past two days. Man where those not fun.

 

 

Bringin' the heat!

 

 

Next level wrenching action, that's smart.

 

 

Old and busted

 

 

New hotness!

 

Now the rear doesn't roll and bounce like crazy. Just gotta do the fronts in a week or two. For now I don't feel like I'm going to slip out of place, but boy does that engine bounce up and down.