binderbart Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Looking for my next rig, thinking of a comanche. Can anyone point me in the direction to find all the stats on them? I want to know wheel base length(it's going to be a everyday driver-trail rig) and all the engine, trannies and axles they came with, also any upgrades you can do for offroading and what years where the better ones to look for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Not to sound like a smart A$$ but the search function will yield more info faster then most of us can copy and paste links for that. :brows: Basically everything that was wrong and right with the XJ from 86 -92 , applies to the MJ, with few exceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Here: http://jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135806 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Here's a start for ya: http://www.comanchemj.1hwy.com/photo6.html Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaevd Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 i honestly found the best way to do it was to sit back and read the things that wend on through the tech stuff on here. there is a super descriptive MJ info thing on here hidden somewhere, it was written by dirtycomanche. it was super helpful to me when i first started Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 either get the 2.5 or the 4.0 don't get the 2.8, some came with D44 rear axles, others D35. all had the same front axle. trannys, auto you're good, manual avoid the BA10 from 1987-1989(midyear) only behind the 4.0, other years and engines had AX5/15s which are good. uh, t-cases arent anything to worry about. np231 wheelbase 113-shortbed something? 119?? for long bed stock height can run 30s, 31s SOMETIMES. lifts, rubicon express, skyjacker, all the usual suspects. XJ stuff too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 Here's a start for ya: http://www.comanchemj.1hwy.com/photo6.html Jeff Just read the whole link, thanks alot, puts things into perspective for me. Now I have a better idea of what to look for. I have a flatbed built already for the one I find, I might even consider shorting the frame in the rear a little more to get a shorter wheel base for the trail riding we do in the woods. It all depends on what I buy and how it measures out to the current flatbed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 That was from Rob L's website...sadly, he's no longer in the MJ scene :cry: Also on that site you'll find he had a mini-junkyard of sorts of lots of MJ stuff (interior, engines, body parts, etc....). He's since sold all that stuff to girsmj86, another guy on this board, along with that nice 91 Eliminator you see pictured. If you need MJ stuff, give him a shout...he probably has it. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 That was from Rob L's website...sadly, he's no longer in the MJ scene :cry: Also on that site you'll find he had a mini-junkyard of sorts of lots of MJ stuff (interior, engines, body parts, etc....). He's since sold all that stuff to girsmj86, another guy on this board, along with that nice 91 Eliminator you see pictured. If you need MJ stuff, give him a shout...he probably has it. Jeff Appreciate it, I'm shopping right now, our offroad club has their card party this weekend, thats when we schedule our events for the year and it's held at a jeep dealership. The owners of the dealership have been in the club for 30 years. I'm going to check their used lot for any comanche's while I'm there. gotta start somewhere. I started on a toyota pickup...or my boy did and I ended up with it. Now it's a year later and he wants to buy it, for real this time, as he said. So I told him once I found a comanche I wanted he could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 there is a super descriptive MJ info thing on here hidden somewhere, it was written by dirtycomanche. it was super helpful to me when i first started http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopi ... hlight=faq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 6, 2007 Author Share Posted February 6, 2007 there is a super descriptive MJ info thing on here hidden somewhere, it was written by dirtycomanche. it was super helpful to me when i first started http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopi ... hlight=faq Good read,very informative. I go thursday to look at a 89 short bed with a inline 6 and manuel tranny. If the price is right I'll probably buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 went and looked at the comanche today, its a 88 with a 4.0, manuel 5 speed tranny, I told him I would buy it :cheers: . the price was right....cheap. He is a fellow club member and they run a jeep dealership so I told him I would probably pick it up in a few weeks. It has some rust, which is expected for Iowa. it runs great. If I remember right the mileage was 140,000. One idea I'm working on right now is shortening the wheel base when I get it. 113 inches is to long for what I want to do and I would like to get it closer to 100". Anyone ever done this??? if so did you do a write up on it? I'm planning on running 32x9.5x15 swampers when I trail ride so I'll have to do some front fender trimming and I have a flatbed plan for the rear. any comments would be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJchick Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Just type in Jeep Comanche in your search bar, you'll find all kinds of info.That's where I got a lot of info on the Manche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Why not go 5.5" front lift with rear SOA and run 33/9.50/15s? (apparently swamper also makes a 36/10/15 now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Why not go 5.5" front lift with rear SOA and run 33/9.50/15s? No reason to raise the CoG if you don't have to. As for the wheel base, you're going to be bringing the tires quite aways forward for 100". Without a bed, I believe this would mean relocating the gas tank and moving the spring and shackle hangers forward. You may have to remove a section of frame, depending on how much up travel you want/have. I extended my Toyota's wheelbase 6" (to 116") last spring, and this winter/spring I'm shortening it 16" (to 100"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostissues Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 if you get a one and it sill has a working dent free tailgate, and you still plan on flatbedding it, let me know i might be intrested in the tailgate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87manche Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Why not go 5.5" front lift with rear SOA and run 33/9.50/15s? No reason to raise the CoG if you don't have to. As for the wheel base, you're going to be bringing the tires quite aways forward for 100". Without a bed, I believe this would mean relocating the gas tank and moving the spring and shackle hangers forward. You may have to remove a section of frame, depending on how much up travel you want/have. I extended my Toyota's wheelbase 6" (to 116") last spring, and this winter/spring I'm shortening it 16" (to 100"). I'll agree with that, not to mention the axle wrap that can happen from going SOA. I fit 34x9.5 TSL's on the MJ with 3" of lift and cutting the fenders back to the pinch weld. It doesn't rub at all in the rear, and I added a hockey puck to the coil bucket to keep the tires out of the inner fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Why not go 5.5" front lift with rear SOA and run 33/9.50/15s? No reason to raise the CoG if you don't have to. As for the wheel base, you're going to be bringing the tires quite aways forward for 100". Without a bed, I believe this would mean relocating the gas tank and moving the spring and shackle hangers forward. You may have to remove a section of frame, depending on how much up travel you want/have. I extended my Toyota's wheelbase 6" (to 116") last spring, and this winter/spring I'm shortening it 16" (to 100"). I'll agree with that, not to mention the axle wrap that can happen from going SOA. I fit 34x9.5 TSL's on the MJ with 3" of lift and cutting the fenders back to the pinch weld. It doesn't rub at all in the rear, and I added a hockey puck to the coil bucket to keep the tires out of the inner fender. Right now a I have a 89 toyota which has around 103 wheel base and a 77 scout with a 100 inch wheel base that I trail ride with. This seems ideal for the wheeling we do. My oldest lad-(long story short, bought the toyota for him to fix up, he went thru a year of stupid, I ended up with it, now he has straightened out and wants to buy it)-so I told him give me a chance to find a comanche and he can have the toyota for a cheap price. Now I found one and I'm rolling all these ideas thru my head before I get started. I figured I was going to have to cut a section out of the frame. I'm okay with that if it can be done in a strong and not cobbled look. Also, I'm going with the 32" tires because I already have them and they only have about 4 trail rides on them. The original bed is coming off due to rust and I already have a flat bed built. Any pictures of the one lifted with the 34's?? Also wanted to add, I do come in here and search when I get a chance, but that takes time and I have a busy schedule with two jobs and a new house. I usually only get about an hour a day to do some searching if I'm lucky. Just wanted to make mention of that, I know how it can irritate people if they think your to lazy to search, I was just hoping to get some quick links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drahcir495 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 he went thru a year of stupid That is something my Dad would say, funny quote :D . I say why bother cutting the length down? Buy it, and wheel it as is? It could be because I am sick of conversion projects :roll: - Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I figured I was going to have to cut a section out of the frame. I'm okay with that if it can be done in a strong and not cobbled look. Offroaders don't seem to do it, but lowriders do a thing called c-notching the frame: It'd hold up to wheeling just fine, but people usually tube everything instead. Just wanted to make mention of that, I know how it can irritate people if they think your to lazy to search, I was just hoping to get some quick links. Most of us don't mind if you don't search. Of course it's a plus if you do, but the only people on here that have shortened their wheelbase have done a tube frame in the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Trying to stitch the uniframe sheetmetal back together seem like a big hassle to me. I'd go with PingPong's "truggy" approach and build the rear half out of tube. Well, actually I'd just leave it at 113 and go have fun with it (I like my longer wheelbase), but if I had to shorten to 100, then I'd go tube. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Trying to stitch the uniframe sheetmetal back together seem like a big hassle to me. I'd go with PingPong's "truggy" approach and build the rear half out of tube. Well, actually I'd just leave it at 113 and go have fun with it (I like my longer wheelbase), but if I had to shorten to 100, then I'd go tube. :D Is the rear frame as chinsy as the front unibody? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yes and no. It's incredibly light and strong (when in good shape), but it's still just a boxed double layer of sheetmetal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 I've read all the post since yesterday, good replies that are greatly apprieciated by the way. New ideas in my head also. I should probably explain the kind of wheeling we do so everyone can get an idea of where I'm coming from. I live where Iowa,Wisconsion,and Illinois meet on the greater Mississippi. So most of the trail riding our club has is in what I would call "bluff country". Lots of rocky, hills to climb and creek beds at the bottem. So to give you an idea, picture a creek bed about 20 feet accross that you have to get thru. Once you entrance is done getting back out it is beneficial to have a shorter wheel base, once you get your front wheels over the top, the sooner the rear tires come in contact the better. Longer wheel bases seem to leave you "hung up". We have some cherokees that run and do fine, but they are 10 inches shorter between the wheels(see, I did some searching ;) ) After reading the post, I may just run with it stock, do a 3-4 inch lift and put my flat bed on with maybe a aussie locker in the rear and see what happens. I remember about 7 years ago we had a CJ-8 that ran with us for a year, he was much longer than most of us and did fine, sometimes better in certain situations. the majority of our club is CJ's, wranglers, cherokees and sami's and some early bronco's.....and my scout (100"). I'm always up to a challenge, so I may try this first and build from there. I did find in my searching yesterday a blueprint of the MJ frame, not a lot of options for cutting,shortening and re welding. while I'm here, any opinions on which lift is best and why??? In my search yesterday I found anything from booty fab to high dollar lifts, left me thinking "so which way do I go now?". Keep in mind that this is a cheap-budget builder that will be a everyday driver. And last, I'm anxious to get this thing bought. I'm looking forward to upgrading from the 4 cylinder toyota engine I drive everyday right now to the ever dependable inline six that jeep offered, did you guys know that scout had the 258 in some models? I once owned a 74 scout that had the 258, started and ran all the time with a lot of low end grunt. My 76 CJ that I had was equipped with the 304, and the cherokee that I owned had the 2.8 chevy-no offense to those that have this engine, but I don't want to deal with that again, I had to many gremlins with mine. another thing I found in searching was a good write up on fender trimming, it was a blue MJ with diamond plate, I know now I'm probably not going to replace the front fenders, but trim them instead. If I sound like I'm rambling on its because....I am. I just came from shooting the B.S. with a buddy about this "project to be" and he got me fired up. Don't know what it is, you'd of thought I would have grown out of this at the ripe old age of 42 and being a gramdpa twice in 6 months, but I love to build and fabricate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binderbart Posted February 9, 2007 Author Share Posted February 9, 2007 whoa....I was just looking thru the tech to see if I could answer any of the questions and saw the post for "cheromanche" :huh???: Okay, this opens a whole new can of worms....what are the possiblilites of buy a junked out cherokee.....cut behind the front doors.....weld in the back cap of the comanche.....mount the flatbed and have the shorter wheel base????do-able or not???? how much support or structure would a guy have??? I'm counting on the MJ Gods to point me in the right direction....give me a sign almighty ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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