1987_MJ Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 I recently picked up a 1987 Jeep Comanche its a 87' 2WD Shortbed 4.0, BA-10, 35 with 160K on it. I have always wanted one but I lived in Michigan all my life and the rust has killed all of them. However after I Enlisted in the Army I got stationed in El Paso so I started looking for one. Sure enough I found this one rust free but it has a bunch of electrical problems. But more importantly I bought it with a blown motor so I hunted down a 4.0 out of a 99 XJ and swapped it in. Oh and I should say that I'm use to the platform I have had my 2000 XJ since I turned 16 (4 years). Here are some pics of the 'Manche when I bought it. (I need to get rid of the Bed cap I can't stand it. If someone is local and wants it PM me and you can have it for free.) here's a pic of my XJ and the details 4.0L, NV3550 (5 speed), NP242, 30 w/ 4.56's / Ford 8.8 Elocker 4.56's, 35's, RC 6.5"LA, and some other crap. Anyways back to the 'Manche Here are some pics of it when I bought it and the Motor swap. When I was researching putting a newer Motor into a Renix Jeep there wasnt much info (that i found) reguarding the sensors so I took a few pics to show what you need to swap...The only sensor the Newer block was not drilled for was the coolant temp sensor which I think i can screw into the block drain plug hole. Going to try that soon I will update when I do. Renix block Coolant temp sensor hole 99 Block (lack of hole) The sensor 99 Motor going in Almost finished Its done now and running but not well I have a vacuum leak I just ordered a new CCV from Autozone that will be here this week...also found a vacuum line diagram online so I'm going to go thru and replace all the lines with rubber ones. Also have to trouble shoot some of the electrical issues. The turn signals, interior gauge lights, Marker lights, and Interior dome lights don't work. Once I get the exterior lights working I can get an inspection then get plates on it so its legal to drive again. Which I don't think It has been on the road in awhile... Also picked up some goodies for it... 245/75/16's (~31's) These will be wrapped in a set of TJ rubicon Moab wheels. Also some stock JK shocks I figure sense the truck currently has 235/75/15's (~29's) on it right now I can install a 2" spacer and do an AAL and with those shocks it will give it a nice stance for a small price. After I get it registered, suspension, wheels, and tires are installed. I will shift my focus to the interior and body. I want to Install some Pre 96 doors with power windows along with smokers windows (I'm not sure if that combo existed but I will make it work). Also I want to do a gauge cluster swap to get a tach and get rid of the idiot lights. Maybe if I can find a nice center console and buckets swap those in. Body wise I want to straiten up the tweaked bumpers, get the bed line-X'ed and get the truck painted. More to follow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tux_Fan Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Every Laredo cherokee I have seen has had the auto windows with smoker vents up front. I was suprised to find crank windows and working vents on my MJ when I bought it. Good luck on your build. My color of choice is white and it looks like you found a pretty clean MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 hmmm okay i will keep that info in mind when searching for the doors and thanks the body is rust free just have to pull up the carpet and take a look. I'm thinking some sort of green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Well got a bit of an update. been trying to sort out the comanche's various problems electrical is kicking my butt, along with the timing and vacuum leaks. However I have decided to sell my cherokee due me getting sick of it and I'm deploying at the end of the year. But before I sell it I will be ripping out the axles and replacing them with stock axles. This means the comanche will be getting the Ford 8.8 rear end with elocker,truss, and 4.56's. Along with the HP dana 30 open with 4.56's. Once the cherokee is gone the larger build will start (4x4 conversion, ~4.5 lift, and 33's) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animal99 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 noticed u mentioned el paso, I'm in el paso as well have an 88 I'm working on as well. Good luck with your build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Thanks man. Picked up a set of donor axles for the XJ today. Next weekend i'll get them out and start getting the rear end set up for the MJ. Once I get the rear in I will take measurements for the front. Looks like i'll be running about a 33" tire. The front suspension will stay a short arm. Also throwing around ideas for paint eventually maybe a silver or light blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Well sold my cherokee today but not before getting some stuff off it first... This will all be going on the Comanche shooting for 33's...gotta get the 8.8 spring perches moved and install it then I will dial in the Front to level it out...Does anyone know about how much lift 8.8 SOA swap will give me? Also removed the stupid bed cap finally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Just picked up a Rubicon express 4.5" short arm kit used. Came with coils, trackbar, sway links, upper and lower arms. May have to still use a spacer. However I just remembered I have a couple of different size ones so I can dial it in easy. Once the suspension is installed I will measure for shocks. May have a beed on some TJ rims with 33's if I can get them for the right price i may pick them up. We shall see. Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share Posted July 23, 2012 Well haven't updated this in awhile and a lot has changed so here we go. First off my BA-10 took a crap...annoying so shes currently getting a AX-15, NP231, along with the axles from my XJ, (trussed 8.8, elocker, 4.56's and Dana 30 4.56's) Along with that it will be lifted ~5" rear will be SOA and front will be a RE 4.5 Short arm super flex, with a coil spacer to even it out. To finish it off will be a 32" BFG all terrains on soft 8's. For once I will not be doing the work myself. I didnt have time due to my training schedule. KCsurfer420 helping me out and doing the swap at his house. can't wait to see this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 Update, lift is on, axles installed, trans and case should be in soon. Can't wait to get back and pick it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MancheKid86 Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 :needpics: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Pics, Wheels and Tires go on tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 32" BFG All Terrains on soft 8's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 camo headliner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 More pics of the Lift. Just ordered some adj. Short arms. My fixed ones are too short as you can see in the pics. Once those are installed i'll get my alignment. Also got some bucket seats that will be swapped in. Next weekend I will be painting the interior trim black, working on the seats, and depending on the weather working on the exterior. Front New rear driveshaft. Rear Overall Also pulled up my carpet and found this.... No Rust gotta love new mexico weather....gonna seal it then install new carpet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 Well did a few things to the truck. First off my internal slave went out, my guess it had something to do with the tranny swap. Anyways I'm converting it too an external slave. I'm currently waiting on my 97+ clutch master/ slave assembly to come in. I went with the newer pre bleed system for ease of install and replacement. Sense I have not been able to drive the truck I took advantage of it sitting and installed my buckets. I believe there from a 97+ 2 door XJ I had to adapt the brackets so they would work in the MJ. Also repainted my interior panels black and installed the headliner. Lastly I threw on my front bumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daking Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 nice work. not many Comanches around here, in the EPT. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted September 17, 2012 Author Share Posted September 17, 2012 Thanks man, and your right there are not. This weekend I trimmed my front fenders to look like a 97+, Converted the tranny to an external slave, and did a few little things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonies.nsd Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Nice clean truck. And thanks for the pics. I bought a set of used adjustable and fixed arms out of a ZJ to divvy up between my ZJ, XJ and MJ. They where mix matched and the adjustable lowers i did not recognize till i saw your fixed ones. They have the same frame side ends. So now i know i have Rubicon arms. So you helped me out LOL. Keep up the build, looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted September 17, 2012 Author Share Posted September 17, 2012 Thanks man, Glad I could help. Speaking of Control Arms I also swapped my fixed lengths for some RE Adjustables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted September 18, 2012 Author Share Posted September 18, 2012 Got some new tires today, traded a guy my 32's for his 33's. Shes now rollin on 33x13.50(yes 13.50)R15's. This helped my Gearing situation quite a bit. Also pics of the 97+ Brake booster/Master with ZJ porp valve and 97+ slave cly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 So this weekend I got motivated and worked on the 'manche. I already had all the supplies to paint it so I decided why not. So I primed it then sanded it down with some 400 and 600 and painted it. Not done yet still working on the trim and I plan on doing a black stripe on bottom. Pics In no way shape or form is it a clean paint job but I think it looks decent. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 Got some work done this past weekend. Black sun visors and new rearview mirror. Also I wanted Vent windows. I dig them and how they look. So I went hunting at the local upull and got a complete passenger assembly and swapped it in. Got a drivers side frame. But the window was broken so i'll have to continue the hunt next weekend. Last but not least picked up a new Kobalt tool box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987_MJ Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Did a few small things on the truck. Installed front flares, CB, got the stereo done. here's an up to date shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Super clean I'm digging it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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