Knucklehead97 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 I think when I get to the point of buying bigger tires and a lift kit, I'll stick with a 3 inch leaf spring metric ton kit (probably the Hells Creek ones, really good priced it seems) a couple of Rusty's Offroad 3 inch front coils and 31" tires. Eventually will add coil spacers and leaf spring shackles or AAL's to achieve 5" of lift when I have enough cash laying around for the extra parts needed. Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 even at 3" you might need lower control arms, sway bar links, brake lines, shocks and trac bar to avoid problems. 31s can work on a stock height 4x4 MJ if you stick with Jeep rims (MJ/XJ/TJ/YJ/KJ) so if you're looking for a cheap lift, longer shackles (chevy drop shackles) and pucks up front can be your best bet. If you want a 5" lift, save your cash and do it right the first time, don't make it a plan to bandaid a shorter lift kit. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Youve never seen a long bed? Here are a couple of horrible pics for you to gander at. don't mind the rear end up in the air. I just had it sitting like that with it spring over but not bolted down and no front springs, sitting on bumpstops to be able to move it right after swapping the axles to my 87..... it is back to normal height now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 I'll just keep it stock and save up then. I can't wait to get an MJ and start working on it, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89Patches Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 If your going to do a 3" lift, sometimes you have to re drill your track bar and other times you'll get lucky, or maybe that's just me? Since I just did my 3inch lift I couldn't be happier gives it a good look with low cost, And for the bed lengths LWB's are 10000000000000x better for actually putting stuff in the bed, lol but if your just gonna off road it get a SWB, And since I am a LWB lover get one, there just sexy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Thanks for the pics! I think with a toolbox in the back (probably the first thing I buy for it, because of lack of extended cab) I'd like a LWB more. This will be a DD/slight offroading (nothing I'd think the longer bed would harm) It's actually quite a short truck if you think about it, even with the 7 foot bed. Toyota's come standard with a 7' bed If I remember correctly. A quick question, how do you mount foglights to the roof without having a bar behind the cab to mount them on? Do you just drill holes and run the lines? Thanks. Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Yeah I think I'll be going with a LWB. Just searched for images and they look really good when lifted right and colored decently (I can't stand light color's on vehicles >.>) Only worry is finding one up around Gadsden, been looking on Craigslist for 3 months and only 1 LWB has come up and it was rust-ridden. Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Just read through your thread .... good stuff. My advice (based on real life experience, not just internet reading) is pretty simple: 1. Work hard and save up enough money to buy a truck in good running condition. It doesn't have to be perfect, but DON'T BUY A FIXER-UPPER. I guarantee you a $400 MJ will cost you another $2,000 before it can be called reliable, safe, comfortable, and legal. Paying more up front for a good road-worthy truck that has been maintained is money well spent. 2. Unless you have the money, work space, skills, and time to lift your truck PROPERLY, then leave it stock. I can't tell you how many young kids cobble together a lift and spend years dealing with a harsh ride, bumpsteer, horrible driveline angles, bent steering components, poor fuel economy, and a whole bunch of other annoying issues. Sure, I suppose its kind of a right of passage to drive a lifted POS for a while (I did all through college), and you will learn from it, but its a huge waste of money. 3. Once you get the truck, spend your time and money working on maintenance items. Focus on dependability and comfort. You want a truck that you wouldn't hesitate to drive to California and back. If there is something about your truck you don't trust, find it and fix it. A good running, dependable MJ is straight up awesome!!! You will love that truck more than your own mother. A beat-up MJ that runs bad will suck the life and money right out of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Thats exactly what I plan on doing now. After I get all the regular things that need to be fixed, done. I'll probably be trying to add a XJ dashboard, steering wheel, and cruise control module. I'd really like to have cruise control >.> Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89Patches Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 :agree: what was said before, save your money and buy a nice one. I wish I had done that, And if you want to lift it don't ever listen to your friends cause 99% don't have a clue what their talking about...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 For Gods sake, don't drill holes in your roof to mount lights. That is about as hack as you can get. If you need lights, get a Thule roof rack and mount them on there. Or on a factory roll bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 It was just a question on if thats what you're supposed to do or not, because I wouldnt be able to fit the tool box in the back while having a roll bar (I wouldnt think...) Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tux_Fan Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Alright, my first vehicle was a 2 door cherokee 4x4 stick. I had that thing up at 4.5 inches and 33s and with a stick shift I would get 14-15 MPG. Get what you want especially if you are not mechanically inclined. I bought my MJ for $500 as I wanted a cheap work truck/DD and didn't care too much about 4x4 because, quite frankly, I would buy another cheap cherokee if I wanted to go offroad again. However, it does currently have an auto which I hate... Here is my advice. Decide what you want. For me my first jeep had everything I wanted, and for only $750 I couldn't say no. However, after a year or two of driving you will realise stuff that you wish you had. For me I was tired of trying to jamb all my tools into the cherokee to go to work. I am a handyman so I utilize the beds of my pickup trucks on a regular basis. However, you might buy a comanche, decide you don't use the bed much and would rather take your friends around with you. At that point you would sell it and buy a cherokee. However, IMHO the comanche is kind of the coolest jeep ever made. Count the costs before hand because owning a vehicle, even a cheap one, is expensive. Don't over think it though, as long as you don't completely mess it up and/or wreck it you can always sell it and buy something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkroll Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I am an old 47 year old fool. I LOVE JEEPS and am a strong believer that having a few "older" jeeps in my driveway has been such a money-saver to me. I can't see buying a newer vehicle and have the payments, insurance, personal property taxes, ect!! I have been like this for years and I am proud to announce to you, that I LOVE having 4 Jeeps in my driveway and being a single person, I know this is too many vehicles but I love the flexibility I have- (i.e. I have an 88, 89 Comanche one 89 Wagoneer and an 2001 Cherokee),Of course, I drive one of my older ones as primary. So if my primary vehicle goes bad, I have a back-up plan ALWAYS!, plus parts to shift around for either getting one running, or just for trouble shooting and/or future mods for one which is my project! I know many kids on here are doing the same! Don't Buy a Jeep if you can't accept the addiction, You will become a junky! I swear!... My name is doug, and I am a junky! I would also like to add, that they are all black. Some shops (muffler), don't specify details....I have had total exhaust replacements under warranty (for free) and it not being the same vehicle!!!! SWEET! Tagging concerns have been helpful in tight circumstances also. And the biggest benefit is buying a "life-time" warranty on ALL parts,,,,,,,(ONCE)!!!!,,,,, and taking full advantage of these for several vehicles.....ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS?????? Plus, Jeeps are cheap to do this, compared to other vehicles that can't be worked on so easily and can be picked up reasonably. They are generally easy to work on and parts are around to do so. You WILL find things about your Jeep which you will not like,,, THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS SITE THE MOST!!!!!, YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS! AM I BAD?........ MY name is Doug and I am a junky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Well I will be needing a bed, for camping, carrying wood, working, so I'm pretty sure that the Comanche is what I really want and need. I know theres going to be a couple thing that it lacks, such as a lil bit of room and better electronics (The electronics will be eventually be completely re-done and upgraded) and I was worried about not being able to carry more friends around, but then I remembered I'm the youngest in my group they're all soon to have their liscenses and vehicles. Even if I needed to carry more people, I have my parents Liberty or my brothers XJ that I can borrow. The upsides really outweigh the downsides to me. Thanks. Knucklehead97 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyt120 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 :idea: you could probably pile 8 friends in the bed if need be. :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 whats the average gas mileage on the Comanches? my 88 4.0 4WD gets 14-19 mpg but i average 16.5 - 17 depending on my driving. If you want you can keep track of my MPG at Fuelly.com, my user there is Blue88Comanche here is a link http://www.fuelly.com/driver/blue88comanche Oceanic815 also has his Comanche on there as well I think his MJ has the 2.5L Correctamundo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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