Need Some Help With A Resto

[darkside383]

I got a smoking deal on a 86 Comanche 2.5 4 spd manual 4X2 6ft bed other wise no frills. That's great and all now here are a few questions..

 

1.Did all Comanche's come stock with a rear bumper.

2.Being a four speed would it be the ax-4 or some other tranny.

and last I think.

3. besides under the carpet were are other spots to look for rot.

 

I got this truck for free out of a barn ( and I thought barn find's were a thing of the past). It needs is a clutch and exhaust and the body is in great shape a few dings and bumps not bad for a truck that's almost 30 yrs old. My problem is I just don't know enough about them. Any help would be great.

[Geonovast]

1. AFAIK, yes. I don't think it would have been legal for them to sell a vehicle without a rear bumper.

 

2. Yes, AX-4. This means your axles will be geared with 3.55 (if original).

 

3. Under the carpet, behind the fender flares, frame by the cat.

 

Some pictures would help quite a bit. :thumbsup:

[SnowManche]

check the frame rails and unibody as well?

[KYMJ]

Bought a bare bones Ranger without a bumper. An observation while sanding mine for paint after removing the bumper-there is a place to mount a liscence plate behind the bumper, so I suppose it's possible to have bought one without a bumper.

[darkside383]

thanks I will post some pics soon

['87 fuel-miser]

:MJ 1: i believe ( i may be wrong) they sold a stripped down model called ... ( you guessed it ) the "fuel-miser" hence my screen name ! bare bones interior ... no rear bumper ... no tailgate ... spare tire ! someone added these to my truck somewhere down the line there's still a plate light mounted to the body behind my bumper , and my tail gate has a 4.0 emblem on it , when it's still got it's original 2.5 in it !!! :banana: :MJ 1:

[jimoshel]

When I bought my '77 J20 it came without a rear bumper. I had my choice of taking it that way or getting one of the three options the dealer offered,

[Eagle]

The rear bumper was an option.

 

In '86, the 4-speed was probably an AX-4 but it could have been a T-4.

[TylerJY]

Could be wrong, but I believe if it is an 86 it doesn't have the 6ft bed.

[jimoshel]

1986 did not come with a 6 foot bed. Those weren't available until 1987. The tail gate receives a lot of punishment and is one of the first things to be swapped.

The spare tire, and tire carrier, was standard on MJ.

[darkside383]

sorry guys my mistake its an 88

[Comanche County]

There's lots of good stock spec and modification info on the DIY Projects page. Its like the MJ University. Start with all the pinned topics, tons of good info.