Jeepedo Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Started this build on naxja but thought I would share here as well. I have owned Jeeps since before I began driving, I have gone through 2 YJ's, an XJ and now my favorite, the Manche! This goes back to 2011. My cherokee was getting in pretty bad shape rust wish and I found this comanche on craigslist for the right price.....$450.00 and it was inspected for a year. The bed was pretty much done for rust wise, but the cab and floor boards were solid. It was a ONE owner, with 366,000 miles. 4.0/5spd/4wd. I kept it stock while I gathered parts for about 6 months. Waggy 44's, some 35" xterrains, and an NP435/205. I had leaf sprung my xj and I loved it, so I plan on going the same route with this build. My old xj (pre leaf springs) And the Manche when I picked it up Working in the maintenance department at a foundry they let me us their scrap steel/welder/plasma cutter. So I build my front bumper/crossmember. Some final touches And the parts kept arriving. Flat top knuckles, high steer arms, and 5/8" heim steering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 Started with the rear which was pretty simple. Basically just swapping in the Waggy 44. When I put leaf spring in my cherokee I used the LCA mounts, but I wanted to do the Comanche a little different for strength. So I cut off the LCA and made my own hangers. Will try to get some better pictures, this is all I have for now (bored at work) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86customanche Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Nice work. man that body is in rough shape. Are those patch attempts by the PO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 Nice work. man that body is in rough shape. Are those patch attempts by the PO? Bodywork was done by previous owner. It was a one owner truck when I got it. The cab is actually in great shape with the exception of the drivers door and a small spot in the rear cab corner on drivers side, but the floorboards and rockers are solid. I'm not too worried about the bed, because I am working on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 I was also able to get some more pictures last night. These are the spring hanger mounts I fabbed up. They are made from 1/4" 6" x 6" tubing cut in half. The tubing has a nicer radius that fits around the frame rails better than angle iron. And my high steer setup. Probably the best investment I have made. Blue torch fab arms with Ballistic fabrication 5/8" heim steering kit. Got it all done just in time to test it out at the PA Jeeps show in York, PA. Great show for those in the area that can make it. The clutch went out in the PUKEGOT, I wasn't about to go through all the hassle to replace the clutch with that tranny, so I picked up a new clutch and an AX-15/231 off a local forum, threw it in and headed to Rausch Creek. Great day of wheeling, don't have many pictures though. Who says leaf springs can't flex?! So basically this is how it sits now. I am picking up a new welder tonight. As soon as the weather gets decent I am working my @$$ off to get the sliders welded in, the bed on and the NP435 swapped in. I will try to keep this thread up to date now that its current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 I have been slacking lately, between the $#!&ty weather and getting firewood cut for next season. I did finally get around to trimming the fenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted July 12, 2013 Author Share Posted July 12, 2013 The comanche was put on the back burner for a few months while buying a house. Got back into it this week though. Bobbed the bed by 17". Next step is to build the bumper and patch the rust over the wheel wells. Also picked up this gem for scrap price, not sure what my plans are with it but I had to save it from the scrap yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Nice job on the bed Bob! How do you like the leaf sprung front end? I'm eventually doing a Dana 60 and 44 swap in mine and doing leafs seems much easier and cheaper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeepedo Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 I really like the leaf springs. I had them one my xj also and they work really well. Of course you will get more travel with coils and links, but I love the simplicity and how predictable they are when wheeling. The main reason I went with leafs up front is that I had everything to do it already, I wanted to build better axles, but I couldnt afford to do both axles and links. Eventually I will link the front, but I figured its much easier to cut off spring perches than to rework a link setup to fit a different axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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