Overbuilt 86 Comanche

[crosbike]

Picked up an 1986 Comanche LWB. Going to run everything from my old xj on it which will take some modifying and coercion on some parts. The xj has lots of rust/holes that just aren't worth the hassle when I picked up this comanche for $400 with the only trace of rust under the carpet but its only superficial.

The plans are to run my TNT Y-Link that have MetalCloaks new Duroflex Joints at the frame end of the LCA's
Rear 44 trussed with 4.56
Front LP 30
Fox 2.0s all around
Caging and stiffening the frame bumper to bumper. Cage will be hybrid.

 

I then pulled the interior and every wire out awaiting my swap.

 

I want this thing to last me a while so I'm plating and caging this bad boy

 

This is for under the cab area

cage progress

[crosbike]

welded cage plates right above the "frame", bent bar also ties into the sheet metal along the back of the cab.

 

Roof Halo

Interior cage.  There will be 2 more horizontal bars for a 5 point harness

[crosbike]

Some inner frame plating after the stock control arm brackets have been removed.

More

Got some outer plates from Liquid Iron Industries. Great Vendor

Ill be tying the plates together underneath in key places for more strength.

 

[crosbike]

Had to make a new front crossmember because the 86 one is different as you know

Corbeau seats

ATP header. Note that i had to modify/trim my MORE bombproof plates for this

Swapped in engine

[crosbike]

Threw these shocks in for now. Going to run them through the bed eventually

 

So I just moved back from CO to UT and I have no garage now so progress will be slower. Its running and itll be registered soon. I need to finish my passenger side rock rail to tie my cage into and I have lots of other goodies thatll be added on.  Hope you guys like it

[dscowell]

I have a feeling that this is going to be one sweet mj once your finished with it

[crosbike]

Updates

Well i had my buddy cory finish weld my rocker panels on and also finished the cage.

The rockers are made out of 1.5"x3" 3/16 wall steel with 4, 1.5" DOM tie ins to the frame and some tube flanges used to increase the weld area.  

2 6" welds and a 9" weld connecting the rocker to the cab, the rocker is NOT welded to the bed so it is still removable

 

frame tie ins, 

 

cage tied into the rocker

 

 

also built a headache rack and i will be adding an actual mount for my spare tire.

Cut and folded the rear wheel wells, don't mind the paint i usually just throw some paint on it to keep it from surface rust

 

 

Looking to make some tube fenders too, like ericsxj but a bit wider for legality

[Thomas]

I really like that fender! I may have to copy that!