New To The Forum

[Fraggy]

Hello everybody, I just bought my first Comanche. My name is Chad and I'm a mechanical engineer at a very large trucking company one who used to design tractors but now only works with semi's. This truck is my first truck and the first that I will be creating into a on/off road truck.

 

Here are the specs.

1989

179xxx miles

4x4 I believe it's a NP231

4.0L

Automatic

 

Future work to be done to this Truck:

Basic maintenance; plugs, wires, filters, oil change, New gaskets all around

Sand Blasting down the frame and painting it

New 31-33" tires

97 cherokee conversion

Rocky Road 5" lift

Camo Green Plastidip

All new interior (carpet, headliner, bucket seats)

 

Hope I will be able to contribute to the club and can't wait to get started on my work

[TheDirtyJeep401]

:needpics:

And by the way, welcome to the club!!

[jimoshel]

And welcome to the madness.

[Fraggy]

 

She's a little beat and I know I have a lot of work ahead me but I'm sure it will be a fun project.

[mnkyboy]

If your set on the RRO lift make sure you get adjustable arms and/or drop brackets.

 

They like to sell lift kits that are missing components to make the price look cheap so make sure you do homework and get everything you need. Their basic kit will lift your truck but you won't be happy with it.

 

I started out with their 5" kit too and I ended up adding a lot of parts to make it work well.

[Fraggy]

If your set on the RRO lift make sure you get adjustable arms and/or drop brackets.

 

They like to sell lift kits that are missing components to make the price look cheap so make sure you do homework and get everything you need. Their basic kit will lift your truck but you won't be happy with it.

 

I started out with their 5" kit too and I ended up adding a lot of parts to make it work well.

 

Yup planned on adding the drop brackets and adjustable control arms.

[mnkyboy]

Good, I didn't when I first lifted mine. It rode like crap and I had to do a ton of trimming to get 33s on the truck due to the control arm angle pulling the axle back.

[Fraggy]

Good, I didn't when I first lifted mine. It rode like crap and I had to do a ton of trimming to get 33s on the truck due to the control arm angle pulling the axle back.

I will keep this in mind but the suspension is a little down the road, I want to get all the maintenance out of the way so I have a solid running truck.

[Fraggy]

Should I trust Rock Auto for most of my repair parts. I was thinking floor boards, Gaskets, basic maintenance, etc.

[TheDirtyJeep401]

Yes, rock auto is amazing in my opinion. I recommend them. 

[Fraggy]

Yes, rock auto is amazing in my opinion. I recommend them. 

Thanks, they seem to have the best deals and a very large selection.

[Comanche County]

Do not buy from Rocky Road.  Their parts are low grade and their customer service is horrible.

 

I bought an SOA kit from them a few years ago.

 

When I tried to install the kit, the holes did not align at all and I couldn't even use the SOA kit and brackets from them.  When I called them to ask about it,,,,some kid told me the holes in the brackets were cut with a computer aligned plasma cutter.  Which was a lie.

 

Their SOA brackets were obviously cut freehand with a torch and they wouldn't fit on any axle.  I ended up filling up their brackets holes with my welder and drilling new holes.  I used their kit as scrap metal to build it myself.   If you want them to send you some scrap metal for a couple hundred dollars that you'll have to re-engineer yourself then go for it.....To top it off, my customer experience with them was capped off with some kid telling me that "I shouldn't be lifting the Jeep if I couldn't figure it out".  I'd have punched his nose off but he was 800 miles away.

 

Rocky Road is a fly by night rip off, they're the Saturday Night Special of the Jeep world.  Do not give them any money.  I'm surprised they're still in business.  Never want to wish bad things on anyone, but I won't feel bad when they go under.

[H3RESQ]

Welcome to the forum. Do some research before you choose your lift. There are a couple companys out there that you should steer clear of. Keep in mind that the front of lift on your truck is same as a Cherokee, so the short and long arm options are endless. The front of the lift is were your $ will go, lifting the rear is cheap on a Comanche so look at all the XJ/Cherokee lifts, search the companys and peoples feedback on there products and make a good choice. The big names, got there for a reason.

To use an example...Rock Krawler didn't get the best feedback on there lifts for awhile, but they listened and got there $#!& together and the current lifts are way better than there first gen lifts, joints, etc. There a good example of a company that wants to produce a good product.

Rusty's wants to make there $#!& better, but just can't seem to get it right.

 

Either way, welcome.....and we should all apologize now for the bug that you have just gotten. Once you have a Comanche you will always want one, or at least be wishing you had another one....for the rest of your life. It just is what it is, and there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[Fraggy]

Thanks guys for the info, I'm a big supporter of good customer service. I don't think I've stopped researching since I bought the truck. I have plenty of time too since I won't be throwing on a lift for a couple months. I also think that I will end up going BDS mainly because I'm from the town where it's developed and I know 3 of the engineers that work there. But before I can do any of that I have quite the rat nest of wires both in the truck and engine bay. After that I have a frame rail to blast clean and paint.

 

 Does anyone have any tips on beefing up the frame?

Also how close is a dakota frame to the comanches?

I might consider swapping one in if it's close enough.

[dscowell]

BDS is a good company I know some one who has their 6" on their ZJ and love it.  I'm going to run their AAL for a while til I get the money to do a SOA.  The only thing about BDS is they are way expensive.

[Fraggy]

BDS is a good company I know some one who has their 6" on their ZJ and love it.  I'm going to run their AAL for a while til I get the money to do a SOA.  The only thing about BDS is they are way expensive.

 

Yah I'm hoping maybe I can get a discount since I know most of the guys.

 

 

Tonight I'm going to tackle some electrical stuff and post pictures of my mess.

 

Issues I know:

Transfer Case Leaks-Most likely old gaskets. Pretty sure it's almost empty by the amount of noise it makes.

Transmissions Leaks- Most likely just old gaskets.

Floorboards-What floorboards I'm running straight carpet on the driver side. I'll update with pictures tonight

Electrical- No dims, no radio, no dome lights, part time horn. Couple of bulbs burnt out.

Also PO installed an electric fan that has a dash mounted switch. It's not terrible but it definately needs to be cleaned up and should probably have a fuse installed inline.

Headgasket leaks- Once again old gaskets.

Slow start up- Probably needs a new battery, or sparks.

 

Well this is all what I need to take care of before I begin the upgrades. Wish me luck!

[Fraggy]

Pictures as promised:

Lots of splicing, I think the PO bi-passed the relays so they had always on fogs. Also the truck was in a front end collision so may they just took the front end from a different vehicle and spliced in the harness. Not really sure.

Just a wider shot of the kaos.

Pop Cap washer...CLASSY  :doh:

Inside the cab electrical mess. Does anyone know what the big black box does? Also does anyone know what the plug that is just hanging goes to?

Leaky transfercase

\\F

Floor Board? Nope, just carpet and rubber padding.

 

Well This is my future, why did I have to drink the coolaid. 

[mnkyboy]

Do not buy from Rocky Road. Their parts are low grade and their customer service is horrible.

 

I bought an SOA kit from them a few years ago.

 

When I tried to install the kit, the holes did not align at all and I couldn't even use the SOA kit and brackets from them. When I called them to ask about it,,,,some kid told me the holes in the brackets were cut with a computer aligned plasma cutter. Which was a lie.

 

Their SOA brackets were obviously cut freehand with a torch and they wouldn't fit on any axle. I ended up filling up their brackets holes with my welder and drilling new holes. I used their kit as scrap metal to build it myself. If you want them to send you some scrap metal for a couple hundred dollars that you'll have to re-engineer yourself then go for it.....To top it off, my customer experience with them was capped off with some kid telling me that "I shouldn't be lifting the Jeep if I couldn't figure it out". I'd have punched his nose off but he was 800 miles away.

 

Rocky Road is a fly by night rip off, they're the Saturday Night Special of the Jeep world. Do not give them any money. I'm surprised they're still in business. Never want to wish bad things on anyone, but I won't feel bad when they go under.

My SOA kit was very high quality and bolted right on. I ran it for several years on my D35 now its welded to my D44.

[mnkyboy]

 

 Does anyone have any tips on beefing up the frame?

Also how close is a dakota frame to the comanches?

I might consider swapping one in if it's close enough.

Comanches don't have a regular frame its a unit frame which is a cross between a unibody and a frame, so technically it doesn't come off. The Dakota uses a traditional frame so it would be a major job to swap it.

 

Most people just install frame stiffeners/plate the unit frame.

[Fraggy]

Yah I thought it look a little wierd and was trying to figure out how to go about it. I guess I'll just grind it down and slap some 12-14gauge steel up on it.

 

 

 
 Does anyone have any tips on beefing up the frame?
Also how close is a dakota frame to the comanches?
I might consider swapping one in if it's close enough.

Comanches don't have a regular frame its a unit frame which is a cross between a unibody and a frame, so technically it doesn't come off. The Dakota uses a traditional frame so it would be a major job to swap it.

Most people just install frame stiffeners/plate the unit frame.

[Comanche County]

 

Do not buy from Rocky Road. Their parts are low grade and their customer service is horrible.

 

I bought an SOA kit from them a few years ago.

 

When I tried to install the kit, the holes did not align at all and I couldn't even use the SOA kit and brackets from them. When I called them to ask about it,,,,some kid told me the holes in the brackets were cut with a computer aligned plasma cutter. Which was a lie.

 

Their SOA brackets were obviously cut freehand with a torch and they wouldn't fit on any axle. I ended up filling up their brackets holes with my welder and drilling new holes. I used their kit as scrap metal to build it myself. If you want them to send you some scrap metal for a couple hundred dollars that you'll have to re-engineer yourself then go for it.....To top it off, my customer experience with them was capped off with some kid telling me that "I shouldn't be lifting the Jeep if I couldn't figure it out". I'd have punched his nose off but he was 800 miles away.

 

Rocky Road is a fly by night rip off, they're the Saturday Night Special of the Jeep world. Do not give them any money. I'm surprised they're still in business. Never want to wish bad things on anyone, but I won't feel bad when they go under.

My SOA kit was very high quality and bolted right on. I ran it for several years on my D35 now its welded to my D44.

 

I guess I was a little hard on them and I really shouldn't have been.....but there are companies that try to do nothing but rip people off, and in my experience I can't say RR is one of them.  They're not a malicious outfit.....There's no doubt the Jeep aftermarket part business is a hard one to succeed in.  They've had bad reviews and they've had a lot of good reviews.  Neither here nor there, like Mknyboy said, his stuff worked out.

 

Either way, we at CC.com will try our best to help no matter who you buy from.

[Fraggy]

Thanks Guys, when the time comes we will see which direction I go. If things go wrong I know I have the suppor of the club to help me out.

[shelbyluvv]

I second Jay's opinion of RR. They suck, their parts suck, and you will not be happy with their stuff. I made the mistake of buying from them. Never again. cRusty's ranks right up there with RR as well. I got screwed over by Rusty himself. I will steer any one I can away from those two companies. I had a BDS lift on my WJ and loved it. I am actually thinking about getting a BDS lift for the LJ I just bought.

 

Do your homework. I really like Rock Krawler stuff too. Jeremy and Heather have really turned that place around. I am proud to actually know them and be friends with them. I've been with them since the day they bought the company from the first owner and used my XJ as a prototype vehicle for their Gen I long arm kit. We had our growing pains but with my advice and their designers I think we got it right!