IslandXJ Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Hey all, name's Chris Just joined the site as am the new owner of a 1986 Comanche X with the factory 2.1 Renault turbo diesel engine. It's got 120000kms (yes I'm in Canada. Courtenay on Vancouver Island in British Columbia) It's got a 5 speed, only 2WD, but virtually free of rust. The previous owner had the T belt break as well as some rocker arms. Somehow he managed to get his hands on another 2.1 motor but all he needed was a few of the rocker arms off it. The whole engine came in the back of the truck! So I've got er running again and am now in the process of tidying up the little things on it. Issues: - Alternator not charging or giving out a tach signal (currently having it rebuilt) - Horn doesn't work (replaced relay, all good now) - Tail pipe rusted out - Fuel guage is pegged to past full - Coolant leak (sealed cap spout on rad) The headliner is falling It's missing some of the interior courtesy lights/covers Carpet is badly faded Brakes are rusty from sitting for over a year I took off the rims and sandblasted them, painted and buffed the beauty rings I just finished a home spray in bed liner! Anyhow, I am curious on anyones thoughts on this beast as it's the first MJ I've owned and deffinetly the first MJ diesel!! I know enough to know it's a rare bird so that's exciting! Any input or tips would be greatly appreciated Now the juicy stuff... pics! This is the night I bought er Got to take a closer look at it in the morning The Proof!! Not to bad interior The spare engine and parts Getting it a little sharper looking So there it is. I'll be trying to keep this updated as best I can I'm not totally new to these rigs... Had this baby forever, my first ride. I've done every single mod myself and loved every minute of it! That being said, I plan on keeping the MJ stock and clean! Honestly I'm not entirely sure on what to do with the MJ, I just know I'm in love with it! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Dude, that's freaking awesome. Welcome to the forum! Automan2164 will be all over this shortly haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Sweet (and rare) truck! Your grill is on upside down though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Another MJ with an upside down grille... I give up lol. Aside from that, you've cleaned her up right nicely. I like what you did with the factory rims... I did the same thing haha. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandXJ Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Ya I was curious on the grill. That was how I got it, it does seem up side down just from my random google search! Got my alternator rebuilt, not cheap but seeing as how I couldn't source a new one I'm stoked. Next up I'm going to redo the exhaust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 What is it with the porn red interiors and diesels!? Welcome to the club! Sounds like you have a good head of steam on what you need to get done and how to go about it. I fought, and still am fighting electrical issues with mine also. I replaced the alternator on mine also, chasing a tach issue and low volts. Mine ended up being the actual tach. Luckily, another member was close, and gave me the tach out of their well used '86 TD. (opsled/JeepcoMJ) Alternator was available, through CarQuest, PN 14891. I would suggest picking up some factory service manuals for it. They pop up on eBay from time to time. There is a Renault specific engine manual, and one for the injection pump of interest. There is also some others like the base '86 MJ manual which are neat, and then some training books. I do also have the '86 AMC/Renault/Jeep Laserdisc training set along with the workbooks. Some good info to be had out there. You won't find many people who know how to work on them, so you are pretty much on your own. I got lucky with Phil/Pat living so close and having one for 170K. Most everything can be read from a manual, but it helped having someone who had done it/maintained one for years. Off the top of my head, things to check into: -Starter is known for cracking the trans bell housing because of the high torque. Mine was already welded when I bought it. -A lot of the foreigners say these engines had oil pump issues. Keep an eye on the PSI. -Interference motor running on a timing belt. (You already been there and bought the t-shirt on this one) -Vacuum pumps are also known for issues. -Cooling system. It uses an open system radiator with a closed system style, like the Renix. The cap on the radiator is non traditional. It's just a flat cap with no pressure spring. The overflow portion of the radiator is actually pressurized with the tank. I also had to have the nipple on the neck re-braised. -Head gaskets are different thicknesses, measured and applied after knowing deck height. If you need a new one, be sure to count the dots on the edge before ordering. Happy clattering! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandXJ Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Appreciate the heads up!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Rob Not to get off topic here, but right quick: Rob, where did you get those clearance lights on your roof? I'm planning on doing something like that soon and those look really good up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Not to get off topic here, but right quick: Rob, where did you get those clearance lights on your roof? I'm planning on doing something like that soon and those look really good up there.Sore spot. I bought it like that. I hate them. Hate them. Hate. They don't belong, the truck doesn't need them, and it put a bunch of stupid holes in a generally clean body. Whomever installed them missed a few times, and just left the holes wide open. When I bought it I had to RTV the holes until I get around to repainting it. I would strongly advise against any sort of lights on the cab like those. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Ah... well, IMO I think they look good on your truck, but I understand if you don't like them lol. Sorry the PO was trigger happy with the drill... If you don't want those lights, I'd be willing to take them off your hands. :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azdiesel Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 i have been working on my 86 diesel since September. I have gone thru the motor and rebuilt everything on the truck exept the trans and diff. i need a cam and some rockers and possibly a good head. Let me know if you need anything as i have gone throught rebuilding much of my MJ including making many parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I have been interested in a diesel MJ for some years, this may be the one. Dropped the seller an email this morning. Hopefully I will hear back from him. My plan would be to rent a dolly and use that to get it home. Then find a shop that has done some work on the diesel before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectormj Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 that 2.1 is a great lookin motor so clean and diesely Good rig and welcome to the mj addiction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babyblack86 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Hey what did I miss here? IslandXJ was all happy on Oct about getting the diesel and now we talking about selling?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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