'Ratmanche' the '88 Comanche

[DirtyComanche]

That's good info on the latest style MAP sensor.  I'll have to try to remember that.

[HOrnbrod]

Excellent, and thanks. I remember the 96 and 97 and up MAP sensor voltage output tables i had were of the same polarity and used a 5VDC reference, but differed somewhat on voltage to the ECU with equal vacuum applications over the range. Obviously the Renix computer doesn't really care. I'll know immediately if my OBD1 ECU likes it if it doesn't throw a code. When my 96 MAP dies, I'll try a later model sensor. Mfg. by Mopar of course. 

[Rockfrog]

Well damn.
Got the slave bled properly, and of course, now the master is leaking.

Any suggestions on a good reliable master cylinder? Last one was a LuK brand master cylinder, get the same?

Going to see if I can get a proper bleeder screw to fit on the 94+ slave (it has a bleed port but just a tapered plug).

Picked up a mini console, and a 4 cyl coolant bottle so some reworking is coming soon.

Raised the rear 1", and recentered the steering wheel, or so I thought. Now it's canted to the other side, one day I'll get it right.

Found some nice front only seat covers and had to slightly modify the Laredo seats to fit them. At least they'll keep the seats clean.

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[Rockfrog]

Got my REM v4.1 installed today. Going to figure a means to permanently mount it inside the ash tray. Swapped in a newer TPS and IAC ... Was having high rpm idle issues ... One instance hit 4k ... that was a bad day.

Manually shifted the tcase into full time 4wd and went for a test run. Works great, still have to sort out the linkage ... Have an old Boostwerks kit around somewhere.

My fuse box is falling apart slowly. Lost dash lights again, turns out the gauge lights tabs broke off, temp fixed it and will have to revisit that one. I have a donor 88 XJ harness in mint shape for parts.

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[Rockfrog]

Got me a free canopy this week, seems to fit ok so far. Needs a serious cleaning and de-nesting.
It's a wee bit narrow, but length, cab end angle and height are perfect. Al the glass is there, and overall she's in good shape.
Just need to fix, clean and lube the read door T-handle.

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[Rockfrog]

Well ... Let's see ...

Swapped the 2.5L TB BA k on for a few weeks, drove fine, nothing special to report. My IAT was failing so no mpg related results due to excessive fuel gulping as a result.

Drilled out one of the manifold parts and retapped to 3/8"NPT and installed the GM IAT.
Swapped back to the 4.0L throttle body at the same time.
Soldered my REM jumpers in and wired up my in/out adapter to the aux fan relay. Set the fan to 210 on/190 off. Seemed about right to me as I really only need the fan for towing purposes.

Had a warmup issue that wasn't a stuck thermostat, more a simple cold air and nothing in the bay to make heat quickly (remember it's 5spd, no A/C truck). Just taking it's time getting up to temp in the winter was all. Went with the old "Five Star" solution which seems to have lessened the issue.

Now I just have to figure out why the airflow almost stops when I switch to warm. All good if I leave it cold. Have a feeling the wasps I killed this summer made a nest on my heater core ... Buggers! I killed a swarm of them back in August that were nesting inside the fender gap at the cowl (had all the seam sealer cupped away at the time). Guess that dash swap is definitely going to happen this spring then, not doing next winter chilled again.

Made a "medium sized" console out of a broken full console. Going to make my own rear section with better cup holders and storage. Never really liked the factory layout anyway.

Also found a set of fake wood trim (upper door strips and dash bezel) to match my uppity door panels finally. So I'll be restoring-ish those in prep for install.

And I finally found a set of 2dr Laredo seats ... Picking them up tomorrow ... They need cleaning ... But I have everything to re-cover and refoam them. SCORE!

Since I'm still using Tapatalk (yeah, yeah, I know) the random picture swarm will now follow.



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[tgcj]

From which car is the canopy? Is it from another car or a Special one for the Comanche?

[Rockfrog]

Honestly, not a clue.

Was a "take it if it fits" free in a farmers field canopy. Had to wash a few years of spiders and rodents out when I got it home.

I tried goofing the info on the data plate but got nothing yet.

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[Rockfrog]

Had me one of them there productive days today ....

 

Started with swapping out the injectors, one of my Volvo 746's stopped working, so I swapped in the original injectors from my new motor (97 TJ) should get me by until I can replace the 746.

 

Then that turned into rerouting the CCV system, redoing a few vacuum lines and generally tidying things a bit. Used 3/8" and 3/16" brake lines for the plumbing. Wired my relays for the fan and fog/DRL's in a bit better for now, I need to find a single pin connector or just splice right into the orange black lead of the EGR solenoid plug. It makes a great engine running only circuit perfect for these two uses.

 

And then ... Fix the hard shifting issues I've been having ... Turned out my slave was bypassing, I had a good spare so a swapand bleed seems to have sorted it out.

 

And then ... Installed the Boostwerks transfer case shift linkage and added another brace to the "medium sized console". I really need to get to making the rear storage pod. And I just need to rebuild the front driveshaft (old ujoints not liking being put back to use it seems).

 

And then ...

 

 

... No and then, on with pictures.

 

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[Rockfrog]

And for anyone wondering, I moved the metered orifice to the front of the valve cover, and plumbed it into the brake booster vacuum fitting on the intake manifold. Then used a 5/8" brass garden hose fitting inserted from inside the rubber intake elbow, and hose clamped the breather line to it, the pass through hole is undersized and I used some sealer as well. The fitting is fully captured now. Then ran the line to the rear of the valve cover.

Plumbed the brake booster into the old metered orifice fitting on the intake, reducing the hose length by more than half.

The other was the FPR line, two new vacuum hose elbows and plumbed it to the vacuum fitting to the left of the old booster fitting eliminating a vacuum caps over unused ports. Then I just plugged the old FPR port.

Cleans it up a fair bit I think.

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[Rockfrog]

New injectors are working fine, seems to have eased my fuel consumption issues. One of the 746's was working intermittently so I was running a 5cyl here and there it seems.
Trims show the old 97 TJ injectors appear to flow slightly more than the 746's ...


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[Rockfrog]

Replaced the sway bar, used the TJ swaybar I stole from my '00 XJ trail rig. Need to find 2" shorter end links though, but they work for now. 

Had to fab some mount adapters to get it into the correct position on the front receiver. 

Also fixed an issue with the tracbar and finally got around to centering the front axle. Apparently the bracket was drilled to 1/2" but the misalignments were 9/16". Drilled the bracket accordingly and swapped the correct size bolt in. 

 

Time for a test drive. 

[Rockfrog]

So latest update, picked new (to me) mid size aluminum truck box. Tossed canopy to the wayside, and drive the snot out of the old girl. Way better road manners now for sure.
Still have to get bushings for the YJ end links I want to try next.

New thought.
If the Renix and HO Cams were Th same 87-95, but the 87-90 were 8 degrees advanceded as opposed the later 91-95 being only 4 degrees advanced .... From what I've been reading lately.

Wonder if the Renix Timing set will have an effect on the later 97 dual pattern cam ....? Or am I asking for trouble? I have a brand new timing set sitting in my old motor is what drives this question.

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[Rockfrog]

Alright boys and girls, had some health issues arise (damn gall bladder tried to kill me). But ... After the third week I was cleared to wrench.

New game plan, swap drivetrain from XJ into MJ, and from MJ into XJ.

Pulled the 8.25 (4.56, Detroit) out of the XJ and stuffed it SOA under the MJ. Still have to sort out shock mounts and shocks but I ended up bandaid img it for now. Had to pull two leaves from my hauler packs (now has MJ main, XJ cut main, XJ cut second, MJ second, and MJ third, with MJ overload run long end forward). Anti wrap perches, and some old MJ plates run upside down and side swapped (lower shock mount is forward of the axle).

Get some good spring wrap if I don't feather into it, and with the 255/75r17's I can start in third like I used to in first with the 8.8 (3.73 LSD).

Added benefit is the 8.25 is already disc swapped so just a rebleed and they work great.

Next up is to make a new crossmember to accommodate the XJ's 3 link system (custom) up front to get the 4.56, TrueTrac, GM/Dodge TRE crossover, WJ swapped, OTK, D30HP up front.

Got me a jack rabbit for now. Need to swap some 4.5" springs up front to level it out in the meantime. Pulled the front driveshaft so I don't have a brainfart moment.

Suspension pic shows first shock attempt, ended up moving the lower forward of the axle for now. At least until I can get the time to fab some proper shock mounts.

Not sure how I'll deal with the spring wrap, maybe one (or both) of the load assist shocks in some fashion. Still researching anti-wtap bars as well.

This is the new trail rig so don't want to get into stiff inflexible suspensions.

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[Rockfrog]

Well, let's update.

Pulled the fenders off the XJ and added them to the MJ, put the XJ's 33/13.5r15 Toyo MT's on as well.

Rewired the wiper motor to upgrade with a 2000xj motor, trans, and arms.

Swapped out the 93 NP242 for a 99 NP242 (just had to swap output shafts) and re-calibtated the speedo drive. Swapped in my Stinky Fab trans and motor mounts from the XJ, got rid of a $#!& tonne of odd rattles and clunks.

Put all the old parts onto the XJ in prep for sale.

Just need to make the new front crossmember so I can scavenge the XJ's front axle now.

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[Rockfrog]

I hear pictures help.

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[Rockfrog]

Aaaaand ... In the spirit of holy crap has it been that long ... 

 

Where to begin, just swapped on a set of 98 XJ manual crank doors, reworked some of the engine bay layout, mocked up the intake piping (sorta PVC-ish until the piping comes in amidst the COVID delays). Dropped a really rough passenger side cowl rise hood, and yeah it's gonna need some serious body work to look OK. Also swapped in a Liberty NP242 behind the AX15. This brings SYE equivalent beef to the table for minimal layout. Downside - no more speedo drive. 32 spline output front and rear (with no necking down, just one, big, solid shaft). 

So, now I'm working on a new dash with a gps speedo as the main attraction. 

Just got laid off so no better time to deal with that rotted out driver side floor pan, and fab 3-link mounts. 

 

[Rockfrog]