quaddub_comanche Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hey everyone, new guy here from Texas. A couple weeks ago I bought an 89 Comanche 4.0 2wd Sportruck from a good buddy of mine who's had it sitting at his ranch for the past couple years. It's not the prettiest right now but I have quite a few plans for it, including: - 4wd conversion (already have front axle, t-case and tranny out of another buddy's 89 XJ) - Bucket seat and center console swap - Bumpers - SOA to (hopefully) match the existing Rustys 4.5 front, might need bigger springs - Wheels/Tires - Trim/Paint I would ultimately like to build this into a weekend mall crawler / occasional wheeling rig. So far just trying to get it running. We used to drive it all the time at the ranch, would just charge up the battery and go. Now it's probably sat for a little over a year and has had a few issues. Dropped a new battery in when we went to pick it up, no dice. Didn't hear a fuel pump coming on, so bought a new one and a new fuel filter. Got the fuel pump installed and we're still not getting fuel to the motor. Thinking it could be a clogged line. Dropping the tank this weekend to get a closer look. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my first MJ and joining the community! Here's some pics: Picking it up from the ranch along with another friend's built XJ crawler: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbyrambler Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Nice looking truck for a starter & pics are always a plus - - - - You're gonna like it here - - - 1st thing to do is read Cruisers renix tips in DIY - - - To search for help/write ups use google search - - - site:comancheclub.com & keyword/keywords - - - This should help with your fuel pump - https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=site:comancheclub.com+pump+ground :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8valvehero Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 bikes, crawler and a 'manche. what else does one need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lil_loco Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Beer and steak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Nice MJ! Can't wait to see what it turns into. Where abouts in Texas are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Nice MJ! Can't wait to see what it turns into. Where abouts in Texas are you? Thanks man, I'm in the Houston area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Cool deal. I need to go to S Texas and do some wheeling.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted June 17, 2014 Author Share Posted June 17, 2014 Cool deal. I need to go to S Texas and do some wheeling.. We usually go to Katemcy Rocks out in Mason, TX and it's a blast if you like rock crawling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Nice looking truck for a starter & pics are always a plus - - - - You're gonna like it here - - - 1st thing to do is read Cruisers renix tips in DIY - - - To search for help/write ups use google search - - - site:comancheclub.com & keyword/keywords - - - This should help with your fuel pump - https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=site:comancheclub.com+pump+ground :thumbsup: Thanks man, the google search works way better. Got the new fuel pump working this weekend. It wasn't the ground issue, ended up being the two unmarked wires that plug into the top of the pump were backwards. So pump was turning on and priming, just pumping in the wrong direction lol. Now everything is running, moving on to the cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Finally got around to getting the cooling system fixed today. Added a new reservoir bottle and coolant, then burped the system. Also realized that the electric fan wasn't coming on, so went ahead and wired it straight to the battery. Let it run for about 45 minutes and no cooling issues! On another note, took it out on the road for the first time and have major wobble...guess that's next on my list along w getting the rear end leveled out. Some pics! And a poser shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Man I'm really digging the lonesome sport truck badge.... Might have to throw one on mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Man I'm really digging the lonesome sport truck badge.... Might have to throw one on mine... Haha yeah I like it too, wish it was an actual decal. Looking closely, it seems the PO hand painted it on there from the stencil the original decal left in the paint...or possibly on top of the faded decal? I'm not sure whats all going on in the paint on this thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 Minor updates. Been gathering parts for the 4x4 conversion the last few months. I got a complete Ford 8.8 with disc brakes, spring over kit (plates, ubolts, shock mounts etc), and a dana 30 that needs rebuilding. Also have a tranny+tcase laying around out of an 89 XJ. After burning up 2 fuel pumps in the stock tank I said screw it and got a fuel cell in the bed to an external inline pump. It's been running fine ever since (except for some minor white smoke in the exhaust). It's not totally mounted yet. The cell has an extended bottom thats meant to sit down into a cutout. So I'll have to cut a rectangle out of the bed so it will sit flush. Also need to find or build some kind of bracket or strap to hold it in place. Ratchet strap will do for now. Finally brought it to my house, it's been at my buddy's land for months. Which is 30 miles away. Now that it's home hopefully progress will pick up. I'm starting to sand it and prep for a rattle-can paint job. Lot's of little things need to be fixed as well. Taking it one step at a time. Removed the old steel bumper that was super bent up. Starting to scuff/sand. More updates soon, hopefully! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Bled the brakes, greased up the ball joints and steering, and replaced the valve cover gasket today. Decided to drive it around the block after that. Went a whopping two miles! That's the furthest its moved in like 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 I've been chasing electrical issues for weeks while doing a lot of tune up type repairs. Lots of new parts: spark plugs, wires, distributor, cap, rotor, 4-hole injectors, fuel line o-rings, alternator, vac lines. Its running like a champ now. Leveled out the rear with a set of chevy 2" drop shackles. Just got some new wheels on today so I finally have all 4 matching. Pro Comp Rock Crawler 15x8, 3.75bs. Oh and I power washed the old spray paint and decals off it. Here's how its sitting now: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Gotta love when the wheels are the shiniest thing on a vehicle lol. Nice progress so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kickinmule Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Coming together nicely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted May 29, 2015 Author Share Posted May 29, 2015 Gotta love when the wheels are the shiniest thing on a vehicle lol. Nice progress so far. Right! Someday it will be painted and shiny all over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 Pulled the carpet out today to check for rust from advice on this forum. Sure enough, passenger side had a couple of small holes and a ton of surface rust. Driver side's nice and clean Passenger side 2 holes, pretty small but can get my fingertip through there. Good reminder that even in Texas rust will find its way into your MJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Unless you are set on going SOA, since you already have some 2" shackles, consider a nice set of lift leafs and stay SUA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 Little bit of an update. I have been fixing rust spots on the body (haven't got to the floors yet) and replacing small parts here and there. Went ahead and did a cut and fold method on the fenders and a rattle can paint job using Rustoleum High Performance Enamel. We'll see how long it lasts, for $50-$60 I'm happy with it for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 Not many updates. New MAP sensor and IAC has it idling great and sipping gas. New temp sender since I accidentally broke the old one. Fixed the tailgate handle, works like a charm now. Added some cheapo Amazon LED cubes to the front bumper and some other knick knacks. Last weekend took it out to my deer lease for the season. It's going to be a dedicated hunting truck until February. Ran it all day while filling and moving feeders and not a hiccup. It's come a long way since I dragged it off my buddies ranch unable to run. In the meantime I will be rebuilding the 8.8 and D30 for next year when she comes back home. Here's another poser shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Scored some 35's from a buddy who was taking them off of his TJ yesterday! can't beat $0 improvements. Also just got it registered as an antique vehicle in TX. It doesn't see the street anymore than around the block occasionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 Picked up a d30 from a 99 XJ to start rebuilding for the swap Has a bent LCA mount but otherwise in great shape All torn down and cleaned up New LCA mounts from Artec Industries. Need to get these burned on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quaddub_comanche Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 Been a while since I posted, wanted to give an update as I'm still building and driving this Jeep. Finished the D30 swap earlier this year, just havent had a chance to post all of the pics. LCA Brackets welded on Primer New ball joints, bushings, paint 2wd beam axle removed! D30 installed. This was a PITA to do by myself. Lots of ratchet straps and jack maneuvers to get everything lined up and bolted back to together. This was my first time doing an axle swap, so I learned a lot in this process. New rotors, calipers, and pads and u-joints. Didnt get pics of the u-joint install. It moves! Still have the transmission and t-case to do for actual 4 wheel drive action, but at least I look the part now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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