Another one saved from the scraper 1987 Sport Truck

[Gary57]

First of all I want to say this is one of the best forums for information on these little trucks around and I can’t thank the people on here enough for the valuable tips and information that I have found anywhere.  

I am retired and have way too much time on my hands. Now that is an established fact. I was looking on the internet a few weeks ago for a shortbed 2wd truck. I found a 1987 Jeep Comanche, now never owning a Jeep in my entire life, (I am 66 years young) I skipped over it. Then something happened I began to like the looks of the little truck and it seem to be calling to me, “save me”. It was priced right but needed a total rebuild. Meet Hubbie:

Now that I have Hubbie I needed a plan and to set some goals.

First goal built a running and driving truck that will pass inspection and be reliable for less than $1500.00.

Second goal is to have first goal completed in 30 days.

Third goal is to have a bright and shiny truck in one year.

Hubbie needs a lot of parts so enter Donna an 1988 Jeep Cherokee. Ain’t she pretty:

All dressed up with all the parts I will need to repair Hubbie. Donna has been mistreated some badly that she just sit there and knocks.

Hubbie on the other hand has been rode hard and put up wet. Lots of dings and dents, but real strong 4 banger engine with a bad starter, no exhaust system, wiring is a mess, tailgate missing, and one tail light missing.

This the story so far: replaced the starter, new battery cables, repacked front wheel bearing (had to replace one bearing and race), fresh brake fluid, and dismantled the whole front end.

I try to do one or two jobs every day.

Here is Hubbie with Donna’s front wheels and tires.

[Walkenvol]

Welcome!  Look forward to following your build.  Keep posting lots of pictures.

[Gary57]

Well it has been a long couple of weeks, but I have a few thing done. I was adjusting the hood because it was hitting the cowl and found the hood was broke where the hinges attach, so I took the hood off for some welding. So the hood is off now would be a good time to strip the paint off and primer the hood.

 

The next order of busness was to get to checking the wiring. I now have headlights, turn signals, flashers, parking lights, and a quartz clock, from Donna. I also changed the gauge cluster over, and rebuilt the steering colunm.

Sorry for pictures being so blurry, but I was very hot and ready to come inside it has been 90 degrees around here.

Donna is looking as pretty as she was, she has been giving too much to Hubbie.

Thats all for now, still trying to meet my goal of inspection and licenses by the end of this month.

[Gary57]

Well everything seem to going right for a change. The last two days I have managed to put the chrome bumper on and get the headlights and grill on, looks a little more like a truck again.

Notice that the grill is in right side up, I noticed on the forum where some had them upside down. Another good tip from the forum. Thanks!

All that’s left to complete the inside is a piece that works the turn signals and replacing the steering wheel and two window crank handles from the local Dodge Dealer.

The vent wing window was made out of plastic and didn’t fit very well (Not my work) I replaced it with one from the donor.

 

My next post will have a breakdown of the items repaired and the cost.

[neohic]

:thumbsup: Looking good!

[Gary57]

Will has been a week or two since my last post and I did promise a list of the things that I fixed, and a cost. First off my Comanche will be inspected tomorrow and have license by the end of the day. Here is the long list of everything I repaired and the cost.

Purchase 1987 Jeep Comanche - $475.00

Taxes - $41.76

Jeep Manual - $13.90 (Ebay)

Sockets (for rounded bolt heads) - $90.20

Donor Jeep - $450.00

Engine oil, filter, bolts, battery cables, and starter - $113.28

Engine plugs, wire, and grease - $18.25

Wheel cleaner, front wheel bearing & race, brake cleaner, & misc. - $37.50

Body primer - $26.93

Light bulbs & butt connectors  - $14.89

Window cranks & turn signal arm - $55.96

Window crank washers - $3.34

Taillights - $100.00

Distributor rotor - $5.30

Nuts, screws, & bolts - $11.04

Total cost of repairs $1459.27 (out of pocket)

 

Here is list of everything repaired using parts from the donor Jeep.

Battery tray and hold down

Front grill and bumper

Plug wires

Starter relay

Radio & speakers

Front brake pads

Rear brake springs & cables

Driver’s side vent wing window

Repair, weld hood & primer

Floor Curtesy lights

Rebuilt steering column & steering wheel

Replaced fuel pump relays

From black to chrome door handles

Replaced exhaust system

Fresh brake fluid (had in shop)

Battery (had in shop)

Front cowl

Wheels & tires

I set a goal to get the Comanche up and running, & pass inspections for less than $1500.00 and do it within 30 days. I have achieved that goal.

The question you may ask is it done? NO I will still continue to work on the truck.

 

My next goal is to remove all the dents and paint the whole truck. I will attempt to do this within a year and not spend more than $2000.00 on the entire truck. If you think that is impossible remember that I will do all the body work myself, and paint. I also have a donor Jeep to sell for scrap.

 

I should have called this tread a Comanche on a budget build!!!!!!!!!!!