Repair/Differential-Interchange Information Wanted for my Just-Bought '89 2wd Commanche

[Dal3]

Checking Craigslist last night I saw a just-listed 89 Comanche for $400.

I called the seller and asked what repairs were needed and why he described it as rough since it looks great in the photos.

He said the body had some dents and someone had welded up the rear-end.

It would only pull with one wheel.

(I'm not an expert, but figured there was a problem with the cluster or axle with some inappropriate repair work that could be fixed with a replacement full size Dodge truck rear end.)

 

Everything he said checked out on-site and it was pouring rain.

The Jeep was for sale for scrap price so I put my money down.

So, doing a little research today it sounds like this is not a full size truck, but a small truck (optical illusion?)

 

So, it's not clear to me yet which the donor vehicles are.

I'd appreciate any help in steering me toward them.

My commanche has the manual 5 speed inline 6 and I value fuel economy, but there will be occasional light towing.

 

I don't have a computer and only get to check the email every day or two, but will follow the thread and respond as the need arises

Thanks,

Dale

[ownedueasy]

Cherokee rear axle, or a ford 8.8 from an exploder there's tons of different ones u could use it all depends on what you want to do with it, if it's 4x4 be sure that the gears match up from the front axle to the rear. Gear tag should be located in between bolts on the diff cover

[Incommando]

Fulls sized Dodge axle? Possible but stupid. As stated above: get an 8.25 XJ axle. Weld on spring pads. Re-use shick perches. Bam. A much better rear axle for $150 or so.

 

A Comanche is not as small as the first gen S10 or Ranger but about like a first gen Dakota. No, it is not a full-sized truck. It is based on the downsized 84-2001 Xj Cherokee

[big66440]

Its "technically" a midsize truck, but I know what you mean by optical illusion

[Dal3]

Thanks for replies.

I'm not an expert mechanic and just want to get the truck working well with the least modification.

So, I gather should concentrate on Comanche, XJ, or Cherokee as donors, 4WD or RWD, as my Comanche is RWD.

Should I limit my search to certain model years?

Dale

[FrankTheDog]

What is your location. There's people on here that have piles of parts and you could get a stock Dana 35 rear axle for short money.

It'll be a bolt in.

[Dal3]

I'm in Bloomington Indiana.

It sounds like these are pretty common, but I'd look at anything between Bloomingon and Peru Indiana.

Dale.

[nitroxsteve]

Only an axle from another mj will be a direct bolt in. Xj axle will require welding on new spring perches. Your truck is probably has 3.07 gears being its a 4.0 5 speed. If you get an axle from a automatic 4.0 xj/mj it will probably have 3.55 gear ratio. This could cause a little loss in economy but will give you a little more power for towing. In my experience the 3.55 probably will not cause too much change in economy depending on your style of driving.

[FrankTheDog]

Probably end up with better economy because it won't be lugging as much.

However you're in Indiana so it's fairly flat where it wouldn't penalize the 3.07's as bad as they do in my area.

Look for 3.55's from an auto if you're going to go a little bigger with your tires.

[nitroxsteve]

Probably end up with better economy because it won't be lugging as much.

However you're in Indiana so it's fairly flat where it wouldn't penalize the 3.07's as bad as they do in my area.

Look for 3.55's from an auto if you're going to go a little bigger with your tires.

I agree