ArcticMJ Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I just picked up my 1990 2wd 4.0 long box Comanche two weeks ago and I'm getting ready to start building it. I've owned quite a few jeeps over the years, but its been about 3 years since of had a built jeep. My main purpose for this jeep is to get to remote hunting and fishing spots in the foothills and mountains, while still being able to haul a jetski in the bed and pull a jetski trailer. Plans Keep the Renix 4.0L and swap in a AW4 with NP231 tcase HP dana 30 with wj knuckles and brake, 4.56 gears Dana 44 rear with disc brakes, 4.56 gears and locker 4.5" lift (haven't decided on long arms or drop brackets) Hybrid cage with a bed rack Lots of lights 35" tires Iceland offroad flares Lots of armor 98+ front clip Paint silver or olive drab to match my 1947 willys Here's how the comanche looks the day I got it I'll get some better pictures when it gets back from the exhaust shop tomorrow, it's getting full 2.5" exhaust with a super 50 muffler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 I've started designing my hybrid cage with a bed rack, but I'm struggling with having the two flow nicely together. I'm not really happy with what I have now and am open to suggestions! I don't want the bed rack to sit above the roofline, I hated my roof rack on my 4door xj. I also want to make sure there's nothing overhead in the last few feet of the box so I can easily hop in the box and load a jetski. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drase Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 OMG...that will be awesome! Please do this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 6, 2015 Author Share Posted March 6, 2015 For the front bumper I'll probably do the exact same one as my last Cherokee, since I still have the plans for it in bend tec pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collkid Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Wait, are you going to swap to 4x4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 Yes, I'm just trying to find a nice donor xj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackBeast Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 That 2 door xj is Beutiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 No major update, but took care of a few things over the weekend. Went to the wrecker and pulled the oilfilter adapter out of a HO cherokee and installed it in my Comanche. I also replaced the wheel cylinders in the Dana 44 and replaced the front shocks to pass inspection One of the local car audio shops was liquidating there 2014 stock and I picked up some demo units cheap. The Comanche only had one working 6.5" speaker in it and CD player barely worked. So for around $400 I was able to pick up a jcv bluetooth headunit, kenwood 5 channel amp, kicker sub with box and 4 alpine speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 I'm trying to decide on what bed liner to order right now, I've narrow it down between raptor and monstaliner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fubbu Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 ArcticMJ I know that xj. To jog your memory i siped those tires for you and purchased your old roof rack from you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 ArcticMJ I know that xj. To jog your memory i siped those tires for you and purchased your old roof rack from youOh hey dude, where are you working these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fubbu Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I'm working at a chrysler dealership in stony. I am actually looking at building the same kind of truck you are planning same size tires with the same style of rack/exo cage only a little more simple but all in all the same set up. With the same type of truck only a year older. old my wife about it last night and we shared a good laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 I finally started on this build, as I was too busy building standup jet ski's all summer. I've order most of the parts I need now and picked up a 4wd parts Comanche Here's what I have now BDS Long arm builders kit 4.5" BDS coils 4.56 gears and an ARB locker for the Dana 44 HP Dana 30 with WJ knuckles 4.56 gears and a trutrack Ruff Stuff 1 ton cross over steering with offset tie rods 35" MTR kevlars Smittybilt XRC suspension seats Smittybilt XRC 9 comp winch Iceland offroad style flares Here's the 1989 base 4.0L 4wd comanche, the driveline was in really good shape minus a bad rear pinion bearing in the dana 35. I've already swapped the 4wd tranny and transfer case and I'll finish the 4wd conversion when I build the Dana 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 While I've been waiting on the parts to come in, I started gutting the interior. The rot wasn't too bad, I only had to replace some of the floor on the drivers side. Carpets out Drivers side rust Cut into the floor to inspect the unit rail, it was surprisingly clean, so I just coated it with POR15 I didn't take any pictures of the driverside floor repair, but here's the floors after a couple coats of POR15. The carpet will be cleaned up and dyed black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Started working on the 97+ front clip and door swap. I found a 2000 XJ with power doors at pick n pull, the front clip, driverside fender and doors were all in great shape. I had to wait a few weeks to find a decent passenger side fender. Striping the MJ Installing the doors and swaping over the lock cylinders Rather them welding the new door striker plates on, I opened up the top bolt hole with a carbide burr and found a bolt that would replace the old door striker pin. That way I could bolt the striker and adjust the doors easier. Doors and front clip installed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticMJ Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 Started cutting all the rust out of the rear fenders and getting them ready for the flares I should hopefully have the flares done after the weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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