Comanche 87 Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 I'm rebuilding an 87 Comanche laredo and need to replace the original doors with electric windows to doors with rollup Windows. I've been told that some doors are universal fits with this model. Could someone tell me if this is true and what models/make year would fit?
Megadan Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 Pretty much any XJ Door from a 4dr up to 1996 should work with no kerfuffle.
Comanche 87 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 I don't know a lot about the differences of makes and such currently. I'm very new to the jeep 'family' with no experience. So an mj is compatible with the xj? What is the xj model exactly. And can I get a hood, bumper and grill to match from same type? I appreciate all the info you can give me thank you!
turner-2000tj Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 The XJ is the Jeep Cherokee, not the "Grand" but just regular Cherokee. The MJ (Comanche) is pretty much the same as an Xj from the doors forward. So, yes the doors, fenders, hood, grill, bumper will interchange. Your comanche being an 87 will accept XJ parts up till the 1997 model year. If you wanted the newer look of the 97 and up XJ some modifications are necessary. If I'm incorrect in any of this someone will be right along to correct me, but I think I'm right for the most part! Congrats on the MJ BTW! :banana: Got any pics of it?
Eagle Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 The XJ is the Jeep Cherokee, not the "Grand" but just regular Cherokee. The MJ (Comanche) is pretty much the same as an Xj from the doors forward. So, yes the doors, fenders, hood, grill, bumper will interchange. Your comanche being an 87 will accept XJ parts up till the 1997 model year. If you wanted the newer look of the 97 and up XJ some modifications are necessary. If I'm incorrect in any of this someone will be right along to correct me, but I think I'm right for the most part! Up to 1996, not 1997. And doors have to be from a 4-door Cherokee.
Comanche 87 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 You guys are awesome, thank you so much! So any of the 4 doors will work from the regular Cherokee? I found a 1995 green Cherokee at my local scrap yard and it looks in good shape. I might go crazy and just take the entire front end. Is the dash also universal? My mj has a looot of fix up to do. Brand new motor 6 cyl had just been put in it before I got it. They left lots of chafed exposed wires, iac missing, need adapter kit for the ac to work (r12 to r13a i think was it) and it was hot wired due to a problem with the steering column Which will have to be opened up. I'll take pics of the before and after and post it here for you to see as I get it. You have all been great for info on this. Thanks for your patience. it makes me more confident in completing this project.
relyt120 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 yes the dash from a Cherokee will swap, if the engine is the same between your MJ and the Donor XJ you can swap just about anything under the hood, assuming the same trans too.
johnj92131 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Electrial wire color codes changed frequently over the life of the MJ and the XJ. Engine management systems changed with the 1991 model year when the old Renix FI system was replaced by the Chrysler FI system. The 86 model year offered yet another different engine management with some non fuel injection systems (?). There were also some changes in wire connectors over the 86-96 time period. Your best bet in dealing with these changes is to get a set of factory manuals for various years. Or perhaps ask for a copy of the schematic diagrams from the years you are interested in. Also, do not toss out or damage in any way the old power window switches and wiring or the power door lock controls and wiring. Someone else will want them. My question is why get rid of them? Yes, I like my power windows and door locks and was happy to do the conversion.
Comanche 87 Posted July 9, 2015 Author Posted July 9, 2015 Mainly doing the rollups because the old wiring in one of the doors is a melted ball. While keeping the vehicle in as close to its original shape as possible is nice, its going to be my work truck hauling trailer and equipment for lawn care. The old triangle windows with latches are an easy break in point and I like the security of a full window. On the other side, money to repair/redo the windows and electronic wiring is going to be expensive and I don't even know yet if driver side works or if i have to replace them. I figured a roll up would be reliable and I wouldn't have to worry about electrical issues.
FrankTheDog Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Put your location in your profile. There are plenty of us on here with a lot of the parts you will need.
relyt120 Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 Are you going to swap the whole doors?? Is there anything wrong with the doors themselves or just the windows? if you are going to swap the doors be aware you may have hinge issues since the bolts are known to get stuck and strip also the part where the hinge is welded to the unibody is a known fail point that may be exacerbated by swapping the doors so you may have to repair that while you are there. There is a write up in the diy section on how to do it without welding.
buckwheat Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 Not meaning to hi-jack this thread, but I have looked through the DIY section and have not seen the hinge fix you are talking about relyt120. Could you possible post a link?
Comanche 87 Posted July 10, 2015 Author Posted July 10, 2015 I would like to see that link as well thanks relyt120, that's good to know. And I've updated my location in profile. I live in north central Florida
Siopposition Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 http://comancheclub.com/topic/14466-broken-door-hinge-welds-cheap-n-easy-fix/
shelbyluvv Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 http://comancheclub.com/topic/14466-broken-door-hinge-welds-cheap-n-easy-fix/ I did this fix over 6 years ago on my truck and it is still holding strong.
relyt120 Posted July 10, 2015 Posted July 10, 2015 I need to do it myself, gotta lift up my driver door to close it good. :rotfl2:
Comanche 87 Posted July 14, 2015 Author Posted July 14, 2015 Is there no way to upload pics? Or do I have to post them to the net and then link from here?
Megadan Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 A photobucket (or similar) account will allow you to upload to their site and then IMG link the pictures here. That is the easiest way to do so.
Comanche 87 Posted July 15, 2015 Author Posted July 15, 2015 Thanks for that. Here is my now running (smooth yet throaty I might add) '87 Comanche Laredo. Steering column fixed, iac and engine now wired correctly, no more transmission leak, and brakes/lines working properly. I still need to replace the AC to get it fully functional (approx another $600+). Apparently the old one is no good at all. Swap doors to roll ups, clean up all bare and chafed wiring, replacement bumper and some better seats. Oh yeah and a paint job. Still a lot to do but she lives!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now