GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum. I just picked up my first Comanche yesterday. Snagged a non-running 86 4x4 auto model for $500. I wanted to start this thread so I had a place to post progress on the truck, as well as get feedback and tips.Plans for the truck so far are to get it running, repair any rust, paint, bedliner, wheels and tires, and then use it as a daily driver to keep the miles down on my TJ.Eventually I would like to do a lift, bigger tires, and a motor swap.The truck will mostly be used to drive back and forth to work, hauling loads of mulch, and the occasional light trail riding.I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how. Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysteed Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Where in GA are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Where in GA are you located? Ball Ground. Very close to the sheriff's jeep fest that we have every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 Well I've already ran into my first road block. I started to tear down the interior, went to unbolt the bench seat, and noticed the nuts on the bolts holding it down are so rusted they are inseparable from the bolts. Not sure if liquid wrench or anything like that can even save the day on this one. Might just have to cut the brackets. How hard is it to find replacements? Thoughts/comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 as far as I know you'll either have to pull some "new" ones out of a JY MJ, or fab up your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mule5 Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Just to let you know the Comanche seat brackets on the floor are all by themselves you're better off if the floor is any good in brackets are good and you have access to a torch just heat the nuts and take them off. Best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 well now i'm dealing with a crank, no start issue. not sure where to begin. Looks like the PO installed a new ignition. Lots of vacuum hoses are disconnected, and every time i turn the key the horn blows and i get a loud buzzing noise. Occasionally I can get it to turn over but not run. not sure how much of this is connected to the issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my first major project and I'm realizing I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Hopefully I can get this truck up and running and learn a few things along the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 https://i.picresize.com/Ucbi can anyone tell me what, if anything, connects into the ICM here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 http://i.picresize.com/images/2015/10/07/MnzQp.jpg maybe this link will work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 It's been a little while since I posted an update on my MJ project. I've had a slight change in plans for it. Basically I want to get it running, lifted, painted, bedlined, and new wheels and tires by April so I can take it to jeep beach in Daytona. My TJ will be put on hold for any new parts so that I can put all my time and money into the MJ. I've basically fallen in love with the uniqueness of the MJ. Everyone around here drives wranglers but not many people have MJs. I have a buddy that is going to paint it (Mopar plum crazy), and bedline it for me for $1000 and some beer. So that will be taken care of right after the holidays. Still trying to decide on lift size and brand. I want to run 31s without having to do any trimming. Might go with 33s one day. But for now I've only got a 2.5l to work with. I'll probably go with some cheap wheels just to get by with for the moment. Might even take the ones from my TJ. First things first though. Gotta get it running, driving, and street legal. Hopefully tomorrow I can buy some more socket extensions and replace my CPS and get her running. Fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 these trucks will fit 31's without lift, you just need to make sure that you're bump-stopped properly, especially in the front, also welcome to the addiction :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 this thread needed pictures. so i obliged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 Small update, I bought the tools I needed to replace my CPS today. Also decided I will be buying a paint gun and try my hand at painting it myself. Still will probably go with the Mopar Plum Crazy paint. Decided to go with a 4.5" lift from Zone. Wheels and tires will come off my TJ for the time being. Still not sure what to do about my rusted floor boards. Obviously it will have to be repaired, but not sure if I should attempt that myself or not. Interior will be left alone until I stumble across a cheap XJ I can swap the doors (fingers crossed for auto windows!), dash, and seats from. Might hold off on bedlining until spring. Really want to get this thing running and drivable before it gets too cold here. My DD TJ has half doors and the heater is broken. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 On the subject of rust repair, Would a 90 amp, 120 volt, flux core welder from harbor freight work to weld in some sheet metal for new floor boards? I know literally nothing about welding. I like the idea of doing all the work myself though. So I'm open to spending $100 on this welder and giving it a shot. thoughts/feedback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysteed Posted October 30, 2015 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Small update, I bought the tools I needed to replace my CPS today. Also decided I will be buying a paint gun and try my hand at painting it myself. Still will probably go with the Mopar Plum Crazy paint. Decided to go with a 4.5" lift from Zone. Wheels and tires will come off my TJ for the time being. Still not sure what to do about my rusted floor boards. Obviously it will have to be repaired, but not sure if I should attempt that myself or not. Interior will be left alone until I stumble across a cheap XJ I can swap the doors (fingers crossed for auto windows!), dash, and seats from. Might hold off on bedlining until spring. Really want to get this thing running and drivable before it gets too cold here. My DD TJ has half doors and the heater is broken. LOL If you're set on 31's then a simple budget boost (coil spacer in the front and chevy s10 lowering shackle in the rear) should be plenty for you unless you plan on running larger tires in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Between working double shifts at work and the constant rain here, I don't have a lot of time to work on my truck but, here's another small update. I finally got my tools and CPS in. I pulled the old CPS out with no problem, but I'm having the hardest time getting the new one in. I can get it onto the bolts, but can't get it to slide down them. I pulled the rest of my carpet (still can't get that damn bench seat out.) floors are in rough condition. a few rust holes and a lot of surface rust. also noticed I have a transmission fluid leak. it looks like the gasket for the pan where the transmission filter is has given out. I contacted a local JY that has an MJ about getting some parts, but they were asking too much in my opinion. ( $200 each for the doors, $75 for taillights, $125 for rear bumper) on the subject of the CPS, when I got it onto the bolts, I heard a popping noise from the other side of the engine bay. any clue what that could mean? Also, when it was popping I tried starting the truck, and it tried to crank for a few seconds, and then, almost like it backfired, it made a loud pop noise and stopped for a second, then continued to try to crank. I'm pretty clueless as to what that could mean. I'm sure the CPS wasnt adjusted right, as I know it wasnt on all the way. So I'm still hoping when I can get it all the way on the truck will run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepsOLot Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Outlaw Star and I will be going to Jeep Beach next year as well, you are more then welcome to hang out with us. PM Outlaw Star, as he has building a 2.5 '87 MJ. He has some great ideas on these 2.5's Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Outlaw Star and I will be going to Jeep Beach next year as well, you are more then welcome to hang out with us. PM Outlaw Star, as he has building a 2.5 '87 MJ. He has some great ideas on these 2.5's Jerry Thanks man. I'll take you up on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 I'm pretty confused, again. I replaced the CPS, and still no luck. It will crank all day long, it just won't run. The CPS, cap, plugs, wires, and ignition are all new. Still not getting a good spark though. I now own a multimeter, and one of those light bulb test things, so if anyone has any idea what else I should check, please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Nice work so far! Is your battery good? Battery cables good? Is your coil and ignition control module and associated wiring in good shape/corrosion free? I can't really think of anything else that would caue a weak spark on a 2.5 with a new CPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackrabbit41 Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 On the subject of rust repair, Would a 90 amp, 120 volt, flux core welder from harbor freight work to weld in some sheet metal for new floor boards? I know literally nothing about welding. I like the idea of doing all the work myself though. So I'm open to spending $100 on this welder and giving it a shot. thoughts/feedback? I got a 210 mp lincoln last summer so I am no pro welder, but Id say that harbor fright will be perfect for that. It doesn't have to be that strong of welds and the metal is thin. Just make sure to look up welding videos and stitch weld it. I did my floor boards with my welder and stick welded it and it turned out great. Just put some sort of sealant around the welds too. Also, get an auto darling helmet. They're cheap but more money then non autoe ones but they are a PITA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted December 25, 2015 Author Share Posted December 25, 2015 Well, after a month or so of being broke and overworked, I'm back at it. Unfortunately, I came very close to giving up and selling her, but fate intervened and shes still with me. So now I'm motivated to see this project through. I will be starting over for the most part. Going back through the renix tips, and seeing if maybe I missed something, ordered new spark plugs, cleaning everything, taking the bed off to clean the frame, etc. I think if I could just get her running, everything else would come fairly easier. I'm dying to just hear her run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 It's a Christmas miracle. I finally got her running. Went out in the pouring rain, cleaned up the cps, installed new spark plugs, and sprayed in a little starting fluid, and, she finally ran. She ran for a good 10 minutes before I cut it off out of fear of overheating. Then I tried again and she started right up. Engine revs smoothly. No knocking or anything. I do however have the mother of all exhaust leaks. But nevertheless, she now runs. Time to really get this project going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 I've been starting up to engine everyday since christmas now. She's still running strong. I swapped over the spare from my tj to make sure it fit, and it looks amazing. Minor roadblock though. I went to pop it into gear to move the truck, and my driveshaft fell out. I must've done something wrong when I put it back in. Now it looks like I need a new Ujoint. I've also decided to make a mount for my harbor freight brand hi-lift jack. It fits almost perfectly at the front of the bed against the cab. Not sure how to go about that yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaJeeper93 Posted December 31, 2015 Author Share Posted December 31, 2015 Today I got the drive shaft fixed up. Truck finally moved under its own power for the first time since 2006. However, I learned that I have no brakes whatsoever. Pedal goes straight to the floor. So now I have to figure out what's going on there. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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