STJP Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I'm new to this forum and would appreciate some info advice. Discovered a 4x4 Pioneer 4.0 L, auto with console shift, long bed, and AC on a job today. License plate says 2012 so been sitting for 3 years, told it was running when parked due to no brakes and that it has been started from time to time since. Did not see any cancerous rust, but the bed is full of junk so could not inspect, and I was not in a position to lift carpet etc. Battery is dead of course. Rear bumper is shot, under hood looks complete. Although inflated, needs new tires. I think it is a 90 model. I am an 85 CJ owner and so do not know the Comanche's secrets. I would like to know some of the critical points/deal breakers to look for when I go back and discuss price. Your help would be very appreciated. I have little idea what to pay and at this point have no idea what owner may ask for it.STJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Knowing the year would help, as well as the trim level (model). If it has a console shift, my guess would be that it's an Eliminator, which was a top trim level -- except that I don't recall that the Eliminator ever came in a LWB version. Please see if you can get more information, and post some photos. Crawl underneath and get a photo of the rear differential while you're snapping pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STJP Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Thanks Eagle, I would appreciate having info before I go back to really look at the truck. A family member showed it to me and I was there to work instead of inspect the truck. I also did not want to apperar over eager. I am hoping to get a "haul it out of here" price, BUT would like tips on what to look for. If it were a CJ I would know. MJ I don't. As stated in my OP, it is a Pioneer, longbed, 4.0, auto, console shift, with AC. The family member thought it was a 1990. Thank you and any others with info. STJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Inspecting a MJ is really no different than any other vehicle. However, there are a few parts that are MJ specific that might be hard to locate replacements for. Make sure the tail lights, tailgate, rear fender flares, interior b-pillar trim, foot parking brake mechanism and seat brackets are present and in fair condition. In my opinion, rust is what you need to look out for. A clean straight truck that doesn't run is worth a lot more to me than a rusty truck that does run. Cab corners, rockers, bottom of doors, frame directly in front of rear spring hanger, frame around transfer case crossmember, rear fender, tailgate and of course the floor are typical rust locations. Rust can be repaired, but only you can make that decision. While under the truck, make sure there is a fuel sending unit in the gas tank (it mounts thru the side of the tank facing the drive shaft). Although you won't know if it works, having it is a good start since they are no longer made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunnc1991 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Knowing the year would help, as well as the trim level (model). If it has a console shift, my guess would be that it's an Eliminator, which was a top trim level -- except that I don't recall that the Eliminator ever came in a LWB version. Please see if you can get more information, and post some photos. Crawl underneath and get a photo of the rear differential while you're snapping pics. They did make long bed eliminators, but I believe it was only the HO years. I remember a member several years ago having one. As to the OP, it will definitely have a Dana 30 front and either a Dana 35 or 44 rear. Check the floors for rust as well as the rear wheel wells as these areas are very prone to rust, but I've had a few that have seem to have rusted just about everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Look at the headliner. Make sure the board is present and not damaged. You can always get it recovered. Look under the truck at the floor boards. Make sure it isn't a Flintstones car. Pull up the carpeting will show surface rust. Is the dash intact? Radio present? has it been hacked up? The rear bumpers are hard find. You can get after market bumpers. Fey makes one that fits and looks the closest to original. Otherwise, you can get custom bumpers. Post pictures when you can. We all like to drool...I mean look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STJP Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Thank you everyone. That is exactly the information I was looking for. Will get pictures if deal moves forward. STJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Does it have a bench seat with the "mini" console, or does it have bucket seats and a full, XJ-style center console? If it has buckets, compare them to photos on this site and of XJs to try to figure out if they are factory buckets or something that got swapped in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 It all depends on price. These are my criteria - yours might be different. $500 and below .... buy it regardless of condition. $500 - $1000 .... it should move under it's own power, even if barely (or be really clean if it doesn't run) $1000 - $1500 ... it should run, drive, and most things should work - with not-horrible rust $1500 - $2000 ... it should be road worthy and have only moderate rust issues in fixable locations $2000 - $3000 .... Road worthy and almost all of the little things work, like lights, turn signals, radio .... should be inspectable in most states ... and maybe a few extras like D44, bucket seats, bed light, etc $3000 - $5000 .... Now we're talking about things like cold AC, shiny paint, low miles, etc $5000+ .... Fully restored or incredibly well preserved and in exceptional shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekaz1 Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Knowing the year would help, as well as the trim level (model). If it has a console shift, my guess would be that it's an Eliminator, which was a top trim level -- except that I don't recall that the Eliminator ever came in a LWB version. Please see if you can get more information, and post some photos. Crawl underneath and get a photo of the rear differential while you're snapping pics. eliminator was top? registration it comes up as an eliminator on my 1991 is a 4.0, auto, 2wd, short box, crank window no air no cargo lamp ....... I guess it is possible they de-optioned an eliminator but id find that odd to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 As far as I can tell, the Eliminator package was just seats, wheels, and stickers. Most of the HO MJ's seem to have been special orders, so who knows what could have been ordered, seeing as you could tick whatever option boxes you wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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