NC Tom Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Good morning from NC! Decided to join up instead of just trolling around in hopes that you folks may be able to offer some additional info/direction/advice/etc. I'll start off with my Jeep history. When I was 14 my dad bought a 70's era Wagoneer. It was a cool Jeep, to me. Big, brown and big. Anyhoo, he decided he wanted something smaller, older and in worse shape. So, he bought a 1965-66 Tuxedo Park Edition CJ5. That is where my Jeep "romance" started! I learned to drive in that thing and drove it until I went to college. Really had fun in it. Fold-down windshield, column-shift, transmission-driven winch, and vacuum wipers with independent controls! Gotta love those! It was geared so low, that it was screaming at 50mph. Dad always said that it was really meant for farm use. That winch actually pulled an 18 wheeler out of a ditch! Anyhoo, it's gone now and I've missed having a Jeep for the past 30+ years. Well, my kids are mostly grown, my wife has her Honda Pilot and I want a freak'n Comanche, cause I need a truck! I prefer older trucks and the MJ seems to fit the bill for me. Problem is, I'm looking for a Unicorn. My basic requirements are 4x4, Auto trans that can be used as a DD for under 4K. The 4x4 auto, seems to be the problem. If I didn't live in the mountains, I'd go 5sp. Plenty of options there. I've also had a bear of a time getting sellers to contact me after I inquire. I've been on CL and here and have seen some potentials, but what I'm hoping for here is that you folks may know of a good candidate that is not listed on-line. I know there are guys that don't want to deal with the online crap and just put their MJ in the yard with a sign. I've typed way too much! Hopefully, you don't mind me asking for help. You all have a great day! Thanks for reading this epic tale, NC Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buxmj Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 Welcome and good luck with your search! Cool jeep stories from the past never get old! Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desbennett004 Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 4x4 conversion is not as hard as you might think, it's all bolt in stuff. If you find one that fits the bill, but is 2wd, converting it yourself might be a good project. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kook911 Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 If your on Facebook look for a group call Xj/Mj. They have comanche for sale all the time on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 4x4 conversion is not as hard as you might think, it's all bolt in stuff. If you find one that fits the bill, but is 2wd, converting it yourself might be a good project. Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk I did not know that. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 5, 2017 Author Share Posted February 5, 2017 If your on Facebook look for a group call Xj/Mj. They have comanche for sale all the time on there. Will do! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 So, I have found a potential. However, it has the GM 2.8 v6. What I've been reading about this motor is not encouraging. Anyone here have an opinion? I will be using the MJ as my DD. No wheeling or crawling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyRodder Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Wait for a 4.0 or even 2.5 over the 2.8- its worthless, unless you stick in a 3.4 instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Welcome from another NC MJ. I agree, stay away from the 2.8. It actually had less power than the 2.5 4 cyl. Be patient. Youll find what youre looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbull4x4 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Good luck on your search. Keep looking and asking local people. I found a 89 2wd long bed, paid $325 and drove it home. After 2 years found a 4x4 long bed for $500, so as soon as it stays warm will be doing the 4wd swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 Good luck on your search. Keep looking and asking local people. I found a 89 2wd long bed, paid $325 and drove it home. After 2 years found a 4x4 long bed for $500, so as soon as it stays warm will be doing the 4wd swap So, do you think a 4wd swap is easier/more affordable than an engine swap? Welcome from another NC MJ. I agree, stay away from the 2.8. It actually had less power than the 2.5 4 cyl. Be patient. Youll find what youre looking for. Asheboro, huh. I graduated from RCC, then RTC, in 87! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted February 12, 2017 Share Posted February 12, 2017 as someone who is doing the 2.8 to 4L yes, much easier, the 2.8 is carbed and the 4l is not, also the trans and t-cases aren't the same, so if you're going to go that route you might as well get a donor XJ as it's far easier to get all the parts that way. plus let's say your donor is an auto but you want a 5 speed the you need to source all of the parts for that swap as well or vice versa. but this is just my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 as someone who is doing the 2.8 to 4L yes, much easier, the 2.8 is carbed and the 4l is not, also the trans and t-cases aren't the same, so if you're going to go that route you might as well get a donor XJ as it's far easier to get all the parts that way. plus let's say your donor is an auto but you want a 5 speed the you need to source all of the parts for that swap as well or vice versa. but this is just my experience. I hear ya! Since I haven't purchased yet, I'll try to get what I want all at once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Good luck on your search. Keep looking and asking local people. I found a 89 2wd long bed, paid $325 and drove it home. After 2 years found a 4x4 long bed for $500, so as soon as it stays warm will be doing the 4wd swap So, do you think a 4wd swap is easier/more affordable than an engine swap? Welcome from another NC MJ. I agree, stay away from the 2.8. It actually had less power than the 2.5 4 cyl. Be patient. Youll find what youre looking for. Asheboro, huh. I graduated from RCC, then RTC, in 87! I graduated RCC in '06 (went back to school as an adult) I'm now teaching Automotive systems night classes 2 night a week. Lots of good info here. Keep us updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 "I graduated RCC in '06 (went back to school as an adult) I'm now teaching Automotive systems night classes 2 night a week. Lots of good info here. Keep us updated." It's a great school. Tech colleges are so underrated. I graduated from the design school and spent most of my 25-year-career managing Four-year-grads! :rock on: No update on the MJ. So sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Here she is, an 1988 Pioneer! Picked her up in Ga. last Friday, drove six hours back to NC without any major issues. She's not perfect, but runs strong. Tech: 1988 Jeep Comanche Pioneer 4.0 I6, Auto trans, 4wd The good: Very little rust, runs strong, very clean interior, nearly dent-free ext., 4wd works as it should, glass is all good The bad: No reverse gear (Good thing I live in the mountains cause I can roll back a lot!) Forward gears shift and work fine. 3rd works. 1-2 is flaky. Hoping this and reverse are just linkage issues. PO rattlecanned her flat black. Not that bad, but would have preferred original. Temp gauge (idiot light) has seizure-inducing blinking thing going on. Cruise doesn't work. No muffler, but does have cat. Weird. I get no cat. But no muffler? Serious play in steering. Like 3"! This is the "bad" I know of. I'll be taking her to my mechanic and then I'll get the truth. :crossfingers: Refurb begins soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kansashogan Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 That looks like a really good truck to start with. Welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyRodder Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Haha, Man, I hate you!! I nearly bought that same one- Woodstock, right? I think its a local thing, judging on your bads... Mine also came from Woodstock. Here it is when I got it- Seems like cheap front fogs, rattlecanning black, and hacking off the exhaust is a thing in that town (mine also lacks a muffler. Fulle OE system waiting to go on). Wonder if we bought from the same guy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Haha, Man, I hate you!! I nearly bought that same one- Woodstock, right? I think its a local thing, judging on your bads... Mine also came from Woodstock. Here it is when I got it- Seems like cheap front fogs, rattlecanning black, and hacking off the exhaust is a thing in that town (mine also lacks a muffler. Fulle OE system waiting to go on). Wonder if we bought from the same guy? Do hate me cause I BEAT YOU TO IT!!! LOL! Yeah, Woodstock. Guys name is Donnie. Maybe he's an MJ Pimp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Haha, Man, I hate you!! I nearly bought that same one- Woodstock, right? I think its a local thing, judging on your bads... Mine also came from Woodstock. Here it is when I got it- Seems like cheap front fogs, rattlecanning black, and hacking off the exhaust is a thing in that town (mine also lacks a muffler. Fulle OE system waiting to go on). Wonder if we bought from the same guy? Do hate me cause I BEAT YOU TO IT!!! LOL! Yeah, Woodstock. Guys name is Donnie. Maybe he's an MJ Pimp! Nah, Donnie is a Muffler FREAK, Collects used mufflers! :banana: :banana: Then just sells the car/truck :eek: :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Tom Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Ah. That explains this. :rotf: Haha, Man, I hate you!! I nearly bought that same one- Woodstock, right? I think its a local thing, judging on your bads... Mine also came from Woodstock. Here it is when I got it- Seems like cheap front fogs, rattlecanning black, and hacking off the exhaust is a thing in that town (mine also lacks a muffler. Fulle OE system waiting to go on). Wonder if we bought from the same guy? Do hate me cause I BEAT YOU TO IT!!! LOL! Yeah, Woodstock. Guys name is Donnie. Maybe he's an MJ Pimp! Nah, Donnie is a Muffler FREAK, Collects used mufflers! :banana: :banana: Then just sells the car/truck :eek: :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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