New member, just saying hi, also trying to get your opinion on keeping my MJ "pure".

[RAH66]

Hey all, I got my MJ and created my account a couple months ago, I figured I'd finally join in and stop lurking.

 

First of all, here's the MJ I got:

 

1992 Comanche Eliminator, 4.0, 4x4, 5-speed, in my favorite color, black! I'd been perusing the local craigslist for years, just to see what was out there. I wasn't planning on buying a second vehicle, but this one popped up, and I just had to have it. Every single option is exactly the way I would have ordered it from the factory! 100% perfect for me.

 

 

 

This is my second Jeep. The first one was a '96 XJ (2 door, 4x4, 4.0). I sold that a couple years ago, but have always missed it. Anyway, I'm thrilled to be back in the Jeep world.

 

 

 

 

So there's my intro, now I wanted to get your opinion on keeping this stock Comanche "pure". As it is now, it's all stock, save for a few small interior mods I've done, like a new steering wheel and shift knob. I know that this Comanche is basically a unicorn, and I don't want to "ruin" it. So I've resolved to absolutely not do any destructive mods such as hacking off fenders.

 

At the end of the day, it's my truck and I'll do what I want, but I'd still like to get your guys' opinion on modding this thing. I'm not worried about resale value, as I don't plan on ever selling it. I like knowing that I could go back to stock (not that I'd ever want to, though). On that note, how much is too much? Would modding this thing be sacrilege in your opinion? After having it for a couple months, I'm really itching to lift it, and get better looking wheels and tires on it. Are 4-6" lift kits generally reversible? Money's not too much of an issue, I'd rather spend a bit more and do things "the right way".

 

Basically, I'm looking to start a discussion on tastefully modding rare Comanches. Thoughts?

[Dzimm]

Welcome to the club! VERY nice looking truck, wish mine was that clean. I can tell you that after it's lifted you'll never bring it back to stock. It is simple to go back but you won't want to. Also those wheels aren't original. The Eliminator wheels are bullet holes just like that but they have rivets around the edges. Those came off of something else. If you want tasteful mods I would only consider ones that improve performance but look and feel stock. To me that includes minor lift, little bigger tires, and then really only small things that you can come up with like new bedliner and undercoating, upgrading the electrical under the hood, etc. People's opinions of tasteful will vary from person to person. That is a very nice truck and I'm glad you don't want to go chop it up.

[Minuit]

In my opinion, that truck has already lost its purity. It has the wrong wheels, and I would bet my life that it's been repainted. My advice? Don't worry about it. Just limit your mods to things that can be reversed - don't drill holes in it, don't make cuts in it, and don't weld on it. That's the philosophy I follow.

 

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[RAH66]

Cool, seems your guys' mindset is exactly the same as mine. I didn't realize they weren't stock wheels... but it's no biggie since I already got a replacement set of 5-spoke Cherokee wheels that I like better anyway! And yes, I believe it has been repainted as well.

[HOrnbrod]

Congrats on finding a very scarce 1992 4WD Eliminator. They only made 4WD Elims in 91 and 92, and 92 was the last and least production year of the Comanche, so it's a rare bird indeed. To verify it truly is an Eliminator, run your VIN HERE.

 

Also check the paint code by looking at the Primary Paint digits on the body code plate on the right side firewall in the engine compartment. It looks like the below. Your code should be (if original) DX8 or PX8.

 

[shelbyluvv]

There are two different styles of Eliminator wheels. With or without the rivets. The 92s seemed to get the non rivet wheels. Yours are correct. I have a set in my storage unit that are exactly like those.

 

It is your truck. Do with it that makes YOU happy.

 

If it was mine I would call up Spencer and get the factory stripes for the sides. Then do a 4.5" lift, some 15x8 Gamblers and 31/10.50r15 tires.

[Jeep Driver]

I'm an anti-purist, my vote is- do what you want. 

[Minuit]

You're right Bo, it seems like the Eliminator wheels with the fake rivets around the face were gone for 1992. I can't find any picture of a 92 Eliminator with them. Those in the pic (and on every stock 92 Eliminator I can find) are just XJ 10-hole Gambler wheels. On that note, the 1991 Jeep brochure has pics of an XJ Sport and an MJ Eliminator with "Eliminator" wheels, and I've seen an old Motorweek review of a 1991 XJ, also with the Eliminator wheels, so at least for that year they weren't exclusive to the Eliminator either.

 

So to make it short, your truck does have the right wheels after all!

[johnj92131]

When it comes to lift, I am the odd man out.  I simply don't get it for a street driven truck.  Maybe it is because I am tired of jacked up, lifted 12 inch trucks behind me with their super bright headlights in my rear view mirror.  As it is, I think my 91 Comanche is a bit higher than I like to get in and out of.  But maybe it is just my age showing.

 

If your truck is optioned just the way you would have ordered it - then just enjoy it.  You are a lucky man!  I have no problem making small, well thought out changes to make the truck just the way you want it.  Same thing with bigger changes - no problem.  I just like to see them well thought out and well done. Have fun with it.  Welcome to the group.

[desbennett004]

Don't mean to hi-jack your thread, but are the elminator wheels with the rivets getting hard to find? My Pioneer came with them when I bought it. I'm guessing they weren't stock.

 

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[DesertRat1991]

On that note, how much is too much? Would modding this thing be sacrilege in your opinion? After having it for a couple months, I'm really itching to lift it, and get better looking wheels and tires on it. Are 4-6" lift kits generally reversible? Money's not too much of an issue, I'd rather spend a bit more and do things "the right way".

 

Basically, I'm looking to start a discussion on tastefully modding rare Comanches. Thoughts?

Most lift kits are fully reversible. But "purity level" will suffer with lifts above 3". More mods required.

[Pete M]

the 3.07 gears in those axles will make you hate bigger tires and can seriously hurt the smile factor when you drive it.  :(  

[Minuit]

I hate 3.07 gears on 225/70/15 tires. 235/75/15s are pushing it IMO for 3.07s, any more will be unbearable.

[shelbyluvv]

3:55s are just a junkyard away. 3:73s are a dime a dozen if you don't mind swapping in a 8.8 out of a Exploder and LP30 out of a ZJ. There are cheap options to getting the right gears.

[RAH66]

When it comes to lift, I am the odd man out.  I simply don't get it for a street driven truck.  Maybe it is because I am tired of jacked up, lifted 12 inch trucks behind me with their super bright headlights in my rear view mirror.  As it is, I think my 91 Comanche is a bit higher than I like to get in and out of.  But maybe it is just my age showing.

 

If your truck is optioned just the way you would have ordered it - then just enjoy it.  You are a lucky man!  I have no problem making small, well thought out changes to make the truck just the way you want it.  Same thing with bigger changes - no problem.  I just like to see them well thought out and well done. Have fun with it.  Welcome to the group.

 

Just cause it's how I would have ordered it from the factory doesn't mean I don't still want to mod it haha. This truck is going to be a mix of DD (with an 8 mile round trip commute, so not too far) as well as a weekend toy for camping / light-medium trails / desert.

 

 

the 3.07 gears in those axles will make you hate bigger tires and can seriously hurt the smile factor when you drive it.   :(

 

 

My old XJ had a 31s on 3.07 gears, I didn't mind it. I don't need a speed demon (my other car more than takes care of that), however I do want it to be functional and not a dog on the trails. Regearing isn't out of the question. I do want to put in a locker eventually, as I've had multiple times (in my admittedly not super extensive off-roading time) where I've needed it. In my old 2010 TRD Off-Road Tacoma the rear locker saved me a time or two, and my open diff XJ there were several times I couldn't make obstacles on my own. I think just a lunchbox locker would be enough for me, though. Anyway, the point is that if I'm going to put in a locker, I may as well just get re-gear at the same time.

 

I'm still debating between 31s and 33s. I always thought my old XJ would have looked perfect with 33s, but that does require quite a bit more of the build. I can't put 31s on stock rims, right? Which I don't necessarily mind, I actually prefer the look of simple black steelies, but that increased back-spacing means I'm in danger of rubbing, since I don't want to trim my fenders.

 

One thing I haven't been able to find yet in my research around this forum and others is how much lift I need (if it's even possible) to functionally fit 33s on aftermarket wheels without trimming. Does anyone happen to have any clues or advice on this aspect?

 

If it's simply unreasonable to expect to fit 33s without trimming on a 4-7" lift (which it totally could be, I'm still in the research phase of my build), I'll just put 31s on and be totally happy.

[shelbyluvv]

To run 33s with no trimming you are looking at a min of 6" of lift. You will not be able to flex it out unless you bump stop a LOT. I have 265/75r16 (32s), 16x8 Moabs, 1.5" spacer and a 4.5" lift. I trimmed and still rub on the fenders under full stuff. If you don't want to cut, 31s on a stock wheels will keep your fenders happy. You will still rub on the lower arms under full lock.

[Pete M]

WJ lower control arms will cure the lca rub  :thumbsup:  (plus provide a better ride and handling)

[Thunderbear]

I hate 3.07 gears on 225/70/15 tires. 235/75/15s are pushing it IMO for 3.07s, any more will be unbearable.

 

Ahaha... My TJ has 3.07s and I run 33x12.50s!

 

I vote for 31s. You'll be able to find a decent flexing lift, reasonably priced tires, and still have a well mannered DD. 

[RAH66]

Cool, yep, the plan right now is for 31s (with WJ LCAs  :thumbsup: ). I'm just gonna leave everything else alone for the time being, and drive it for a while to see what I really end up doing with it. As much as I like to think of myself as an off-roader, the reality is that I just don't have all that much time for 'froadin, nor do I have a group of friends to go with anymore. So this will likely, for the time being, just be a DD + campin' mobile for a while, so I don't need a lift and gears + lockers (for now...)

[shelbyluvv]

There are a LOT of us in SoCal who go to the desert and Big Bear to wheel. You need to join up on NAXJA and keep in touch with the Chapter for runs.

[RAH66]

There are a LOT of us in SoCal who go to the desert and Big Bear to wheel. You need to join up on NAXJA and keep in touch with the Chapter for runs.

 

Cool, I'll look into that. I haven't had a Jeep in over 2 years and a 4x4 in general in over a year, and all of my friends have since sold theirs and gone with either econoboxes or sports cars. So maybe it's time to expand my social circle and get back into the off-roading world.