86 Comanche, Daughter Project

[JoeR]

Great Forum here!  Tons of helpful info.  We are just getting started on a Comanche Project.

 

Years ago I owned a 2WD Comanche with a 4 cyl/4 speed.  My daughter was little at the time, but I taught her how to drive a stick on it, and we bumped around the apple orchards and neighboring farms.  It was a reliable little truck when I had it, and I eventually sold it to a lady that was happy to get it.  That Comanche was also the first vehicle my daughter worked on.  It needed u-joints, valve cover gasket and a belt pulley..if I remember correctly.  Since then, she has done most of her own mechanical work on her own vehicles.  At 26 years old, there's not much I have to do for her.

Last month, while at a car show, she she decided it was time for a project truck.  Being a good father, I found her a truck that will give her plenty of practice.  :-)   I grabbed a local 86 Comanche, 2.8L 5 Speed, 4WD.   Other than 2 small soft spots on the floors, it's a nice, solid truck....which if good, because I'm not good at body work.  

 

 

 

The clutch and brake pedals both went right to the floor.  The clutch master and slave cylinders were both too rusty to rebuild.  so she and her husband replaced them.  Brakes are next.  It needs everything.  Previous owner put motor oil in the master cylinder...as is evident by the swollen rubber parts.

 

 

After the brakes, we've got lots of other little stuff to sort out.  

Speedo inop

No HVAC blower

Needs new battery cables

Needs all new fluids.

 

It's been sitting a while, so once we get it rolling who knows what else will show up.

The kids have been stopping over every couple of weeks to work on it, so I'll post some more pics as it progresses.

 

Joe

[HOrnbrod]

Looks like you have a nice spacious shop. And yes, she will get plenty of practice with the 86 2.8L V6.  :yes:

[MeanLemons]

Not to step on anybody's toes or being so intrusive, but I can help you with the battery cables.

[JoeR]

Looks like you have a nice spacious shop. And yes, she will get plenty of practice with the 86 2.8L V6.  :yes:

 

Thank you!  Yes.  It's a 40X80.  I used to work as a Tech, so it's nice to have a shop at home.  Other than alignments, I can do most anything there.

Not to step on anybody's toes or being so intrusive, but I can help you with the battery cables.

Not sure I know what you mean.  Do you sell them, or are you making a reference to the jump box? It does need cables in a bad way.  The coating is peeling off both the power and ground cables.

[Never mind!  I see it in your sig now.  Very cool.  I don't think I'll need anything as heavy-duty as what you're building.  It's cool that they can be had though.]

 

Joe

[MeanLemons]

4 gauge replace stock cables. The choice of wires I use has oil resistant insulation so you know it ll never happen again. If you ever change your mind.