"Wendy"- 88 Jeep Comanche Build

[Swampy]

Sorry I haven't updated here much, I am just in the process of gathering parts haven't really done much to Wendy as of late. I'll bring you guys up to speed. 

I still haven't installed the new trackbar  because I have to drop the front suspension out to the upper and lower control arms. I am going from fixed to adjustable, and I was reading the chart @HOrnbrod posted about control arm length for a 4" lift it states to set the lowers to 16.5" would there be any effect I running them longer such as 18"s? Like running the uca's and lca's about 1.5" longer than the chart states?

 

Also tore apart my gauge cluster to prep for something coming in the mail

 

I also picked the bell housing and np231 for the ax15, I started piecing it together, now to just order the trans mount, clutch pressure plate, clutch fork etc. to get it swapped in

 

In the mail yesterday I got my extended brake line which I will be installing as I do the control arms

 

And Lastly I've been marking up the front and rear fenders where they will be getting chopped soon 

 

As I said before not much has really happened. Mostly gathering parts and not really doing much actual work. Its slowly coming together and I can't wait to see it done. 

[HOrnbrod]

The control arm lengths for different lifts are not written in stone, just suggested values to be used as a guide.

[Swampy]

Today I did something.... chop chop. Cutting the 88 fenders like the 97+ fenders. My only concern is the lack of support behind that front bottom corner now. 

 

 

[Swampy]

I also got the gauge cluster from a fellow member her on the forum. @schardein Thanks again

 

I got it swapped in and I couldnt be happier

 

 

I did adjust the tach before installing the new cluster because it came from a 4.0l and I have a 2.5l

[schardein]

Glad it arrived undamaged.  Looks great!

[88whitemanche]

21 hours ago, Swampy said:

I also got the gauge cluster from a fellow member her on the forum. @schardein Thanks again

 

I got it swapped in and I couldnt be happier

 

 

I did adjust the tach before installing the new cluster because it came from a 4.0l and I have a 2.5l

How did you adjust it? 

I have a 4.0 tach but never thought about adjusting it to a 2.5

[HOrnbrod]

8 minutes ago, 88whitemanche said:

How did you adjust it? 

I have a 4.0 tach but never thought about adjusting it to a 2.5

 

There's an adjustment at the arrow:

[88whitemanche]

9 minutes ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

There's an adjustment at the arrow:

How far do you adjust it? 

[HOrnbrod]

You adjust it to match an accurate external tach, like this one:

[88whitemanche]

21 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

You adjust it to match an accurate external tach, like this one:

Ok going to have to look into one 

[Swampy]

On 12/13/2017 at 10:44 AM, 88whitemanche said:

How did you adjust it? 

I have a 4.0 tach but never thought about adjusting it to a 2.5

 

Lee helped me by giving me some simple directions. You have to take the tach all the way out. I believe it is just the 5 screws in the back. Once it is all out, on the top of the little circuit board there is a small plastic phillips head screw. turn it all the way clockwise till it stops. And you have just adjust your tach for a 2.5l. then just put everything back into place how it was

[Swampy]

Today I decide to chop the front fenders and try my hand at video/editting let me know what you guys think. Any comments and suggestions are welcome. 

 

[Swampy]

I am preppimg for the ax15 swap. I got out the old shifter but does anyone know how to get out thay rubber cover for the hole in the floorpan with out cutting it off?

 

 

 

 

[Skorpyo]

Oh, now I understand. To get the rubber boot off the shifter put the lower section in a vise then use a big screwdriver or prybar to lift upwards on the shifter handle. It'll work off then you can slide the boot off. I will say that it's still a tight fit and chances are 30 year old rubber will split... Good luck!

[Swampy]

18 hours ago, Skorpyo said:

Oh, now I understand. To get the rubber boot off the shifter put the lower section in a vise then use a big screwdriver or prybar to lift upwards on the shifter handle. It'll work off then you can slide the boot off. I will say that it's still a tight fit and chances are 30 year old rubber will split... Good luck!

 

I unbolted it from the trans but I can't get the mounting plate off the bottom. Also I would slid it up but how do I get over that huge change in diameter (picture #2) 

[Skorpyo]

21 minutes ago, Swampy said:

 

I unbolted it from the trans but I can't get the mounting plate off the bottom. Also I would slid it up but how do I get over that huge change in diameter (picture #2) 

So where the bare/silver metal piece goes into the bottom of the black shifter handle post you can separate them as I described above. You can then slide the rubber boot upwards over the bare/silver square piece that is left easier. It's still a bit tight, but better than trying to go over the black handle. grease the handle to help it slide over too

 

If you separate it, it should look like the photo below of my BA10 after I pulled it

 

[Skorpyo]

PS. I liked your video, though I'd recommend cutting down on talk time and focus more on the action. Talk over the work being done rather than a lengthy intro. I liked the editing!

[Swampy]

Sorry I have kept you guys in the dark. Been doimg a lot of work on the comanche, and havemt really updated the thread so here it is

 

Most importantly is that the ax15 swap and transfer case are in the jeep

 

I also installed the front driveshaft, I picked it up from @88whitemanche already cut for a 4.5 lift 

 

Also got my boostwerks tcase linkage

 

[Swampy]

I also got some extended swaybar disconnects for christmas, got those installed 

[Swampy]

I picked up an 8.25 out of a 2000 cherokee. I know its a 29 spline axles and an open diff. I don't know what gears it has, i have to take the diff cover off and start counting teeth

 

 

I also have adjustable upper and lower control arms that I have to install in Wendy as well 

[Swampy]

Sorry about all the updates and the pictures but a lot is happening haha

[Swampy]

Last update for 2017...

Got the d35 rear axle out of the comanche. 2018 is going to be a good year 

[Swampy]

Its been a while since I have updated you guys on the build. As my last post was in 2017 first off happy new years to all of my comanche family.

 

Secondly, some work has been done on the comanche,

 

Cleaned, prepped, welded and painted the 8.25 to be slung under Wendy and it was installed yesterday (sitting at about 6 inches of lift)

 

I also picked up the rear driveshaft I got made, and broke a bolt while installing it 

 

Thirdly I ordered and installed 1.5" coil spacers in the front along with installing the adjustable control arms I have 

 

 

And finally I pulled the rear disc brakes from an '04 Jeep liberty with an 8.25 for my mj

       I have a full kj disc brake swap on a 8.25 axle write up in the DIY section

 

[Swampy]

Here is the best picture I have at the moment of post lift kit (roughly 6" of lift all the way around)

If the front is sitting a little higher its because there is a bunch of crap in the bed of the truck

[Swampy]

Order A bunch of the remaining parts, hopefully it'll be moving under its own power soon. I'm getting tired of pushing it in the yard