A-typical 88 red Comanche

[Submariner]

I purchased this Comanche a few weeks back for $500.  towed it home on a dolly with the hood tied down.  I figured I would save it and see how the repairs go.   I looked her over good and she does not have any rust on her and only a few minor dents here and there.  She does have the 4.0 with 207 K miles, and a 5sp tranny.   Has 3.07 gears in the rear.  But it is a 2wd (oh the shame), but that will be rectified.  It did not have a dipstick and that was one of the things I wanted to find at the local salvage pick n pull.there was only about 1/2 gallon of water in the coolant system.   and mismatched tires.  It has not been registered since 2013.

 

So far I did a major tune-up with a new radiator, hoses, and water pump.  Cleaned out the inside completely and put in a rear view mirror. Repaired the brake system.  replaced the trac bar and a tie-rod end, change the rear differential gear oil.  replaced the window regulator.  Replace the speed-o-meter cable and the emergency brake cable.  All the fuses as well as the flasher relays.  I ahve almost gone from stem to stern on her to make sure she is ready for just a daily driver.

 

Plans for it;  make it a 4wd as I find a Cherokee donor vehicle. I will do a 3" or 4" lift on it and add 31"or 32" tires. new bumpers. and do the body work.  it is a toss of whether to paint her or just do a vinyl camo wrap from Mossy-oak.   Put 3.54 gears in it and change the rear axle to Dana 44 and the front to a Dana 30hp.    there are ideas running around to change the renix out and go with a newer electrical system but I am not sure if I am ready for that.   I will upgrade the renix system for now.  I am also thinking of putting on the 97+ doors to rid myself of the wing window.

I may rebuild the engine. but that will be much latter.

 

This is about all for now.   I will keep you posted on what I find as I go along with the refurbishment of the Rascal.

 

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[Pete M]

looks like you found a solid li'l truck to build up.   congrats!

[Submariner]

Well I was going to just clean up the wheels on her to make her look a little bit better and my inner monster got the better of me and I strip the wheels.   With brake cleaner, wire wheel and a can of black spray paint and a 1/2 day of fussing with it.    Here is the before and after pictures of my ole girl.   I also took the heat gun and peeled off the Pioneer decal and strips.  they were kind of funky to.  There will be more pictures to follow as future tasks are done. 

[Submariner]

I was out to salvage yard getting a "new" window regulator, and ran across a instrument cluster with a tach in it.   for $20 I figured I would give it  a try.  It was sort of easy plug and play.  the trick is to make sure the new one has the same electrical plugs as the old one.  Here are the before and after...   I gain 70K miles in one afternoon...LOL.

[Pete M]

there are ways to "turn back the clock".    

 

[Submariner]

On 4/15/2018 at 6:36 PM, Pete M said:

there are ways to "turn back the clock".    

 

i will have to look into that one.   I got the old cluster to play with.