Ratricha the 88 Pioneer

[JMO413]

2 hours ago, onebigmj said:

Those taillights look amazing! Thanks for posting all the part numbers from the fuel tank job. I’m sure that’s going to help allot of us out. 

Thank you. I always try to list part numbers for two reasons. One so I can remember what I did and what I used. Two so it's easier for everyone else.

[JMO413]

Got a little bit of free time today. Finally putting stuff back together. Drum brakes yeahy. I actually don't mind them. The number one rule is one side at a time!

Shoes, wheel cylinders, spring kit, & full adjuster set.

I want really feeling reusing this bent wheel cylinder link. Yep that there technical name according to the parts stores. I hunted for a while and like normal there is no real listing for a Comanche.

As you would believe it's not that rare. The one and only one my O'Reillys stocks works just fine.

Original not bent one.

New one. Exact same length. 

I find it weird but I actually enjoy the mechanics in a drum brakes setup. 

With one side together I could finally strip the other side down for paint. Soon enough I might finally get this project done. 

 

[JMO413]

After thinking about it for way too long I finally got the newer style wiper arms.

AutoZone is the cheapest place to buy them from what I found.

PN#42586 they were $15 each.

These had seen better days. 

They definitely have a stiffer or just new spring.

This little tool definitely makes removing the wiper arms allot easier for $5. Lisle 65750.

[JMO413]

I got a few oddball things done this weekend. My NOS shift knob decided it no longer wanted to be a single piece. The meatal sleeve separated from the plastic that have up the ghost.

New to me but the plastic was still 30 years old.

I saw one similar to this on someone's build and liked it.

Speed dawg shift knobs. They make a ton of different choices. I opted for good old plain black with the shift pattern. I like theirs beacuse it's actually engraved not just painted on.

The thread on what grill option is you favorite got me thinking. I should do something with one of the spare grills I have. So this one went under the knife.

I removed the extra slats and painted it.

Black mesh should be here Thursday to finish it off. 

While I was painting the grill I put the final coats of paint on my remaining brake parts. Passenger side assembled and installed on the axle. At the rate I'm going I should have this rear end in buy 2021 at the latest. Lol!

[JMO413]

Had an interesting day at the community college this week. I was there donating a couple engines,a transfer case, and a rear differential for them to dissect and learn on. We were also interviewing the kids that were getting ready to graduate. I think we're going to hire 2 or 3 of them so it was a great day. Some of the parts got delivered in my Comanche so it become and tell. While looking around I realized one of my NOS relay clips was cracked. The crap part is it hasn't been on there that long.

When I got the truck the clips and cover were MIA. So rather than use another o so fragile clip it was new plan time. At one time I had bolts and J clips holding it on. I didn't like needing a wrench to get the cover off.

2 J clips and 2 knob screws.

The J clips look like they are meant for this.

Rounded the ends of the knob bolts so they would start easier.

They fit nicely and I like it! Easy on and off and it was $3. 

[JMO413]

I am finally getting around to swapping out my rear differential.

Bye 3.07 gear ratio and shot pinion bearings.

Welcome home 4.10's!! Now off to bed so I can finish it tomorrow.

[JMO413]

And now it's in!

Wow what a difference. 5th great is finally usable. New speedometer great installed also and my speedo finally correct. Now to start getting the front axle ready to go in.

 

[eaglescout526]

This makes me really really want to clean up and do my rear diff but gearing is not my forte and don't want to risk it. But looks damn good to make me jealous!

[89 MJ]

14 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

This makes me really really want to clean up and do my rear diff but gearing is not my forte and don't want to risk it. But looks damn good to make me jealous!

You’re young, you may as well learn it now. Plus, if crap hits the fan, you could probably pick up a different rear end for $100 or less. 

[eaglescout526]

5 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

You’re young, you may as well learn it now. Plus, if crap hits the fan, you could probably pick up a different rear end for $100 or less. 

Lol fair. Maybe I should get one of those  D44a's and take one apart for the learning experience. 

[JMO413]

30 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

This makes me really really want to clean up and do my rear diff but gearing is not my forte and don't want to risk it. But looks damn good to make me jealous!

I cheated I bought the differential that had the ratio I wanted. It was nice to be able to reseal it and paint it will still driving the truck.Someday I will find a mythic Dana 44. Until then we will see how the Dana 35 holds up. I'm only ever going to run 31's and no rock crawling here in Iowa.

[89 MJ]

30 minutes ago, JMO413 said:

I cheated I bought the differential that had the ratio I wanted. It was nice to be able to reseal it and paint it will still driving the truck.Someday I will find a mythic Dana 44. Until then we will see how the Dana 35 holds up. I'm only ever going to run 31's and no rock crawling here in Iowa.

What if I told you I could get you a cheap Ford 8.8 with 4.10s and possibly a limited slip for cheap?

[89 MJ]

41 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Lol fair. Maybe I should get one of those  D44a's and take one apart for the learning experience. 

Go for it!

[JMO413]

7 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

What if I told you I could get you a cheap Ford 8.8 with 4.10s and possibly a limited slip for cheap?

I would be interested for sure. How cheap is cheap? 

[89 MJ]

1 hour ago, JMO413 said:

I would be interested for sure. How cheap is cheap? 

Let me check. Do you need any other parts? I have a rust free passenger door and a new (XJ) rocker panel amongst other parts. I even am parting out a 96 XJ. 

[JMO413]

59 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

Let me check. Do you need any other parts? I have a rust free passenger door and a new (XJ) rocker panel amongst other parts. I even am parting out a 96 XJ. 

Not that I know of yet. Lol

[89 MJ]

On 5/18/2020 at 7:00 PM, JMO413 said:

I would be interested for sure. How cheap is cheap? 

I guess my dad sold our last one. I’ll let you know if we get another. 

[JMO413]

31 minutes ago, 89 MJ said:

I guess my dad sold our last one. I’ll let you know if we get another. 

Sounds good.

[JMO413]

Today was small victory day. I replaced the plug for the door handle not a couple days ago. It was nice to not see the old one that was missing a chunk.

Today was new inside weatherstrip. The felt was rubbed of the edge of mine so it stuck to the window. The window still either fine just harder to roll down. I really didn't want to kill my regulator so I replaced the weatherstrip.

No more sticking to the window.

Vintage parts only shows 3 left. The easy small victories are the best!

 

[JMO413]

Routine maintenance on what started as a project and is still a project is awesome. Changed my oil today and reached I enjoyed doing it instead of dreading it. Yeahy to a lifted truck no jack required. I only say this beacuse I dread changing the oil in my WK.

I love that Wix filters are white no need for an oil change reminder.

Hooked up the scanner to just double check everything was working correctly.

 

[JMO413]

Started patching holes today. Both wheel wells have definitely seen better days.

The drivers side is the worst by far. You could see daylight through it. It also sprayed the back window of it was wet out. I was really afraid it might throw a rock through it. I don't drive allot of grave but my mom lives a couple miles on gravel. 

It's not perfect but any means but there's no hole. I ran out of gas for the welder and time do it will do for now.

[1989commanche]

On 5/25/2020 at 11:58 AM, JMO413 said:

Routine maintenance on what started as a project and is still a project is awesome. Changed my oil today and reached I enjoyed doing it instead of dreading it. Yeahy to a lifted truck no jack required. I only say this beacuse I dread changing the oil in my WK.

I love that Wix filters are white no need for an oil change reminder.

Hooked up the scanner to just double check everything was working correctly.

 

What adapter do you need to run the scanner? I have one of those in a drawer in my toolbox. Haven’t used it for many years. Would be nice to check the health of my Comanche. Especially since it has over 340K on it. 

[fiatslug87]

On May 25, 2020 at 11:58 AM, JMO413 said:

I love that Wix filters are white no need for an oil change reminder.

I do the same thing! 

[JMO413]

5 hours ago, 1989commanche said:

What adapter do you need to run the scanner? I have one of those in a drawer in my toolbox. Haven’t used it for many years. Would be nice to check the health of my Comanche. Especially since it has over 340K on it. 

These are the cartridges in mine.

Jeep 1 connector

 

This is the Renix connector Jeep 1

[89 MJ]

I’m just going to leave this here. 

https://comancheclub.com/forum/39-comanche-of-the-month-mjotm/