Idahoan 86 Comanche

[Jeeps]

Beginning a new project on this MJ. Always wanted one, this just popped up yesterday on the local craigslist for $1,800 and I jumped on it. 

 

 

 

 

 

Used as a work truck by the previous owner. Came with a spare battery and a couple of tools in the bed, huzzah!

 

A junkyard 2.5L was swapped in after the previous engine blew, this one is allegedly at 200k

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question on this setup here... What is with this green wire that goes down to the starter solenoid? 

 

 

 

Also all that taped up wiring going to the ignition coil makes me a bit nervous, should probably replace that. 

 

 

Other concerning wiring.. what's this severed huge gauge red wire to nowhere coming out of the firewall next to the blower motor? Yikes! Haha. 

 

I haven't fully devised plans for this Jeep yet as it was a sudden find yesterday. But the tires are new and I like the wheels, and it's in generally running condition. I think for now I'll just be putting some basic maintenance like care to the hood release mechanism and various projects / recommendations from the "what is the most important tip you'd share with new mj owners" thread. 

 

Maybe once the tires wear down and it's time for new ones I'll think about a small lift for this truck. It will mainly just be used for in town driving as a body double for my 1979 Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle during the winter. I've fully restored that old girl over the past few years with a new AMC360 and is my main rig for adventuring. But I'll still occasionally take the MJ out on mild trails and camping trips that would benefit from a little lift and larger tires. Perhaps if I stumble across a 4.0L I'll drop one of those in. I've owned a couple 90s Cherokees and have always loved the 4.0L. 

 

I'm all ears for recommendations of improvements and upgrades I should think about making to this MJ! 

 

 

[MiNi Beast]

What do you want to do with it? Beat it or merry it? 

[Jeep Driver]

Wow! that's pretty clean. 

 

Good for you.

[JMO413]

Good looking truck! Great place to start for sure.

I would guess this was too power an

Amplifier. IMHO

[Jeeps]

3 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

What do you want to do with it? Beat it or merry it? 

Well, I'm already married to my 79 Cherokee. Replaced every damn part in this thing but the frame, body, and axles since 2014:

 

 

But I do think I'd like to treat this Comanche with some TLC. Feel like the body is nice enough that it deserves to be a bit restored and refreshed, I might bang out a couple of the small dents and give it a paint job someday, but like a cheap paint job that won't mind sage brush pin stripes added to it.

[MiNi Beast]

 love your baby. Thats a passion ride. 

 

Yeah tlc and pick away. Clean enough worth a decent paint job. 

[Drahcir495]

79 Cherokee. Yes, nice clean MJ. 

[Pete M]

welcome to the addiction!    looks like you licked up a great survivor there  

 

and you should definitely start a build thread on the Cherokee in the "other projects" forum so we can see more details of your hard work.  

 

 

[Jeeps]

A little update on the Jeep... Fuel pump got plugged and died, replaced that and the filter. New battery / alternator. Took it out camping for the first time, ran great on the way in and handled well off road. 

 

On the way home though, a massive coolant leak sprung! Was hitting my fan and spraying all over the engine, dumping out what looked like a liter per second. Fortunate to make it up a hill to the closest oasis with a telephone in a no service area. Coolant finished entirely leaking out within a minute of arriving. Got a tow home and now trying to diagnose what happened... 

 

Hoses look ok and when I put water in the radiator, leak immediately starts without running the engine. Appears to be coming out of the bottom of the water pump, so I'm guessing that is what caused the massive leak. Replacing the pump, thermostat, belts, and hoses this weekend. Wish me luck!

[strictlyxjs]

Man that thing is minty fresh