The story of the Evil MJ...

[EvilMJ]

I know in this section people expect to hear outlandish build stories, but this is not one of them.  I have built many vehicles over the years from old CJs to turbo cars to Rover Defenders, and I whole heartedly wanted to build a Comanche (My wife loves Jeeps, and I could never win her over to my Rovers).  I must confess, this rig was bought.  I had many plans on how I would build an MJ, crazy suspension, custom bed, opened fenders, upgrade whatever could be upgraded, but most importantly it would be a rig I could drive comfortably and dependably. 

 

One day whilst perusing the Marketplace on some un-named evil social platform I ran across this beautiful creature!  It was almost everything I had planned to do to a Comanche - it even had the matte gray paint I had envisioned!  Best of all, the price was CHEAP and it was only 2-1/2 hours away.  I contacted the seller and told him I couldn't make it until the weekend and that I wanted it.  I was told it was already spoken for, but he would let me know if the deal fell through.  I was devastated!  I knew it was too good to be true.  Much to my surprise, he contacted me Friday and said the buyer was laid off from his job and he couldn't swing the money.  It was mine for the taking!

 

The next morning my wife and I loaded up in her matte gray Veloster (see the trend here) and headed west.  The weather was cold and terrible, but we made it there without a hitch.  When I arrived it looked as good as it did in pictures.  However, when I went to start it, it had a miss.  They guys said, "I should have told you before you came, but I ran it out of gas yesterday and now it has a miss".  I'm thinking 'oh great, this thing has problems'!  So, we took it for a drive, and it wouldn't go over 35mph.  I was sick.

 

After some investigation, we found it had a cheesy aftermarket cleanable bronze fuel filter.  It was easily removed and found to be caked almost solid.  A quick clean and all was good.  It made the trip at 70+ without issue, but did require a filter cleaning once it made it home.  Since then, the filter has been replaced with a standard pleated filter and all is well. 

 

Just a little back story, the guy who originally built this Jeep was a welder.  I don't know him, but I do know that he lost his job and had to sell the MJ to the seller I bought it from.  The seller, like me, saw it and had to have it.  He said he had no need for it, but just wanted it as soon as he saw it.  He kept it for six months, never went off-road, and only climbed a dirt pile in his back yard once.  His wife decided she wanted a hot tub and told him he was going to have to sell his truck.  His loss, my gain!

 

I am not sure what all I have planned for it at this point.  I have added A-pillar lights to it as well as the tow clevises.  I temporarily fixed the console lid.  I also have an onboard air compressor, snorkel, 10k winch, and new window trim to be added.  When I add the winch, I will run 0/00 battery cables front to rear from a BMW and add Anderson quick connects

; it is set up to have a removable which for front and rear and it has a dock on the driver's side of the bed. The interior is a little rough.  I have installed a new auto-dimming compass/thermometer mirror, and plan on redoing the headliner, adding an overhead console from a Silverado (already purchased - just map lights and sunglasses holder), and a double din android nav head unit with backup camera.  I know some of this may seem a little cheesy to you guys, but as I said, I want a comfortable usable rig I can depend on; I'm not getting any younger.

 

Hope everyone likes it.

 

[scguy]

Wow, that's a great looking truck. Any details on the mirror install? I've wanted to do something similar to mine, but would like if it had map lights on the mirror also.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

[EvilMJ]

Forgot to add the specs:

 

• 1989 Jeep Comanche - 162k

• 4.10 gears front & rear

• 4.0L inline rebuilt at 145k

• AX15 transmission w/ 115k on it at 145k

• Rebuilt 231 transfer case with HD slip-yoke eliminator &  Novak cable shifter

• Rebuilt front axle - new bearings, seals, U-joints, & ball joints

• Tru-track locker in front axle

• Clayton Offroad front truss, 3-link long arm kit, trackbar, drop bracket, dropped pitman arm, steering stabilizer

• HD steering linkage (draglink & tie rods) and diff covers

• Carolina Driveline rear driveshaft

• Rebuilt Ford 8.8" rear w/ disc brakes, new calipers, rotors, lines, etc.

• New clutch, flywheel, master & slave, pressure plate, lines, & bushing

• New fuel lines, pump, tank, & filter

• Custom bed, bumpers, & sliders

• 5 Procomp 15s with 35x12.50R15 Pitbull Rockers

• Bilstein shocks

• JW Speakers and Led lights

• Spectre cowl intake and filter

• New exhaust, radiator, thermostat, coil, ign mod

• New coil springs w/ adjustable spacers

• Gentex auto dimming mirror w/ temp & compass

[EvilMJ]

6 minutes ago, scguy said:

Wow, that's a great looking truck. Any details on the mirror install? I've wanted to do something similar to mine, but would like if it had map lights on the mirror also.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
 

The mirror is a Gentex, bought it on ebay.  These were the same mirrors used in Silverados and Tahoes from factory.  Its a complete kit - just need a hot and a ground to install.  These come in several variants - one may come with map lights, I'm not sure - this kit was $69!  I installed it in about an hour.  Have to pull visor, DS A-pillar trim (upper and lower).  I just tied into an open slot in my fuse box and ran the temp sender wires through the blank in the firewall above the hood latch cable.  I mounted the temp sensor on the core support above the headlight so it will get fresh air from the grill pre-radiator.

[EvilMJ]

Changes have been made...  It now has the Rough Country Steering Links, and a set of Cooper Discovery  S/T Maxx 35x12.50R15s

[EvilMJ]

Forgot about the Cherokee sound bar w/ Skar tweeters and Cerwin Vega HED525C mids...