RHD Comanche

[offroading-net]

Okay, so a RHD MJ has popped up on ebay in the UK, I am interested however the seller is stating that its a factory RHD that was supplied to the Japanese market then imported to the UK, I smell BS. I am right in thinking that there was never a factory RHD MJ? I know early UK XJs were actually built LHD and converted to RHD by a company here in the UK before the US factory produced genuine RHD XJs, I am wondering if this MJ got the same treatment. I have requested the VIN to see if I can figure out what it is. It is a bit too far just to wander over to see if it has a RHD XJ front cab section welded onto an MJ LOL

[offroading-net]

VIN is 1JTH56416HT144874 what does this tell me?

[eaglescout526]

That 5 should be an S. That's what I got by running the last eight digits

Build sheet

 

A U.S. MJ.

[offroading-net]

Thanks, thought it would be a US truck, asked for pictures of the bulkhead, not put me off, just it will affect its value.

[eaglescout526]

MJ's never came in RHD from the factory. It wasn't until sometime in the  90's when Chrysler started doing that.

[offroading-net]

yes, and it will cause issues on the insurance front if it is converted from LHD to RHD over here. Seller is adament that it is factory RHD for the Japanese market, as I said, BS.

[fiatslug87]

That steering wheel and seats are not period correct for the Comanche, is the interior an XJ conversion?

[eaglescout526]

I don't think Japan ever got a single Jeep. China did though but not the MJ platform.

[Pete M]

is that an airbag I see?

[DirtyComanche]

44 minutes ago, Pete M said:

is that an airbag I see?

 

Yeah, that's an airbag column and steering wheel.

 

So parts robbed from a 96 XJ?

 

I'd say I have concerns about the quality of the work done to the truck just from that single picture.

[jdog]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Comanche-MJ-/193291629469?nav=SEARCH

Stock 1988 swb 4.0 ax15 np 231.

[NHMJXJ]

 

 

 

[Jeep Driver]

Regardless of the one in question...........I do not care one way or the other..............

 

 

 

It's not so simple as to call BS at the thought of an AMC vehicle coming from Japan. 

Do a little reading-

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/hugo90/43905683272

 

Quote

 

Jeep Cherokee with Right Hand Drive

AMC built Jeeps in Australia for a few years but it didn't last long. AMC cars had been built in Melbourne by Australian Motor Industries for years, but then Toyota took that company over. I suspect that ended building AMC vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

And you'll find supporting articles-

 

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103136

[offroading-net]

Have some more photos, looks like an XJ bulkhead has been welded into an MJ, would need a good look at it to see how good the work was, but looking at the welding I don't think I will bother

[fiatslug87]

It has the cut-out for the in-fender windshield washer fluid bottle, that started in '97(?), and a HO set up.

 

[dasbulliwagen]

^^^ Nice catch. That would make it a chop and section build. 

[offroading-net]

ohh yeah, so a complete front graft below the screen, not ideal structually

 

[500 MJ]

Also, the build sheet says it was a 2.5L. And that is a 4.0L.

[offroading-net]

yeah, that I know about and is documented, think the guts of an XJ has been transplanted, but unsure what bits from what years. Interior is 93-96 XJ, front end appears to be post 97, brakes are post 97, unsure of the engine (looks like a HO??) a complete bitsa

[Eagle]

It has a distributor, so the engine is 1999 or earlier. The 2000 4.0L had direct coil/rail ignition.

 

[Minuit]

That looks like a 91-95 engine to me. The '96 valve cover is different. '95 up brake master cylinder. That steering column would be out of either a '95 or '96. That looks like the pre '95 power seat controls, but I don't really remember what the '95-'96 power seat controls look like.

 

Looks like a '95 XJ was the donor for most of the parts.

[FrankTheDog]

The hole for the windshield washer tank in the inner fender started showing up on 96’s. I’ve had 4 96’s and they all had the hole stamped out but no tank. Tank was in the usual spot. 95’s would have the aluminum valve cover, late 95’s may have had the fender well stamped for the ww tank I only had one 95 and I didn’t notice it at the time, 2003 or so.

I’m guessing a late 1995 donor judging by the ecu and other evidence.

96 would have had the obd2 aluminum ecu. Also has map sensor on the firewall instead of on the TB.

[JMO413]

The first digit in the VIN is a 1 it was built in the US.

Toledo Ohio to be exact.