Building My Dream Comanche

[brandino]

So I just bought a 96’ Jeep Comanche 4 cylinder rwd. She’s a little beat up and has a lot of work needed, but she still runs and is great for its age. This is my first car and first project car, so I’m new to this and will need some expert advice and tips. Thank you.

A list of changes I want to make:

rwd conversion to a 4wd

engine swap to a toyota v6

4 speed manually tranny to a 6 speed manual tranny

3 inch lift with either 33’s or one size smaller

and then just simple fixes I can do myself like interior, electrical, and body work

[ghetdjc320]

Welcome to the club! Any MJ is a nice one in my book. For clarification do you have an 86 Comanche? Let us know what engine you have in your MJ currently. A Toyota engine swap is pretty much a no go unless you have great fabrication skills, a complete understanding of efi systems and a shop at your disposal. 4wd swap is easy enough but still requires a front axle, transmission and transfer case as well as front driveshaft. There are several good engine swap candidates depending on what year mj you have and what is in it currently. If your thinking in terms of reliability, the Jeep 2.5 4cyl and the 4.0 I6 are both in the “legendary” reliability category if properly maintained. 

[omega_rugal]

unless you are lucky enough to have an AMC 20 rear axle, upgrade a Dana 44 or Chrysler 8.25 97+, either axle will raise your MJ coolness factor a lot

 

swapping an entire toyota drivetrain is difficult and maybe not as good as just upgrading to a 4.0 + AX15+favorite TC and front driveshaft from a wrecked XJ but is your call

[Torq_Shep]

I agree with the above. If you are going to do a full 4wd swap you will have a much easier time smashing a 4.0 into the 86 bay than trying to fit a Toyota v6. Nothing wrong with the 4.0 or the Toyota v6 (3400) but getting a donor cherokee is the way to go about that full swap. 

 

With that being said... you could also swap to a 3.4 GM v6 easily but that doesn't solve your man trans upgrade or 4x4 as easily.