89 Eliminator

[89 MJ]

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/brandon-1989-jeep-comanche-low-mileage/7228662372.html

 

Claims low mileage. It is not low mileage

 

Antique 1989 Jeep Comanche, 4.0 inline 6, 5 speed manual, 175,000 miles. Original owner, always well maintained. Original interior in great condition with bucket seats. Gauges working. The engine has never been opened and doesn't leak even a drop of oil. Comes with about $600 in parts including injectors, throttle position sensor, crank position sensor, and distributor sensor. Price is firm

 

[NHMJXJ]

~6K miles per year.  So low 'annual' mileage.

[89 MJ]

1 minute ago, NHMJXJ said:

~6K miles per year.  So low 'annual' mileage.

I suppose. I think of low mileage at ~100,000 or less, but you're not wrong, that is low annual mileage.

[89 MJ]

I think this has been repainted. Something just seems off with the paint and it has no decals. It does have a tilt column and would probably make a great driver for someone.

[NHMJXJ]

Definitely a respray ... It's in Tampa.  Florida sun would have cooked the clear unless it was garaged its whole life. 

 

It is a 1 owner truck.  As to mileage ... typo and it's 75, not 175k?  I know that's a stretch.  No pic of the odometer, so, who knows.

 

@Minuit ... Have at it!

[89 MJ]

1 minute ago, NHMJXJ said:

It is a 1 owner truck.  As to mileage ... typo and it's 75, not 175k?  I know that's a stretch.  No pic of the odometer, so, who knows.

 

@Minuit ... Have at it!

I wish people included pics of the odometer. I was thinking the same with our MJ originality specialist.

[Minuit]

Looks like 175k on the clock to me, and there's 175k worth of "owner just doesn't give a damn" things like the janky shift boot, shoe scuffs on the entryway trim, missing dome light, and so on. You can see a seat cover in one of the pics, so I think we know why the seats are still in good shape. This truck was well used for all of its miles. You'll see plenty of old vehicles with a $#!&load of miles on them that still look great with no broken stuff on the interior, are still clean, etc... this is not that.

 

I think it's a low-rent repaint. I think this thing might even be a lower-rent repaint job than what we normally see. This thing has definitely seen its fair share of sun. Just look at the way the mirrors and fender flares are faded. So this thing could be on its second or maybe third paint job. The paint on the sides isn't very shiny either.

 

Sunroof... ugh.

 

You might think that I'd be surprised to see an AM-FM only radio in an Eliminator, but not really. The Eliminator wasn't some magical "fully optioned" trim package like it has a reputation for being, and by 89 the option list for the MJ was starting to be pared down. At least that's original.

 

One of the first things that jumped out to me was the plugged holes in the rocker panels. You normally see that when a truck has had the insides coated by a specialized rust prevention place like Krown. That would be an odd feature in Florida, but certainly not a bad thing. Possibly hints to the truck being driven somewhere that rust is a problem earlier in life.

 

Any prospective buyers would be strongly cautioned to check the fusebox for corrosion. Also, look under it and see if it's a BA-10 or AX-15. If the seller would've put the VIN in the ad I could probably tell you within a reasonable certainty, because my 89 was built very soon after the switch to the AX-15.

 

I call bull$#!& on the owner's claim that an all-original 175k mile engine doesn't leak.

 

A fallen headliner, missing dome light, missing shift boot, and what looks to be a broken rear cab trim isn't an interior in great condition to me.

 

Why do we not get any pictures of the floors?

 

Is that a hose clamp on the shift knob?

 

Be aware of the things he didn't say.

[NHMJXJ]

10 minutes ago, Minuit said:

there's 175k worth of "owner just doesn't give a damn"

 

OMG   You never disappoint. 

[ghetdjc320]

I would have never been able to buy an mj if I would have posted pictures on here . What I find ironic is that someone would pay top dollar for the tail lights, original wheels, sliding rear glass, possibly a factory sunroof etc but the whole truck for 4800 is a rip??? Come on guys... Yeah the paint looks like crap but these pictures are all low quality. The body plug is interesting and could be indicative of someone who cares about their truck. If it is a one owner then we’re talking about someone who is likely no younger than their 50’s at this point. Those floor matts are very old. Seat covers and floor mats with no visible crack in the dash would leave me to believe that they care somewhat about their rig. Hvac control panel is very clean on our one good pic. It’s also obvious that it was recently washed and is wet which will make it tough to tell much about the paint. Just a look at a crappy pic I would think single stage urethane with no clear but the oxidation on the hood is obviously from clear. Look at the neighborhood, look at the lawn, look at the fact that this is likely garaged. So many other things to see here outside of just the truck itself. No engine should leak if properly maintained...