89 MJ Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 December 2020 scguy's 89 Build Thread- Year/Model - 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer LWB Formerly Renix, RWD Now High Output, 4WD Drivetrain- Jasper Reman. 4.0 short block from a 92 MJ with 26k miles on the rebuild. Bored 0.060” over, so technically, it's a 4.1L (okay, 4.079L). Reman 7120 HO head from my parts XJ Custom grind cam from Comp Cams (also from parts XJ) Aftermarket header, unknown brand. 99+ intake manifold, port-matched, heat wrapped on the bottom Custom exhaust, wanted something with flow but pretty quiet, ended up with a takeoff Charger SRT8 muffler. Nice and quiet, but a decent tone. Full HO swap from the 93 XJ parts rig 4WD swapped, Non disconnect HP D30, 3.55 for now D35 rear, 3.55 for now, plan to go SOA with an 8.25 eventually AW4, NP231, custom made rear driveshaft Cooling- 3 row aluminum radiator, triple electric fans with shroud, Nickintime Design Trinity programmable e-Fan controller, Mopar 195F thermostat, new water pump Electrical/Ignition- 117A Alternator from 99 XJ 2 AWG upgraded battery cables Military style battery terminals Deka battery Added auxiliary fuse/relay box for wiring add-ons. Remote start, keyless entry Power window/lock conversion Headlight relay harness Complete HO harness swap Suspension/Steering- Zone Offroad 4.5" lift Zone Offroad front and rear shocks Zone Offroad extended sway bar links IRO double shear track bar and bracket All new Moog steering parts Interior- Changed interior from blue to grey 2 door XJ grey bucket seats using new seat brackets from @krustyballer16 New ACC carpet Redid the headliner in grey Euramtec B pillar interior lights Added footwell courtesy lights Changed from column shift to floor shift Full center console swap Quadratec floor liners HO full cluster swap Repaired rust pinholes in floorboard, entire cab below the belt treated with Chassis Saver. Brakes- New front calipers New rear wheel cylinders, shoes, hardware WJ booster, master cylinder swap Extended brake lines front and rear Lighting- Autopal E-code H4 housings with Hella 100/90W bulbs Baja cheap fog lights Exterior- Chrome header panel trim Painted grille and bumper satin black Wheel & Tires- Mammoth Boulder 15x8s Cooper AT3 XLTs in 32x11.50R15 Misc- New AC compressor (94+ XJ so it's designed for R134a), condenser, expansion valve, filter/drier, heater core JVC stereo NVX rear speakers Noico sound dampening throughout cab, doors, roof Boostwerks Transfer case shift linkage 97+ XJ washer fluid tank relocation Best MJ story- As a kid growing up in the 90s, I loved racing games. Need for Speed had me dreaming of owning an exotic car, no matter how unlikely that would be. I sketched Ferrari 550 Maranellos, daydreamed about Vipers and Diablos. One day, while my family was visiting a relative upstate, we needed to go get some firewood. The relative and I hopped into his old truck. We drove out of his lane, down the road a bit, and then into the woods. He drove us across a small water crossing, then up a hill to where we loaded some firewood. I remember something clicking in my head, I might not ever own a Viper, but I could own a truck like this. Something solid, reliable, capable. That truck was a Comanche, jump starting my love of 80s and 90s Jeeps. The second vehicle I bought was an 89 XJ Wagoneer, the first being my 1979 Mercury Capri. I loved the Waggy, and hated to sell it, but I was in high school, working part time and my commute with $3+ gas prices was losing me money by driving to work. So when the relative contacted me years later, offering to sell me that blue 89 Comanche, I absolutely couldn’t say no. Especially when the price was $300. Fast forward 4.5 years, a lot of work, and here we are. CC is Awesome! Why? It's great to find a community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people who appreciate these great machines. There's such a wealth of knowledge here. Congrats @scguy, I don't think it is a beater anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share Posted December 1, 2020 1 minute ago, 89 MJ said: This is an awesome picture. It makes we want to move to SC just so I can take pictures like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Congrats! @89 MJ, wouldn’t you say this is Santa’s refreshed sleigh? Lol. Looks great along with a great story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHMJXJ Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 I'd say that's more than a beater. This picture got my vote for All Things Jeep Comanche on FB just recently when they updated the banner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Congrats! One of my favorite MJs.....just has "that look" to it. Nice color, patina'd hood, great stance on the 4.5"/32s! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share Posted December 1, 2020 1 hour ago, NHMJXJ said: I'd say that's more than a beater. This picture got my vote for All Things Jeep Comanche on FB just recently when they updated the banner. Mine too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 love this truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scguy Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Thanks y'all, ever since I got the truck, I've hoped it would be worthy of MJOTM eventually. 89MJ, you're welcome to come down and be a South Carolina MJ owner, there are literally several of us. Plus, no snow, minimal rust issues, just have to be able to handle the heat and the mosquitoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share Posted December 1, 2020 2 hours ago, eaglescout526 said: Congrats! @89 MJ, wouldn’t you say this is Santa’s refreshed sleigh? Lol. Looks great along with a great story. Perhaps this is the one for rural deliveries. 1 hour ago, WahooSteeler said: Congrats! One of my favorite MJs.....just has "that look" to it. Nice color, patina'd hood, great stance on the 4.5"/32s! It certainly does. This truck is why I want more lift on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMO413 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 Congratulations!! Definitely one of my favorite builds. Those wheels look killer just a perfect accent for the blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 congrats. awesome looking truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 totally legit. enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 On 12/1/2020 at 2:03 PM, NHMJXJ said: This picture and @eaglescout526's Little Red are why I want a LWB truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Long beds are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scguy Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 7 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said: Long beds are excellent. Stock height, I think SWBs look better, but lifted, LWBs all the way. A 7ft bed is nice, you can have a toolbox and still have more bed space than most sub 1/2 ton trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted December 8, 2020 Author Share Posted December 8, 2020 22 hours ago, scguy said: Stock height, I think SWBs look better, but lifted, LWBs all the way. A 7ft bed is nice, you can have a toolbox and still have more bed space than most sub 1/2 ton trucks. I even think that, when restored to original with original accessories, a LWB looks better than a SWB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse J Posted December 8, 2020 Share Posted December 8, 2020 On 12/7/2020 at 9:45 AM, scguy said: Stock height, I think SWBs look better, but lifted, LWBs all the way. A 7ft bed is nice, you can have a toolbox and still have more bed space than most sub 1/2 ton trucks. yes 100% can't wait until I lift mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fryedaddy Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 Nice comanche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 IMHO, its hard to beat the look of a lifted MJ on big tires, but an otherwise stock appearance (flares, bumpers, etc.). I love this truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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