Jeep_Rat Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Let me begin by saying I would not chop up a good Comanche. That being said, mine was hit hard in the bed and totally stripped before I got it. So with nothing to lose I am removing the bed. The goal is to have rear coils and shorten the wheelbase by about 16 to 17 inches, without cutting up the original frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Oh this is going to be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 coils.. interesting... what about air bags? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 Since the frame install was successful I mocked up the hood and did a quick floor repair with galvanized roofing after grinding and rust encapsulation. Fitting fenders will take some cutting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpiebill Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Since the frame install was successful I mocked up the hood and did a quick floor repair with galvanized roofing after grinding and rust encapsulation. Fitting fenders will take some cutting. Drivers side rear cab corner looks like mine did. I got it close and my Dad (retired autonomy specialist) finished it up for me...Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 Hammered on the cab today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 12 hours ago, Jeep_Rat said: Fantasy photoshop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse J Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 14 hours ago, Jeep_Rat said: Hammered on the cab today. looks way better than it did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 Here's the front Cherokee donor axle for the front of the Comanche. It's a 41-10 (4.10 ratio). I have a 41-9 but I would need 2 so I'll save it and the corresponding rear axle for another project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Here's the planned donor, 4 cyl. 4 speed manual (rare Borg Warner) and 4.10 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 one of the most unique ideas I've seen yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse J Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 so wait what are you doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 Since there is only 5 inches between the Comanche frame and the Cherokee subframe, the stock springs are too wide. So I'm using a pair of coils that are 4 inches in diameter. The perches are rear end housing ends that are offset inboard an inch with a plate bolted to the old perches. Mocking them up on the front axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 12, 2021 Author Share Posted March 12, 2021 Installed the Cherokee donor axle and modeled a tire to get an overview. Looks like the wheelbase will be about 96 inches, same as a short Wrangler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 14, 2021 Author Share Posted March 14, 2021 More axle pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted March 15, 2021 Share Posted March 15, 2021 On 3/7/2021 at 8:00 PM, Jeep_Rat said: Hammered on the cab today. I keep telling guys they don't have to jump right to the welder to fix dents. that's some fine rough body work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 Just needs about 4 hours of hammer, dolly, heat shrinking and bondomagic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 Later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 15, 2021 Author Share Posted March 15, 2021 Used an inclination gauge to locate front axle control arm brackets before welding. One bracket had to be modified to clear the edge of the Dana 35 housing from the rear of a Cherokee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 16, 2021 Author Share Posted March 16, 2021 Finished welding the perches and control arm brackets from the 2x4 Cherokee front axle to the donor rear axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 Installed offset perches for the 4" OD springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 The Cherokee rear differential hump is centered as opposed to a front axle that is 6 inches offset. So the curve in a stock trackbar is in the wrong place. One advantage is being able to set its length to center the axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted March 19, 2021 Share Posted March 19, 2021 This is pretty cool honestly. Love the ingenuity. I will have to ask two questions. 1) Why you decided to shorten the wheel base? Was that just where it happened to fall when you grated the front clip onto the back of the comanche? 2) Why stick with the d35? Again was it something you on hand already with gears and lockers to keep cost down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 Another fantasy photoshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep_Rat Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 Welded trackbar together. It took 2 flat washers spacing one weld joint to center the steering. This may be the thickness lost when the bar was cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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