bruceb Posted October 11, 2021 Author Share Posted October 11, 2021 Sunday decided to take the Comanche out for it's for 4WD maiden trip. Headed to Wickenburg, AZ and an easy trail in through the Box Canyon. All was going well with the trip, until 2 miles into the trail when the engine died. I could smell gasoline and it would not start. I let it sit for 10 minutes and it restarted. It is like the engine flooded from the carb. It stalled out two more times, but started right back up, same gasoline smell. Also on the last major bump, high rattling noise from under the rear bed. I thought it was the spare tire and mount, but that was firm in place. The exhaust was intact, so I will have to sort that out next week end. No issues on the trip back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 11, 2021 Share Posted October 11, 2021 Man you were up in Wickenburg and didn’t stop by to say hi on your way back!? Looks like a fun trip though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 for a shake-down run, I'd say it went pretty good. lord knows I've heard worse stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Pete M said: for a shake-down run, I'd say it went pretty good. lord knows I've heard worse stories. The original welded muffler mounts broke, so that the was the rattling noise. So I will need to weld them back to the exhaust pipe, if not too rusty. Also the transmission now is stuck in 2nd, so the kickdown VT linkage is the first thing to investigate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 21 hours ago, eaglescout526 said: Man you were up in Wickenburg and didn’t stop by to say hi on your way back!? Looks like a fun trip though. Where are you based? N. Phoenix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Couples miles North of Grand Ave on Cactus. But yeah N Phx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted October 22, 2021 Author Share Posted October 22, 2021 The new tailgate decals arrived. Great price on etsy (https://www.etsy.com/listing/963428131/86-92-jeep-mj-comanche-pick-up-sportruck) $16.91 and are real 3M decals. So I washed the whole truck and prepared the tailgate per youtube instructions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCMcKKN5NpY) Happy with the results. This weekend will install the new radio and antenna, fix broken muffler hanger, and A904 kick down linkage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Sweet deal. I just order a set of white reflective ones. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 Exhaust system replacement was in order, for this weekend. When I did my maiden run in Box Canyon, near Wickenburg, AZ, last month the rusted exhaust system didn't last and all the hanger brackets broke off the tail pipe and a small crack was developing in the back of the muffler. I was able to still find a 7 foot bed 2 1/4 inch tail pipe on eBay for $54 and free shipping, which is an upgrade from the 2 inch system that was on the truck. Once the old pipe was cut in front of the muffler, replace was very straight forward. I did need a 2" to 2 1/4" adapter in front of the muffler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 a new exhaust for 50 bucks! score! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted November 15, 2021 Author Share Posted November 15, 2021 My water pump has started dripping, so order a new pump, hoses, and belt to swap it out. Received my covid-19 booster shot on Friday, so took a relaxed Saturday by attending a 4x4 parking lot event at Desert Rats in Tempe, AZ. I was able to park next to a new Jeep Gladiator pickup. Wow, did my Comanche look small. Time to get my 2.5" lift kit installed and add some to the height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted November 29, 2021 Author Share Posted November 29, 2021 Started my fluid changes, starting in the rear with the rear axle diff. The heavy oil in it really smelled bad, was very dark, and super thick. The diff also was low on oil, as the refill plug was leaking, so the whole rear diff was oily mess. The job to clean up the diff cover was very messy. About 1 liter of oil drained out. The new oil I purchased was Mag1 SYNTHETIC 75W-90. It is made by the same company (Warren) that makes all the Costco Kirkland Synthetic Motor Oils. Refilled with 1.7 liter. Then I found out the fill plug as stripped, that was why it was leaking. I did not know this until I had it all back together and refilled it. So, I have ordered a new diff cover and will have to drain and swap the cover out this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 I can smell those pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 1 minute ago, Pete M said: I can smell those pictures. Scratch and sniff.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 46 minutes ago, MiNi Beast said: Scratch and sniff.. I'll have to try the PC. On my phone I can't scratch the screen keeps moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceb Posted January 4, 2022 Author Share Posted January 4, 2022 When I changed the rear diff fluid, I found the filler stripped and leaking. The front was also the same, so I held off changing that until I could replace the diff cover front and back. Check the local pull & save yard and the XJ's there were missing the axles, so no luck with used Dana 30 and Dana 35 covers. Hunted on the internet for covers on sales for the holidays and found a B&M Dana 30 mark down from $128 to $52 and a no name Dana 30 cover from $95 to $50. This past week swapped the covers and replaced the fluid in the front. Happy to get this done and no more diff drips in the garage and driveway. Needed a small modification on the rear brake load leveler linkage to fit around the aluminum diff fins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 nice! an improvement in every way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 On 1/4/2022 at 6:39 PM, bruceb said: When I changed the rear diff fluid, I found the filler stripped and leaking. The front was also the same, so I held off changing that until I could replace the diff cover front and back. Check the local pull & save yard and the XJ's there were missing the axles, so no luck with used Dana 30 and Dana 35 covers. Hunted on the internet for covers on sales for the holidays and found a B&M Dana 30 mark down from $128 to $52 and a no name Dana 30 cover from $95 to $50. This past week swapped the covers and replaced the fluid in the front. Happy to get this done and no more diff drips in the garage and driveway. Needed a small modification on the rear brake load leveler linkage to fit around the aluminum diff fins. Something doesn't seem right with the load sensing valve. How is the valve mounted? The rod should vertical and the valve above the diff. to function correctly. I only ask because it can effect your braking abilities. Don't want you to go drive it for the first time and not be able to stop as quick as anticipated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I love how clean this truck is. Enjoy. I look forward to watching the build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strictlyxjs Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/7/2022 at 10:01 AM, watchamakalit said: Something doesn't seem right with the load sensing valve. How is the valve mounted? The rod should vertical and the valve above the diff. to function correctly. I only ask because it can effect your braking abilities. Don't want you to go drive it for the first time and not be able to stop as quick as anticipated. I was thinking the same thing. I have never seen that type bracket before either. Everyone one ive seen mounted on the side for the dana 35 and 44. What does the one for the amc 20 look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlindsey86 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 What a phenomenal looking truck. Love the red on black and long bed to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWheeler331 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Great looking truck. Enjoying the project posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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