Paint and/or Aftermarket Equipment addition help

[jveleven]

Hi everyone. I am an original owner. 1989 4.0 manual Pioneer. A few newb questions and opinions would be appreciated. 
So my life was finally in a place where I could start giving the old jeep some long overdue attention. About 6-8 months ago, I was thinking I would just start addressing some of the standard 30+ year cosmetic failures. Drooping headliner, peeling clear coat, etc. But multiple trips to the local picknpull have yielded a few Aftermarket scores among others that I am now debating whether I want to keep or get rid of when I paint. Specifically, the Nerf Bars, Visor and hood scoops. The scoops are original 1960’s -70’s Mopar B-body scoops and are sitting a little high in the picture because I haven’t drilled any holes yet. The nerf bar and visor are also just sitting there propped up for now. I honestly am not sure which ones I should keep?  If any?  It’s hard for me visualize anything different when I have been staring at the same truck for 30 years. So opinions are welcome. Even brutally honest ones. 
And also. I always thought my truck was Colorado Red. But as I started removing badges and fender flares, I notice the red underneath is different than the red that has been on top all these years. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this? And if I go in and ask for a Colorado Red repaint, which red will I get?  I like the darker, but not sure if that is original Colorado Red?  Thanks all. 

[gogmorgo]

Sun and weather will change the colour of paint somewhat compared to paint that was protected. If you’ve had the truck since new and never repainted it, why would it be painted a different colour?

 

Don’t know about the aftermarket stuff myself. My view on mods is they should increase function without interfering with form more than necessary. The truck is only original once, after all. But it’s your truck to do what you want with, and you should have it how you want it.

[fiatslug87]

I would keep it original especially since you are the original owner. Post up in the original owners thread 

and in the VIN registry

https://comancheclub.com/forum/32-1989/

[Pete M]

out of curiosity, does your firewall tag have a BE in the corner?

 

 

[jveleven]

Hey thanks guys. I do appreciate it. When I started this “little” project. It was just going to be a freshen up. But then I started doing research and saw some trucks I thought Good but also looked different from mine. 
I did buy this truck new. In January of 1990. It was the last 89 on the lot and the dealer wanted it gone. So they had put the 2” Rancho lift and the wheels on it and it was pretty much love at first site for me. So it’s not totally stock, but is still  “as purchased”. But then I went back to school, met my wife, started a family and a new career, etc. drove it as my daily for the first 10 years or so. But has been more of a third vehicle/truck for the past 20 years. And has admittedly been a little neglected while I had other comments. And my wife snd daughter were making fun of how beat it looked last year and I set out to make her beautiful again since the kids are now out of the house and They got time to do other things. 
My paint question is really more of a “is this normal “ question. I kind of like the darker, “weathered” red. But was surprised that it would fade so consistently across the truck and even fender flares. 
And no BE on the firewall tag. 

[eaglescout526]

Pete his is after the AMC years so it’s gonna be a Chrysler code right there. So that PE4 should translate to HE4 which is Chryslers code for Colorado Red. 

[gogmorgo]

Looks like paint code PE4, which is in fact Colorado red.

Even peeling stickers off a ten year old vehicle when we're surplussing the work fleet there's evidence how the paint's faded from exposure. Even fading just means you haven't left it sitting in the exact same spot for a very extended time.

[89 MJ]

IMHO, I wouldn’t run any of those modifications. The truck doesn’t look tall enough to need steps, the scoops will probably look cheap parts store ones when installed, and the visor just seems like a could spot for water leaks. 
 

You can check out eaglescout526’s truck (link is in his signature) for pro tires of a freshly painted Colorado red truck, or see pictures of his truck as the December 2019 MJOTM. 

[Pete M]

1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

Pete his is after the AMC years so it’s gonna be a Chrysler code right there. So that PE4 should translate to HE4 which is Chryslers code for Colorado Red. 

 

I ask because a guy on FB was going on and on about the "BE Colorado red" that is supposedly a bit darker and he thought was 87-only (but both my 88s have it too).  looks like 89 does not have that "BE" in the tag.    if this is all true I guess that's one more thing on my 88 that hadn't yet been touched by Chrysler.

[eaglescout526]

Yeah pretty much 87 and 88 were the only years for the BE Colorado red. I’m not sure how the Chrysler one is darker. I may be color blind but I know the current and the past paint on my MJ is damn near identical. Even under the hood was never touched and I don’t see a difference between the two. 

[jveleven]

Thank you 89 MJ. And everyone. I think your comments are spot on and I think have also helped me regain my focus. 
It is so easy to see all of the great trucks on here and start wondering if I could do that to mine ….. and I seem to go off on a tangent and completely forget where I was going in the first place. 
greatly appreciated. 

[Pete M]

22 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Yeah pretty much 87 and 88 were the only years for the BE Colorado red. I’m not sure how the Chrysler one is darker. I may be color blind but I know the current and the past paint on my MJ is damn near identical. Even under the hood was never touched and I don’t see a difference between the two. 

 

 

the BE (AMC) one is darker

[Pete M]

21 minutes ago, jveleven said:

Thank you 89 MJ. And everyone. I think your comments are spot on and I think have also helped me regain my focus. 
It is so easy to see all of the great trucks on here and start wondering if I could do that to mine ….. and I seem to go off on a tangent and completely forget where I was going in the first place. 
greatly appreciated. 

 

keep in mind there are less than 19,000 left on the roads.  there's no need to go crazy to make yours unique since a clean OG example is getting rarer and rare as we go.    but it'll look cool with the mods too, so it's entirely up to you.   it just goes to show that it's important to own multiple MJs.  one for show, one for work, one for 4x4 trails, etc.  I bought my latest MJ specifically because it was insanely original and that way I won't be tempted to go nuts like I did with my first one.