Bugout 1 Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Finally acquired a red 4wd, 5spd, short bed comanche iv been after. I'll try and keep the story short. Iv been looking for the right comanche for years but never seem to make it happen. We'll about 8 years ago I meet a guy with a sweet red pioneer. Original owner, mint condition. I offered to buy it and he basically said he would be buried with it. I'd see him time to time, we'd talk or just wave. Great guy. Fast forward a couple years and I noticed it had been sitting in his driveway. One of his daughters said he had been very sick. About 6 months later it still hadn't moved so I stopped by and asked how he was doing. Apparently he passed. Maybe it was wrong of me but I offered to buy the jeep from one of his daughters. Wrong idea. I was meet with anger and told I would never get it. My bad. Fast forward some more and it turned up at a repair shop. My wife knew the family so she called the OTHER sister. She was more than happy to sell it. Battery and fuel pump was out but other than that still in great shape. We'll the day I went to meet her she changed her mind. She was nice about it and said she wanted to keep it for memories of him. All this was pre-covid. We'll the jeep has been sitting there since. I'd stop by the shop and offer to buy it but they wouldn't sell it without getting in touch with her. The shop sold to a new owner and they said it has to go. She finally calls me and sells me the jeep. I told her I would restore it in respect to her father and not mod it out. Unfortunately it's not mint anymore but I'm not going to give up on it. Plans are to restore it with minimal upgrades. Everything will be brought back to factory with the exception of tires, gears and upgraded brakes. I'm wanting 33x10.5's but I don't want mud terrains and the only AT's I can find are BFG. This build will be slow because hunting season is upon us and I'm restoring a Ford f150 for my wife, and I'm sure my LJ will need something replaced 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Congrats, perseverance pays off. Good looking truck, post it’s VIN in the registry and someone will get you a build sheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHMJXJ Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 Hope it's Happy Endings ... Kind of a sad story, but glad it worked out for you.  I'll be interested to see how you're gonna get 33's under it without a lift though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted September 27, 2022 Author Share Posted September 27, 2022 4 hours ago, NHMJXJ said: Hope it's Happy Endings ... Kind of a sad story, but glad it worked out for you.  I'll be interested to see how you're gonna get 33's under it without a lift though? Sorry, meant to also include I'll be adding a 4.5" lift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHMJXJ Posted September 28, 2022 Share Posted September 28, 2022 14 hours ago, Bugout 1 said: Sorry, meant to also include I'll be adding a 4.5" lift.  Just bustin' your chops. I'm sure you'll do the truck justice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 Sorry for not posting any progression pics but working on the engine and other mechanics is boring and nothing new to see thats fun. Its currently getting a head job along with new fuel pump, belts, battery, battery cables, etc.. etc.. etc.. This project is diving deeper into my pockets that origanlly thought. My original budget was $10K for repairs and mods, I'm currently at $5K, and I'm worried it may need more mechanical items fixed and that will eat into my budget for the interior and paint, so my plans may change but I'm not sure.  Couple thoughts came to mind - 1, get it running, leave it as stock, maybe a budget boost and 31's, leave the paint and interior enjoy it for now and have fun. 2, if I'm going to be going over budget I want to be able to make it mine - mod it out, and have a really good overland vehicle. Bumpers, custom wheels, etc... or should I just suck it up, go over budget, keep on track with the original plan of restoring but 33x10'5's. The thought of having around $15K-$20K in a show vehicle just wasnt in my plans. I do have my Rubicon LJ for camping so really don't need another camping rig but....  Side question, and I may need another thread or do a little more searcing in past threads: If I stay budget, what type of ride can I expect with an add-a-leaf? Any better options for a rear 3" lift besides a full leaf pack. If I go full out, resto mod or overland vehicle, I'm going new leaf pack, but if I try and keep it around $10K I'm not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Bugout 1 said: This project is diving deeper into my pockets that origanlly thought. Join the club, famous last words Just Empty Every Pocket  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 3 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said: famous last words Just Empty Every Pocket  So true 😞 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 17 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said: Just Empty Every Pocket What they don’t tell ya is it’s worth every penny….unless you make a bad choice in a product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted October 20, 2022 Author Share Posted October 20, 2022 17 hours ago, eaglescout526 said: What they don’t tell ya is it’s worth every penny….unless you make a bad choice in a product. Tottaly agree. This is my 1st MJ but iv had 2 LJ's, 2 XJ's, 2 ZJ's (won't ever buy one again), 1 CJ7, 1 wagonner, 1 cherokee chief, 1 YJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted December 17, 2022 Author Share Posted December 17, 2022 Been working on the MJ and she is finally moving around. Not a daily driver yet, still needs at a minimum tires. Rebuilt heads, adjusted valves, new radiator, new hoses, new heater valve, new spark plugs and wires, new calipers and rotors, new headlights, new battery, new rear diff seal, new fuel pump, new clutch. (I'm sure I'm forgetting something)Next step is suspension, tires, headliner, recover seat, new carpet and sound deadening liner. I'm also going to remove the plastic bed liner. Still undecided on the suspension. I ordered some WJ lower control arms that had a bend, but not the bend I was wanting. I thought they had a bend for tire clearance but it's bent the other way. Oh well. I also ordered adjustable rear shackles. Iv got several coil springs and shocks laying around from past TJ and ZJ projects I'll try but ultimately I think I'm going with a 2" spacer up front and old man emu shocks or some basic quadratec brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted December 19, 2022 Author Share Posted December 19, 2022 Oh, and a new water pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 I'm a big fan of patina so it's a good looking truck for sure.  what year is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1987Comanche Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Looks like a nice, solid rig. Glad you saved her . Have you found any rust on it yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 No rust found so far except on the aftermarket trailer hitch.  Worked on it a little more. Added new coils, shocks, double shear track bar, sway bar bushings, extended sway bar links and sway bar relocation bock. Also added the control arms. Tires will be here next Monday, need to decide on refurbishing the stock white steelies or putting on some aluminum Wrangler wheels that I have on my trailer for my LJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 I had to "modify" the factory radiator skid plate to make the sway bar block work. Iv still got electrical issues to work out such as my wipers don't work and the turn signal indicator stays on. Iv been searching this forum and I think iv found solutions to both those problems. I also got in a new headliner, carpet and sound deadening liner for the cab.  Input on what wheels to run would be appreciated. I know it's really personal opinion.  Busted thumbs and bruised knuckles, I could barely hold a beer after working on her ---- y'all ever wonder why we fix old stuff? Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 because the smiles per mile of a bland econobox car just can't compare to that from an old Jeep.   I'm a big fan of any 8" wide TJ rim.  and turbines of course.   Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 I’d stick with the steelies, personally. Everyone ditches them for aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 26 minutes ago, 89 MJ said: I’d stick with the steelies, personally. Everyone ditches them for aluminum.  Agreed. White steelies for the win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olddude Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 5 hours ago, Bugout 1 said: I had to "modify" the factory radiator skid plate to make the sway bar block work. Iv still got electrical issues to work out such as my wipers don't work and the turn signal indicator stays on. Iv been searching this forum and I think iv found solutions to both those problems. I also got in a new headliner, carpet and sound deadening liner for the cab.  Input on what wheels to run would be appreciated. I know it's really personal opinion.  Busted thumbs and bruised knuckles, I could barely hold a beer after working on her ---- y'all ever wonder why we fix old stuff? Lol! Just part of the process. I like the truck, I think it will be a good one, I noticed the UGA receiver cover. If it's a Georgia truck it shouldn't have much rust. Just keep on keeping on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Mistress Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 Nice looking Red MJ ! I would keep the patina and lift it.  Definitely keep white wheels. Like mentioned above, everyone has aluminum and they don’t look age appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Share Posted January 17, 2023 11 hours ago, Red Mistress said: Nice looking Red MJ ! I would keep the patina and lift it.  Definitely keep white wheels. Like mentioned above, everyone has aluminum and they don’t look age appropriate. Sweet 2 door - wanna sell it? I really like the TJ alluminum rims but part of the reason for aquiring this MJ was to bring it back to life / stock, in respect for the original owner that passed so I'm going to keep the white steelies, and I did lift it. I put TJ 4" coils on the front and netted about a 2-3/4" lift, and I put adjustable shackles on the rear and adjusted them to around a 1-3/4" lift to bring things level, nd as mentioned I also have core 4x4 control arms, doubel shear track bar and new shocks all around. Tires are on order (31" yokohamo geolander atx). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 #sideshotsaturday lol! Got the wheels sanded down, primed and painted then had a buddy mount up some new rubber. 31x10.5 Yokohama geolander at-x. Need new center caps. Did a home DIY alignment and worked out pretty good. I'm still going to take it to a shop for a professional alignment. Next up is interior. (Deep clean the seat, new headliner, new sound deadening, new carpet, new shifter bezel, and touch up some of the sever faded plastic) May or may not tackle it this weekend. I'm not a fan of the cold and it's 30 right now. Shop heater is out too. Also want to add some type of storage and will probably do a Durabake bed liner. Iv uses that brand in the past in multiple projects and I really like it.  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugout 1 Posted January 29, 2023 Author Share Posted January 29, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 nice!   I would contemplate some 1.5" spacers for the rears. something about the 7" steel rims seems to make the MJ's wide butt more obvious to my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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