1JTHL65F5GT131063 (&) 1JTHL65F6GT131063 'Big Ton'

[White_Comanche]

1986 Jeep Comanche • 2.5L TBI • 5-Speed • 4x4 • Big Ton • AMC 20 Rear Axle • Long Bed

 

My Comanche must have been made on a Friday, because there's two different VINs present. This truck has been flying under the radar since it landed on the shores of Kansas way back in 86. When it was due for insurance renewal I noticed inconsistencies across the board. After a full month of rigamarole, a patient Highway Patrolman got this truck on the straight-and-narrow with the state of Kansas.

 

Back in the day this truck was driven all around checking oil wells on rough limestone country roads. 2nd owner used it like a truck, but had it garaged for the 20 years he had it. Under its current owner she remains garaged, and is slowly being taken to its next level.

 

 

 

 

I personally go with the dash VIN, but Kansas has the engine bay VIN as their favorite

 

When looking closely, another VIN plate is riveted underneath

 

A full month of leg work, and all I got was this sticker:

 

The previous owner got the seat reupholstered

 

Redlinegoods.com made this custom shift boot. It looks great, but their stock Comanche sewing template is too long. In the future I may reorder this boot with 2 or 3 inches of height removed.

 

 

In the shop for a much needed transmission overhaul

 

A full-size spare snugs right in to replace the old doughnut

 

157,500 miles on this 2.5L

 

 

[eaglescout526]

 

1JTHL65F5GT131063 

 

*ZZ
-ZZ
BAC	75 AMP ALTERNATOR
BCQ	Battery - Maintenance Free
CGX	Head Restraints-Outboard Seating, RR
CKA	CARPETS - CLASS I SHORT PILE 8 - 12 OZ
CLE	ACCESSORY FLOOR MAT - FRONT
DDQ	Transmission - 5-Speed Manual
DMN	4.10 Axle Ratio
EPD	ENGINE - 2.5L I4 TBI GAS
GPB	DUAL - O/S MIRR PKG - LOW MOUNT - CHROME
HAA	AIR CONDITIONING - FRONT
HCC	HEATER W/UPR LEVEL VENTIL - TYPE II
JAY	Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JGB	Clock - Digital
JHA	WINDSHIELD WIPERS - DELUXE
JJA	CIGAR LIGHTER - FRT COMP
LAP	FUEL ECONOMY SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT
LMA	HALOGEN HEADLAMPS
MBJ	Bumper - Front, Black
MDA	FRT LICENSE PLATE ATTACH REQUIRED
NAA	ESA W/CATALYST (EXC CALIF SYSTEM)
NFA	TANK - 23 GAL FUEL
NMB	ENGINE COOLING - STANDARD DUTY
SBA	POWER STEERING
SUA	TILT STEERING COLUMN
WJD	WHEELS - 15 X 7.0 STYLED STEEL
XEA	TOW HOOKS

 

 

Build date 1/10/86

Body code JL62

[The86manche]

I spy an amc 20 rear axle!

[White_Comanche]

Yep, that's a AMC 20 axle. Word on the internet says that it's a weak design. I don't know what to believe, but I know the one on this truck hasn't broke yet.

[Pete M]

51 minutes ago, White_Comanche said:

Yep, that's a AMC 20 axle. Word on the internet says that it's a weak design. I don't know what to believe, but I know the one on this truck hasn't broke yet.

 

the version that came on CJs is weak because of the weird 2-piece shaft design.  MJs don't have that problem and it is on par with the dana 44.  

[White_Comanche]

1 hour ago, Pete M said:

MJs don't have that problem and it is on par with the dana 44.

Flipping sweet! Thanks for the clarification. Up until this point I've made only some quick armchair research on the matter. Glad to here this from a Comanche Club admin.

[fiatslug87]

He's not just an admin, he's the owner.

[Pete M]

I prefer "caretaker".   

 

 

(who happens to also pay the bills)

[fiatslug87]

It’s interesting the check digit (9th position) was the problem and they went with the wrong one. Entering the VIN with a 6 instead of a 5 in any decoder should return an invalid VIN error.

[White_Comanche]

The Treasury office where I'm at had never dealt with this before, not the clerk or the Trooper I was working with. After a few weeks into the process the clerk showed me the title snapshot with many different colored sticky notes stuck to it. It was almost laughable.

 

The course of action ultimately came from Topeka (KS capital). I'm led to believe it was the path of least resistance. I was informed that it "wasn't possible" to update the vehicle info in KS databases. Yeah right.