MJ Happy Camper

[fiatslug87]

This will chronicle the Comansion’s second life.
 

First of all I would like to say what a great fabricator and even nicer person Ben (neohic) is and thank him for letting go of this treasure, I hope to do it justice.

 

Well, after my 2,509 mile round trip journey through four states using 177 gallons of gas and taking 72.9 hours, the Comansion arrived at its new home in "sunny" California (it's actually raining today). Leaving the Sunday after Thanksgiving timing was perfect; weather was great on the trip out, on the way back I dodged a storm moving into the Rockies and another about to hit the Sierras. This was the Comansion's route, with stops, to its new home:

 

I was prepared for anything, taking my wife's reliable and very capable FJ Cruiser loaded with sleeping bags, extra tires for the Comansion, two full 5 gallon Jerry cans on its rack and a bag of recovery gear all "just in case." Luckily only one can of gas was required, who would have thought pulling the trailer with a brick at 80+ mph over some steep terrain would hurt gas mileage? This is the fill-up site about 40 miles east of Winnemucca, NV on a snow chain installation shoulder off I-80 West. The sun was setting and air temp was a brisk 30°F. Tongue length is perfect for the FJ's rear door to fully open, clearing the propane storage box.

 

Some more pictures of the journey:

 

 

 

 

 

And it’s arrival to its new home (insert triumphant music here.)

 

[fiatslug87]

It’s currently set up SOA with 235/75/15 tires, the plan is to put 255/70/17s on Moabs with adapter spacers to match my ‘88. Since I don’t want it any higher, I think it will go SUA. Here it sits under its raincoat.

[neohic]

It couldn't have gone to a better home! Looking forward for updates in the future.

[MiNi Beast]

For real took long enough.. glad to see it used finally..I'm very jealous, enjoy good sir. 

[fiatslug87]

Wife and dog approved!

 

[neohic]

[fiatslug87]

Just getting back from the DMV, officially registered in California.

 

[fiatslug87]

Today I gave the bed a little love:

Step 1: Wash

Step 2: Mothers California Gold clay bar

Step 3: DA polish with Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze 110 compound

Step 4: Avalon King Armor Shield Lite fast ceramic spray

 

Feels like glass and looks even better in person. Before and after:

 

[Gjeep]

You need another Comanche. Maybe two. The trailer looks right at home! Congrats!

[fiatslug87]

1 hour ago, Gjeep said:

You need another Comanche. Maybe two.

I would only consider yours.

[Htchevyii]

Looks like it found a great home! That gas bill has got to hurt!

[fiatslug87]

Disassembly has begun, out with the current cabinets. Bed condition is really, really nice.

Before:

After:

And with its Jeep bed mat:

The plan is to build a drawer slide out similar to the pic below except on the right side and taller, however, no stove in that location. It will also serve as a step to access the sleeping platform.

[fiatslug87]

New shoes! Now it matches but I definitely have to go SUA.

Before:

After:

[fiatslug87]

Had to knock down the inner lip of the wheel adapters so they would seat properly.

Before:

After:

 

[fiatslug87]

New year, new tailgate with reflective black Jeep decals from Jeepsticker.com and custom badges in the 4.0 Litre font thanks to @Dzimm

Before:

After:

[fiatslug87]

I guess I’ll have to live with it SOA until I figure out something else, SUA is not going to work.

[neohic]

Would a longer shackle get you where you’d like it to be?

[fiatslug87]

That’s an option. It has been raining here pretty constantly for the last couple weeks, just had the one day to try the SUA, can’t get back to it for a while, rain forecasted for the next week.

[Gjeep]

I like the 0.0L badge. 

[fiatslug87]

Took advantage of the break between storms today to install some license plate lights, now it’s CA compliant, once I install the plate anyway. I wanted the lights to match the ‘88’s and got these Amazon Link, I drilled 7/8” holes, cut the keyholes with a jig saw and finished with a file.

Before:

After:

 

[fiatslug87]

Removed the pinstripes and got it ready for a new cap to bed seal.

Before:

After:

 

 

[Red Mistress]

Looking good all cleaned up

[fiatslug87]

Decided to blow apart the WilderNest for a thorough cleaning, painting, new bulb seal, stainless hardware/fasteners and general refurb.

 

[fiatslug87]

Work continues. Gave the tent an overnight Oxi-Clean bath which removed all the mold/mildew stains, I was amazed, pictures will come once it’s back together. Cleaned and repaired all the structural supports including the springs which turned out really nice.

Before:

After rust removal:

After bluing:

 

[fiatslug87]

Painted the interior yesterday. Used Duplicolor Sandstorm bed liner for the sleeping platform, the stuff is horrible to spray, the cans stop spraying, start dribbling and leave a third of the product behind. I don’t recommend using it at all. The bottom portion was going to be the same bed liner but decided on paint. Also, all my stainless hardware arrived so assembly will begin after a few days of paint curing.