September 2023 - JZLAJeep's 89 Field Find

[89 MJ]

September 2023 - @JZLAJeep's 89 Field Find Family Project

 

Build Thread- https://comancheclub.com/topic/69832-89-field-find/#comment-732342

 

 

Year/Model -  1989 Comanche Pioneer, 4X4, 5-speed, Long bed.

 

 

Drivetrain-  Factory 4.0L Renix engine. Originally had BA10/5 but swapped to AX-15 and transfer case from a XJ and rebuilt driveshaft. New oil pump, fuel pump, alternator, crankshaft position sensor, mounts, and transfer case linkage.

When we got the MJ the motor mount bracket on the driver side was sheared off. Had to extract the 3 bolts to reinstall the bracket and mount.

 

 

Cooling-  Factory cooling system, flushed, soon to have electric fan from a XJ.

 

 

Electrical/Ignition-  Factory. Replaced ignition switch, repaired wiring damaged by mice when the Comanche sat in a field. Soon to have wiring for electrical fan and fog lights. Currently jumpered fuel pump.

 

 

Suspension/Steering-  Factory height. Replaced driver side track bar bracket, sway bar bushings, rear shocks, straightened steering wheel while replacing ignition switch.

 

 

Interior-  Dark blue. Bench seat, recovered headliner, replaced mouse eaten sun visors from a XJ, added oil pressure gauge because the factory gauge on the dash wasn’t working, added dash mat, new windshield. Will have rubber Army surplus flooring when we get to it.

 

 

Brakes-  Factory. Replaced rear drum pads, no modification to front disks.

 

 

Lighting-  Factory. Replaced all bulbs. Still working on interior lights and will be adding fog lights.

 

 

Exterior-  White with gray Pioneer Livery. Bumper from a first generation Dodge Dakota. Replaced front bumper and added a grille guard from a XJ. 10 slot grille found in a junk yard. 97+ wiper arms. Rough, but don’t have to worry about scratching it.

 

 

When we got the pickup, the driver side fender and front clip were removed, but in the bed. The rear bumper was a 2x4 steel tube.

 

 

Wheel & Tires-  Phone Dial wheels (including spare), 235/75/R15 Cooper Discoverer AT that were take-offs from a TJ. Replaced spare tire winch. Had 4 different size tires and 2 different style wheels when we got it.

 

 

Misc-  This pickup is likely never going to be a looker, but it has been a great project for a dad and 4 sons. We also own two XJs and needed a MJ to complete our collection (XJ Wagoneer anyone?). Great little pickup that does pickup things and is fun to take off-road. Our repairs are often of the “good enough” variety given the overall condition of the pickup. We are glad to have put this pickup back on the road!

 

 

We had been working on the Comanche for about 6 months and finally trailered it to the in-laws farm shop to work on it all week between Christmas and New Year. Drove the Comanche back and pulled the empty trailer back at the end of the week.

 

 

Best MJ story-  Best story still has to be how we found the Comanche. The 5 of us were traveling back from an afternoon of Jeeping in our XJs on Zach’s 16^th birthday. We were driving home on the highway and Luke pointed to a field near the highway and said, “I think that’s a Comanche.” We stopped on the shoulder and walked to the fence and it was indeed a Comanche that had a bed full of garbage (and some parts) and looked like it hadn’t moved for a while. We found the house, knocked on the door, left a note when no one was home, and to our surprise they called us and said they’d sell. Jared and Luke and Jared’s friend (with truck and trailer) went and purchased and brought the little pickup home.

 

 

Bonus story, when working on the Comanche during Christmas break, we wanted to remove the 2x4 steel tube bumper and replace it with the Dakota bumper. While using a Saws-All to cut off the steel tube, Jared cut the last little bit off and the steel tube came down on his toe. After hopping around with it for a couple of weeks we took him to the doctor for an X-ray and found that he had broken his big toe.

 

CC is Awesome! Why?  We’ve appreciated all the answers to our questions and reading posts about topics we didn’t even know were questions. We also made a new friend with @eaglescout526 on our summer vacation to Phoenix who was kind enough to supply us with a few parts we’d been looking for. We look forward to continuing to participate in Comanche Club!

 

 

I really like this truck. I like the 10 slot grille and the bull bar a lot, but I especially like that this truck is a family project. IMHO, working on the vehicle with friends or family you love is more important than the vehicle itself. Congrats @JZLAJeep and family!

 

 

[Salvagedcircuit]

Great story! Awesome work! It's great to see all of your kids working on it.

Now excuse me while I hunt down a set of phone dial wheels for myself

[eaglescout526]

Glad you guys were able to take some time to meet up too! Was a fun time chatting with you guys and getting the parts y’all needed. 
congrats!

[jeepin4on4]

Nice project, enjoy it.

 

[Pete M]

raisin' 'em right.

 

 

also, every MJ is a looker.

[Drahcir495]

Congratulations! It’s always great to hear that the kids are involved .