May 2024 - A BMW Comanche

[89 MJ]

May 2024 - The BMW Powered Comanche

Build Thread-
https://comancheclub.com/topic/69669-1988-comanche-bmw-m57-swap-rear-coils-bobbed/
 

 

Year/Model - 
1988 Laredo 120,000 miles 

 

Drivetrain- 
BMW M57n engine, the one from the last e46's 204hp stock. Not sure what it has now but I believe around 250-270 if I go by what the guy making the tune/ews delete box said. Straight 2.5inch exhaust from the turbo. 
AW4 gearbox with an adapter plate to the engine, sadly can't run it in automatic mode until I make  an arduino to convert the signal from the electric BMW gas pedal to the AW4 tcm. So for now I am manually shifting it sequentially with an arduino thru nicks niftyshifter. Will be running a racing sim sequential shifter.
Dana 30, trussed, non CAD, OTA track bar mount, Chromoly U-Joints, 4.88 Gearing.
Dana 40 from ZJ, trussed, E-Locker, 4.88 Gearing.
Home made driveshaft in the rear with double u joint for the SYE. 

 

Cooling- 
Mechanical fan from the M57 engine with the jeep 2.5 diesel fan shroud and electric fan in front of it. 2.5 diesel radiator so I get the in/out ports on the radiator in the right spots. Stock 4.0 renix expansion tank. External radiator for the gearbox, intercooler for the engine. extra fan in the hood.  
 

 

Electrical/Ignition- 
Removed all the fusible links and running real fuses, I think almost every cable it replaced except the ones inside the cab to all the interior stuff while doing the engine swap. 
 

 

Suspension/Steering- 
Ironrock offroad long arms and 8 inch springs with 2 inch spacers in the front, long arms and springs in the rear. Heim joint steering, WJ knuckles and hydro assisted steering. Braced steering box with a bearing holding it under the pitman arm. 
 

 

Interior-  
Not a lot has changed in here so far, no stereo, some gauges around the dash. 

 

Brakes- 
WJ brakes in the front, ZJ Disc brakes in the rear.
 

 

Lighting- 
China headlights, lightbar etc. 
 

 

Exterior- 
External roll cage, steel fenders, rockslider.
 

 

Wheel & Tires- 
37 inch Nankang FT-9 on steel rims with diy beadlocks.
 

 

Misc- 
Fuel tank mounted in the bed instead of under it, bed shortened 40cm. 
 

 

CC is Awesome! Why? 

I have gotten a lot of inspiration from many interesting build threads on here, I have not written a lot on here but I read everything :)

 

 

This is a super cool build, @colthrax! I really like how the drivetrain is unique compared to what we're used to seeing. I look forward to future updates on this truck/

[Drahcir495]

Kick a$$ MJ.  Congrats on MJOTM

[GonzoTheGreat]

This is one of my favorite builds on this site. Congrats! 

[pizzaman09]

I'm a BMW guy at heart, and absolutely love this build.  Not only is the engine an awesome choice but your truck is awesome too!  Looking forward to hearing that you have the shift program sorted out.

[Pete M]

   

[Salvagedcircuit]

You sir, are the right kind of bonkers!

Excellent build. Well deserved!

[pizzaman09]

The more I study this, the more I really appreciate the external roll cage.  The cage around the bed is impressive.  

[colthrax]

 

On 6/1/2024 at 8:36 PM, pizzaman09 said:

The more I study this, the more I really appreciate the external roll cage.  The cage around the bed is impressive.  

It is nothing special haha, its very amateur built :D

[fiatslug87]

Congrats, nice to see something so different.

[brucecooner]

Would have never guessed there's an MJ with a BMW engine in it. 

That took some serious skill but the result is cool, and it looks like it will go wherever you point it.