Sasquatch Posted Thursday at 05:22 PM Share Posted Thursday at 05:22 PM Last weekend we took a family trip to see aging parents-in-law during which my wife's Dad calls me out of the group to chat. Wanted me to have his old paint truck, a 1989 Jeep Comanche base with 7' bed, tool box, ladder racks, auto trans, Jasper straight 6 engine. It hadn't taken a 3hr trip since he moved to Mtn City, TN over 11 years ago. Last oil change sticker on window was 1/2023. I drove it home yesterday and entertained visions of what it could be and hopefully will become. First things first, it needs a good cleaning. I spent 5+ hours removing all the supplies and paint tools (he did other maintenance work so there were tools of every kind in the box and behind the seat. In every way it evidences a work truck that he's driven for the 30 years I've known him. But it didn't have an issue making the 3 hr road trip. Good engine and transmission that made the trip uneventful as far as concerns about getting it home. There's plenty of work to get started on, including a good inspection of every part of the truck to see what needs work, maintenance or repair. After locking the doors the night before voyage, I awoke to being locked out for an hour, and I wasn't about to break a glass. eventually the latch and cylinder cooperated and let me back in. Hadn't been locked in years, I was told later on. So there's that. Blower fan on the heater didn't work, but it didn't matter. Also a turn lamp on the front end is out but all lights otherwise worked fine. The radio didn't show power but I'll get to that in time. I look forward to this project, and as funds and time become available, I'll share what she's turning into. As for a name, (I'm one to nickname firearms, vehicles, etc.) I haven't settled on one yet. But I have a few in mind. I've already learned much from this site and look forward to gaining from all the knowledge represented here. Thanks again for letting me be a part of this project community. I look forward to sharing progress as I move forward. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted Thursday at 05:48 PM Share Posted Thursday at 05:48 PM congrats! looks like a solid truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted Thursday at 06:54 PM Share Posted Thursday at 06:54 PM Congrats and welcome. When you get a chance please post its VIN in the registry for the build sheet. https://comancheclub.com/forum/32-1989/ p.s. I like the name Old Paint for this truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted Thursday at 09:34 PM Author Share Posted Thursday at 09:34 PM PETE M - Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I drove it today to the hardware store and had no issues. It needs a good bit of TLC but is a blessing. I realize in looking through a few threads that others have had much more work to do before the first drive. I'm blessed to have it. fiatslug87 - Thanks for the welcome also. I'll head on over and add the VIN for the build sheet. I looked through a half dozen in that linked page to make sure I was tracking on what you were asking from me. Looks like jdog links a spreadsheet with lots of data. Can you briefly share what that is/means? It seems specific for each vehicle. Sorry, I'm new at this. Thanks! Honorable Mention for the Old Paint. That's a good one I hadn't thought of yet. We'll have to see..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted Thursday at 09:52 PM Share Posted Thursday at 09:52 PM @Sasquatch jdog will get information like where it was purchased and the build sheet lists what came on the truck, some information is inaccurate due to Chrysler reusing the codes. There’s also a spreadsheet compiling all the VINs. https://comancheclub.com/topic/62656-vin-registry-list-december-2025-update/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted Thursday at 10:02 PM Share Posted Thursday at 10:02 PM Front grille is upside down, needs to be flipped. Welcome to CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 12:49 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 12:49 AM 2 hours ago, Ωhm said: Front grille is upside down, needs to be flipped. Welcome to CC. Thanks for the welcome and also... Good catch! I wasn't sure if this was a "welcome" to the "new guy" because it would have worked! I am very new to this. But it is upside down! I wasn't convinced by my photos but as soon as I came out to go home I saw the misalignment in the grill and housing for the headlamps. It may have been the engine swap when it came off and went back on like that. Not sure. But according to photos on the web it appears that I'm not the only one running the grille 'downside up' (as I like to say). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted yesterday at 01:29 AM Share Posted yesterday at 01:29 AM No joke meant here. But just how do you tell someone their front grille is upside down or downside up without just saying it. We need a pinned TOPIC explaining how something like this can happen. That way it can be tagged and put in the post when this happens. MJ/XJ of the RENIX years have this problem. Two ways to put the same part on. Once again welcome to CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 02:49 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 02:49 AM 58 minutes ago, Ωhm said: No joke meant here. But just how do you tell someone their front grille is upside down or downside up without just saying it. We need a pinned TOPIC explaining how something like this can happen. That way it can be tagged and put in the post when this happens. MJ/XJ of the RENIX years have this problem. Two ways to put the same part on. Once again welcome to CC. I haven't turned a bolt on the truck yet so I am talking out of my head; but I'm guessing with this grille the bolt holes line up both ways. The obvious 'tell' once I looked closely at it was the misalignment of the grill to the headlight housing. Apparently the grille fits both ways as far as the fasteners are concerned but only one way clearly and exactly aligns with the overall front design. I'll sign your petition and help fight for the proper orientation of Jeep grilles everywhere....... otherwise, we risk having those in violation inexplicably finding that their buddies have seen the grille 'upside down' and assume they are helping by flipping the Jeep back over..... Seriously, thanks again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 03:09 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:09 AM DAY 1 - Pictures (Interior) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 03:12 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:12 AM DAY 1 - Pictures (Body) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 03:23 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:23 AM DAY 1 - Pictures (Engine/Front Axle) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted yesterday at 03:26 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 03:26 AM DAY 1 - Pictures (Miscellaneous) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasquatch Posted 13 hours ago Author Share Posted 13 hours ago 17 hours ago, Ωhm said: Front grille is upside down, needs to be flipped. Welcome to CC. Fixed it for ya! Fully prepared to raise the hood and dig around behind the fan and radiator to get it flipped. Nope, 8 screws from the outside. Took less than a minute….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ωhm Posted 13 hours ago Share Posted 13 hours ago Looks good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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