The 1992 Jeep Comanche Of My Dreams (Well, Almost)

[cavalier]

I just bought a 1992 Jeep Comanche. It's basically the exact spec I wanted, as this truck is meant to replace my Jeep J10 longbed work-truck. 

It's a five-speed 4x4 4.0 longbed from Idaho, so it's pretty dang clean (but the paint is not perfect from up close). 202,000 miles, but doesn't burn a drop of oil and shifts/drives like new.

 

The only modifications I may make at some point include maybe upgrading the gearing from 3.07s, but DEFINITELY adding A/C, which I realize will be quite a job. 

 

I recently drove it 1,000 miles with 1,500 pounds of steel in the bed. It was a tank, though the driver's door doesn't fit that great.

Anyway, just saying hi! I bought the truck for $6,400 if anyone is curious. Seemed like that was decent, right? Though the AC job won't be fun or cheap!

 

-DT

[89 MJ]

This seems very familiar. Is this David Tracy from the Autopian? I watched the video on this truck.

[cavalier]

Hi 89 MJ! Pleasure to meet you. How do you like the 4:10/31 setup? 

I'm likely going to end up with 3.55s, though I'm assuming I'll have to fab up a new bracket for that load-sensing brake valve rod. 

 

-DT 

[fiatslug87]

Welcome and congratulations, when you get a chance drop its  VIN in the registry.

https://comancheclub.com/forum/35-1992/

[hgeranium]

1 hour ago, cavalier said:

I just bought a 1992 Jeep Comanche. It's basically the exact spec I wanted, as this truck is meant to replace my Jeep J10 longbed work-truck. 

It's a five-speed 4x4 4.0 longbed from Idaho, so it's pretty dang clean (but the paint is not perfect from up close). 202,000 miles, but doesn't burn a drop of oil and shifts/drives like new.

 

The only modifications I may make at some point include maybe upgrading the gearing from 3.07s, but DEFINITELY adding A/C, which I realize will be quite a job. 

 

I recently drove it 1,000 miles with 1,500 pounds of steel in the bed. It was a tank, though the driver's door doesn't fit that great.

Anyway, just saying hi! I bought the truck for $6,400 if anyone is curious. Seemed like that was decent, right? Though the AC job won't be fun or cheap!

 

-DT

Welcome and well done on the purchase! I say that the price you paid is more than fair for the spec you have. I paid $5000 for my 2x4 4.0 AW4 eliminator with ~173k for reference, which I think was also a fair price for the condition.

[James92]

Welcome! I love this truck. Must be siblings with mine. Curious what route you are going with for adding AC?

[89 MJ]

16 hours ago, cavalier said:

Hi 89 MJ! Pleasure to meet you. How do you like the 4:10/31 setup? 

I'm likely going to end up with 3.55s, though I'm assuming I'll have to fab up a new bracket for that load-sensing brake valve rod. 

 

-DT 

I do like the 4:10s with 31s quite a lot. In traffic, it’s hard to beat the 4:10s for the ease of launching. If I could do my truck again, I’d either go up to 33s or drop down to 3:73 gears. My truck spends a lot of time on the highway and is turning roughly 2200 at 60 mph. That said, my truck has still gotten 20 mpg running 75 mph. 

 

Personally, I don’t think a 3:55 is quite enough gear when you’re in traffic. It would be great on a freeway, but a little lacking around town. 

[Salvagedcircuit]

$6400 is pretty good in my book. mine was $4100 but needed nearly everything. 270k miles. part of my build is in my footer.

I mean, yours is a 92, can you put a price on perfection?

 

[Gjeep]

Nice find. I've installed AC in 2 trucks now -- one a few months back, 1991 MJ same era as yours. Not sure what regulations/ your preferences are for refrigerant, but I upgraded both of my HO era MJ's with the later 1995 XJ factory R134 system. If you decided to go this route ping me as I can provide you the necessary part#'s. In general, you'll need a new heater/evap box under the dash as it is different than the non-AC box. You'll also need an AC truck (XJ/MJ) vacuum harness that runs just above the box assembly. You'll need an AC dash control bezel and I'd suggest a heater core based on your miles (get a quality copper brand, factory is no longer available); and an evaporator (again quality) for inside the box. All the lines under the hood, drier, condenser for in front of the radiator, relief valve, cut-off switch, engine bracket for the compressor, a compressor, expansion valve (sits between the evaporator and engine hoses, and I'd suggest a new blower motor as my first gen XJ's typically started to fail around 250K. If you're scavenging from a wreck of the same year (R12 system) you'll probably have most of what you need. But but new items as I mentioned above. It's a job. Time consuming, but worth it. And I suggest removing the dash entirely to access the HVAC box. A lot of guy just pull the passenger side out, but my thinking is it's bound to bend and break things.. Just take your time as ask questions as you need.