[Ocean]

I know its 2wd/I4/5spd and I was thinking of getting it to use initially as a project and then a commuter as the owner tells me it normally gets 30 mpg. I have some questions though and I hoped maybe you wise folks could steer me in the right direction.

I'm 6'7" with normal length legs... can I fit in a commanche?

Its got 222xxx on the odomoeter and it runs but then dies shortly thereafter- I'm thinking a cat issue or maybe some egr issue but, could always be more extensive... Is it at the end of its service life?

These things in mind the owner, a retiree in a nursing home, is selling it for $400.00 and it doesn't look half bad. all the paint is there, roof is just starting to lose clearcoat, and its in one piece w/o rust.

Whatcha think? I plan on getting a nice Cherokee in a couple months if I buy this first. I plan on spending some time with it sometime soon to make sure I can fit,.. just curious about anything else I should be mindful of.

 

[finneys98xj]

Buy it!!!

 

[Ocean]

thanks for the endorsement

 

[TeamCherokee06]

I also want one but I am 6'3 and I thought that I might not be able to fit in one,I would definitly test drive it to make sure you fit ok but for the price you can't go wrong!

 

[Kyle]

Price is right for sure, only thing to be aware of is the i4's in those arent necessarily the best engine out there.

 

[Ocean]

thanks for the fast replies. I agree have to test it out.

I do have a question about the engine condition.... it starts up runs and dies right away issue...seems to be common on this model of engine....
I noticed the tailpile is nice and black inside so it sbeen burnin some oil or has a problem with fuel being WAY too rich...

maybe just a carb replacement.... Damn Jeeps! 226k on the original engine and carb....Its only twenty one years old and retired the original owner.. LOL.

Seriously though I have a 4..0 HO Cherokee (wrecked and torqued front frame) bad donor available and I was also considering pillaging it.... But I could also drop in another engine... any other recommendations?

 

[finneys98xj]

go with the 4.0l dont try changing a good thing because if you go to big you will twist the frame.

 

[whowey]

Buy it...

You are going to be cramped in the cab of a Comanche.

I'm only 6 foot tall, but large framed and I am a touch cramped in the cab of mine with the bench seat all the way back. When I have on outside winter gear it is hard to move around in there.


What year of a Comanche? The carb was only used on a few years and was a bit of a stink to begin with. The 4.0l will slide right into any Comanche over an '87, you will just have to make sure to swap in the entire FI system including the computer and quite a bit of the wiring.

 

[Kyle]

I would buy it and just throw the 4.0 into it, make yourself a nice little rig.

 

[lewt2007]

I also want one but I am 6'3 and I thought that I might not be able to fit in one,I would definitly test drive it to make sure you fit ok but for the price you can't go wrong!

im about six foot something and fit comfortably in mine I can drive long distances in my 90 without any problems

 

[Ocean]

:agree:I agree, I beleive its bendix FI anyway... I was poking fun at how long that vehicle's service life has been.Thats why I love trucks, they are built to a better standard... Then this one is a jeep with charachter...
I agree the 4.0 mod is the way to go....

But first I want to look really hard at the design of the body because I think it could be fairly easily made into an extended cab, giving me leg and headrom eventualy, and a nice/unique ride. It may be as simple as carving the donor, currently sitting for over a year in a friends field, that way I can keep similar lines in the body structure without getting too radical.Hmmm...
I have to wait until I get my hands on it till I know how I want to do it for sure.... The box could possibly be moved back a foot and a half depending on how it is mounted. Probably just easier to cut.

Anyway I'm into the idea.... Supercab Commanche.... It was a pioneer but if its a supercab it would be something new... have to come up with a good name for the model... You can't be do all that body work, even though its fun, without the inspiration of a model name.
So what do you think what should a extended cab commanche be called?:bow:
Thanks for the input.
Great folks on a great forum

 

[Kyle]

Thanks for the forum feedback, really glad you enjoy yourself here:thumbsup:

So did you decide to go with the truck?

 

[Ocean]

The owner is holding it for me. Should acquire it soon,next few weeks, will post pics when I do.

 

[whowey]

Two quicky things....

First.. One M only.. Comanche..Now that you are part of the tribe, people will give you a hard time about it.

Second... ComancheClub.com. You will find some other crew and extended cab MJ projects there.

 

[Kyle]

The owner is holding it for me. Should acquire it soon,next few weeks, will post pics when I do.

I am looking forward to seeing the pictures:rock:

 

[Ocean]

Comanche with one M

You are correct sir. I noticed that for some strange reason I kept using a second m.

I am duly admonished lol gratzi for the link...

good thing i don't talk like i spell

 

[Ocean]

I bought it for 350.00 89 comanche

I was surprised at how much interior room there is at least length wise.... I guess one of first things to do is get it back to my house! I have a friend who can tow it.

any additional info about the 89 would be great....

such as... is it rennix? it has gm keys?

thanks for the advice....

 

[whowey]

Yes, you have the 4-cyl. version of the Renix injection.

Jeep sourced steering columns from GM, so you get GM-style keys. There used to be an AMC replacement blank, but I doubt anyone has anymore at this point.


Remember everything ahead of the firewall is identical to a Cherokee so you have sources of those parts.

 

[Ocean]

A slightly crazy question

89 Manche is a Renix... no problem. I've got a donor vehicle available, a 95 4x4 cheroklee with the 4.0 l, now my thought is just to buy a cherokee down the road and build it with parts from the donor

The Cherkoee is a manual 5 speed, as is the manche, and I was thinking of taking the entire driveline and possibly putting it under my truck, minus the engine....

But if I wanted to be crazy. I could, I imagine swap over the whole thing. Oh the tender possibilities....

Thanks for everyones advice on this andthanks for refering me to the manche forums for additional info. :cheers:

 

[whowey]

You are going to have swap the entire drive line if you want to...

The 4-cyl got the AX-5 tranny and a 21 spline output. The 95 4.0l would have the AX-15 and a 23 spline output...