Jeep Comanche Build

[NathansPROPS]

It really doesn't matter to me what you do for the paint job, though so many possibilities, Im sure you'll find one that will do just fine. For your base car, I love it! I never seen a Jeep pick up truck, rangers sure, but jeep pickup? Never. It looks awesome and it will look even awesomer (Its a word ) when its done! Build on my friend.

[RustyRodder]

I'd say the service vehicles (wranglers) would all have similar paint schemes and the show vehicles (explorers) would have similar schemes

I agree- the show vehicles dont enter the animal areas, whereas service vehicles would. According to the book, the two verticle stripes deterred the animals.

[PaulRevere1991]

Ahh, look at that, theres my girl.

I actually think a Comanche is a great idea, jeeps are good for a lot of things, hauling around more than basic tools isnt there strong suit. Always figured there would be a few Comanches running around.

I would do the LJ1 and red strip setup, similar to the wranglers. maybe have a M designation before the number.
YJ Sahara rims should bolt right to your truck, there the same bolt pattern. Even came on higher trim Comanches i believe
As far interior trim, i would leave it stock. probably what the park would have done XD

[mysteed]

Thanks for the thoughts and reply guys. I've pretty much settled on the YJ color scheme but haven't finalized the stripe layout.

I put on the new wheels after my adapters came in and came to the realization that I will need to lift the truck at least 2" in order to maintain the full lock to lock steering. I could have cut the fender lines and flairs a lot, but that wasn't an option in my mind. I have the rear lift parts already procured and am waiting on UPS to deliver my front lift.

Current state of the truck:

[85 GT Kid]

I guess I'm not the only one thinking that this would be a good idea lol. Keep it up!

[mysteed]

God help us, we're in the hands of engineers


Once I added the wheels and tires I had in my last post I realized that I needed to lift the truck at least 2" in order to not cut my fenders a lot to clear the wheels. Obviously when lifting a Jeep there are just a ton of choices for lift height and even more ways to do so. After doing a lot of research I decided on Chevy S10 drop shackles in the rear and coil spacers in the front, which ends up being about 2" of lift overall with the truck. I figured that since I was already tearing down most of the front suspension to install my front coil spacers I should go ahead and make a few upgrades. I replaced the front brake lines (they were rotted out) with longer lines from the YJ, I replaced the front sway bar end links with one from a 97 F350 (beefier and longer in length), I replaced the front and rear shocks with longer Monroe OE Spectrum ones, and I replaced the rear center brake line with a longer one from a YJ.


Before:


Here is the lift after it's had a few days to settle:



Since I first got the MJ I've put about 600 miles on the truck and it has since developed a small oil leak at the oil pan. So I need to get that fixed as well as set the alignment. MY painter is finally back in town so hopefully I meet with him this week to discuss painting options for the truck.

[RustyRodder]

Still looking great! Any updates?

[ratrace427]

oil pan leak is easy to fix. maybe do the rod bearings while you are in there. My 4.0 had used up bearings at 120000 miles. Kinda crazy having bearings as bad as they were. I think maybe the oil changes were neglected on my engine. Anyways the pan is easy to take down and the bearings are right there. Might as well change the bearings also.

[mysteed]

Well, all good things must come to an end. On December 22nd at 6am while leaving the hospital for work after visting my wife a lady blew through a red light and hit the MJ fairly hard in the front end. After over a month of back and forth discussions, several tear downs of the MJ, and too many phone calls to my insurance they ended up totaling my Comanche (frame damage). Thankfully the Comanche was at the shop of a good friend so I was able to pull off a few things for another friends build. A sad ending to be sure, but now it's time to look forward to the next build. So...onward to look for the next MJ or YJ!

Link to pics of the MJ on Copart: http://www.autobidmaster.com/carfinder- ... A_WEST_GA/

[KPtheMP]

Bummer, sorry for your loss. Sounds like you got a lot going on, hope all is well on the homefront. Wish I would have heard about this sooner, would have made you an offer on the buy back, thats a pretty clean MJ, sad to see it go.