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tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Honk Honk

It's rusty and rugged and I love it. It's actually a bit of a factory freak since the rear end sits about 2" higher than it is supposed to. So I got some ZJ coils for $25 that should lift the front a bit to take about an inch of forward rake off. I just need to go get some shocks for it, hopefully I will have time to get it all put on this weekend.

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tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

OP, why can't anyone spell Comanche right? When I am searching for parts on ebay I have to spell the name of my truck wrong to get any search results. No one on the internet can resist putting two "M"s in there.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

N183CS posted:



Meep Meep!!!
My first car was a 52 Willys M38. I've still got it, I just live 5000 miles from my parents house where it is stored. I did a total restoration between 1999-2002. These are the only pics I have of it online right now, taken somewhere in mid-restoration. The M38 was basically a military version of the CJ3A. It has lots of funky changes like dual battery boxes, lifting rings, uprated springs and axles and a host of other little stuff.
We are doing a similar project with my buddies 54 willys. It has been torn apart for the last 4 years or so and he only needs a couple hundred bucks worth the parts to get it rocking again. I have been bugging him extra hard recently because I want to drive it this summer.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

White Van Raceah posted:


An excessively rare bike and Jeep in the same shot. Delicious.

It's funny how few J10 trucks you see around anymore. It seems like no one owns just one, everyone who has a J series truck seems to have at least 3. Those trucks always remind me of the golden ega of jeep, the 80s. At the same time they were selling a full size SUV as well as the XJ, A full size truck as well as the MJ, and the CJ/YJ. Not to mention the introduction of the 4.0, Jeep really needs to get a lineup like that going again.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Boomerjinks posted:

The gf has expressed interest a replica car for her. Behold!

HONCHO
Alright, that is the best idea I have ever heard. I always sort of hoped that after that J10 got picked up by the tornado it would have landed on its tailgate, then dropped onto it's wheels and drove off. That would be some Jeep porn, surviving tornados and poo poo.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Slack3r posted:

I would advise AGAINST towing a car on on a car-dolly with the small Cherokee. They are awfully light in the rear end-end and towing something like a car would be asking for trouble. Now, I have towed a Dodge Caravan about 15 miles with my 1984 Cherokee and a tow-rope. But even that was asking for some kind of trouble. Anyone have the towing caps for the various small Cherokees??
My MJ pulled an FJ60 200 miles on a two-wheel car dolly. That thing with the trailer had a good 1500lbs over my truck and it still pulled it back with no issues. I think that was right at my 5k lb weight capacity.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

russ6570 posted:

alright
here are some more pictures




Awesome man, I also own a blue 1987 SWB Comanche with the 4.0, 5-speed, and 4WD. Mine is light blue and is getting pretty rusty, but the bed and underbody are in great shape. I got it 3.5 years ago for $800 and it has been a great vehicle ever since. You can see a picture of it on the first page of this thread. If you ever find yourself a couple of hours south in Fort Wayne I know a couple of trails we could take our 'Manches on. Mine is a base model bare bones heavy metal motherfucker.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Rhyno posted:

Fort Wayne you say?

I also happen to be a Fort Wayne Jeep owner.
Interesting, what area of town do you live in and what kind of Jeep do you drive?

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

SNiPER_Magnum posted:

I want to pull my rear seat and get one of those air mattresses to put back there. It'd be nice if I could find a way to be able to quickly get the seat in and out so I can just pull it out to sleep in when I'm on the trail. Sleeping like this has been my dream since I was a kid:

(Kevin Bacon isn't really in my dreams)
HELL. YES. I have dreamed of doing the exact same thing my entire life. Recently I have actually looked into getting one of those tents that goes over the bed of your truck, and a double blow up mattress fits perfectly between my wheel wells. Dreams are about to come true.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

RightHonourableHolt posted:

Oh yeah, and has anyone actually tried completely restoring a Comanche? What would you think of something like this?
http://www.jeep-classifieds.com/31214_jeep-ad.html
There is a few nicely restored Comanches out there, and that looks like it could be a candidate if you are into that. I love having a sort of beat up Comanche because I drive it through the woods and load it down all the time and don't really care how it looks. Most parts are very easy to find since it is the same as a Cherokee from the cab forward. However, Jeep no longer makes some of the parts behind the cab such as fuel pump and spare tire hoist. Beds are also becoming increasingly hard to find, but that one seems to be in good shape, so that shouldn't be an issue.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

russ6570 posted:

a few Comanche questions-

What major things are different between a Comanche and a Cherokee?

If I were to swap a gauge cluster in that had, you know, gauges (not idiot lights), would I have to replace all the sensors, and would I have to replace anything to get the tachometer to work as mine doesn't have one?

And finally, is there any easy way to lift the rear of the truck other than a spring over axle lift?

thanks
Nothing was different between the MJ and the 4 door XJ from the cab forward. Behind the cab nothing was the same. Most MJs came with bench seats and a pedal parking brake.

As for swapping the gauge cluster, I have done this and it is the best modification I have ever done in any vehicle I have ever owned. If your truck is a pre '91 you need to get one with a cable speedo, if it is a 91 or 92 you will need an electronic one. The only sensors you need to swap are the oil pressure (they stocked this at my local autozone) and the temp sensor (I had to order this from Napa online). Also take the time to calibrate your odometer, this like will help give you an idea of what the swap involves, it is very easy once you locate all three parts.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=921205

How much are you wanting to lift your truck? There is shackles you can get that will put it up an inch or so, but anything beyond that you will have to do spring over axle.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

I just measured my 87 Comanches steering wheel and it is 15" exactly. Is that wire hooked up to your pedal?

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

russ6570 posted:

Thanks for the info on the cluster, I was able to find a free one (same year as my truck even- score!) and will hopefully be getting that and doing the swap this weekend.

As for the lift, one or two inches is all I really want, and I definatly wouldn't go above three inches.

A 1-2 inch lift works really well on comanches. If you go above that it starts getting expensive because you have to start replacing a lot of things. You can put ZJ springs and new shackles on and that will put you up about an inch and you can still use your stock brakes lines and struts and everything. My rear end is a factory freak and I have like 2.5" of forward rake, so I bought some ZJ springs for up front that I plan to put on in the next couple of weeks, that will leave me about an inch over stock. I will try to post some pics after that so you can have an idea of what it will look like.

BTW, if you have a 4.0 you don't have the AX5, that was only used in the 2.8 and 2.5. Since yours is an 87 you most likely have the Peugeot BA10, the only way you would have the AX15 is if someone swapped it out of an 89 or later. A lot of people talk trash about the BA10/5, but mine has been good to me for many years. I sort of look at it like the Dana 30, if it goes out I will replace it with the AX15/D44, but it has taken quite a bit of abuse so far and still works great for me.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

It doesn't help you Wrangler guys but Comancheclub.com is a pretty great forum. I hate Jeep forums, but the people on Comanche Club are just a bunch of good 'ol boys who love their old trucks and know their poo poo. Most of what is said over there applies to Cherokees too and a lot of the posters either do now or have at one time owned Cherokees also. There is some DIY and Project sections that are fun to look through even if you don't own one, some pretty creative stuff going on.

I think Wranglers are cool, but it seems that their owners are always the ones to bring snobbery to Jeep culture. It's nice to not always have people telling you that your truck NEEDS to be lifted and that H1s and Unimogs got nothin' on a Jeep.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Polish posted:

I am running around looking for the BFgoodrich KO A/T.. and.. buying tires blows. I've been all around, and no one has the tires. When I ask if they can order the tires, everyone says they will give me a call.

..I still have not recieved a call. Any tips on buying tires.. cause apparently I am clinicly retarted, and don't know the secret to buying stuff.
All of the Discount Tires in town have them in stock all of the time. I don't know about where you live but around here everyone buys those tires for their trucks...but that might be because the BFG truck tire factory is in a neighboring town.

Anyway I have had the BFG A/T TO KO 235/75 for about a year and they have not shown any signs of wear. They aren't great in mud, but you won't find any tires that are without going to mud paddles. As for loose gravel/dirt and snow they are amazing. I have driven around in about a foot of snow in 4 wheel high and it drove like the it was on dry pavement. You will rarely need to even use 4WD with those tires. They even do suprisingly well on dry and wet pavement, they are pretty amazing tires and I recommend them for anyone who wants a do it all truck tire.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

What is the top speed of those Jeeps with the mattracks?

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Atticus_1354 posted:

Now I would like to introduce you to the cummins diesel powered Jeep.
http://www.armyjeeps.net/2000special/2000_special_wrangle.htm
One of the guys over at Comancheclub did this as well. There is a writup on the 4bta swap forums somewhere, but I don't have it bookmarked.

Here is a thread with some pictures:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=573575

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

duep posted:

Which model has replaced the Cherokee ? Please tell me it's not the Liberty.
You could say the Liberty is the succesor to the XJ. When the XJ was retired the Libery took the Cherokee sized hole in the lineup.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

pr0zac posted:

Well no one tried to talk me out of it, so heres my new $500 1989 XJ.





Now to get it some new tires and figure out where to take it. (Oh god, what am I getting myself into)
gently caress yeah.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

spiralbrain posted:

Also is that 4600rpm and 3200rpm for both engines or just the I6??
This is also only for the HO I6, for those of us that have pre 91 motors our power peaks much lower. The Renix had slightly less torque and HP, but that more power comes at a cost. It had 177hp and the torque peaked at 224lb-ft @ 2400rpm, a much more usable application off road. The HO would be more ideal for highway towing or something, but if I am cruising off road I never have reason to take my motor above 3k rpm.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Tossed_Salad_Man posted:

PLUG IN WRANGLER ANNOUNCED.

http://www.dailytech.com/Chrysler+Unwraps+Three+Electric+Vehicles+Sales+Start+in+2010/article13044.htm

40 miles electric only.
That article says it is a hybrid? About time they did a minivan...

"My god, they brought green to a minivan and Wrangler, this is unbelievable."

Not really, they have been doing it in SUVs, I am wondering why it took so long to get to minivans, they are the perfect vehicle to be a hybrid.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

HolyChase posted:

I put premium too but I don't know if it is even worth it.
Don't do this, the 4.0 will run on anything that burns and you are wasting money. If anything the premium is worse for your truck, it was engineered to run on regular unleaded and that is what it craves. You might consider looking into octane levels and requirements a little bit, premium isn't always better, it's black and white, either you need it or you don't.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

angryhampster posted:

Speed and power, that is EXACTLY what I think of with my '97 ZJ. :downs:
Your 97 ZJ also doesn't weight 3k pounds like an 87 MJ does either.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

My buddy rented a tow dolly to pull an 85 FJ60 back that was 300 miles away. He told them he was going to be towing a Honda Prelude and they still said that my Jeep couldn't pull it. Needless to say my Comanche drove there and pulled it back without a hiccup, but he was probably pretty lucky it wasn't too windy.

I wouldn't regularly pull 5k pounds with an MJ, but that is just because it is so light and the brakes aren't really set up for it. But the engine always acts like it's no big deal. I would bet that if you upgraded the cooling system it could pull a good bit more than 5k.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Rhyno posted:

A few days ago the muffler and exhaust broke and fell off my Cherokee.
Same thing happened to my Comanche. I used a similar solution as you but it eventually wouldn't hold. If that happens to you take it down to exhaust world on coliseum. It's unreal how fast and cheap they do exhaust work, in fact they would probably weld your system you just bolted together there for like $20 and it would be a quieter and more permanent solution.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Rhyno posted:

I had a really bad experience with them some years back so I don't go there if I can help it. Really the bolts just need to last til the end of May when I'm ready to buy a new car. Then she becomes a winter vehicle only.
That's surprising, it's one of the two places in town that I've had such consistently good experiences that I recommend people go there.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Whenever a parts store is running one of those gallon of GTX and a filter for $18 specials I will grab it for the next time I need an oil change. I run 10-40 because my truck runs hot as gently caress and is slightly prone to fuel contamination.

tonedef131 fucked around with this message at 03:41 on Mar 16, 2011

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

Rhyno posted:

I've wanted a Comanche for years now so this is really hard to not snatch one up.
I've had my Comanche for about 7 years and I love it more than anyone loves their children. I have also replaced everything outside of the engine block, transmission and rear axle...so if you aren't into working on your own vehicles you may want to pass.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

commissargribb posted:

I knew almost nothing before my Wrangler and learned everything I know (not a lot) from working on it.
Yeah I think they are a great vehicle to learn on since everything is easy to get at, most systems is pretty primitive/basic, and the parts are practically free. They force you to learn fast too since things seem to break constantly.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

kastein posted:

My rusty, dented, beautiful, unstoppable piece of poo poo:

Where did you get your AX-15? My 87 MJ has the Peugot tranny that feels like it's about to poo poo the bed. Last time I changed the fluid it looked like chocolate milk and smelled like someone shoved a corpse in there. I think the only gear with any syncros left is 4th. I'm thinking I should start looking for one so I can dive right into it when it finally chokes.

tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

kastein posted:

I traded an old AW-4 and the parts to install it to another guy whose girlfriend was 3-pedal retarded and wanted to drive his jeep. It came out of a 95 XJ.

Honestly though, you can pull one out of any 6cyl standard XJ at the junkyard that doesn't have a pukegoat, I believe 87 or 89 is when they started using the AX15 instead? I believe the flywheel and pilot bearing are the same but not sure. The best vehicles for donors are going to be 93 or 95 and later (I forget) XJs for the AX15 since it'll be an external slave model, and if you luck out and find an 00 or 01 XJ you can pull an NV3550 out of it which is even better. If you have 4wd and get the trans from a 91 or later XJ/MJ you'll want to swap the input gear from a 91 through 94.0 NP231 into your NP231, or equivalently, bolt in any 91-95 NP231, since these have the newer 23 spline input gear needed to match the newer trans.

I *think* I got all the year splits right, could be wrong. The RENIX fans over on NAXJA probably know more.

EDIT: there is also something different about the trans crossmember and mount between pukegoat and AX15. Grab the trans crossmember and mount/exhaust bracket whojingy when you pull the trans out of the donor. Might also have to swap to a different clutch master since internal and external slaves have different fluid flow requirements iirc.
That's a bunch of great info. I've looked into it casually before and it looked doable, but I'll research it deeply before pulling parts at the junkyard. It's not like the Jeep is my daily driver, so if it turns into a big project no big deal.

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tonedef131
Sep 3, 2003

kastein posted:

Can't wait till I finish putting together the hammock frame for my MJ, I am welding some shock tabs to the roll/light bar at the front of the bed and building an A-frame sort of thing that hangs off the back to hold the other end up.
I'd like to see that, for now I stick with this tent my buddy found for a dollar at a garage sale:

It's designed for a full-size but works just as well in my shortbed.

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