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My 89 comanche project

jeepcomj

NAXJA Forum User
Location
wisconsin
So I'm usually on comancheclub.com, but I'd like some more opinions and ideas for this thing.

let me tell you a few things. it's an 89 comanche pioneer shortbed. full factory skid plate package, dana 44 rear end with lsd, sadly 3.07 gears. 4wd (command-trac), a/c, and cruise.

I bought it for $900.

It will be my new DD to replace my mint 86 comanche (I put a 3800 camaro engine in that one) and mild offroader.

what it looked like when I bought it

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then here's it the day I got it home after removing the cap and gay bug deflector

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here's it in varying stages while I made up my mind
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like a chrome grille...
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then a waggy front end...
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and the MINT floors
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even the shifter link mount bolts are still GOLD!
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e-brake cable is still shiny new
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carpet's really clean too...
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and took the stupid rubber things off the side...don't need dent protection
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real nice bed too
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the 33x12.50 Dayton Timberline A/T's. I payed $200 for these with 90% tread left, and $10 for the rims
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wasnt so sure about the chrome bumper...but I like it.
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cc.com stickers. hey, can I get naxja stickers anywhere?
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rear bumper after paint
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rockers were competely junk so I cut them all out
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So here's the replacement...
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mounted CB and dual whips. only one is hooked up, 2 for aesthetics.
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replaced passenger side and painted bottom edge black
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gonna put this on the rear
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payed $5 for 2" lift LCA's and lengthened them
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cut them on the bandsaw at my friend's machine shop
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making the plug/extensions
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had to use the lathe for that...
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all done with extensions
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then I cross-drilled the control arms on both sides..8 holes per control arm... for extra strength in welding
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then got my rough country 6.5" lift coils and adjustable trackbar. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE TRACKBAR LENGTH SHOULD BE?!


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and in case you're wondering, yes I did put 33x12.50 tires on a stock 89 comanche. and no, it wasn't being driven except in and out of the shop.

anyways, that's it so far. any more ideas? opinions?
 
thats a really nice looking truck!
 
IslanderOffRoad said:
thats a really nice looking truck!

thanks. and it's been in wisconsin it's whole life!:worship:

lil background on me..I've owned 7 comanches, and 1 cherokee. 3 were parts comanches, one is my 1986 which I put a 1996 camaro 3800 in (waaay more powerful than a 4.0 and quite the upgrade from a 2.8), one is this one, another one was an 87 sport truck shorbed I got for $200 and sold for $1300 without spending any $$$ on to fix, and the other is my 86 beater...soon to be parts truck. the cherokee was parts for the interior and rust-free doors etc.

my bro drives an 88 pioneer MJ 4.0 lifted (seen in background in a pic here), and my dad drives a stock 86 MJ 2.1 Renault Turbo Diesel.

so right now there are 5 comanches on my property.

oh, I have to have this thing done by august 10th for a trip to the badlands with the comancheclub...maybe I'll see some of ya there!
 
yup. i like it. being a comanche club member myself i came over here to look for some info.. used to be a cherokee owner till i sank it. loved it. Now i have a tj i am trying to sell to fund my 4x4 6cyl conversion!

I want a comanche club sticker!
 
bhorocks said:
yup. i like it. being a comanche club member myself i came over here to look for some info.. used to be a cherokee owner till i sank it. loved it. Now i have a tj i am trying to sell to fund my 4x4 6cyl conversion!

I want a comanche club sticker!

I like cherokees, but my ideal would be a crew cab comanche with a 5 foot bed like the one on cc.com
 
i think the 97+ xj dash swap and frontend is the coolest thing. Just hard to find that dash. I'm on commanche club as well and have been doing some posting there. I was thinking about a 4.3 but decided it is just easier to stick with the 4.0 seeing how i know them through and through and they are reliable.

How many manches you own? 4?


Yup, the quad cab commanche is slick. thats the red 4 door right? good looking truck.
 
RyanM said:
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Hope you don't use those bolts.:gee::wierd:

haha, nope. they were just there to bolt through the arms and keep them square. worked real well :D

and yes, I personally have 3 comanches right now, my brother owns one, and my dad has the 86 Renault...which will be mine once dad gets the duramax.
 
dropped the front axle today and got started on the UCA's

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got 1 upper control arm done measured and tac welded


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the lower half attached to the angle iron reinforcement that I'm using.
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it's done! just needs finish welded. note that I used the angle iron on the bottom as reinforcement, and I have only 1 cut that I made. took a piece of one control arm that was 8" long, and a piece that was just under 8" (both from the center of the bushings) and that gave me what I needed for measurements. end result, finished CA. I also added plates from the leftovers as security to reinforce the control arm...
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by the way, I used zinc coat weldable primer prior to welding because I wanted the inside (under the angle iron) to be painted with some sort of paint for rust prevention.

what do y'all think so far?

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then also put the coil springs on the axle. gotta remove the shocks from it tomorrow while the last control arm dries, then I can put the ca's on the frame and then the axle up in there and be done in time for tea!

then a few poser pics are in order, and bring it back in turn her around, and drop the rear axle out for the SOA.
 
Looks awesome so far, thats a pretty clean truck man!

GLXJ is having the summer wheeling bash on the 11th and 12th at the badlands so if you guys stay for the 11th is should be one helk of an XJ/MJ reunion!
 
jeepcomj said:
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE TRACKBAR LENGTH SHOULD BE?!

This will vary based on the actual lift you get. Once you get the CAs and springs in, lower it down so it sits at ride height. Then turn your wheels and "wiggle" it so the axle is centered. Then just adjust the TB as nessesary and bolt it up.

Good luck with that Track Bar... mine only lasted a couple weeks! RC does have great customer service if it goes bad, but I wouldn't want this to happen going down the highway.

Great looking truck! I have never been a big fan of the waggy front, but it looks real good on a MJ.
 
Last edited:
got the lift all installed, can't get the axle to center in the frame.

So I'm gonna disconnect the drag link and push the body around until it's centered, then bolt it all up.
 
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