1987 jeep comanche - Thinking of buying Help!

F

ffjosh

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Indiana
I was searching craigslist for a XJ and came across a Jeep Comanche for $600 OBO. They say its runs and goes, has a 4 inch lift and 35 inch tires.

Problem is, I have no clue about them:roflmao:, What to look for, what kind of axles to look for, problems ect.

Searched a little but on this site and it seems to be almost like a XJ.

Anyone send me to the right spot to search for these kinds of things? Or tell me a few things to search for?
 
www.comancheclub.org

From the b-pillar forward, it's basically identical to an XJ. From the B-pillar backwards, it's unique (except for axles).

Rust is the #1 issue; check thoroughly for it. Also, things like tail lights, tailgates and the bed are unique to the MJ. If any of those are FUBAR, it's fairly difficult to find replacements.
 
bigalpha said:
www.comancheclub.org

From the b-pillar forward, it's basically identical to an XJ. From the B-pillar backwards, it's unique (except for axles).

Rust is the #1 issue; check thoroughly for it. Also, things like tail lights, tailgates and the bed are unique to the MJ. If any of those are FUBAR, it's fairly difficult to find replacements.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the link. I am sure it has some rust but from the front end hood picture its looks nice.

I would not bother me too much if the bed was Fubar as I would just tube it lol

But I would like to keep it so I can get some fire wood
 
Check very thoroughly where the bed meets the cab -- apparently, they tend to rust there.

Also, pull the carpet and check the floorboards for rust.

For $600 with a 4" lift and 35" tires, I would definitely look hard as that's a very low price.
 
Yeah, check the frame where it goes from unibody to ladder frame - look for the bottoms of the rails bulging, that means there is rust living inside them between the two sheets of metal. Look at the floorboards from underneath it to check for rust - if you can, pull the carpets and look for rust on the top as well. If there is any rust on the bottoms of the seat brackets or the bolts holding them to the floor, expect rust on the floor pans. Also check for rust on the brake lines, fuel lines, transmission cooler lines, and pretty much anything under it for that matter. What rear axle does it have (if it's got an oval shaped cover, it's a dana 35, if the cover has angled corners and is roughly hexagon shaped it's a dana 44 - you want a 44 but it's not too too expensive to swap in other axles, dana 35s just suck.) If it's got a dana 35 I'll laugh because you shouldn't have 35" tires on one of those, but people do it all the time and then come here for help or to validate their delusions when they wonder why it blew up on them. Don't let that dissuade you though if it's got a good solid frame and little to no floor pan rust, the rest is stuff you can handle and replacing an axle isn't that big a deal if you are a decent shade tree mechanic.
 
I got lucky that mine didn't have rust. I attribute it to approximately the last 100,000 miles it was driven with leak RMS, FMS, Trans line, oil filter adapter, VCG.
 
Most of the MJs around here are scary. TURK RUNS GRATE DRIVE EVERDAY, or Runs and drives good. May need towed, haven't driven it. What region are you checking?
 
no need to link commanche club everytime someone asks about an mj, naxja's got you covered!.

as has been said, b-pillar forward its the same as the xj, the rear suspension and 'frame' rails are slightly differant, as are seats and lower control arm mounts

as far as axles, most mj's are 2wd with the same 2wd front beams as the xj gets. in 4x4 models it'll have an xj d30, out back it can have the d30, d44 (differant perche setup than the xj d44, but otherwise identical). ive also seen em with a amc20 (metric ton package? feature)
engine size/build config determans gearing.

you can easily lift the rear 5-6" just by switching to Spring over leaf configuration. (installing an xj axle in an mj isnt drop-in, they have differant spring widths)

any more specific questions, just ask (preferably here)
 
xcm said:
as far as axles, most mj's are 2wd with the same 2wd front beams as the xj gets. in 4x4 models it'll have an xj d30, out back it can have the d30, d44 (differant perche setup than the xj d44, but otherwise identical). ive also seen em with a amc20 (metric ton package? feature)
engine size/build config determans gearing.
Click to expand...

30 front
35, 44, super rare only offered in 86 AMC 20 rears.

oh, and comancheclub.com
 
Yep what they all said. If that is the truck in the pic. Stay away from it. That is a $300 truck at best.

There are tons of them for sale on www.comancheclub.com that are in much better shape.
 
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