Manche Build

[mmclain]

Thought I would share my Comanche build here, since this is the regional chapter and I will most likely be seeing and wheeling with you folks. A little backround on myself, I have alway been a Jeep man. Owned a YJ as my first Jeep and it was downhill from there. I have gone through 2 YJ's, an XJ and now am on to my Comanche.

This goes back to 2011. My cherokee was getting in pretty bad shape rust wise, I found this comanche on craigslist for the right price.......$450.00 and it was inspected for a year. The bed was pretty much done for from rust, but the cab and floorboards were in great shape. It was a ONE owner, with 366,000 miles when I picked it up in November 2011. So I kept it stock for a few months while I gathered parts. Waggy 44's, some 35" xterrains, NP435. I had leaf sprung my xj and i loved the way it worked, so I planned on going this route on the comanche also.

Working at a foundry in the maintenance department has it's perks. They allow me to come in after hours and use there scrap steel/welders/plasma cutter. Can't beat that so I started on my front bumper.

Added some final touches.

Parts arriving from UPS can make a grown man act like a kid. High steer knuckles, arms and 5/8" hiem steering.

 

[mmclain]

Started the process on Memorial Day weekend of 2012. Took about 1.5 months, longer that I wanted, but working in the stones and the heat can make you loose motivation quickly. Rear was pretty basic, just swapping in the waggy 44.

Drag Manche!!!
For the front I decided to go a slightly different route than my cherokee. On my xj I used the lca mounts for the leaf springs. On th manche I decided to cut the LCA mounts off and make my own spring mounts.

I will try to get more detailed pictures when I get home, this is all I have for now. Oh yeah, that sweet ass topper is still available if anybody wants it, free to any home.

 

[MoparManiac]

Bitchin :thumbup:

 

[mmclain]

Able to get up some more photos of my front leaf springs. These are the brackets I fabbed up. I actually 6" x 6" tubing cut in half. Has a nicer radius than angle iron and fits around the frame rails nicely. I bolted them through the frame and also the floorboards, mainly because this is temporary until I get around to plating the frame.

And I must say I love my steering setup. Probably the best money I've spent, all other builds from here on out will have highsteer.

Got everything done just in time to test the Manche out at the PA Jeeps all breed jeep show. Definitely

a good show for those who have never attended.

 

[mmclain]

Picked up this bed a few weeks ago for the right price. It was on a 4-runner turned truggy, but is very close to the Manche cab. Great starting point.

And for shits and giggles, my leaf spring Jeeps!

Burned the clutch up in the Pukegot. I wasn't about to throw pull that trans for a clutch so I picked up a new clutch with an ax15 to swap in. Then we went to Rausch. Was a great day, except for my one buddy on the comp course.

Don's have many photos from Rausch, but who says leaf springs can't flex!!!

Basically this is how it sits now. Once the weather gets semi decent my goal is to get the flatbed one and the NP435/205 setup I picked up. I will try to keep up to date with this build now that it's present time. Going to pick up a welder in 24 hours, starting to get motivated again, especially since I have a tow rig now.

 

[Andy in Pa.]

Nice, I am digging your MJ. I remember seeing it at PA Jeeps and wondered who you were. Yeah, the tube bed is the ticket. The MJ beds (especially yours being a long bed) just get in the way when trails get tight. I had an MJ for a while, and was always real careful with the bed, and mine was a short bed. Good luck with it, and keep us posted on the changes.

 

[Hammered]

If I had a manche and was scrapping the bed I'd look into something like this - or build one

 

[mmclain]

Thanks for the input guys. While I would like more of a pickup type bed on the comanche, the tube bed is the route I need to go for what I want to end up with (full exo when i have the fund$$$), plus I have a fullsize pickup. My bed is already trashed from one trip to Rausch and few trip to the local trails here in York.

Does anybody here have any experience swapping in the NP435 to the 4.0. I have been reading up and am pretty sure I have all my bases covered, but I want to be positive I have everything ready to go.

I have the np435/205 and a t176 bellhousing with the clutch fork and pivot ball.
I know I will need the following:

Pilot bushing from A.A
Throw out bearing
external slave cylinder (from 2.5l iron duke I believe) and return spring
Figure out the CPS

I believe that my current flywheel and clutch will work (am I ok to assume this?)

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[twodoorXJ]

Sweet rig... What was the name of that guy with the black XJ who rolled on the comp course? Caleb, maybe?

 

[mmclain]

No his name is Charles, aka Bucket. Also from the York area.

 

[squashman702]

1st gen Cummins tow rig?

 

[mmclain]

1st gen Cummins tow rig?

Yes sir. 1990 D250. Another great craigslist find. 2 owner, 133,000 miles and almost rust free. I did some pump work, a 3200 spring and straight pipe exhaust. I am in love with that truck, runs and tows great. (i am not into "roaling coal", just wanted a ba picture)

 

[CTeunuch]

WAY cooler than Ken's MJ, keep us posted on the NP435 swap.

I'm digging that 1st Gen too.

 

[MoparManiac]

Check out my build thread. I had an NP435/D20 behind the 4.0 in my MJ before the 440.

 

[cmelo]

Check out my build thread. I had an NP435/D20 behind the 4.0 in my MJ before the 440.

Like he needs your help. This dude has a comanche with front leaves and a first gen cummins. Maybe YOU should take notes on HIS build.

 

[D.I.T.A]

what a bitchen tow rig i love those 1st gens and the mj is cool too i geuss

 

[kastein]

How's your frame? It's always odd how jeeps can rust in completely different ways, yours seems to have just gotten random spots everywhere while mine (and most others I've seen) got rust over the wheel wells and in a few other spots. My frame is getting kinda haggard these days too, hopefully yours didn't get eaten up and the bed is the worst of the rust.

WAY cooler than Ken's MJ, keep us posted on the NP435 swap.

I'm digging that 1st Gen too.

He's got real axles under it and it even has the driveshafts connected to something right now, how is this even a comparison?

You know what? If you want to give me crap, do it in the lots o post thread, not some other dude's build thread.

 

[jeepguy72987]

nice build. my next jeep i want to get a comanche

 

[mmclain]

How's your frame? It's always odd how jeeps can rust in completely different ways, yours seems to have just gotten random spots everywhere while mine (and most others I've seen) got rust over the wheel wells and in a few other spots. My frame is getting kinda haggard these days too, hopefully yours didn't get eaten up and the bed is the worst of the rust.

Frame is solid. I have never seen another vehicle rust the way this MJ did. The passenger side of the truck is solid, only rust is like you said right above the wheel well. But the drivers side has rust all over the bed and drivers door. The only thing I can think of is the PO had parked this truck the same way for 22 years, like into a carport or something where the truck was only exposed to the elements on the drivers side.

 

[CTeunuch]

He's got real axles under it and it even has the driveshafts connected to something right now, how is this even a comparison?

You know what? If you want to give me crap, do it in the lots o post thread, not some other dude's build thread.

Just busting your balls Ken, relax...