Restoring a 1987 Jeep Comanche: Seeking Advice on Common Pain Points & Upgrades

[Daisy L.]

Hey MJ enthusiasts!

I recently picked up an ’87 Comanche (4.0L, 2WD, long bed) as a project truck and could use some collective wisdom from those who’ve been in the trenches. While I’ve owned XJs before, the MJ’s unique quirks have me digging deeper.

Key Questions:

1. Rust Prevention: The rear leaf spring mounts are almost solid—what’s your go-to treatment for slowing down Midwest rot? Woolwax vs. POR-15?
2. Suspension Upgrades: For 2WD owners who’ve converted to a mild lift (2-3”), did you retrofit XJ parts or find MJ-specific solutions?
3. Interior Hacks: The dash is cracked, and seats are shot—any creative swaps (e.g., WJ seats?) that don’t require major fab work?
4. Electrical Gremlins: Any particular trouble spots (Renix-era quirks?) I should preemptively address?

Current Project:
Prepping for a budget-friendly refresh:

• Replacing the fuel tank straps (already rusted through)
• Hunting for an unbroken rear window latch (why are these so brittle?!)
• Debating whether to keep the original bench or swap for buckets

Discussion Starters:

• What’s one MJ-specific part you always scavenge from junkyards?
• Any mods you regret or wish you’d done sooner?
• Share your favorite resource for obscure MJ diagrams/part numbers!

Excited to learn from this dedicated community—photos of your builds welcome!

 

[Goose_XJ88]

Suspension you are prob going to need to do a custom leaf order or do an add a leaf and XJ coils (same as MJ)

Interior, There are a few swaps I've seen but it all depends on what your definition of major fab work is.

Electrical for a renix, follow the Cruiser 54 Mostly Renix tips/tricks.

Buckets for the MJ use different sliding rails than XJ but the seats themselves are the same 87-94. Whatever you do, hold nto the bench sliders as a just in case since they arent manufactured and only for our trucks.

MJ part I always grab would be the tail gate and tail lights. If yours doesn't have it, id also grab the carpet for the back of the cab.

Mods done sooner would be the LED interior lights. IDK if anyone sells them because the guy I bought mine from closed down shop. LED headlights are also up there on the to-do.


Not to steer you away from this forum but for MJ stuff, the Comanche club forum is a much larger resource for MJ specific info.


Here is a bunch of MJ specific pictures that I have amassed over the years that are not FSM pics which are not allowed to be posted. hope this helps.