Chronic issues, highway manners (or lack of), parts availability? Anything to look for? Prices go from $800 to $8,000.
One not far away:
Florida Jeep Comanche. Not rotted. Automatic 4.0 H.O. Swap. 4x4 Lund sun visor Extra set of MINT tail lights Comanche specific Lund Visor Needs a little mechanical to complete. Have all new parts minus fuel pump . New brakes installed on rear and 4 new tires. Needs installed, front wheel bearings, brakes, fuel pump.
buy it for 2600.. good trucks and generally reliable like an cherokee(with common mopar issues).. but you could get it running, clean it up and sell it for 5K pretty easy.
This one needs tinkering - plane will be leaving my garage the first week of January leaving a hole.
I would keep it. Fetched a Christmas tree this year with a Jetta, first time in 40 years we haven't had a truck.
914Driver said:This one needs tinkering - plane will be leaving my garage the first week of January leaving a hole.
I would keep it. Fetched a Christmas tree this year with a Jetta, first time in 40 years we haven't had a truck.
you shoudl buy it.
Had a friend that owned one in college, his was 2.5/2wd/5spd with a small lift kit. Kind of a cool truck. I remember thinking that the cab was not very spacious at all, like it should have been a few inches longer. I think it was a pretty good little truck but that was cough cough years ago. I think I'd rather have a similar-era Mazda B2200.
They rust badly.
Many Cherokee parts fit.
Nah, that Mazda is much smaller. If anything, a Comanche is closer to Dakota size.
I'm talking about how perceived space in the cab, not overall vehicle size/length. It also seems like, per Wikipedia, that the B-series at the time in its smallest config was still longer than the Comanche even thought it had five inches less wheelbase and a few inches less width to play with. The Mazda just seemed a bit nicer to ride in and the quality was probably a little higher as well.
I had a Comanche Eliminator. Fastest compact pickup available until the SY/TY twins arrived.
Mine was apparently built at beer-thirty on the Friday before a labour strike.
Everyone else I know has had great luck with them, mine was one of the worst hunks-o-junk I've ever worked on. Transmission problems, Renix fuel injection problems, rear end problems, death wobble...
If it weren't so fun to drive I would have had it crushed.
They're more or less a Cherokee with a pickup bed. If that thing is as rust free as advertised, I won't quite call it a steal, but it's definitely a deal. One of my college buddies has one now and it took him over a year of searching to find one in similar condition for more money. He's actually not too far from you either.
Based on my experiences with my Cherokee, parts availability is excellent for anything not specific to the Comanche and they're super cheap to work on. Benefits of a nearly 20 year production run for the platform. The biggest issues, IIRC, are the Renix fuel injection system (although if it's got a 4.0 HO swap that should be eliminated), the early Peugeot 5 speeds (that should be an Aisin Warner auto, though I think, which are supposedly stout), and the fully pressurized cooling systems in the earlier models, which that example looks to have.
That should have either an NP231 or NP242 (if it has full time 4wd position) chain driven transfer case, both of which are reasonably stout and super common. Rear is likely a Dana 35 or Chrysler 8.8 (not 100% sure the Comanche got the 8.8, actually), or possibly the sought after Dana 44, in ascending order of desirability, but if you're not lifting it and putting 33s and a locker on it it shouldn't matter much.
Highway manners are not great, but live able if you don't lift it (and seriously, don't lift it unless you plan on doing serious wheeling - worst mod I ever did to any car I've owned.) They are prone to death wobble, so I'd advise you plan on going through the whole front end at some point in time.
I'd buy that thing in a heartbeat if I were in the market for another truck. They're cheap and simple to work on and I don't think you'll lose money at that price.
Thanks Furious, good stuff. I may have shot myself in the foot, seller says it won't start because of a bad fuel pump (in the tank). I suggested looking at the ballast resistor on the inner fender, hell if he fixes for under $10 he may wash it and jack up the price!
No intention of lifting or wheeling it. Seller says it was originally a 4.0 2WD, he added the four wheel peel. Trying to get out there next week.
Edit:
Roominess. Even in the full size Chevy, wearing a winter coat and boots it felt small. As I won't be living in the thing, I don't think comfort will be a huge issue.
Dan
Always thought these were super cool. I have fond memories of my 4.0 Cherokee of the same vintage.
My daughter has a 1995 Cherokee that I keep running for her. Its generally really reliable, the things I fix tend to be common to older vehicles, electronics and wear items. I would recommend some work on the front end to eliminate the death wobble. Hers was a Florida car and everything rubber dried out to the point of failure.
You need to straighten your posture and suck in your gut.
You need to pull back your shoulders and tighten your butt.
Come Comanche Comanche Comanche come on
If you want to have cities you have to build roads.
I've heard these are unibodies from cab forward and then frame in the rear for the bed. Like a mullet. Business in the front, party in the back.
Geez Chandler, with all those comedians out of work?
I just committed to buy it.
Film at 11:00 .....
In reply to 914Driver :
You've made the right decision and we're all rooting for you.
Cars on Trailer thread coming up (if the guy responds)
Yes!
Woot - photographic evidence required.
I like the truck but was hoping it was a 720 cubic inches 8 cylinder Commanche 400.
Spoke with the seller last night, committed to buying it but can't pick it up until next weekend (his scheduling).
Asked if he wanted a deposit, no. Again this morning I asked, offered to send the full amount it a certified check or direct deposit to his bank. No that's OK. He just texted that a local is looking at it tonight. I started to text him then decided to call.
"Well, I met him once a few years ago....." Wait, I committed to buy it, offered to send money etc. "Yeah, well I don't consider it sold until I have money in hand". OK, you'll have the full amount in 30 minutes, I'll run to the bank. "Well, this other guy...."
Listen, that's no way to do business. I don't do business that way, I wouldn't sell it out from under you!
"Yeah well..."
Moving on ......
Sounds like you made the right call.
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