Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Impact on January 30, 2007, 09:25:53 PM
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I am looking for any suggestions on what year would be the best one to purchase a comanche pickup (86-93). Are there any years where they had a 4L/Auto/4x4 combo? How about that combo with a D44 rear... I am thinking that I would like to run 35's with a newer Cherokee high pinion D30 and a D44 rear with bushwacker cut out fender flares. Does anybody have any ideas on what would be the best suspension lift to go with, possibly a Rusty's 8".... Also if there are any pics that someone wants to share in regards to theirs I would love to see them.
George
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All the years except the 86 would have a 4.0 option. 86's used 2.5 and 2.8's. All the rest of the years were 2.5's and 4.0's, 91-92 would have the HO. The only Comanche option that would have a D44 would be the Metric Tonne package.
As for the lift, that depends who you talk to. Alot of people don't like Rusty's stuff. Real good reviews on Rubicon Express, and if you feel like spending extra time on installation, the Skyjacker 8" lift will go on.
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Why don't people like Rusty's stuff???
Skyjacker 8" kit? Is that for a Cherokee? The 8" kit for a Cherokee runs about $2800 US not including shocks...lol, YIKES!!! Do you know of any body that has put the 8" kit on? Is that just by using the front axle kit then mickey mousing the rear axle?
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As stated find one with the metric tonne package for a D44
As for suspension, the front with be the same as a Cherokee, so there are lots of good kits out there. For the rear, switch it to SUA setup and put in a 2-3" XJ lift springs and you should be good. For 35s you will probably need at least 6-7" of lift
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Why don't people like Rusty's stuff???
everyone I've talked to said that they are hard to deal with. :?
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everyone I've talked to said that they are hard to deal with. :?
There's also reports of broken products, which are hard to get replaced under warranty due to them being hard to deal with.
Any XJ lift should work with the MJ's. Only time they don't is if they have a BA10/5 manual. If you go with longarms, the LCA frame mounts on a MJ are reinforced more than an XJ (i think), so it'll take a bit more to cut them off. Shouldn't be a problem with a plasma.
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check with Apu on the Eco forum, he lifted an Mj 7or 8" and put 36" Irocs on it. I think they had a problem with axle wrap.
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Yup. Jonny spinmunki and I lifted his comanchee and it did in fact have 36 iroks . the munki did'nt buy a kit we pieced a bunch o stuff together and " made it happen"
So here what we came up with in the end that worked well. it rode well flexed awesome and did in fact have some axle wrap that never did get delt with.
We used skyjacker 8 " tj springs up front, rubicon express arms with the super trick flex joints, adjustable tj track bar, TJ front shocks ( i can't remember what brand ) home made sway bar links that i don't think he ever disconnected. And if i remember correctly we didnt do anything to the steering except an aftermarket stabilizer.
in the back we did a simple springover removeing a a leaf from the stock pack, es 3ooo shocks and a yj extended break line, we also tilted up the pinion to match the angle up front and had no vibes.
now the munki had to do some fender trimming and he just kept going until everthing fit nicely. i'll try to find a picture. pm me if you have any questions and i'll try to answer them .. cheers
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(http://www.missioncontrol.ca/pics/rob.jpg)
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(http://www.members.shaw.ca/jeeper/MJstrap.jpg)
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:P ....WOW,
That is kind of the look that I am wanting! I like the pics. How did the original axles hold up under those 36's? What kind of RE control arms did you use? How about the trac bar, is that also RE? I have been in contact with RE and they told me that their 5.5" MJ kit can also have 7.5" XJ coils added in to clear the 35's I want..... THey don't tho have a lift for the rear to match the 7.5" XJ coils :( Any company that you would suggest I look into for the rear? How do the skyjacker coils ride? How much were they worth?
Thanks
George
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THey don't tho have a lift for the rear to match the 7.5" XJ coils :( Any company that you would suggest I look into for the rear? How do the skyjacker coils ride? How much were they worth?
Thanks
George
George, commanches are sprung under, so by switching to a spring-over setup are you gaining about 5.5" right there. Then all you need to do is get some 2" lift springs, then you are set to match the front
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i think the track bar was rubicon express and the munki seemed to like the front coild. the axles held up fine mind you he had a d44 in the back and a d30 up front that had a bunch of wizardry done to it as well. because we just peiced a bunch of stuff together i don't have any sound experience with an mj kit. how ever. every time you say rustys around any one they cringe. i'd shop around.
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Hi,
Just found out that Rough Country carries a lift kit for the Comanche.
Kit includes front coil springs, front upper & lower adjustable control arms, transfer case drop kit, front adjustable track bar, adjustable swaybar disconnects, power steering pitman arm, brake line relocating brackets, 4 Heckethorn 8000 series shocks, and rear lift shackles.
$995 US.... Any dealers in Canada?
Additional Notes
Kit requires rear leaf spring axle flip and includes new leaf spring mounting plates.Welding is Required
Has anybody heard anything about this kit or has any dealings with Rough Country?
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What about a D44 out of an XJ, they are already SOA
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What about a D44 out of an XJ, they are already SOA
That would work , however the spring perches will have to come off to set the driveline angle.
The other challenge is finding one.
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That is a great idea! I was thinking about that. I think that the D44 was only put into the 87 XJ??? AM I not right. It would save me a LOT of hassel with the welding as I do not have a welder :( yet any ways...lol. I am not sure about the pinion angles lining up correctly with a 5-6 inch lift. I guess then I'd have to shim it until I get it right. Is the ford 8.8 from a bronco/ranger a spring over?
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No matter what axle you use, MJ D44, XJ D44, 8.8 you will likely have to do some welding. I know the spring perches on a explorer 8.8 are narrower than a YJ.
The XJ and MJ D44s were on models with the metric tonne package and I believe you can get them up to 92ish.
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The spring perches on an XJ are not the same width as an MJ. Few inches off I think.
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The XJ and MJ D44s were on models with the metric tonne package
What do you mean by "metric tonne package"? What does that mean and what/how do I look for that in a XJ?
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It was like a towing package. A metric tonne is larger than an imperial ton, so hence the larger axle.
Now what to look for, there are tons of links around for axle IDs showing the different pumpkin shapes, print one off for the D44. I believe the most common years for the XJ D44 was 87, and up here in Canada I heard we got more than the US.
Other than that I don't know anymore, happy hunting