How are the MJs?

[BlackAura]

Hey guys, I think I've posted a couple times asking about vehicles, but I've decided, for the time being, a 2005 Rubicon isn't fiscally responsible (it would significantly detract from my condo downpayment).

For a while I was looking at possible Yota Trucks or something like that, and then saw the Comanche Call Out here, and now I'm considering them as well.

So, I guess what I'm wondering is: how are the Comanches off road?  ...also are they reliable for winter driving?

As I've mentioned before (I think?), I'm looking for a vehicle I can have fun with (and don't mind breaking) in the summer, as I've got a summer car and motorcycle as alternate vehicles, but I would want something reliable for a winter daily driver (so I couldn't build it up past the point of reliability).

There are a few issues that I can see with looking at the MJs:
- Can't pull the top off, like a TJ
- Won't have stock lockers like the Rubicon (one of the main reasons I was considering the Rubis)
- Transfer case won't have the gear ratio the Rubis have
- Only made for 8 years or so
- Older vehicles, probably have some rust, might be hard to find a decent one
- Shares some parts, but does it share all?
- How many are left to swipe parts from?
- Will probably need repairs much more often than a newer vehicle

But some bonuses as well:
- Has a bed, so you can haul a lot more
- I'm guessing it can pull a lot more than a TJ (maybe not compared to an unlimited though)
- Due to age, not nearly as pricey as the other options I've been looking at
- Won't care if I get some rocky mountain pinstriping, or worse
- Same old inline six 4.0L engine

Other thoughts:
- What will I need to offroad it, and are these items readily available?
- Upgrade the diffs / with lockers ideally...or get the diffs now with lunchbox lockers later?
- Upgrade the Tcase / Tranny / Bumpers / Rims
- Purchase some offroading tires

So, I'd like to ask you Comanche owners out there, what your thoughts are, and if you can answer any of my questions or allay some of my fears, and also, how you guys feel about this truck:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-pickup-trucks-Jeep-4x4-Comanche-W0QQAdIdZ200757908#

One of the few I've found on Kijiji over the past couple months, so I thought I'd discuss it a little.

I'm not sure how the mileage is for those engines, but I'm sure newer engines are readily available to be swapped in (I've seen a few in the marketplace, and while it's not something I've done before, I have a few friends who can help and my dad has done it).  Sounds like it's been taken care of, mostly.

My issue is that it looks like it's been repainted, and you can see some bubbling (I think?) on the box behind the passenger door.  Might be worth going and checking it out though.

Thanks for any input you guys can provide!

--Kevin

[cLAY]

MJ are share the Cherokee(XJ) platform so most parts crossover. They have long box and short box, I would guess a SB would be better offroad. In the winter you may need to put weight in the box since it will probably be light on the rear axles and want to fish around.

The XJ is the best "out of the box" stock vehicle there is for offroading so the MJ should do well. My biggest beef is the cab is small with no extended cab option. Too bad they never made it in a 4 door with a small box from the factory.

[Jrama]

Related question......Could you fit a lift kit for a cherokee under a MJ?

[Moo$e]

the front you can fit a xj lift under but the back has longer leafs then the xj but you can do a soa for easy lift in the back

[Waytec]

I know there are guys on this sight that have a lot more experience than I do with the MJs. I have a somewhat built XJ to wheel and a 1990 MJ to rebuild/restore and DD.
MJ to XJ from the doors forward they are the same. they stopped building them in 1992. the front of a XJ lift will fit but the rears wont. A XJ has a spring over axel and a MJ is spring under axel. and the spring s are in different locations on the axel. The RE 5.5 lift comes with all the front stuff but just the brackets to convert to a spring over. stock height of a MJ is lower than a XJ.
Parts from the doors forward MJ and XJ are the same so you can swap 4 door XJ parts onto a MJ with no issues. For the boxes more long boxes where made so they are more common. In my experience finding a short bon in good shape and the guy does not want a left nut for are far and few in-between.
For more info check out Comanche Club .com
personally if you want a dally driver and wheeler you cannot beet a XJ they are cheap, easy to find lots of parts and easy to lift. and yes you can fit 33s with 3.5 inches of lift, but you had better like the saws-all and welder.
MJs are really cool and I get questions about mine all the time and it is in bad shape. but it is a love.

[Justink]

Love my comanche.  Try to get '90 or newer so as you get an AX15 tranny instead of the pukegoat BA10.  The high output motor (91+) is nice, but the renix is good to.  The metric tonne equipped comanches could haul about 2000 lbs ?  Also if you get one with the metric tonne package you will get a dana 44 rear diff. A common problem is that floors/rocker panels like to rot out.  You can do a cheap 3'' lift (700?)  As mentioned above everything from the doors forward are the same as the cherokee.
Definately check out Comancheclub.com.
Hope this helps,
Justin

[dunl]

Coming in a little late here to the discussion, but I'll third the www.comancheclub.com

Excellent info, and a good search function now that Pete has revamped it. 

I love our Comanche.  It works well offroad.  You can usually run 31" tires stock, depending on the sag in the springs. 

Lots of them around if you look hard enough.  If you expect rust for the price, then you'll find several to choose from.  If you are looking for rust-free, check in California or Nevada....there's none up here. 

[Waytec]

I thought rust was a standard option from the factory.

[BlackAura]

Awesome, thanks for all the great info guys, I've started lurking around on ComancheClub.com now.

No one really mentioned anything about the one I was looking at...except...looks like the ad is gone, but the truck is still on Kijiji (probably reposted).

Link Here:
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-pickup-trucks-1990-Jeep-Comanche-4x4-W0QQAdIdZ202239022

My big worry is that it looks to be somewhat recently repainted, and there could still be rust underneath (there's bubbling it looks like, on the passenger side, on the box).  However, the seller mentions that the box was recently replaced with a non-rusted one (maybe just less rust, since it sounds like they're hard to find? )

Also any thoughts on the price, and if it's reasonable (I'll try to lurk a little more on ComancheClub.com to see how the prices on there compare).  The new ad actually mentions a lot more about what's been done to it, and it sounds like the owner has taken good care of it (for I'm guessing the 2.5 years he's owned it...as it says "maintenance done int he last 2.5 years."

Any chance the owner is on CJA?  Or anyone on here know the owner?

It's actually fairly close to my work, so maybe I'll see if I can take a look at it later this week.  It would be great if I can get something in time for CJA101.  Sounds like I'd need a spare tire (unless there's a chance it's mounted under the box?) and tow points, to be able to take her on the course.

Try to get '90 or newer so as you get an AX15 tranny instead of the pukegoat BA10.  The high output motor (91+) is nice, but the renix is good to.
<snip>
Justin

Sounds like this one would have the AX15 tranny, but only the Renix engine, and the stock diffs. (Edit: Dana 30 in the front, Dana 35 in the rear?)  From the pictures I'm guessing short box (compared to the original brochure pictures I found on google).

How many miles are you guys pushing on yours?  I'm a little worried about 260k kms, that sounds like a lot.

Thanks again for all the advice so far!

Edit: Totally wrong on the diffs :p

[BlackAura]

Eep, just read this on ComancheClub.com

"understand the 4.0L, when properly used past 200,000 IS a carbon creating monster- accept blowby- its a fact of life.
and always remember, the volt gauge LIES."

[BlackAura]

Heh, it was mocked a little on ComancheClub.

http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=23143

Understandable.  Very doubtful I'd get 30mpg.  One site I found online said ~18mpg, give or take.

Wow....except...apparently this review from 2008 says you can get 24mpg.

http://www.edmunds.com/jeep/comanche/1992/consumerreview.html

(not that I'm seriously considering the gas mileage on a Jeep, if that were the only thing I cared about, I'd be looking at Civics)