xj_maniac_newb

Especially considering he said he was from South Africa.

salad

Welcome to the site. Beware though that this is pretty North American-centric, here the vehicle you drive is marketed the Liberty and is the KJ platform (Cherokee here means XJ). Internet forum-wise you'll find a lot more help if you check out some Jeep Liberty sites.

Just found this one, it looks very very helpful: http://www.lostjeeps.com/

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB...hp?f=5&t=54207 <- handy thread. Link to find service manuals in there...

To be honest, stuff like Haynes and Chiltons will be a waste of your time. Being NA-centric as well they do not have ANY information on the CRDs. If you want a paper copy of generic parts like brake systems they'd probably work, otherwise if I were you I'd just print stuff out from that site.

Dude. He said South *Africa*. I think it's known that the Amazon is in South *America*

onlyinajeep726

Ok guys.... I need some opinions because I can't make a decision...

Looking at two Comanches to potentially obtain and they're both very different from one another.

First one is an '86 2.5L 4-cyl TBI backed by a AX4 4-speed stick. It's a long bed, 4x4, brand new tires and 86,000 miles. Red in color, non-sliding rear glass, dual exhaust, but otherwise stock. Seller is confident you could drive her coast-to-coast with no problem.

Second one is an '89 4.0L I-6 backed by what I would assume is the AX15 5-speed stick. It's got 198k on the clock, 2WD, shortbed with toolbox, blue in color, sliding rear glass, but otherwise stock. He says the transmission feels as though it's not fully disengaging... (Any thoughts on what that could be about?)

My ideal MJ would be a 2WD 5-speed, 4.0L longbed with sliding rear glass, blue in color. So what would y'all do? I'm desperate here... I want an MJ bad. What's the pros and cons of each?

odgreen

I would buy the blue one. Bleed the clutch and drive it. The trans has a 90% chance of being a ba/10.

salad

Not sure why you want 2WD when you can just turn 4WD off? Based on your list of desires it's going to come down to which features you rank higher. If it were me, I'd go with the 4.0. Engine swaps are limited with the '86 since the firewall was moved to accommodate the 4.0. If box length is really that important, then you'd have to keep in mind the '86 will be gutless and weak, limiting any mods or real work unless you replace the whole drive train.

There are a few MJ diehards on here that will probably chime in as soon as he sees this

NewKindOfClown

Hard as it is to say, I'd wait if possible.

I wouldn't buy an '86. Like salad said, the firewall is moved forward because the big motor that year was the less-than-spectacular Chevy V6. That rules out a 4.0L swap when you get tired of trying to haul with a 2.5L 4-cyl. From my understanding, that truck also doesn't have overdrive with the AX-4 (but I'm not a manual trans expert).

For the second truck, you're dealing with a short bed with toolbox. Almost no cargo capacity. You could do a 4WD swap, but consider the the motor already has 200k. Should have life left in it, but you don't know the history.

If you're buying it for wheeling, a 2.5L short bed would be enough power with a short wheelbase, and you could bob the bed for an even better departure angle.

If you're buying as a pickup/winter truck/weekend wheeler--like I did--I suggest a 4.0L longbed configuration. There have been times when I used every inch of my longbed, and you'll want the inline six on the highway.

If you can find one, '91/92 are highly sought after because they have the High Output motor. Very few were made in '92, and a member on ComancheClub is believed to have the last truck off the line.

onlyinajeep726

I forgot about the Peugeot being a possibility. I've been told those are crap trannies...

The reason I prefer 2WD in this case is because the truck will be slightly lighter and honestly, I don't really need another 4x4 as I already have two XJs. I just want a truck to haul things and for a new DD. No intentions (at this point) for her to be anything other than a street rig. (I know, I just spoke blasphemy...)

I did not know about the firewall thing on the '86s, so thank you for the info on that. A potential drivetrain swap was already in the cards later on in the event of 2.5L/AX4 catastrophe. Cargo/box space isn't really too, too high up on the list, as a foot probably won't make that much of a difference. The toolbox could easily be removed from the blue one in the event I need more space.

I'm leaning more towards the blue one at this point, but as Brandon pointed out, it could likely be a BA10/5 and that alone worries me if the owner is already saying it's acting up. If it's as simple as bleeding the clutch, then cool, but I simply don't and won't know until it's mine...

hick92

They believe they found it since when

NewKindOfClown

If it's a BA/10, plan on replacing it. Sounds like you've answered your own question though, now that you've talked it out.

Hick, I've seen people mention it on there for months. I don't know whose it is or if the rumors are accurate.

Brynjaminjones

I know other people have had a lot of difficulty finding stuff for the 2.5 CRD engine. Here is a link to the stuff they managed to find:
http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?board=55.0

hick92

Yeah I ain't exactly been on there much since it changed

onlyinajeep726

Well, after all that, the blue Comanche was evidently sold. The guy removed his ad. Looks like I'll be the owner of an '86 long bed.

armymedic120

I found a sye for the 242 a little while ago, I'll see if I can dig it up

Lowrange2

I'd pass...

I just got rid of an 86 2.5 long bed. They're SOOO gutless. I hated the lack of power.

hick92

Yeah search for a 4.0 mj