new to me MJ

[r.j.c.omanche]

i picked this little jem up for $400. i need to replace the head gasket and have the head rebuilt, but i think its a keeper!

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1110081959-1.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1110082000-1.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1110082000a-1.jpg

[Bo Duke]

Definitely good potential there. Nice score.

[broncowilly]

Nice find. What a bargain, that's what I need for a DD.

[muleshemi]

darn, those mirrors are HUGE

[omz]

NOICE!

always loved those.

[r.j.c.omanche]

darn, those mirrors are HUGE

i know! ;-) i think the previous owner was going to pull a gooseneck :rolleyes:

[cftj]

Can I have the back two feet of bed, and the back foot of the cab? :twisted: They are even the right color...


seriously, though, it is a great looking ride...

[deleted]

[headbang]

[1Hickey]

Sweet! Love the Comanches! Anxious to see it functional!

[r.j.c.omanche]

i called napa today they will send the head to a well known local machine shop, $220 to mill the head flat again and do a valve job. $56 for the 'head gasket kit'. i might need a power steering pump, but we'll see. hopefully i'll get the head off this weekend. :p

[r.j.c.omanche]

here is a link to some better pics:

http://s416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/

[r.j.c.omanche]

well i think the stuff hit the fan with my 2.5L :mad:

i did a compression test on the and found:

#1) 75 psi
#2) 72 psi
#3) 70 psi
#4) 79 psi

then i rechecked each hole with a small amount of oil poured down cylinder

#1) 125 psi
#2) 130 psi
#3) 100 psi
#4) 180 psi

[bang]

from my experience this means the rings are not sealing properly. the truck had a overheating problem and a horrible amount of blow-by, you can see the oil covering the engine and possibly see how the PCV valves are silconed into the valve cover:

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB130147.jpg

also the air filter reminded me of an oil bath type from a tractor :mrgreen:


so i proceded to tear the engine down and i did find a blown head gasket:

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1115082309.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1115082308.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1115082308a.jpg

also i have found either a bad lifter or flat camshaft.
but i am mostly worried about the bottom end. and since i am going to swap an engine in eventually, im thinking a may just do it now.

option #1)
find a complete donor XJ and do a transplant. engine, trans, t-case, ecu, wiring harness, gauges.

option #2)
swap in a GM 3800 V-6. powerful, effecent, and bolts up to my tranny. could be done fuel injected or carbuerated. but i'm not 100% that my tranny or rear axle would hold up to the skinny pedal abuse :evil:

option #3)
i have a horrible, sick, fetish with diesels.[idea1] anybody know of a VW diesel sitting around? i know it would take adapters and all that, but it would [headbang]

[mudnrox]

I have a 4 cylinder that I picked up with my transmission.
It is a early to mid 90s with 80K-85K miles (I was told).

I was also told that it ran good with no oil burning, etc.
I would be willing to let it go cheap.
I would like to keep intake/exhaust and accessories, etc.

[r.j.c.omanche]

pm sent. thanx

[1Hickey]

Don't know if you are still into it, but eastern Nebraska Auto Recylers has a 93 (I think) XJ with the H.O. 4.0, AX15, and NP231 all there that could be bought for a few hundred last time I checked. It had been in a wreck, but the drivetrain was still OK.

[r.j.c.omanche]

thanx for all the info on parts trucks. i will be keeping my ear to the ground for a cheap one.

but for now, IT'S ALIVE!!!! heck yeah, fired it up last night [jump]. i have some issues to deal with, mostly vaccum leaks. and i have to figure out which vaccum lines run the 4wd. whoever was under the hood last disconnected alot of stuff. i have to bolt the head pipe back up to the exhaust manifold. but it won't be long before i [driver] it.

[r.j.c.omanche]

progress pics:

the old lifters, the bad one is closest to the camera
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1119081803.jpg

i got bored yesterday :lol:. its amazing what you can do to a clean engine compartment
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1123081158.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1123081159.jpg

i also put 2" coil spacers on the front, before returning the rented spring compressor
crappy before pic:
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB230157.jpg

after:
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB230168.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB230169.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB230171.jpg

and my new tires:
235/75-15 cooper discoverer s/t
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB230172.jpg

we put a 3" rough country stage II on dad's XJ this weekend, and he took a liking to the aluminum wheels and 31s that came with the 'manche. i like the more aggressive coopers and steel wheels, and they will be easier on my 4-popper. everyone wins.

i'll post up pics of the XJ tomorrow, the ones i took tonite didn't turn out .

[midtownboarder]

Don't know if you are still into it, but eastern Nebraska Auto Recylers has a 93 (I think) XJ with the H.O. 4.0, AX15, and NP231 all there that could be bought for a few hundred last time I checked. It had been in a wreck, but the drivetrain was still OK.

along the same line...i know kendle's auto salvage here in lincoln has several cherokees that had quite a bit of parts left on them last time i was there...i don't have any idea about the engines but it might be worth a call if you are still looking for 4.0 engine or various body parts...

[midtownboarder]

that looks really nice with the 2" spacer and those coopers...a lot more aggressive [thumbs]

[r.j.c.omanche]

that looks really nice with the 2" spacer and those coopers...a lot more aggressive [thumbs]

thanx. i still have to put my add-a-leaf in both rear springs and put the shocks on. i have a almost new set of rough country 8000 hydro shocks from dad's XJ, but im not sure if they'll work. it seems that '90 and earlier use a different shock than '91 and later. if the mounts look the same i might try it just to see. my new brake booster and master cylinder will be in tomorrow after i get those in, i don't have a whole left to do before i can test drive it.

[midtownboarder]

that's all i have left on my xj is putting the rear add-a-leafs in and put the shocks back on before mine's done :D ...do your factory shocks mount with 2 bolts on the top and a stud on the bottom?

[1Hickey]

Man, you're really going at it! Outstanding progress! That thing will be daily driving in no time!

I'm a little jealous.....it's a Comanche!

[r.j.c.omanche]

Man, you're really going at it! Outstanding progress! That thing will be daily driving in no time!

I'm a little jealous.....it's a Comanche!

ha. thanx.

i got the brake booster and master cylinder off tonite and returned it for the core $$. i painted the new set up with some flat black i had laying around and set them in place. but i decided they need to be gloss black, some i gotta get some paint tomorrow nite when i get out of class.

that's all for now.

[r.j.c.omanche]

that's all i have left on my xj is putting the rear add-a-leafs in and put the shocks back on before mine's done :D ...do your factory shocks mount with 2 bolts on the top and a stud on the bottom?

well, the rear shocks have studs at both ends. but the fronts mount exactly the same as an XJ. the shocks that were on the XJ pre lift were about 2" longer than the shocks on my MJ. my cousin had put those shocks on the XJ and they are stock for that '99. but with the BB and add-a-leafs these seem to be a good length for my truck. and my driving impression so far is good. so i think i'm gonna run 'em.

i drove it about 75 miles so far and it is running good. i also checked the 4x4 and low range today, here are some pics.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300175.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300176.jpg

i looks a little 'saggy' in the rear, i might add some shackles to compensate for that.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300178.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300182.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300186.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300183.jpg

and here are a couple pics of dad's XJ with the 3" kit installed.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300189.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB300188.jpg


i guess this week will be the test, i gonna be driving the 'manche (affectionately named 'buck' [thumbs]) to work and school. we'll see how it does.

[cftj]

looks really good...

[midtownboarder]

nice! the xj looks good too!... [thumbs]

[r.j.c.omanche]

update on the 'manche. i have been driving it to work and school for over a month now and the dam thing is doing great! the only reason i don't drive it all the time is cause it doesn't have a radio, yet. i have an alarm left over from my grand waggy project, and i will be pulling the pioneer head unit and alpine subs from my F-150 for the 'manche this weekend. and i got some new alpine 5 1/4" s-types for my doors. [headbang]

i started on some of the painting on the truck, i got some rustoleum hammered finish for my bumpers and wheels. [thumbs] i highly recomend it. then i got some plastic fusion paint for my stock center caps. :cool:
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1206081853.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1206081854.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1207081657.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1207081656a.jpg


i REALLY, REALLY, REALLY like the finished product [cheers]
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/1207081656.jpg

i think this truck has to have some 4.10:1 gears. it is a pooch in traffic, and at 55-60mph. but it pulls 70-75 just fine, i think 4.10s would be about perfect, expecially if i up-size to 31" tires some day. i hope to repaint the interior while i'm doin the stereo and alarm install, but we'll see.

i think i'm gonna paint the truck satin black when the time comes, i saw a o.d. green long box yesterday on my way home from work :mad:. that's all for now.


merry christmas too you all! [cheers]

[midtownboarder]

that hammered paint looks good!

[r.j.c.omanche]

good thing i have a long weekend:lol:
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00023.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00022.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00027.jpg

pieces and parts everywhere
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00024.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00025.jpg


found a small problem with my driver's side door hinges
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00026.jpg

[cftj]

Its a pretty common problem...

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoDoorHinge.htm

This is the dealer TSB
http://www.lunghd.com/Downloads_and_Links/HingeRepair_Early_XJ.pdf

[r.j.c.omanche]

sweet. thanx for the info

[r.j.c.omanche]

well i got the truck back together just in time to drive it to work today (work [puke]) but i did get my alarm and stereo installed. dam it is nice to drown out the wind noise and chassis rattles [driver]. i think the interior looks 20x better, the blue made me want to drive the truck off a cliff.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/PB130138.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00038.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00029.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00033.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00034.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00036.jpg

and i got the spare tire mounted

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/rick_chadwell/commanche/DSC00037.jpg

[cftj]

looking good...

[Bo Duke]

Jason Boland- Proud Souls. GREAT SONG

You know he's playing Lincoln Friday Feb 7?? and Omaha Saturday Feb 8th right?

[82355]

I was going to commend him on the Boland, but you beat me to it.

Martin

[1Hickey]

Man, you are hitting that thing hard! Strong work. You're right, the interior turned out awesome. That's getting to be a pretty cool driver! Still jealous you've got a 'manche.[blackeye]

[midtownboarder]

very nice!

[82355]

Jason Boland- Proud Souls. GREAT SONG

You know he's playing Lincoln Friday Feb 7?? and Omaha Saturday Feb 8th right?

Hey, I heard 4020 is no more. Have you heard the same???

Martin

[r.j.c.omanche]

Jason Boland- Proud Souls. GREAT SONG

You know he's playing Lincoln Friday Feb 7?? and Omaha Saturday Feb 8th right?

i do now. that is awesome, i can't wait.

:D



thanx for all the input guys, i think the truck is coming along nicely. but i wish that work, school, and bills would stop taking up so much of my time. :rolleyes: