New jeep in the family

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 12:31 pm

If the weather does not mess me up, I will be getting my '88 Jeep Comanche (MJ) this evening!

It is a SWB with a 4.0 and an auto. It has the 231 x-fer and HP D30 front, although it is vacuum-disconnect (for now.) It has a fairly rare D44 rear end and 3.73 gears. It has the factory 15x7 styled steel wheels, like a wagon wheel sorta, and some other goodies like the aux. tranny cooler and the like. The truck is very rust free for an '88 XJ/MJ. It is, of course, silver.

This was the result of some horse trading instead of a cash deal, so that is a good thing. I cannot post pics at this time because I have no 'net access that allows it. :-)

As LOST is no longer KJ-centric, my new jeep will feel right at home here.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 1:43 pm

Can't wait to see it in person! Sounds like it's in good shape with a great option list. That's one of the vehicles on my "Bucket List" to own some day.

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 2:01 pm

Tom, it may almost be too nice to do what I want:

4.5" lift front/ SOA rear, 235/85/16 on KJ wheels or 34" LTB's if I can get a good deal on a nice set again, locked-locked. I wanted something for more playtime while using the KJ for a DD/LOST event toy. I wanted something I could drive whereas the FSJ's were getting a little long in the tooth and/or too heavy for the KJ to pull places.

It just had a new radiator put in, and the PO did a water pump while it was apart. New rear main seal. I know, who ever heard of a 4.0 needing a rear main seal?

I wanted something for more playtime while using the KJ for a DD/LOST event toy.

The only pics I have now are from the middle of rad. swap with the front header panel off.

If any of you junk yard hounds can find me the factory roll bar from a first gen Dakota for cheap or a factory MJ roll bar, I'd say nice things about you for months.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:39 pm

Theres one sitting real close down home and did have the roll bar still on it, body is long gone ( well too far to be brought back) . Real shame

I'll check in a couple of weeks.

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:44 pm

Thanks!

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:51 pm

InCommando wrote:

If any of you junk yard hounds can find me the factory roll bar from a first gen Dakota for cheap or a factory MJ roll bar, I'd say nice things about you for months.

Can't wait to see the new beast

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:55 pm

I'll try and post some up later, he sent me some to look over.
Love the white wheels, can't get rid of those !
Actually I think they would look good on mine! :wink:

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:55 pm

I will try to get someone to post some once I get some after I get it.

InCommando · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 2:29 pm

The driver's floor was worse than I thought, but not beyond an easy repair. And patch panels are cheeeep. The rocker is good on that side, but the pas. side is rough. The bed is nice. It obviously had a topper on it.

I sent to jeep for build sheet info. It definitely has a D44 rear. Although nothing said you could not get a D44 rear on a SWB, I have already had two MJ "experts" tell me that it was either swapped in or it is a D35 and I am blind. LOL. See? It doesn't just happen on Liberty forums!!!

The Trac-loc actually still holds! I am shocked. I wish it was open, though. Easier to aussie-fy. The vacuum disconnect locks in just fine and holds. It is pretty slow to release, which is normal. I will by-pass it and/or go to a 297-jointed axles. I have read ALOT and I am not willing to by that the HPD30 with 297's = a D44. The tubes are thinner, the axles lack 3 splines and are 20% thinner, and the ring gear is still 1.2" smaller. Well trussed, though, and I believe that the D44 is not worth the cost of the swap over a HPD30.

Those white rims were the bomb for factory rims in '88! :pepper:

If only they made those "heart" wagon wheels in 4.5...... :shock:

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 3:04 pm

Was thinking of those heart wheels the other day. :pepper:

I think I need to go to white "Jackman" wheels on mine to be different than all of the black soft 8s everyone and their Mother has. :banghead:

I forgot to get those pictures over here will try later

InCommando · **Posted:** Wed May 19, 2010 4:23 pm

Cool.

It has front buckets & brackets to convert from the bench, but I think I am going to keep the front bench in it. Aa least for now, I can get me & both daughters in it!

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 11:58 am

PM'd you found factory roll bar on an MJ in Fort Wayne!!!!!!

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 12:22 pm

PM'd ya!

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 1:13 pm

Pm'd

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 3:01 pm

Thank you.

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 3:20 pm

did you work somthing out with Mike? Otherwise I might be able to make a trip up there or somthing.

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu May 20, 2010 3:41 pm

I got with Mike.... it should work out

InCommando · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:27 am

There it is. Bone stock for now!

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 11:38 am

Daveys Jeeps did have a roll bar
haven't checked to see if he still has or not

teckman02 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:59 pm

hey don something that you should check out http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f22/99-mj-build-881250/

New jeep in the family

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