1986-1992 Comanche (MJ):
The Jeep Comanche (designated MJ) is a pickup truck version of the Cherokee compact SUV that was produced from 1986 to 1992. Rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive models were available as well as two cargo box lengths of six and seven feet.
The Comanche was a unibody vehicle, an unusual form of truck like the Volkswagen Rabbit pickup and Dodge Rampage. Jeep designers based its body, styling, and suspension on the Cherokee, which had been introduced for the 1984 model year.
AMC's Jeep engineering staff designed a subframe that connected to the modified Cherokee Monocoque (unibody) structure to support the cargo box. Two such subframes were designed; one for the long-bed model, which appeared first, and a second, shorter version for the short-bed, which debuted for 1987.
The Comanche uses the Cherokee's front suspension, with coil springs and upper and lower control arms. The Cherokee and Comanche were the first Jeeps to use this new "Quadra-Link" suspension. It was argued that the coil springs allowed for greater ride comfort and axle articulation during off-road excursions. A trackbar is used to keep the axle centered under the truck. Modified versions of this same basic suspension system were later used on the Grand Cherokee and the TJ Wrangler.
For the rear suspension, the truck uses leaf springs that are considerably longer than on Cherokees, which give Comanches good load-carrying capacity. There is also a heavy duty "Big Ton" package available (known as the "Metric Ton" package outside the U.S.) for long-bed models. The package included heavier-duty leaf springs and wheels, larger tires and an upgraded rear axle to a Dana 44 instead of a Dana 35, which increases stock payload capacity from 1,400 pounds (640 kg) to 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg), well above that of any other pickup of the Comanche's size. In fact, a Metric Ton Comanche's payload rating is higher than that of many larger pickups.
Jeep offered the Comanche with a selection of engines, including the 4.0 L, 242 CID straight-6 engine found in many 1980s and 1990s Jeeps.
The inaugural 1986 Comanches could be equipped with one of three engines. The AMC 150 2.5 L, 150 CID I4, General Motors LR2 2.8 L V6, and Renault 2.1 L I4 turbodiesel were all offered from the start. The V6, which was the same basic unit used in the first generation Chevrolet S-10, had seven fewer horsepower than the base four-cylinder, only slightly more torque, and was equipped with a two-barrel carburetor instead of the four-cylinder's electronic fuel injection. In addition, fuel mileage with the V6, particularly in four-wheel drive models, was generally poor.
Changes to the engine lineup happened in the truck's second year on the market. For 1987, the 2.8 L V6 was replaced by the new fuel-injected 4.0 L, 242 CID AMC 242 inline-six that delivered 173 hp (129 kW), 63 more hp than the V6. The new six-cylinder was also more fuel-efficient. The slow-selling turbodiesel was officially dropped at some point during the model year.
Other changes under the hood occurred in 1991, when Chrysler adopted their own engine control electronics to replace the original Renix (Renault/Bendix) systems. One positive effect of this change was that the 4.0 L, 242 CID, I-6 engine gained 17 hp (to 190 hp (142 kW), having already gained 4 hp (3 kW) in 1988), while the 2.5 L, 150 CID, I4 engine jumped from 117 hp (87 kW) to 130 hp (97 kW). In addition, most parts for the Chrysler systems are easier to come by, even though many Renix parts were borrowed from GM at the time, and are still widely available today and most are surprisingly cheap. Most people won't consider a Renix Comanche, as it has no Check Engine Light. (CEL) But if the owner can operate a simple and cheap multimeter, they will find that Renix systems are quite easy to diagnose and keep running.
During the production life of the Comanche, six different transmissions were offered, manufactured by Aisin, Chrysler and Peugeot. Aisin provided the AX-4 (four-speed), AX-5 and AX-15 (five-speed overdrive) manual transmissions, along with the AW-4 four-speed automatic that was used beginning in 1987. The AX-15 was phased in to replace the Peugeot BA-10/5 five-speed that had been used from 1987 until mid-1989 behind the 4.0 L I-6 engine.
Although Chrysler purchased AMC (and, by extension, Jeep) in 1987, only one Chrysler transmission was ever used in the Comanche, and that was prior to the takeover. 1986 models equipped with the 2.5 L I4 or 2.8 L V6 were offered with Chrysler's three-speed TorqueFlite A904 automatic. Throughout the Comanche's production run, Chrysler would continue AMC's practice of purchasing Aisin automatics that began in 1987.
After the Chrysler buyout, the Comanche, like the Cherokee, received only minor changes, primarily those that would improve reliability and parts interchangeability with other Chryslers. The lack of an extended cab body style, which all other compact trucks were offering by the time of the Comanche's debut, and the fact that the Comanche's prices were, in any given model year, higher than those of the top-selling American compacts (Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-10)[citation needed], led[citation needed] to lagging sales as customers went elsewhere for roomier trucks.
As sales dropped, the Comanche was planned for discontinuation. A rumor existed that the Comanche would be replaced by a restyled Dodge Dakota (its body-on-frame sibling from Dodge), but Jeep dealers disliked the idea because the Dakota was generally heavier and less reliable than the Comanche.[citation needed] The company chose instead to cancel the Comanche at the end of the 1992 model year, after only a few thousand trucks had rolled off the Toledo, Ohio assembly line.
Trims
* 1986-1986 - Custom
* 1986-1986 - X
* 1986-1986 - XLS
* 1987-1992 - Base
* 1987-1988 - Chief
* 1987-1990 - Laredo
* 1987-1992 - SporTruck
* 1988-1992 - Pioneer
* 1988-1992 - Eliminator
1987-1995 Wrangler YJ:
With CJ sales lagging in the mid-80's, AMC responded with the Wrangler. Lower and wider than the CJ, the Wrangler was not looked upon as a "real" Jeep by the fans, but gradually it won them over and has proven to be a capable and adaptable design with a personality all its own. What it lacked in out-of-the-boxability, it more than made up for in adaptability: with an immense variety of aftermarket development devoted to it, the Wrangler is a four-wheeld Erector set. A total of 632,231 YJ Wranglers were built in its production run.
The Jeep YJ, sold as the Wrangler, replaced the much-loved but slower-selling Jeep CJ in 1987 and was built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada until the plant closed on April 23, 1992. It was a new design with a wider wheelbase, slightly less ground clearance, a galvanized body and more comfort. The YJ also had a leaf spring suspension similar to that of the CJ, however, the springs were wider, and the YJs sported trackbars and swaybars for added handling. YJs are easily identifiable by their rectangular headlights, which were a source of controversy when introduced. Despite the new grill, the body is very similar to the CJ7's, and it is interchangeable with some minor modifications. The YJ also was given a larger windshield over the CJ. 632,231 YJs were built through model year 1995, though YJs were still produced into mid '96 bringing the total production number to 685,071 units.
The YJ used a 2.5 L AMC 150 I4 or optional 4.2 L AMC 258 I6 until 1991. That year, a fuel injected 180 hp (134 kW) 4.0 L AMC 242 variant replaced the 112 hp (84 kW) 4.2 L 258 CID straight-6. The NP207 transfer case was used only in 1987 and replaced by the NP231
The roll cage was extended in 1992 to allow for rear shoulder belts, and anti-lock brakes were added as an option the next year. An automatic transmission option for 4-cylinder Wranglers came in 1994 along with a center high-mounted stop light.
In 1994, the slave cylinder on manual transmissions was moved outside of the transmission's bellhousing to allow for easier replacement, and in 1995 larger U-joints were used [front axle U-joints(297x) and rear pinion U-joint(1330)]. For the 1992 model year, the YJ switched over to an electronic speedometer outmoding the cable speedos on older YJs. 1995 was the only year to have a fully galvanized frame and body.
YJs produced in early 1996 were sold as 1995 model years, but featured a few new parts not seen on any earlier YJ. This included: the new TJ bumpstops on the hood (rubber boots vs the traditional U-bars), reinforced tailgate hinges, and it has been said that some even had rear TJ bumpers. Some lucky ones also got the newly tuned I6 that was tuned to run quieter in preparation for the TJ.
From 1991 until 1994, Jeep produced an options package on the YJ Wrangler listed as the "Renegade Decor Group". Initially, all Renegades were White, Black or Red. In 1992, Blue was added, in 1993, Bronze. The Renegade Decor Group was a $4,266.00 option over a base Wrangler in 1991 and included special alloy wheels, exclusive body flares, along with many other features.
Contents of the Renegade Decor Package
* 4.0 Litre (242 CID) I-6 Engine
* 29x9.5R15 LT OWL Wrangler A/T Tires
* 5-Hole Aluminum Wheels, 8 inch wide.
* Full size spare tire.
* Highback seats with Trailcloth Fabric
* Off-Road Gas Shocks
* Power Steering
* Fog Lamps (integrated into the front fenders)
* Leather wrapped steering wheel
* Renegade striping (door letters)
* Floor carpeting (full width, and on insides of body tub)
* Floor mats, front
* Extra capacity fuel tank (20 US gal.)
* Color Keyed Fender Flares with integrated bodyside steps
* Front and rear bumperettes (plastic)
* Center console with cup holders
* Courtesy and engine compartment lights
* Interval Wipers
* Glove box lock
Additionally, hardtops received a mandatory rear window defroster at a $164.00 premium. Hardtops themselves were a $923.00 option.
All Renegades typically had the Tilt Steering wheel ($130.00) and an AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Radio ($264.00).
A column shift automatic was also an available option (this option was rare).
While a base Wrangler with the inline 6 went for $12,356.00, the Renegade package pushed that price up to $18,588.00 in 1991. Dealer mark-up moved the price to $19,273.00.
These vehicles were sent as optioned Wranglers to Auto Style Cars in Detroit, where the Renegade Decor Package was installed, then shipped back to Jeep for delivery to dealers. Renegades all have a small sticker on the driver's side door, right above the latch denoting the visit to ASC.
At the price premium over a standard Wrangler, sales were fairly limited, so finding one today is a semi-rare occurrence. The price, plus what hardcore Jeepers felt were "funny looking plastic fenders" limited the sales. Although having nearly identical off-road capabilities, these Jeep were typically used as "beach cruisers" because of both their price and rarity, as well as the fact that their over sized flares and body cladding were not designed for the abuse that tree branches and over sized tires can deal out.
Trims
North American YJ/Wrangler were available in the following standard trims.
* Base (also referred to as "S" & "SE" at different points in the model run; first few years the back seat and rear bumperettes were optional, some years the 6cyl engine was an option, other years only the 4cyl was available in the "Base" model)
* Laredo (Chrome grille, bumpers, and trim, hard top and hard full doors, tinted windows, faux leather interior, body color fender flares and alloy wheels)
* Islander (which included "Sunset" Islander graphics and body colored wheel flares)
* Sport (which featured "sport" graphics and, beginning in 1991, a 4.0 L 242 CID inline-6 cylinder engine)
* Sahara (which came standard with most available options, including body color fender flares and alloy wheels)
* Renegade (which ran until 1994, and featured a similar option package as Sahara, but added premium wheels, deluxe interior group as well as oversized "Renegade" wheel flares and body cladding)
* Rio Grande (Available in champagne gold, moss green and white, with a Pueblo themed interior trim package, this trim was only available in 1995 and was added to spice up the base model Wrangler 'S' hence this trim was only available with the 4-cylinder models)