[Country Jeep]

Originally Posted by 1986Comanche

The Peugeot transmission was not used in 1986. The AX-4 (4 speed) and AX-5 (5 speed) are Aisin transmissions. The 2.8L GM V6 which was only offered in the 1986 Comanche was not available with a 4 speed manual tranmission. It was only available with the 3 speed automatic and the 5 speed manual. The 4 speed manual was only available with the 2.5L I-4. Also the 4.0L I-6 was not available until 1987. It replaced the 2.8L GM V6. The 4.0L was only application for the Peugeot BA-10/5 (5 speed) transmission. The Peugeot BA-10/5 was used until 03/09/89. The AX-15 was used from 03/03/89 which means there were 7 days when they built the Comanche with either transmission.

I need to add the appropriate corrections in then, along with the original info. Thanks

[1986Comanche]

The horsepower and torque ratings that you have for the 2.1L Turbo Diesel are wrong also. The 2.1L Turbo Diesel has 85 hp and 132 ft lb of torque.

[1986Comanche]

Originally Posted by countryjeep

All MJs were built as a "Half-Unibody" design with the body and frame rails tied together as one piece as opposed to a body on frame design (but cab is not tied to the rails). All MJs have solid axles front and rear. The suspension consists of coils for the front and leaf springs for the rear. All MJs came with disc brakes in the front and drums in the rear.

This is incorrect. The cab is tied into the unibody rails and cannot be removed. It is welding to the rails permanently.

Originally Posted by countryjeep

Also, MJ's through 90-92 are equipped with a heigh sensing proportioning valve that is used to change the bias of the brakes if the bed had a load in it.

This is incorrect also. Not just 90-92 have the height sensing proportioning valve. My 1986 Comanche has the valve and I have a 1987 and it has it also and it's height not heigh.

Originally Posted by countryjeep

4.0L I6 EFI "Power Tech" - 177 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4000 rpm - used 86-87

This should say 87-90. The 4.0L I6 didn't come out until 1987.

Originally Posted by countryjeep

All rear axles are made of a spring ubder axle design.

This should say spring under axle design not ubder.

[Drahcir495]

1986Comanche, I don't ubderstand your reply

[1986Comanche]

Originally Posted by Drahcir495

1986Comanche, I don't ubderstand your reply

LMAO Drahcir495

[Country Jeep]

ah, sorry guys for the slow response...edited.

Looks like I was a sorry speller and didn't even know what motor I had under my hood Thanks 1986Comanche

[Pete M]

Just a few pointers:

All MJs were built as a full unibody design with the body and frame rails tied/welded together as one piece and cannot be removed.

Don't forget to mention that the rear is a fully boxed frame with the bed bolted to it. The bed is removable.
Also, the "uni-frame" is stronger than an XJs.

Also, most MJ's through all years are equipped with a height sensing proportioning valve that is used to change the bias of the brakes if the bed had a load in it.

*ALL* MJs had this, not most.

Comes in longbed or shortbeds two-tone versions (some equipped with the AMC internal roll-bar).

What the heck?!? Internal rollbar? That's pure fantasy there. Don't forget to mention that all 86 models are longbeds.

Long bed versions come with a larger gas tank than the short bed and is located front of the axle.

113.5" shortbed (16 gal tank)
119.9" longbed (18 gal [longbed, opt shortbed] 23.5 gal [opt longbed])

The standard long bed tank in 86-88 is 16 gal. Optional one is 23.5 gal and that became the standard longbed tank in 89. The shortbed tank is 18 gal and that is the only tank available with the short bed.

Gauge cluster during 86' have mechanical-powered gauges. On 87-90 gauges, The speedometer uses a cable, but all gauges 91-92 use a computer cable.

84-86 XJ/MJ have a different mounting clip between the speedo cable and cluster, but the guage clusters do interchange with 87-90 if you swap clips. 91-92 are indeed electronic and do not interchage with 86-90.

Wheelbase:
113.5" shortbed
119.9" longbed

I know this one sounds especially nit-picky, but all my dealership brochures state:
short bed 2wd=113.1 4wd=112.9
long bed 2wd=119.6 4wd=119.4

2.5L I4 TBI (fuel injected) - 117 hp @ 5000 rpm, 135 ftlb @ 3500 rpm - used in 86 and updated in 87-90 to 121hp

Don't forget that the 2.5L became MPI in 91 and was rated for 130hp@5250 and149 ftlb@3250

4.0L I6 EFI "Power Tech" - 177 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4000 rpm - used 87-90
4.0L I6 MPI "Power Tech HO" (High Output) - 190 hp @ 4750 rpm, 220 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm - used in 91-92

And not that it matters cause I can't find my 87 brochure, but the 4.0 was actually rated for a bit less than 177 in '87. I'll update as soon as I find it.

AW4 - 4 speed automatic, electronically controlled - manufactured by Aisin - used from 86-92 (87-92 models include a Power/Comfort button that adjusts the shift points, also known as a towing package; all transmissions with the towing package came with a transmission cooler and 3.73 gears stock)

I can find absolutely no evidence of 3.73 gears ever coming in an MJ. That was an XJ thing (and pretty rare at that). The AW-4 came into the picture in the 87 model year, not 86. My 88 brochure mentions that the "power" side of the power/comfort button is for offroading and makes no mention of using it for towing. As far as I can tell, the "tow package" you speak of was a dealership-installed "trailering package" and consisted of a hitch and trailer plug harness, that's it. It was available with any MJ, although 86 seems limited to class 1 and 2 hitches. The "Metric Tonne" or "Big Ton" or "payload package" was designed for hauling, was only available on longbeds, and consisted of an AMC-20 rear axle in 86, Dana 44 rear axle in 87-92, heavier duty springs front and rear, tougher shocks, the larger tires, fullsize spare and 15x7 wheels. In the AMC-20, the only gear ratio was 4.10, Dana 44s got stuck with the standard ratio available with the specified drivetrain combo (3.08 for 4.0l/manual, 3.54 for 4.0l/autos, and 4.09 for 2.5l/manuals).

NP207 - "Command-Trac" part-time only - 2.61:1 ratio low range - used 86-87
NP231 - "Command-Trac" part-time only - 2.72:1 ratio low range - shift pattern 2H - 4H - N - 4L - used 87-92
NP242 - "Selec-Trac" part-time OR full-time - 2.72:1 ratio low range - shift pattern 2wd - 4part-time - 4full-time - N - 4LO - used 87-92

The 207 was never officially used in 87, although I cannot say for certain that a couple didn't sneak though because they were left over and sitting on the rack. Weird things happened in the AMC-Chrysler transition years. I can find no evidence of the 242 ever being used in an MJ, but you missed the np-228 which was the Select-trac option (offered in 86 only) with a 2.6:1 low range.

Rear Driveshaft - The rear is a one-piece shaft with standard u-joints at both ends. The slip yoke is located on the output shaft of the transfer case. On 86-92 models, the yoke slides in and out of the transfer case and is lubricated by the ATF fluid internally.

Actually, there were 2 different styles of rear shaft offered, though I have yet to determine a logical pattern behind which MJ got which. The other one was a 2-piece design, but not the usual 2-piece you're thinking of where one side slips on the other. The MJ 2-piece had a large outer tube on the transmission side and a smaller tube on the axle side. They are fused together with a thick rubber isolator designed to reduce vibrations. It's kind of a funky design and hard to explain. All 3 of my MJs have/had it and I can snap a picture if you'd like.

Dana 30 high pinion - reverse cut - 27 spline, 1.16" diameter shafts, 7.13" ring gear - used 86-92 (some axles through 91 are vacuum disconnect, 89-92 with ABS have 5-297x u-joints, all others have 5-260x u-joints)

Except for the few 86 MJs that had the Select-trac 228 t-case (I don't know one way or the other with them) ALL MJs came with the Central Axle Disconnect (CAD). And NONE came with ABS or 297x joints. Those are XJ things.

Dana 35 non c-clip - 27 spline, 1.18" diameter shafts, 7.58" ring gear, 2.62" axle tube - used 86-89
Dana 44 non c-clip - 30 spline, 1.31" diameter shafts, 8.5" ring gear, 2.75" axle tube - used 87-89 on some(not all) MJs equipped with towing package.
(note for D44's: All MJ's equipped with the stock D44 come with the Metric Ton Package)

Add the AMC-20 (sometimes called the M-20). one piece axle shafts (unlike the CJ AMC-20) and I think it's a 8.875" Ring Gear and 29 Spline shaft. Metric Tonne axle in 86.
Oh, and the Dana 35 c-clip used 89+.

3.07 - used with 4.0L engine / manual transmission
3.55 - used with 4.0L engine / automatic transmission
3.73 - found in most MJs with the towing package
4.10 - used with 2.5L engine usually
4.56 - rare but can be found on some older (~ 89 ~) models with 2.5L engine and auto transmission

3.73 didn't come in MJs, but in 86 there was a "fuel saver" package where you could get a 3.31 ratio. (that package also came with the 2.5L, 4 speed manual transmission, and tailgate delete)

86 - Custom, X, XLS
87 - Base, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Sport
88 - Base, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Sport
89 - Base, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Sport
90 - Base, Pioneer, Chief, Laredo, Sport
91 - Base, Chief, Laredo, Sport
92 - Base, Chief, Laredo, Sport

Add the Eliminator to 88+ and the Sport was actually called the "SporTruck" and was the base shortbed. The "Base" was the base longbed. And the "Chief" was cancelled in 1990 I think, maybe 89. I know for sure it existed in 88 and didn't exist in 91.

I'm still missing dimensions.

Overall length was 179.3" for shortbeds, 194.0" for longbeds
Overall curb height was 63.7" for 2wds, 64.7" for 4wds
Track width was 57" with the 15x6 rims, 58" with the 15x8s
Body width at the rear flares was 71.7"
Length of inside of box at the floor was 73.7" sb and 88.5" lb
Width of box at the floor is 55.3" for both sb and lb
Width between wheel wells is 43.8"
Box depth is 16.4"

Any other dimensions you'd like?

Curb weight for the 2wd short bed was 2912
4wd sb was 3076
2wd lb was 2959
4wd lb was 3141

Payload for stock MJs is 1475 lbs (1200 for 86), Metric Tonne was 2205 lbs. The maximum tow rating an MJ was ever given was 5000 lbs (4.0L required). 2.5Ls seem to have been limited to 2000 lbs and 2.8Ls were 4200. I cannot find any rating listed for the stock bumper. Every brochure mentions a class 1,2,3 hitch needs to be installed for towing.

Hope this helps!
Jeep on!
--Pete

[Pete M]

I did some hunting around and I'm fairly confident that NP-228 equiped 1986 MJs came without the CAD front axle.
Jeep on!
--Pete

[cj7xjmj]

Pete,
I have seen them both ways in the Pick aparts around here. I dont think there is any hard rule on what front axle it got. I have also seen it with CV axles instead of u-jointed ones.

[Country Jeep]

Thanks Pete M for everything! There are a couple of small things that I found otherwise at junkyards and stuff with "replacement documentation" to confirm the parts on them were still stock, but other than that, your info helped alot! Some of the things that you posted I just quoted up as I can't really manage it in cleanly with the specs, however, the quotes do imply how they affect what's already typed down as stock.

Again, much appreciated

[Dana44]

Originally Posted by countryjeep

Thanks Pete M for everything! There are a couple of small things that I found otherwise at junkyards and stuff with "replacement documentation" to confirm the parts on them were still stock, but other than that, your info helped alot! Some of the things that you posted I just quoted up as I can't really manage it in cleanly with the specs, however, the quotes do imply how they affect what's already typed down as stock.

Again, much appreciated

Hey... CJ... My mJ is for sale if you want to buy it...



Hmm... How can you find all this info. You must have the stock manual/owners book

[Pete M]

Originally Posted by cj7xjmj

Pete,
I have seen them both ways in the Pick aparts around here. I dont think there is any hard rule on what front axle it got. I have also seen it with CV axles instead of u-jointed ones.

It is definitely hard to know for sure what all really happened in the waning AMC years because they seemed to be looking to save money by any means and using up excess stock on the shelf is one way to do that. But junkyards aren't the greatest way to gather info. Especially for an easily-swapped-in axle that can be used to replace a historically problematic one in 13-19 year old trucks. The general rule is: CADs came with Command tracs (207/231), non-CADs came with select-tracs (228/242) and I've found no evidence that MJs were ever offered with the 242. If anyone has anything that says otherwise, I'd really love to see it. I'm totally open to changing any of the "facts" I've listed after being bathed in the light of new evidence. I feel the truth is way more important than anyone being right or wrong. Heck, I've found mistakes in the brochures before. I also use my 87-90 Jeep parts manual and the search feature at car-part.com Lots of good info there. The 4.56 ratio option was considered fantasy by many, but now it's (mostly) accepted as fact. Next time someone sees a non-CAD MJ, take note of the VIN number, engine/tranny/t-case combo and the tag on the diff cover as well as any extraneous parts that would indicate a prior CAD (like the associated vacuum lines). It's fun discovering new clues!
Also, I found my 87 brochure and the 4.0L was rated for 173 that year.
Jeep on!
--Pete

[Country Jeep]

Originally Posted by Dana44

Hey... CJ... My mJ is for sale if you want to buy it...



Hmm... How can you find all this info. You must have the stock manual/owners book

I'm in $900 debt due to recent electronic purchaces. That speaks for itself

And I didn't find all that info on the first page. When I first started it, I just modified the Cherokee stock specs, edited what I already knew, then opened the thread up for other information that I didn't know about so I could add it on.

[tonedef131]

This is a great thread and I really appreciate it since I am a new MJ owner. But I do have a couple questions. Can you expand on the different packages and let me know what the differences between them were? I am also curious as to what our trucks cost new...does anyone have a price list?

[Pete M]

The names generally referred to a trim level with the Base having fewer standard items and the Eliminators and Laredos having just about everything. Lots of features could be ordered separately from the trim pachages too, so not every base model you see will have a completely spartan interior.
Jeep on!
--Pete