Would you buy this Commanche?

Morgan · 11-02-2006, 08:30 AM

Hi everyone,
I currently have a 98 XJ with some mods done to it but have been toying with the idea of an older vehicle for a dedicated trail rig. I found someone selling an 87 Commanche not too far from me and I'm considering picking it up since it's so cheap. I don't know much about the Commanche's so I was hoping someone here could tell me if this seems worth it.

87 Commanche, longbed, 4L I6, 5 speed with Peugot tranny, 242 xfer case, stock wheels and tires, the dash and some switches are missing but everything still works, supposably runs and drives just fine, body damage to the driver side near the taillight, side of cab, and dented driver's door. Dents have been pounded back out and the driver's window still rolls down. Canopy is included. 136,000 miles. Guy says there is a Dana 35 up front and a 44 in the rear with a spring-over conversion. To match the height there are some spacers on the springs up front and longer shocks. 4 wheel drive works good.

The price is $350.

87comanche4l · 11-02-2006, 10:54 AM

$350? Heck, that's practically free if the 4X4 system works. But, any $350 vehicle is going to require lots of maintenance nickels dimes and dollars and lots of time too... so This will be a marriage / commitment of sorts...

Pete M · 11-02-2006, 05:54 PM

Double-check the axles. It'll be a Dana 30 up front for sure and might be a 44 in the back. Not every owner truly knows what they have so verify it before handing over money. The T-case should be a NP-231, but the 242 is swappable (I'm putting one in my 90 right now) so the only way to know for sure is to read the tag on the back of the 'case.
Cheap rigs tend to need the most TLC and that can nickel-and-dime you 'til the truck ain't cheap anymore. A spring over tends to net around 5" of lift and that will require much more than just spacers up front to balance it out properly and make it road worthy. Make sure you aren't buying someone else's piece of crap, or at the least, do make sure you know what you're getting into.

Jeep on!
--Pete

**Country Jeep** · 11-03-2006, 09:41 AM

As Pete M says, check the axles. I'm not a fan of the tranny at all, since those usually die out after 120,000 miles, but that can be dealt with later when needed.

Sounds like a good deal. I'd buy, if I knew where it was and you weren't pending it's purchase...arg!

Morgan · 11-03-2006, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was kinda thinking the same thing - that this would be a good deal if I go into it expecting unforseen expenses here and there. That said, I'm not really planning to pick this up since it's about a 2 hour drive from me and the owner is not making an effort to send me any pictures of the damaged areas of the truck to get an idea of how bad it is. He says that the even though the truck runs, it is not suitable for daily driving so it's got me a little worried.

Here is the one pic from the ad:

And here is the link to the ad itself:
http://eugene.craigslist.org/car/227409711.html

I'm not calling "dibs" so if anyone else is interested then feel free!

OnlyInMyXJ22 · 11-04-2006, 01:08 AM

Looks like a good deal even if there isnt a 44 in the rear. Buy it up!!

loathar · 11-04-2006, 02:04 AM

If your looking for a drive train,sounds good!
If you're looking for good sheet metal, Good luck! Used to have an "87"
The cab is the same as a Chereokee(2 door, same year)
It's hard to find good Comanchee parts.
Best of luck!
Loathar
P.S......It's a Jeep thing.....Most people wouldn't understand.....

1986Comanche · 11-04-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loathar

If your looking for a drive train,sounds good!
If you're looking for good sheet metal, Good luck! Used to have an "87"
The cab is the same as a Chereokee(2 door, same year)
It's hard to find good Comanchee parts.
Best of luck!
Loathar
P.S......It's a Jeep thing.....Most people wouldn't understand.....

The cab is not the same as a 2 door Cherokee. The doors from a 2 door Cherokee will not fit a Comanche. The doors have to be off of a 4 door Cherokee to work on a Comanche.

barillms · 11-05-2006, 08:14 PM

It's hard to find good Comanche parts? That's funny!
Where in the world do you live? Nambia?

CanadianJeep86 · 11-10-2006, 08:30 PM

whether you find the parts or not the motor alone is worth more then that, christ even if you bought it and parted it out you could get 10 times your money back

11-02-2006, 10:54 AM	#2
87comanche4l Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 24 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	$350? Heck, that's practically free if the 4X4 system works. But, any $350 vehicle is going to require lots of maintenance nickels dimes and dollars and lots of time too... so This will be a marriage / commitment of sorts...

11-03-2006, 08:02 PM	#5
Morgan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 18 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for the feedback guys. I was kinda thinking the same thing - that this would be a good deal if I go into it expecting unforseen expenses here and there. That said, I'm not really planning to pick this up since it's about a 2 hour drive from me and the owner is not making an effort to send me any pictures of the damaged areas of the truck to get an idea of how bad it is. He says that the even though the truck runs, it is not suitable for daily driving so it's got me a little worried. Here is the one pic from the ad: And here is the link to the ad itself: http://eugene.craigslist.org/car/227409711.html I'm not calling "dibs" so if anyone else is interested then feel free!

11-04-2006, 02:04 AM	#7
loathar Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lawrenceburg Tn. USA Posts: 3 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If your looking for a drive train,sounds good! If you're looking for good sheet metal, Good luck! Used to have an "87" The cab is the same as a Chereokee(2 door, same year) It's hard to find good Comanchee parts. Best of luck! Loathar P.S......It's a Jeep thing.....Most people wouldn't understand.....

11-05-2006, 08:14 PM	#9
barillms Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 76 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It's hard to find good Comanche parts? That's funny! Where in the world do you live? Nambia?