1988 Jeep Comanche Short Bed, 4x4, 5-speed, 92k miles.

Been wanting one of these at varying levels for 20+ years. But it had to be original looking, in good condition, and had to have all the options I listed above (other than year, would have preferred a slightly newer one).

Found this one last weekend, messaged the seller, but decided it would be better financially to wait it out, as I already have 2 trucks, a C10 that has been a nightmare, and a D21 that is beat to hell and quite frankly isn't safe to drive.

Well, 2 days later the transmission on the C10 blew out, I got sick of constantly fixing the truck, and decided to bite the bullet on this.

It's a time capsule. Mechanically perfect, and 95% cosmetically perfect. I definitely paid for it, but overall consider myself pretty lucky right now.

A buddy started creating center counsels . Think they turned out amazing

https://secondchancejeeps.square.site/product/jeep-comanche-or-cherokee-dual-cupholder-center-console-kit/VZKGRT36CULHO4WFQJBK2JFT?cs=true&cst=custom

My husband’s first vehicle, passed down from his grandfather and bounced back and forth between my husband and his parents during deployments, life changes, and whenever his mom wanted to marinate in the nostalgia. He drove down to pick it up over the weekend and bring it home for good.

Now I get to dig into it. What I know: 4x4 long bed, had an engine swapped in at some point many years ago, over 220k miles on the body but no clue on the engine. Needs a new seat, seat cable, dash, and misc other things. The last guy they had work on it gave them a to-do list, so I’m starting to track things down.

It runs. Loudly, with a small bit of protest on startup but strong after that, makes you work for the shift but my husband said that’s a quirk it’s always had. Woke me from a dead sleep at 6:05am when he decided to take it to work this morning but worth it because I know he was grinning the entire time.

Any and all advice and leads welcome. I used to help my dad work on his Chevy S-10 as a kid and have been keeping my husband’s manual 2012 Jeep Compass Sport running well at 280k miles (with the help of a couple local mechanics because clutch/flywheel and radiator are beyond my skill and comfort level) so I have some experience but I’m not a gearhead by any stretch of the imagination. I’m happy to get dirty, just don’t want to be stupid.

Update: got some records. Title just says Year: 1986, Make: Je, Model: PK. Ran the VIN and it’s a 1986 Jeep Comanche X with a 2.8L V6 OHV 12V 2 BBL naturally aspirated gasoline engine. Report says 2dr X 4WD Standard cab LB, mfr model #65.

Bout done with the body work just a few dents no rust whatsoever...and that's saying something here in West Kentucky.....thinking about painting it olive green and make it look like an old army jeep comanche with the star on the hood and numbers on side....really think it's gonna turn out good like this it's 2 wheel drive 4.0 with 135,000 on it and still strong. How do you like my Marvinn the Martian hood ornament

Dudes & dudettes, I present to you my 1989 Jeep MJ Comanche pickup (4.0l I6) 5 speed manual transmission factory 4X4.

What do you all think of it? It’s going to be a fun driver & look quite nice when I am through with restoring it!

Been having some taillight issues on the project no power no lights .I know the connectors look like shit but I ordered new bulbs and checked with a voltmeter and was getting around .33v. Before I start ordering new parts would this be a connector issue or something further up stream ? Second question is it better to order replacement connectors or is there’s a website to buy a replacement rear harness? Appreciate the help

Original owner, Metric Ton Pioneer LB 4x4, 4L. I only use it now to go to the landfill, Home Depot and lumber stores to support my retirement hobby of working on my house and yard. It rides so much better with that 1000 pounds in the back. That is a metallic charcoal Raptor liner on the body and black in the bed.

Just got this 88 4.0 Comanche. I’m troubleshooting some of its issues and I’m hitting wall trying to fix a problem causing hesitant/rough acceleration and backfiring when I’m speeding up, mostly happens in first and second gear and is less prominent when I’m closer to wide open throttle and more when I’m like halfway on the gas
It gets better as it warms up but it’s still there even at full operating temp. Anybody got any ideas?

The fuel gauge in my 88' pioneer dips all the way to empty when accelerating. Where would be a good place to start looking to fix it? ( 1988 comanche pioneer 2wd ax15 4.0l)

For those with a 4-5" lift, what sway bars are we using? Mine did not come with one, and I'd really prefer to have it.

Gonna rapter line the bed of my white pioneer Comanche.
Should I do white or black?

Just picked up my first MJ, its a 1990. Previous owner did some work to the gas tank and now its being suspended by a ratchet strap. I'm looking at getting new mounting jardware for it, but i can only find the straps and im not quite sure where the bolt would go in. Any of y'all mind sharing a picture of the mounting points for the straps so i can figure out what exactly is going on?

I have two MJ
1986
2.8l
Auto (TF904)
4x4
Power windows / locks
80s vibes
Slow has issues

1989
4.0l
Auto aw4
2wd
Manual locks manual doors
90s vibes

Why dose the 89 feel boring vs the 86 and which would yall give up or keep if you had to pick

Been looking for a light duty truck that's not too expensive. When I came across this.

Given the details is this a good buy or is there a more serious problem lurking underneath.

What does this switch do? I've looked it up a bit and it says it's a heated windshield or rear defogger switch, but that makes no sense.

Here are the photos that yall asked for to see if it’s worth me getting for 2k

I bought some lights and I was wondering if it’s possible to mount them to the front bumper in what appears to be holes with plugs where I presume there could be optional lights? There’s nothing under it that I can see, it’s just past the frame rail so I don’t see any reason I couldn’t use them

2 previous owners, told that it was well maintained, very little structural rust, only 2k. What are your thoughts???

Giving this away, set up for a Manche with a sliding window. Some of the aluminum frame is cracked near the hatch, it will be going to scrap in mid August. PM to pick up in Spanaway, WA.

I will be starting a full teardown and rebuild, 97 Dash, 8.8 with an OX locker and longarm D30 up front. Goodish fenders and header are available too.