Ahhhh, a small pickup! I like pickups of all sizes, but there’s something refreshing about small trucks for me. I’ve mentioned that too many times in the past, sorry. They’re starting to reappear but take some heat for being “unibody” pickups, not that anyone driving them will be hauling 1,200 pounds of concrete blocks anyway. This 1992 Jeep Comanche five-speed pickup just about has it all for those of us who like our trucks on the smaller side. Thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
Even as the end was nearing for AMC, they could see that consumers were interested in small pickups. The Cherokee-based Comanche pickup was introduced at an unlikely location: the former MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in August of 1985. Available in either rear-wheel drive or AWD, the Comanche was an interesting truck in that the cab portion was unit construction (unibody) but the box was removable from the frame. It seemed like a no-brainer configuration for front-wheel drive, but that wasn’t happening here.
Model years were 1986 through 1992 and this example looks incredible. The SporTruck graphics are a nice touch and with under 60,000 miles, this rear-wheel drive Comanche has to be one of the nicest ones left. The underside looks rock solid with just a touch of light surface rust. The seller says this is a rust-free Texas truck, so that’s why. Disclaimer: the seller is a dealer and on their website, they list this truck as having had one repaint.
With “Sport” in the name, I would have thought this truck would have bucket seats, so your passengers will have to draw straws to see who has to take the middle part of the bench seat. The SporTruck was the base model, so despite the fancy looks outside, that’s why there’s a bench seat here. This is about it for overall interior photos but it looks like new from what I can see, and the first thing I see is that five-speed manual transmission.
The engine could use a good detailing and it’s a 4.0-liter OHV inline-six, which by the end of the run in 1992 had 190 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. That’s a good amount of power and it sends power through an Aisin-Warner AX-15 five-speed manual to the rear wheels only on this SporTruck. The seller says it runs and drives as good as it looks and has new tires and wheels, a new gas tank, and new brakes. They have it posted here on craigslist in Bennington, Vermont (home of Hemmings Motor News) and they’re asking $12,900. Here is the original listing. Any thoughts on this last year Cherokee?
Nice I beat HoA to the post,I would love one of these 2 or 4wd ,they all purdy much rusted away here in KY
Ha! Tis’ not a race, Laddie, takes time to prepare a goofy remark,,,,see below.
Last year built for this jeep truck It does have newer wheels with wheel spacers
1991-92 are the years to get for these, as those got the Chrysler multi-point fuel injection system replacing the earlier Renix (Renault-Bendix) throttle-body injection system.
Renix was pre-OBD and does not have a “check engine” light, nor does it throw/store any diagnostic/parameter codes which, along with its age and relative obscurity, can make Renix systems tricky to troubleshoot and get through inspection/emissions stations.
You are correct 91 first year for 4.0 H.O ,I have 91 YJ 4.0 auto..
I like it. Good motor and trans combo. Price may be a little strong for a 2wd Jeep.
I had one in the 80s. The 2wd versions had a non independent tube front axle. Looked like 4wd components without the drive parts.
I’ve also seen that setup on 2wd Cherokees. I was looking at one as a beater for one of the kids. It was 4cyl, 5speed, for 1200 bucks, then the seller told me it’s only 2wd. Yep had a straight axle in front, he said it was the parts runner for a local Jeep dealer. There is definitely enough Cherokees in the junkyards that a 4WD conversion is doable. We had 2 Cherokees, one lasted 190,000 and the 230,000 for the tin worms got them. I always wanted one of these but with 4WD.
Yarrr, matey, I likes it too. Some may be tiring of my import bashing,,,and this post will be no different. I’m sorry, when America offered trucks like this, I simply can’t understand why you would buy an import. Couldn’t have been the price as both listed for about $9400. What in ‘tarnation was it not to like? It had proven Jeep guts, a motor that was more than proven, it was made by the great folks of Toledo, Ohio, yet I read, they sold about 190,000 for the entire run, and that was probably what Toyota sold every year. I think gas mileage, and while this is a slightly bigger cab, the Toyota was a better choice. Didn’t see many pickups, most all were the 4 doors, but if I was looking for a truck, you can’t go wrong here. A Jeep, regardless of the model, will always be a Jeep. Not many others can make that claim.
I don’t know if I should address yot as Captain Howard or Yosemite Howard but I’m picking up what you’re putting down
I bought one new in 87. My first new car purchase. It was beautiful in all black with silver side stripes. 5 speed with the four cylinder and a short bed. My sis looked at the decal and said “Spor Truck?” Man that thing was hot in warm weather. Drove it 180,000 miles. I’d buy this one at 8 or 9 but I just can’t bring myself to pay the asking price.
These were tough trucks. The unit construction was not a drawback. Right drivetrain and good features. Sport Truck was just the step above base. Think Cherokee Sport, Dakota Sport, Wrangler Sport, et al. Buy this one while you can, or build your own. Oh, wait…
Nelson, this is what I was referring to:
“1987-1992 – Base (SporTruck) – Became the most basic trim of the Comanche after 1986.”
Thanks Scotty. The nice thing about the Comanche was that even the base trim didn’t seem as gutted out as the competitors. We never had any new ’92s after selling the ’91s given to us for our initial allocation. Too bad too but you don’t always get what you want at the dealer. The Dakota was a much better seller in every model and trim. Can’t forget that ’92 ushered in the Dodge Magnum engines and the public really took to them. As for the “Sport” reference, the name became the value moniker much like Brougham in the ’70s.
Not Sport Truck they were SporTruck.
Been looking for a manual XJ for awhile. A pickup would work. But so many have the 4cyl, at least this is the 4.0. But I want 4×4 as well.
My dad had one of the earliest ones he ordered it with the 4 cyl. Lasted to nearly 300,00 miles. Head gasket blew and could have been fixed but it got junked anyway. Great little truck. Nothing like it today.