I still don’t have a clue why I don’t own a Jeep Cherokee yet. I’m seriously thinking of selling my 1980 Dodge D-50 Sport pickup and getting something like this 1988 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 SporTruck. This nice survivor is posted here on craigslist in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the seller is asking $8,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mike F. for the tip!
This truck must have been parked in the same direction for decades in order to fade the driver’s side so much, when the passenger side SPORTRUCK graphics look almost like new. The SporTruck was the base trim level after the 1986 model year, between 1987 and 1992. Jeep made the Comanche from 1985 for the 1986 model year until the end of 1992 in both rear-wheel drive and 4WD versions.
This is a 4WD model, and it appears to be solid and pretty nice overall. The seller says it has 193,000 miles, and it sure doesn’t look like it to me. They say it’s a good candidate for a restoration or just drive it as is. I’d go with the latter. This is a short-bed truck with a 113.1-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 184.5 inches. Here’s what the bed looks like inside.
The interior looks good for the most part, although the lack of floor covering and the blanket seat cover could probably be kicked up a notch by the next owner. The five-speed manual shifter is something most of us look for, especially in a truck like this. This truck has new tires, new wheels, new shocks and steering stabilizer, a newer battery, and much more. Please click on the craigslist link to see the list of maintenance and upgrades.
Page 10 of this 1988 Jeep Comanche brochure doesn’t show the 4.0-liter inline-six as even being optional in the 4WD base/SporTruck Comanche, but oddly enough, page 11 shows the 4.0 inline-six as an option. Hmmm… This fuel-injected engine would have had 177 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a two-speed NP 231 transfer case and a five-speed manual to all four wheels as needed. Any thoughts on this ’88 Comanche SporTruck?
Mechanically, this Jeep pickup has a great package, straight 6, stick, 4WD. The body looks solid, bed and all. I’m kind of on the fence with the larger rims and tires. Looks beefy, but I think I’d go stock size, I’m a steel rim stock sized kind of guy. I don’t k lw what these are selling for these days. 193000 miles, is a lot of miles. And to me at least, its a pretty big chunk of change for a truck with those miles. But maybe I’m wrong and someone will see this as a steal. The sheetmetal looks great, no rust in sight which is a huge plus. I can see you selling your D50 Scotty. Especially with the cab being a little tight for you. ( you ARE a tall drink of water there buddy). And getting something a little more comfortable for yourself to fit in. Great write up Scotty. Thanks.
Thanks, Dave! I could not agree with you more about the wheels and tires, I prefer regular ol’ stock sizes myself. Ha, it’s 106 degrees where I am right now, I could use a tall drink of water! Truthfully, I wouldn’t need 4WD as I’d never really subject a vintage vehicle to salty roads anyway, so a regular 2WD version would work for me, just so it had a 5-speed.
💯, Dave-nailed it.👍🏻
Thank you Nevadahalfrack and Scotty. I often tell people I only get one good idea per week…. Today is Saturday…. It took that long lol.
Then Dave you’re doing better than those of us that only have an annual epiphany and that we quickly forget it at the least opportune time!😆
One good idea a week?! Lucky!
Ahem, we were talking about a Jeep, just kidding, love the BS sessions. I want to apologize to anyone with an older SJ Cherokee like I lambaste every time. SUVs were new and had to start somewhere. AMC figured it was easier to cheapen up a Kaiser than design a nicer unit. Then came the XJ, and literally changed everything. Still using a motor from 1964, it was a fresh design, and suddenly, became a viable contender. I heard, the only reason Iacocca wanted AMC was because of the XJ Jeep. Nice truck, and for the record, it’s not so much the lack of being driven in the salt, which Colorado does use, it’s more like it’s dryer than a popcorn fart, and entirely possible to keep a vehicle looking like this. Lot of miles, but they all do. I looked at one YJ, the guy had 320K miles, on a rebuilt 4 CYLINDER! I bet the high miles is scaring people away. They are good motors, but 200K is all you get and the seller knows it.
Right on Howard. I might add these are deceptively small inside that cab.
Cool trucks. 👍
I always thought they missed the boat by not offering a full extra cab, like S-10 or Ranger.
They did offer one! (in my Photoshop dream world…)
They really should’ve built that. Howards right, Jeep missed the boat on that one. Scottys is spot on.
Scotty your dreamworld has no limits!
This is one nice truck. I agree the cab is small, comfortable for 2 maximum, but I’d have no worries about the mileage on that 6 banger, We just sold our Xmas last fall with 340k and the only work we ever did was the rear main seal @ 240k and when we dropped the caps to look at the bearings they were like new. I wouldn’t have sold it then, but I couldn’t keep up with the rust anymore.
Had a 2wd Comanche in the 80s. In what I assume was a money saving idea the truck had a solid tube front axle.
You will miss the Dodge.
Nice find and reasonably price (for those of us who have lived among the rusted ones). The 5-speed is a must for maximum driver experience. I find the wheel tire combo within the reasonable limits of being “right sized”. Regarding the engine I will stand on both sides of the fence. It has low miles if you just need something that will keep running for another 100k or more miles. But if you goal is better power and no oil in the air filter or under the rear main seal, then it could use a fresh hone and rings in the next 50k miles. If rebuilding the engine, go with a later head which has better flow. IMHO