Given how much drivers have changed since 2020, I almost wish I had been parked in 2019 when this 1989 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 Pioneer was parked. I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the roads aren’t as friendly as they were before 2020, not that they were overly-friendly then either, but it’s noticeably different now. This red rig is posted here on Craigslist in Newcastle, California, and they’re asking $5,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!

Colorado Red is the name of this paint, according to this 1989 Jeep color page from a brochure. The paint is pretty faded and rubbed off or scratched a bit here and there, as you can see. The BF Goodrich tires are fairly new, but as always, I’d go down a size and, thankfully, the seller mentions having two sets of original wheels that go with the sale! This one is looking better all the time, despite the rugged paint and 2″ lift. I really like the Pioneer trim level, but I wonder if this one is too far gone (paint-wise) to try to bring it back as much as possible and just leave it at that point, or if it deserves a full repaint?

The tailgate looks a little dinged up. Did someone actually use a pickup to haul things rather than sitting in the drive-thru line ordering a venti, caramel, skinny latte with extra foam and sprinkles?! The driver’s door appears to have been repainted at some point; maybe a full repaint is in order, which means bodywork. There doesn’t appear to be any body rust on this Comanche, so that’s good. They do mention a 3/4-inch spot of rust on the transmission tunnel and that’s it for this truck.

Jeep made the Comanche by lopping off the rear portion of a Cherokee, and they were made for the 1986 model year until the end of 1992. This Pioneer was a step up from the base level, but anytime there are graphics involved, I’m in. I’d prefer bucket seats, but this bench seat looks great, if not a little dirty. I would love to clean and detail this Jeep pickup. About the price, Hagerty is at $5,400 for a #4 fair condition truck, so they may be right on the money. They’re at $13,700 for a #3 good condition truck, in case you wanted to put some money into this one.

Sadly, they didn’t bother to pop the hood, and my bad jokes about the engine looking like a back seat (when I include a photo of a back seat where I usually put an engine photo, or, in this case, a side view of the long bed) don’t go over well. I’ll just say that the engine is a “Power-Tech” 4.0-liter OHV inline-six with 177 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed by an Aisin-Warner AW-4 four-speed automatic that was column-shifted on trucks with a bench seat. That combo sent power through a famous Jeep transfer case to all four wheels as needed. The seller says it runs but could use brake work, and I’d want to go through everything after it has been sitting for a half-dozen years. Would you maintain this Cherokee and drive it as is, or pick away at restoring it to its former glory?