We often think of vehicles like the Ford F150 Lightning and Chevrolet SS as the dominant high performance trucks of the 90s. This was a new segment of vehicles that combined utility with strong acceleration. However, the Jeep Comanche with the Eliminator package may have actually been the first of its kind – a trend setter – that was never fully appreciated for being a segment-defining vehicle. While it’s certainly loved for being a durable pickup truck, perhaps it’s time we also recognize that the on-road performance was outstanding as well. Check out this Comanche with the rare Eliminator package listed here on craigslist for $19,500.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M. for the find. The Comanche was a home run for Jeep when introduced, but it was only after the revered 4.0L inline-six engine was introduced. The introductory engine choices were lukewarm at best, but the 4.0 transformed Jeep in numerous ways across the lineup. When the first year model offered up a tepid 115 horsepower, and the 4.0L followed that introductory effort with 173 b.h.p., it made the Comanche not only a reliable workhorse but one that could hustle as well. The Comanche would even go on to spur its own racing series known as the SCCA RaceTruck Series, where its speed and handling capabilities were on display.
Heck, the Comanche would even go onto set speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. A truck that could reach 60 in under 10 seconds was downright impressive at the time, and the lightly-modified example in Bonneville routinely put down average top speeds of over 140 miles per hour! This was banana-land speed for a pickup truck in the late 1980s, and Jeep was stuffing showrooms with them. The Comanche offered other features that were unusual in a pickup truck, like a proper headliner, floor carpeting, storage bins, bucket seats, a proper gauge cluster, and an aggressive wheels and tire package.
The Eliminator package upped the ante even further, with a full gauge package including a tachometer, a color-keyed grill, front air dam, fender flares, and special decals. This Comanche features wheels from a later Cherokee, but the original 10-hole aluminum wheels are worth tracking down to complete the original look. The hot ticket was getting one of these with the 5-speed manual transmission for a rig that could truly run with the big boys, but the automatic that this Comanche is equipped with is more common. The seller reports mileage of just over 137K and that the truck runs well. With less than 1,000 made and plenty of them likely already scrapped, a survivor Eliminator package truck like this is a rare find.
A chunk of change but if it were priced better a few of us would be in a race to beat Scotty G. to the driveway!
Interesting truck, I never heard of the “eliminator” package on the Comanche. The 1991 & 1992 4.0 was bumped up to 190hp, which was respectable for a 6 cyl. I would consider a clean 91 or 92 with 3 pedals.
A very nice looking truck, but the Eliminator package is nearly all cosmetics. That’s all and good but that doesn’t justify it being worth nearly $20k especially with that many miles, and its missing the sharp aluminum wheels it came out of the factory with.
Nice looking truck. The price is the eliminator package for me!
Lots of money ($19,500) for what is basically a trim and graphics package that few have heard of and the seller didn’t bother to explain. Maybe 4,000 miles per year doesn’t seem like a lot, but 137,000 miles over the life of a vehicle is far from a selling point deserving of a large premium. Lastly, it isn’t even a 5spd.
There is a lot of competition from a buyers perspective at this price point.
Steve R
Mileage, that’s something a lot of sellers miss the mark on. I agree with you that the yearly mileage isn’t as important, as the total mileage is. At some point, when I’m looking at a vehicle, mileage stops becoming an issue and the condition takes priority.
Price high with the mileage! Only 5 photos why? Need engine and chassis pictures. 5 speed manual is better because I drove a 90 in red back in the day. Yes lots of fun. But it was a 2 dr Cherokee Comanche. I should of brought it from the dealer. Those were rare to see one the road. This one would be fun also going to the Ice cream shop drop the tail gate and hang out with the kids. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
I can tell this is one where the truck means a lot more emotionally to the seller than it will to a prospective buyer. The Eliminator was a pretty cool package, but this is a high mileage truck without its original wheels or a manual transmission. It’s probably worth less than $5,000 realistically.
This was an interesting era where the domestics put out several performance pick up trucks. The SS454, S10 SS, Shelby Dakota, Ford Lightning, and of course, the GMC Syclone and Typhoon.
These were great trucks, I worked at a Jeep-Eagle dealership in the early 90s, too bad this doesn’t have the Eliminator stripes and correct wheels…and not to be nit picky but the grill is installed upside down. Good lookin truck in great cond but priced a bit high I’d say…
Clean Truck here. A few things the rims are from a 1993-1995 Jeep grand cherokee grille upside down and no eliminator decals. I have 3 Jeep Cherokees in my family my 1990 with 260,000 miles my brothers 1996 with 220,000 miles and my Dads 1997 with 212,000 miles all 4×4 4.0 autos. The price is high on the Jeep here to bad it is not a manual. I have worked on Jeeps since 1993 and still do. The 1990’s were good years.
I had a 1990 Eliminator like this one. Bought it in 1993 or 94 for $6,000 used. Mine was short bed, holed wheels, 5-speed, with ELIMINATOR decals on the bed close to the cab. Glad the owner of this one took the covers off the fog lights. Mine rusted through because of them. Also, developed a tappet noise that went away after the engine got to fully operating temperature. Put almost 225K on it before the throw-out bearing went up, though the clutch was still good. A bear to work on, and I don’t want another.
Beautiful looking Comanche. I consider it unforgivable that it wasn’t offered for long before being discontinued.
These are a good looking and well proportioned small truck. Since Jeeps change so little allows it to look contemporary 35 years later. Its roomy cab is the big attraction for me.
Don’t forget the S10 Extreme when you mention quick pickups. My son had one right out of high school that was saweet! Wish I’d have latched on to it.
20k. must be a jeep thing. not for me though