We don’t often hear the word pampered used to describe the condition of a rugged Jeep, but the seller of this 1990 Jeep Comanche Pioneer pickup calls it just that. Once you look at the photos, you’ll agree. This time capsule Jeep Comanche Pioneer can be found here on eBay in Benton, Missouri where the current bid price is $6,600 and there is no reserve.
I can’t ever see the day again on this twirling ball that we live on when Jeep will make a strictly two-wheel-drive vehicle, can you? Most SUVs are AWD and now a lot of formerly rear or front-wheel-drive passenger cars have AWD. I only mention that because this Jeep Comanche has rear-wheel-drive, you know, that configuration that we all pretty much lived with until the later part of the 20th Century? Now, we can’t seem to survive driving to the boutique grocery store to get oat milk and sprouted bread without having all four wheels providing traction.
The Jeep Comanche was made for the 1986 through 1992 model years, first by AMC/Jeep and then by Chrysler/Jeep. There must have been other vehicles made by manufacturers that have changed corporate ownership and kept production going, let’s hear a few in the comments section. This truck looks as close to as-new as any that I have ever seen. I wonder what this Jeep pickup would be selling for in this unbelievable condition if it would have had 4WD? 50% more?
There’s no hairy-knuckle manual transmission in this uptown Jeep, it has a four-speed automatic with a column shifter, as a refined Jeep and Jeep owner should have. I half expected to see a top hat and monocle holder in this one. That doesn’t mean that this Jeep Comanche isn’t up to hauling a load or doing a hard day’s work. The interior looks as nice as the exterior does and the Pioneer was a step above the base model.
This clean engine is AMC’s 242 cubic-inch (4.0L) inline-six which would have had around 175 hp. The 4.0L inline-six is one of four engines that Chrysler kept around after buying AMC/Jeep in 1987. Jeff and Todd are our resident BMW experts, but I’ve heard many times that this AMC/Jeep/Chrysler engine is famous for its smoothness and reliability, which is what BMW’s inline-six has been about for the last few decades. Have any of you owned a rear-wheel-drive Jeep Comanche? Any thoughts on the 4.0L engine?
Chrysler didn’t need anything from AMC other than Jeep brand. I like the Comanche a lot, but the Dodge Dakota was new in 1987 and they were still selling the Mitsubishi Ram 50. Let alone assuming a Renault disaster all at the same time.
Yes, that 4.0 engine is as durable as can be. AMC motor virtually unchanged, only refined by Chrysler.
The Comanche is a Cherokee in essence. Where ford would make an SUV out of a pick up (Ranger/Bronco II), AMC did the opposite.
Enough from Al, nice truck at a fair price…
funny, my ford wuz made outta an econo box – the VeeDub Bug response, falcon – but 4WD (1970 bronk). A lill earlier than the danger ranger
The 4.0 may be one of the best engines ever produced in terms of longevity. I see them all the time, racking up 300k and more in so cal. I still think any straight 6, that has both the intake and exhaust on the same side, is pretty old school. No engine needs 700 degrees, parked right under the fuel rail.
You won’t see that arrangement on a BMW I-6. Regardless, a smooth reliable, easy to repair workhouse. They will still be running, long after every reader has left this earth. This is a very nice find.
The perfect small truck with the engine. Just to note, you can still get a rear-wheel-drive Jeep today. The Grand Cherokee, according to the Jeep website, offers that configuration.
In the late 40s, Nash had two engines from the 30s the flathead and the overhead. Both were 6 cyl. But with no interchange, and both ran forever with great gas mileage and acceptable power. In 55, the v8 arrived, so amc ditched the overhead 6 and created an overhead version of the flathead. The flatter was standard in the Ramble/Rambler American, the 196 overhead standard in the larger cars, v8 optional. In the early 6o’s. They were stuck with a small car and no v8 that soulful fit into it. So, They redesigned the bobcats to take a v8 in 63 but the overhead 196 was just not enough for that big a car. So in 64 they announced their new 6- the 232, with 7 main bearings. It came only in the Typhoon in 64, but was standard in the big cars after that. It was bored out in the 8”s to 258 and was standArd in Jerps. Last use was in 2002.
Had a 1997 Jeep Wrangler W/that engine, only thing that killed it was my wife left it in gear(pulling it behind a motorhome), and we took off, after 2 blocks getting onto a paved road realized the problem. Visiting my son, took it to a wrench, he got it started and immediately froze the engine. Pulled the distributer and it had twisted the oil pump end off the dist.,got a salvage block, refurbed and it’s still running
now that is a unicorn. rust free, non 4 wheel drive Jeep pick-up from the last century. The stuff dreams are made of. Well, maybe if you were dreaming of a non-4 wheel drive version.
I have owned my ‘98 Sahara since new-same I-6 engine. The only problem I’ve ever had was a cracked exhaust manifold. Still going strong at 267k miles. One of the best engines out there as far as longevity. Seriously over-engineered and you don’t get high hp, you do have decent torque, fuel mileage is abysmal and it is a heavy chunk of cast iron. Simple to work on, parts are readily available, a crazy mix of metric and sae.
It can be 4WD easily , donor Cherokee and a weekend of work . I ain’t the only one that knows this , judging from the bids .
less surprise here on the condition. Since its 2WD it doesn’t see the off rd and therefore is not beat up like them. I get the oposite w/mine: “How can THAT thing B is such good shape w/ the plow on the front!?!”