I’m not sure why I always think a Jeep has to have 4WD. It’s like seeing a hardtop version of a car that you normally see as a convertible, and it just seems strange. Jeep is just so well-known for having all four wheels churning. The seller has this rust-free 1989 Jeep Comanche posted here on craigslist in Fort Collins, Colorado, and they’re asking $4,750 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
I don’t give it a second thought when a Ford Ranger or a Chevy S-10 is RWD, but a Jeep pickup just seems like it should be a 4×4. It makes no sense, but it’s rare that I make sense, now that I think about it. My puny Dodge D-50 pickup is rear-wheel drive, and this Jeep would probably be a better truck, since I don’t drive it in the winter anyway.
With a weekend or two of detailing, just whenever a person had time, poking around, cleaning, polishing, maybe repainting the bumpers, etc., this Cherokee would look like a million bucks. It’s wearing the original Comanche-brand bed liner and that’s pretty nice to have. Jeep offered this pickup from 1985 for the 1986 model year until the end of 1992. I’ve only seen one in the wild (i.e., the street) in the last decade if not more, and it looked like new. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a rusty, beat-up one.
The interior is a bit of a mystery, as this is the only photo showing it, other than one showing the speedometer. And this is a vertical, of course. Comanches with the AMC 2.5-liter four came with a T-4 or Aisin AX-4, but a T-5 and AX-5 were optional, as was a column-or-console-shifted three-speed (TorqueFlite 904) automatic. The seller lists this one as a 4-cylinder and says it has a 4-speed manual.
And there it is, AMC’s 2.5-liter OHV, fuel-injected inline-four with 120 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Backed by the 4-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels only, this one is said to have a recent issue where it starts but won’t idle. It could be a number of issues, a bad TPS, a clogged filter, an idle air control valve, who knows. Well, one of you will know. Otherwise, the truck is rust-free, and everything else works fine. Hagerty is at $9,700 for a #3 good-condition truck: how much is this one worth with the non-idling issue?
The 2.5 GM Iron Duke 4 made its way around didn’t it? I think I remember a red 2 WD late 80’s one when it was new back then. But, I agree with Scotty I don’t think there’s a lot optioned like this. And let’s face it, the name Jeep is synonymous with 4WD in my mind too. It’s funny, thinking about this time period and where Jeeps got their parts from, I believe the ignition seitch was GM, the 2.5 was from GM and the automatic was Chrysler like Scotty pointed out. I always liked these trucks. This will make a great runabout with the 4 and a stick.
Hi Dave, pretty sure this is not the Iron Duke, it’s the AMC 6 cylinder with the back 2 cylinders chopped off. Ask me how I know. Gutless thing, but in true AMC form, I’ve heard of these motors doing 200K, or more. When looking for my Wrangler, I talked to one guy, had an amazing 247K on a 4 cyl., so it can be done. While Jeep is synonymous with 4x4s, my son has a Jeep Compass(?) he likes, and a 2wd. Won’t idle, eh? Dirty throttle body, been there, oh, don’t forget about “heat soak” with these. Been there too. Nice find, great trucks, and we actually had a little snow today,,,I’m going back to bed!
Howard, thank you for the correction-I missed the note about this being an AMC motor..
Not enough caffeine in my system yet obviously!☕️☕️☕️😳😆
I was so wrong about that Howard. The Iron Duke according to my search was used in early 80’s Jeeps, this is indeed the AMC version. But I do believe they used GM ignition switches during this time. However, I could be rong (wrong) about that too lol. I’m with Nevadahalfrack, I need more coffee
-Dave
Smacking myself in the head. Poor Scotty, he had it right there too in his write up, how did I miss that. Where is my brain today? I take one day vacation from work and my brain checked itself out at the door.
Terrific deal on this right sized working truck! The idle shouldn’t be that hard to run down, and the rest of it looks pretty good in the pictures. And yes “Jeep” is just part and parcel to expectations of 4WD but this appears to be one explained perfectly by Howard A in previous posts: the1st owner wanted a small truck and wanted an American truck, not some furrin’ thing. All American? As Dave aptly pointed out, a GM engine and possibly transmission in a truck built in the USA for and sold by American Motors..
And Scotty, we don’t normally get the winter dump you all have up there, I don’t think, but driving a 2WD in the snow is made a little easier when we throw on your extra set of rims with the studded snow tires. Afterwards, drive down to the nearest shopping mall and buy a Happy Meal. Offer that to the guy clearing the lot in exchange for a dumping a bucket of snow in the bed-instant load that’s organic and a lot easier to clear out later than a couple wet hay bales. Works great!
This would be a really great little runabout and as said earlier it looks like a good one.
GLWTS
So funny you said that Nevadahalfrack, my Dad never had 4WD pickups. He mounted a 55 gal drum in the bed and we’d fill it with water just before it all got too cold and we’d have to shut off the outside hose spiggots. I remember freezing my fingers off doing that. I totally forgot about that till now.
-Dave
Another smart alternative! I’ll remember that one, Dave.
Jeep trucks came in 2WD since the Willy days…
I don’t know the production figures, but it seems most of the ones I see for sale are RWD.
I was at the AMC dealer intro for these in Sacramento. I always liked them. If you get tired if this being a 2wd truck. Just find a wrecked Cherokee 4×4 and swap everything out. Even though this is 2wd. It’s a solid front axle. Literally a bolt in deal for a 4×4 swap out.
Lovely looking Jeep Comanche. It’s a damn shame that it wasn’t on the market for long before being discontinued.