With a cost of just over $8,000 when new, this rear-wheel drive 1990 Jeep Comanche was the lowest priced Jeep model. This non-4×4 Jeep is on Craigslist in Milan, Indiana with an asking price of $2,600. With NADA listing a low retail value of $3,725 this could be a good buy. Let’s check it out.
Like Subaru, I find it hard to imagine a Jeep that doesn’t have four-wheel drive. It’s just one of those things that I assume – all Jeeps are 4x4s. I mean, why else would anyone buy a Jeep? Even the name Jeep has been generic’isized so much that it’s like Kleenex when in fact the box on the top of your toilet tank says Puffs. A lot of people still refer to any 4×4 as a Jeep even if they’re made by another manufacturer. A Jeep pickup is unusual enough but a rear-wheel drive model is even more unusual. But, I like unusual vehicles.
Our only pickup is a small rear-wheel truck and we haven’t needed to have all four wheels powering the thing, so why am I making such a thing about a two-wheel drive Jeep Comanche? I know, I need a hobby, my raise-sea-monkeys-for-fun-and-profit idea isn’t cutting it. The seller says that “the body on this thing is almost immaculate. Rust free, rockers and floor boards look brand new. Very rare for a Comanche especially for this area. Minor dent on back passenger side and the front fender. Tailgate is dented, missing handle so it currently doesn’t work.”
There are no engine photos, unfortunately, but this one has AMC’s silky-smooth, fuel-injected 4.0L 242 cubic-inch inline-six with a respectable 173 hp. One thing that would help here is if it had a manual transmission, but this one has an Aisin AW-4 four-speed automatic. You’ll have to figure in shipping as the seller says that the “Tires and back drums need replaced. Have brand new drums still in box that are included. Will need to be towed because of the back drums needing replaced. Brakes are good enough to test drive though.” I have a big love for small pickups, and small unusual pickups even more so. Have any of you owned a non-4×4 Jeep? What are your thoughts on this Comanche?
Owned a 87 sport truck shortbed 4×4. 4speed manual 4 cylinder. Thing was awesome in the snow as my first 2 years of college was in Canton NY 😎
Paid 3k at auction in 1991 lol
Scotty, I agree. This could be a nice truck for someone. The selling point for me would be the 4.0 in-line 6. I just don;t have room or money. If I did…….
I test drove an early 2wd XJ Cherokee when they came out. It surprised me that they had used a straight front axle on it rather than IFS. That and the huge transmission tunnel made it pretty obvious that it was a 4wd vehicle with some parts left out. I bought another Toyota pickup instead, in part because it steered better and in part because the GM 4 cyl engine felt pretty weak and crude. The availability of that sturdy, powerful 4.0 in the later models might well have persuaded me to buy a Comanche if I had been faced with the same choice.
My $600.00 non-running parts truck that I towed home 4 years ago, resurrected and got running just sold for over 10 X that initial purchase price.
Only in a JEEP!
It was not grossly over modified but was converted to 4WD. The initial fun part was done as a personal dare to myself.
“Get it running using only junkyard parts.”