The Jeep Comanche was one of AMC’s Hail Mary passes, designed to improve its financial condition during the difficulties of the 1980s. By introducing a truck to capitalize on the “truck as car” phenomenon, AMC hoped to earn enough to remain independent and pay for developing its expensive line-up of sedans. The new Comanche was built on the Cherokee platform. Two bed lengths were offered during the production run from 1986 through 1992 – six and seven feet – and the truck could be had in two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Multiple trim levels were offered. Here on eBay is a 1988 Jeep Comanche 4×4 short bed in Pioneer trim, bid to $7050, no reserve. The truck is located in Evington, Virginia and it is being offered by a dealer specializing in hot rods.
The history of this Comanche is a bit convoluted. It began life with a lowly 2.5-liter four-cylinder which according to the AutoCheck report accumulated at least 175,000 miles. At some point, a 1999 Cherokee drivetrain, including its 4.0-liter six-cylinder and automatic transmission, was transplanted into this truck. Not only was the drivetrain swapped out, but so was the dash, including the odometer. Consequently, the current odo reading is slightly under 71,000 miles – resulting in a title brand. Still, the six-cylinder makes over 170 hp, a big improvement versus 120 from the four-cylinder. Of course, you’ll pay for that in more trips to the gas station. The condition of the engine bay certainly supports recent work – it’s pretty clean in here.
The interior is decent with an intact bench seat. The dash, including the steering wheel, is from the 1999 donor. Apparently, interior swaps are not unknown in Comanche territory, as this forum notes. If anyone can execute a swap, a hot rod shop can – this whole project from the engine bay to the interior appears well done.
The truck’s underside is clean enough and the seller promises no rust, a by-product of never being driven in mud, snow, or on salted roads. Only the paint is a giveaway as to its age and miles, with plenty of fading in and out of the bed. But there are no dents or serious scratches. I’m not sure I would repaint this Comanche, though if you were a do-it-yourselfer, a repaint might add value without involving your whole summer, given the tidy body. What would you do if this truck landed in your driveway?
The 4.0L was a smart swap for making this 1/2 pint more usable-especially for folks who don’t have room (or always a need) for a full size truck. Kudos to the seller for the underside pix, though they belie the claim it was never driven through the mud…
I would suspect they mean the mud bog racing type mud, but IDK.
Decent little 4×4 work truck, it’s not a bad buy at the current price considering the current truck market if it really as clean as they’re making it out to be but no one I know would pay much more than that.
The under side pics aren’t of the rust prone areas like above rear axle where the bump stops bolt up.
Cool trucks. 2 buddies had 4wd 4.0 5spd combo. Loved em. But their compact on the interior i recall.
I like the 4.0 swap. The dash and steering wheel/column swap kind of ruins it for me, personally.
I agree. I like the more vintage look of the original dash and steering wheel.
count me in on that vote. the earlier dash is far superior to me.
that is enough for a pass of plunking down cash as clean as this one appears to be
I think that with the engine swap, had to go the wiring harness. The Chrysler FI closed-loop system was far different from and superior to, the RENCO FI system.
A new wiring harness brings all kinds of issues to an electronic instrument panel – now that the speedometer is electronic, warning lights are governed by logic modules, and printed-circuitboards are the rule. And of course, by the late 1990s, Jeep had its electronic parts standardized into Chrysler – ignition key, many door handles, steering column (and airbag) etc.
About the only way not to do this, would have been to retro the six with a carburetor, and that conversion would be even more work (fuel pump, throttle linkage, etc).
The original dash might be better, but given the sun-fading on the exterior, it may have been cracked and sun-damaged as well.
oh i agree that to use all the late model stuf was the way to go if that was what made the donation. i would have used the next gen back for a donor and kept the older style dash. and not have had to regress to a 232 and a mechanical fuel system. in my eyes the best donor years woould have been pre 92 because that would get you the dual mode asian warner 4 spd auto. even though you loose the programmability of an obd2 setup.
The dash swap goes with the later model engine management system ,It is the proper way to do this swap.
This is a great Jeep to own. And being a pick up getting goodies at Lowes is better than putting into my Grand Cherokee. I would love to own this next to my Jeep and my wife’s Jeep. But don’t have the room. I went on there site to read more about it and see the pictures. This is done right and I would repaint this the same color. Someone is going to steal this truck for such a great price. 🐻🇺🇸
I bought a 87 Comanche new with 4 liter, 5 speed, short bed for 11K. Best truck! Loved it so much. Amazing power from that 4.0.
“Lowly 4 cylinder”? Well, I expect insults from commentors, but from the staff? Just kidding, dear, I’ll be the 1st to admit, it’s underpowered, but dependable, 200K is not uncommon, and it does get better gas mileage than the 6. All about application. The 6 isn’t exactly a powerhouse either. The 4 cylinder works for me, but a definite deterrent when selling.
Again, this truck is nothing one makes cross-country trips in, and a ride on Saturday to the dump, or Homey Depot for “yes dear” project supplies, it’s fine. The thing lacking here, was no extended cab and clearly hurt sales. I thought of a 6 cylinder swap, but all the “forums” claim, it’s a lot easier to just find one with a 6, rather than swap it over. The 4 will be just fine for what I need, and probably works here too. If these roundhead car makers would get their heads from where the sun doesn’t shine, and offer something like this again, be a hit. Great find, you won’t find many low mileage Jeeps. Mileage is unimportant, as if it’s not rusted, always worth repair.
By the way, anyone ever hear of Jeep “heat soak”? Ask me how I know,,,
Yes, lack of an extended cabs hurt sales, but that’s not what killed it – the Chrysler buyout of AMC killed it. The Dakota was (probably) a better truck, and an extended cab was available. The hierarchy of Chrysler Corporation was that Jeep was an SUV brand and Dodge was the truck brand.
The car maker’s do make trucks like this. They’re called the Ford Ranger and the Chevy Colorado. Plus the Toy-yo-yo Tacoma. The only difference between these trucks and that Jeep? Is these new “small” trucks cost more than our first houses did!
No, there is nothing remotely like this available (at least in the US) anymore. The vehicles mentioned are all bloated whales that can’t even be equipped with a manual transmission or “regular” cab. For this reason I will never buy a “new” truck (unless things offered on the market drastically change).
Heat soak… Yes. Wrap your injectors and injector rail. Also make sure that the heat shield (either factory or factory recall) is installed. This problem usually only rears its ugly head after towing and then standing still. Leaky or cracked exhaust manifold (header) should be fixed if required as well. Do all of the above and you will soon forget about it.
Thanks, pal. Apparently, in ’91, Jeep went from throttle body to injectors, and a service bulletin was issued. I’ve done just about everything with a carburetor, but have a “hope it works, screwed if it doesn’t” mentality when it comes to F.I..
Yes, that “lowly” 2.5 liter 4 cylinder won the SCCA Race Truck Challenge 1988 season. Of course it didn’t hurt having Tommy Archer at the wheel. 5 speed transmission and 2wd.
Awesome looking Jeep truck. I remember when the Comanche was first intro’d. I remember telling myself that I’d love to drive something like this when I grew up. Although it never happened, I always smile whenever I see a Jeep Comanche. Given its solid condition, I’d pay around the asking price of $7500.
I had one of these, bought from a friend. Drove it for a few years. It was a 4 cylinder with a 4-speed., 2WD. The front axle was very interesting as I recall, being a beam axle.
I’m normally happy with small engines, but something (first gear? rear end ratio?) made this one pretty terrible for starting off. It just seemed like first gear wasn’t low enough. I would never attempt to tow with it or try to slog up a steep hill.
Had to replace a clutch on it. Kept seeing two different diameters in the parts books. Finally, just bought the bigger clutch: worked fine. It looked like the flywheel was drilled for either size…..maybe a reflection on AMC’s desperation when this was made?
Three final comments.
1. I like the updated dash. The original is a nice history lesson, but sometimes there are good reasons to change things.
2. From experience, a 5-speed will get significantly better mpg than the automatic in these.
3. Your horsepower numbers are not correct for the year this engine came from.
1987-90: 177 hp (132 kW; 179 PS) at 4500 rpm and 224 lb⋅ft (304 N⋅m) at 2500 rpm
1991-95: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4750 rpm and 225 lb⋅ft (305 N⋅m) at 4000 rpm
1996-01: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4600 rpm and 225 lb⋅ft (305 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm
2001-06: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4600 rpm and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm
I had one of these trucks to plow my NE driveway. Its a great truck with 4.0 engine and auto transmission. I sold 7 years later only because the floor rotted out.
Over $9,000 now with two days left. I’m thinking that it’ll take a few grand more to grab this neat little truck. I really like it and it’s not all that far away from me. But reality deems that I mustn’t pursue. The current fleet would have to be thinned and I don’t want to do that. Someone is going to get a nice ride.
What’s would I do with it? It go in my driveway next to the other 2 Comanches I own. And I would drive a different one everyday. I love these little trucks and 7k for one in this shape is a good deal.
My Dad has an 89 Comanche SporTruck in better shape than this. 4×4, auto, 4.0, a/c. Very capable little trucks. Would love to do a full restore on my dad’s… Maybe one day! I’m sure he’ll never sell it.
bring back da dash, use the 258 but keep the 5 speed (I like the NV3550).
Paint? What the heck for?
Pretty nice, thought they were gone by 1st, 2nd yr of the ’80s.