I’m a big fan of small pickups and this 1986 Jeep Comanche X 4×4 checks a lot of boxes for me. First, it appears to be rust-free, it’s a 4×4, and it has a five-speed manual, the trifecta of truck goodness. It’s listed here on eBay in Puyallup, Washington, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $4,650. Thanks to 4wheelin for the tip!
I have white wall tires on my little 1980 Dodge (Mitsubishi) pickup and it originally came with white letter tires. I can’t find that size of white letter tires anymore so I haven’t replaced them yet. I’m not a huge fan of white wall tires on a truck, but it’s just a few hundred bucks if the next owner wants to remedy that on this Jeep. Bodywise, this Comanche appears rock solid, including the underside. The seller does mention that there has been a single repaint at some point.
The next level up from the base Custom trim level was the X as seen here. It was still pretty basic but this is a really nice looking and “luxurious” truck compared to my 1980 Dodge’subishi and many others. The tailgate looks like new and inside the bed is nice, too. The seller gives many great photos and they deserve a gold star for that, it’s such a rare thing these days. There is a bedliner but this is a very rare case where a seller pulls it up a bit to show underneath. Nice. There appears to be a dent or two on the right side of the bed in front of the right rear wheel but that’s all I can see for body issues on this Jeep.
There appears to be a tear in the driver’s door seal but that should be a relatively easy fix, or just leave it. There are no rips or flaws in the interior otherwise according to the seller and it sure looks great inside to me. Having full gauges on an almost base-level pickup is a nice feature.
The engine is a 2.8-liter OHV V6, which would have been factory-rated at 115 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque when new. Sending power to and through an Aisin AX-5 five-speed manual and two-speed transfer case to all four wheels as needed, this one is said to start every time and run well. Hagerty is at $11,400 for a #3 good-condition example, how much would you pay for this one?
It might have the trifecta, but not the quinella, if it had a straight 6, or a V8, it would be a great ute.
Other than that, she’s a beaut, power steering too.
Dave AMC never offered an 8 on the Commanche to my knowledge. You’re spot on though w the inline six comment. It would be a blue ribbon winner w the 4.0 and 5sp. in 4wd trim.
Still a really neat little rig.
Had an XJ with the straight 6, beast of a motor, I loved it .
Yessir, drove 2 of my buddys Jeep YJs w the 4.0, 5sp. They are brisk.
Stan, what is that in your avatar, a Pete?
It’s already got the GM bell housing run the 2.8 until it takes a poop then,put in a 4.3 V6
Hi Howard. That’s a Western Star 4900 model. Formerly hand ✋️ built in Kelowna BC. They turned out good trucks in my opinion. HVAC was worse than competitors, stiff ride, roomy cabs. Detroit, Cat, or Cummins power. Eaton transmissions sent juice to Rockwell or Eaton rearends. Strong powertrains.
This truck is just down the road from me, and if it had the 4.0 I’d be picking up this pickup!
Had a 85 Cherokee with the same drivetrain. 2.8 was weak, and would need timing set several times a year. Transmission constantly needed slave or master cylinders, usually because the master would go out, and then the slave 2 months later, both should have been changed together, but the slave was inside the transmission.
It was fantastic off road, took it places and did things that I would never consider today, usually with a 6 pack and several friends, 80’s were a different time. Did as good off road as my 79 CJ7.
I would probably hold out for a 4.0, but close by and clean could be tempting
my dad ordered one of these when they first came out. He got the 4 cyl auto as he couldnt shift a manual anymore at his age. It was still on the road nearing 300,000 miles. My cousin owned it by then. It blew a head gasket so he junked it. It probably still had many more miles left on it.
1 should never ‘junk’ junk like this…
(they are worth ‘bringing back’ from all sorta mishaps)
C Rw above…
Cherokees and Commanches had a 4 cly or a chevy 2.8 v6 from 1984 to 1986. From 1987 to 1990 the 4.0 liter 6 cylinder renix amc set up. 1991 and newer had the 4.0 liter Chrysler 4.0 liter until 2006 in the Jeep line up untill the engine not made any more. The Chevy v6 in these Jeeps to me was under powered. I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 As does my Dad and brother have in there 1997 and 1996 Jeep Cherokees with well over 250 000 miles !!
Not only was the 2.8 underpowered, it got lousy gas mileage and was marginally more powerful than the four.
Nice summary. Not only was the 2.8 V6 weak in low end torque, they did not hold up very well (especially compare to the 2.5 or the 4.0). I was convinced that GM offered the 2.8 V6 to Jeep in order to put them out of business. Regardless of how and why they chose that motor AMC/Jeep soon landed in the hands of Chrysler. The market for the Comanche wasn’t big enough, and they had they were promoting the first generation of Dodge Dakota. That spelled the end of the Comanche. The Cherokee was selling too well to kill for a very long time.
I agree with JMB#7. Al ways wondered why the Commanchee did not have a extra cab option.
I agree, that is why I bought a Toyota SR5 Xtra Cab in 1986. I really wanted the Comanche but the Xtra Cab made the decision.
Very nice. Although I was too young at the time to drive a car, I remember the Jeep Comanche. I consider it unforgivable that it wasn’t on the market for very long before being discontinued. I think it could’ve sold quite well along side the XJ Cherokee.
it sure could have. but it would have been at the expense of dakota sales. and chrysler corp didn’t want that.
this one is a great looker but man it wouldn’t stay a 2.8 for long in my yard.
definitely be a 4.0 in its future
So what? Dodge could’ve still sold the Dakota. I would’ve bought mine with the 4.0 litre engine.
Auction update: this Jeep Cherokee sold for $5,303.