1989 Jeep Comanche

Here’s the plan of attack: Maggie is going to be my daily driver. Just back and forth to work (5 miles or so) and running to the home improvement store to pick up supplies for the house remodeling project. I loved the way I had Betty (the 96 XJ) built, but I realized I put the seat’s down and never bothered to put them back up. I was really in need of a pick-up truck. So that’s when I talked myself into swapping it for a MJ.

I still have Wendy (the 91 YJ) and it’s right now sitting on waggy SOA with dana 44’s, 35’s …. and not a whole lot else bolted to it. I want to take the next 4-5 years and build that the way I would really like too.

That’s where Maggie (back to the MJ) comes into play. I want it to be a nice looking, capable daily driver / weekend warrior. Something that i’m proud to call myself a “Jeeper” in and something that keeps me from rushing the Wendy project just to get it on the road.

So here’s the “short-list” … in a semi-chronological order of attack:

  • Remove vinyl graphics
  • Vinyl lettering of “Comanche” in rubicon style on both fenders
  • Swap out for gray XJ bucket seats
  • Custom front and rear bumpers and rocker guards
  • Por-15 the floor boards to repair light surface rust
  • Swap out blue interior pieces for gray parts pulled from a 2-door XJ
  • 97+ Shifter handles
  • ZJ shifter grip for AT handle
  • Cobra front firing speaker CB mounted flush in the dash
  • Pioneer CD player with iPod adapter and steering wheel mounted remote
  • Grant replacement steering wheel
  • 97+ front clip swap
  • Louvered hood
  • Firestick mounted where the stock FM antenna is
  • Bushwacker fender flares
  • TJ style filler neck
  • SOA on rear disc-braked MJ Dana 44
  • Swap out 231 in favor of 242 t-case
  • 2wd rear springs to lower it to approx 4.5″ total lift in the rear
  • Front suspension components from BDS to level it out
  • 33×12.5r15 TrXus MT’s mounted on 15×8 Crager Soft 8’s
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Remote entry and start button
  • Painted silver or gray using DupliColors Paint Shop line
  • Accent pieces (louvers, door handles, filler neck, etc) painted black
  • Duraback bed
  • Rear bed cover
  • Round off-road/driving lights mounted on front bumper
  • 4.56 gearing
  • On board air, and tool mounts built into new panel behind seats
  • On board air port using another TJ filler neck
  • Ummm… cool stickers. I think that’s it


Here is a short “wish-list” which I may or may not get done:

  • 4.5L stroker motor swap
  • AW4 “manual” shifting kit
  • MasterCraft Rubicon w/tilt seats
  • Interior roll-cage
  • 4 point harness
  • Palm pilot built into dash for GPS navigation and possible undercarriage camera


Whew… im tired already. Anywho, time to get my arse off the couch and start building this thing so I can get to building the other project (is it insance? Cause it’s begining to sound a bit off kilter)