Street Jeep Build

[Johnny Quest]

Many of you have seen my 1988 Jeep Comanche, affecionately known as 'The Chief'. It's big, cumbersome, and very much an offroad-only vehicle. One tons, 40s, and very purpose built. It has left me wanting a quicker, better handling vehicle, but I'm a Jeep guy, so it has to be a Jeep as well.

So I picked up another Comanche: a 1991 2wd 4.0HO, 5spd short bed. Plans include lowering it 3" by using rear ZJ coils up front, and a set of 3" blocks and some XJ shackles out back. Probably a v8 ZJ swaybar as well to stiffen up the ride. If I get more eager, an 8.8 swap might happen. AutoX events would be an absolutr blast, but the build will be focusing on carving through canyons in a 'spirited' manor.

I've picked up some 16" TJ Moab's for it, but they currently have some offroad tires, so they'll need to be replaced. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or even some decent 16" tires for an 8" wide wheel sitting around?

 

[TJDukit]

Sub'd. It's weird, the picture makes it look almost like an RC car.

 

[bryson]

I want another Comanche some day... I like your plans written this one! Any plans for power-adders or an engine swap?

 

[dutchman]

I think this will be a cool build. As for the tires, I'm running Continental ExtremeContact DWS on my M3 and have been happy with them. Mine are for 17" wheels, but they've got 16" sizes.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...WR7DWS06&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[Johnny Quest]

I want another Comanche some day... I like your plans written this one! Any plans for power-adders or an engine swap?

No plans just yet, but I know that the Grassroots XJ-R build team put together a cheap turbo kit on their 95(?) 2-door XJ. So that is an option. They also chopped a 5* wedge out of the front beam axle to achieve 2.5* camber on either side, which would greatly improve handling.

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I think this will be a cool build. As for the tires, I'm running Continental ExtremeContact DWS on my M3 and have been happy with them. Mine are for 17" wheels, but they've got 16" sizes.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...WR7DWS06&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

I'll have to look into those. For right now, I'll probably just find some KSL specials to get me going, but down the road, an obvious upgrade will be needed.

 

[Johnny Quest]

The Comanche actually has quite the history when it comes to motorsports. The Archer Brothers used to race them in the late 80s on the road circuit and absolutely dominated their class with crazy little 4cylinders! There was also a team that got a 4.0 based MJ up to 141mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats! So even though the Comanches are now known for being an offroad truck, they have a lot of heritage on the faster side of motorsports.

 

[Hickey]

A turbo would be sweet. If you want more camber, I bet Alignment Specialists could bend the beam like they do for trailer axles and twin I-beam front ends.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Yea that would be a possibility too. Big thing will be clearance between the axle housing and the oil pan. I don't think they'll contact, as I'm not going too crazy with the drop. But it is possible to notch the housing to clear the oil pan, and then truss the underside, and at that point I could add a few degrees of camber.

 

[RogueJeepr]

I have a XJ rear sway bar if your interested.

Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk

 

[Trate D]

Just throw some off set ball joints in it for some camber. And then give it to me.

 

[Johnny Quest]

I hadn't thought of putting one on, but that might be worth it

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Just throw some off set ball joints in it for some camber. And then give it to me.

What, cutting the front axle almost in half isn't recommended? Lol

 

[RogueJeepr]

I saw a flat black
"rat-rodded" Comanche with red moon wheels on 90th so. The other day. Made me think of this build.

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[BlueWolfFab]

You can take that ZJ sway bar if you want too

 

[Johnny Quest]

I saw a flat black
"rat-rodded" Comanche with red moon wheels on 90th so. The other day. Made me think of this build.

Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk

I know the exact one you're talking about. I may or may not have followed him for a few miles to get a better look at it lol

 

[RogueJeepr]

Could throw some 15x8's and a set of 305/50/15's on and drift the Hell out of it.
Look sort of like a NASCAR truck.
https://goo.gl/images/l9vyp0

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[Johnny Quest]

time for an update! truck has been lowered 3 and 3. Front suspension ended up being some ZJ 5.9 springs with 2 coils cut out. its close, but there is still an inch or so of clearance before oil pan contact; bump stops will be adjusted. I will also be swapping out the fron sway bar for a 5.2/5.9 sway bar to stiffen up the ride. Rear leaf springs are SUA, so 3" lift blocks were used. Not ideal, but it'll do the job. Might look into adding a rear sway bar, but will wait to see how necessary that is down the road.

Still need to track down some 16's, some f150 shocks for the front, and fix the slave cylinder, and a rear brake line that i nicked while cutting off the old U-bolts photobucket is being dumb today, or else i would upload some pics

this project is going so slow due to the fact that we had a baby girl back in February, and she is taking up most (ok, all) of my free time. but i wouldnt have it any other way

 

[jmaxj]

I know where you can find a 5.9 sway bar to try out. It can even come with a matching rear

 

[Johnny Quest]

I know where you can find a 5.9 sway bar to try out. It can even come with a matching rear

oooh let me know