Comanche build-up ideas

[HotDog!]

Okay so I'm picking up a comanche in 2 weeks and I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet. I know that it's going to have to remain my daily driver, but since it's replacing my CJ7 it's also going to have be trail capable. Being as I'm completely new to MJ's, I have no idea where to start.

So, any of you MJ guys got some pics and descriptions of your comanches??

[rokcrwlrtj]

try searching i am sure it has been done before

[HotDog!]

Actually I did, and no, it hasn't.


Unless you consider "pics of badass XJ's" a relavant topic.

[Redneck90MJ]

http://www.xjdb.com/modules.php?set_...1a9ee97def0c71


I wish mine was in there.................

[packratt53]

just about anything you can do to an XJ you can do to a MJ. check the yahoo chat group for jeep comanche and the NAXJA forums. Dr Dyno has done some amazing things to XJ's.

[BrettM]

link to my buildup in my signature

the bottom line is that it's like an XJ up front, the rear is spring under so you can get all the lift you need by just doing a spring over. you won't need an SYE because of the long driveshaft. with smaller lifts the wheelbase is a killer, especially if you get a longbed.

[brcook_00]

Are you looking to run minor trails or really hardcore stuff ? Also, how is your MJ set up right now (i.e. motor, trans, axles, TC, etc.)?

[JeepJukka]

few (crappy) pics of my MJ project:

Comanche

[HotDog!]

Originally Posted by brcook_00

Are you looking to run minor trails or really hardcore stuff ? Also, how is your MJ set up right now (i.e. motor, trans, axles, TC, etc.)?

Stock right now. 4.0, AW4, D30 and D35.

I'm not looking to do really hardcore stuff, but the same stuff that I was wheeling before. Like, Upper 2 and slickrock at tellico. Probably wouldn't want to go above 35" tires for awhile, you know, keep it moderate... I have to drive it to work and school everyday.

[crazy_cooter56]

You can go spring over in the rear with an AAL and a 6" lift in front and be happy with minor trimming on 35's. If you want to see some pics of my homebrew cheap ass version of a lift on an MJ with 38's go to www.jeeps4ever.com/crazy_cooter56

It's not the best in the world but it works pretty well and drives amazingly nice down the highway. If you need any help email me at crazy_cooter56@yahoo.com

Oh and before you ask anymore on here try to search, just be sure you can have 4 letter words or bigger. My redneck ass has problems with that in this forum since everything is YJ, MJ, TJ, CJ, or what not it doesn't help ya much

[brcook_00]

Ditch the D35 and find a D44 from an MJ or XJ or swap in a Ford 8.8 (might be easier and cheaper to find). As long as you don't drive like a jackass, the D30 will hold up to 35s, but try to find some axleshafts that have the 760(?) joints. Get some lunchbox lockers front and rear or find some nice used ones off Ebay.
SOA in the rear is a great option and about 4.5 to 5.5" in the front would be pretty good. Hack the sh*t out of the fenders until your tires fit without rubbing. That's what I plan on doing with my MJ, at least.

[crazy_cooter56]

for either any one looking for MJ advice I would tell you to look at or ask BrettM or someone that has actually built one. There are honestly very few that know what the fawk they are talking about.

[ole' manche']

I agree with the above. swap the rear axle and spring it over for 4.5 to 5.5 of lift. Add some shackles or an add a leaf for a bit more.

Swap in some tj shafts in the front axle and throw on a RE 5.5 kit (preferably long arm), add some tires, a winch, cut the fenders, and wheel the piss out of it.

[LAWNMAN323]

As Brett stated above, a SYE is not needed in the rear. However, swapping out your yoke for a YJ one will give you about 1/8" more or so of length. My tailshaft was leaking before the YJ yoke, but that 1/8" fixed it. Beats the price of a SYE. Mine is a shortbed, cannot comment on longbed DS issues.

And Brett, you have a PM.

[BrettM]

Originally Posted by crazy_cooter56

for either any one looking for MJ advice I would tell you to look at or ask BrettM or myself. There are honestly very few others that know what the fuck they are talking about.

haha, thanks.



as Lawnman said, a YJ yoke is very important, not really because of the length but because of the much greater angle that it allows for the driveshaft. If you do about 6 inches of lift and swap an axle with a pinion a little longer (D44, 8.8, 8", etc) the slipyoke will be in the perfect spot.

[ole' manche']

That high travel yoke part # is dana 2-3-12411x

[Judd]

Guess I'll throw up a few pics of mine:
D44 front from 79 Bronco
Ford 9" rear axle w/ spool and disc brake conversion
SOA in rear w/ 2" blocks and shackels
RE 5.5" coils and coil spacers
4.0L and AW4 from 98 XJ
Buckets from a 93 XJ
38" TSL's

This spring:
Flipped and twinsticked D300
Front Hi-steer
Rigidco Front stubby winch bumper (coming this week!)
New rear d-shaft from Jesse
Wristed pass. radius arm and custom spring mounts

[BrettM]

judd, you got any closeups of how you cut out the front lights? I kinda like that... hmmm

[Judd]

Brett, I'll get ya some pics tomorrow, I left my digi at home... The lights work out pretty sweet, I don't drive it on the road so the 130W offroaders are nice on the trail and I just hooked them up to the stock harness and they use the stick headlight switch. Get ya some pics soon, Judd

[HotDog!]

Ok so lets say I do the SOA in the rear, what do I need for the lift up front besides coils?

[Judd]

Well the best way to do it would be get a longarm kit from your favorite company, Rubicon Express, Clayton Offroad, Rockcrawler to list a few... Of course you could do what most of us did and get adjustable short control arms and be really pissed off when the truck won't flex for shit... What are you looking to get with the buildup of this truck? Are you gonna keep the stock axles? What size tires? Have you trolled naxja yet? If you answered these ?'s above, sorry, I didn't read the whole thread. Let us know your intentions if you haven't already. Judd

[Judd]

Yep guess you already answered my questions above... Dump the turd 35 and go with an 8.8 from an explorer. Should have disc's and 31 spline axles... Judd

[tubehead]

There was a great looking MJ at the SEMA Offroad show in Indy a few weekends ago. I've got some pics if someone wants to post them.

[BIGWOODY]

Originally Posted by crazy_cooter56

for either any one looking for MJ advice I would tell you to look at or ask BrettM or someone that has actually built one. There are honestly very few that know what the fawk they are talking about.

I may know a little something about MJ's

[Judd]

Bigwoody, that Mj is kickass, very nice work. Gotta say it though, that's the most interesting tie down job I've ever seen on a trailer!!