A few months ago I purchased a manual transmission, V8-powered 1989 Chevy K1500 — possibly one of the greatest pickup trucks ever. I used that truck to move my entire household, and fell in love with how it drives; it’s smooth, torquey, and supremely capable. But I’m a Jeep man — I have been for over 20 years now, which is why I don’t think that K1500 will fill the gap in my heart that will exist when I begrudgingly part ways with the 1985 Jeep J10 that the state of California won’t let me drive due to SMOG. For this reason, I have made a questionable choice that will on Wednesday put me in Idaho, about 1000 miles from my home.
With my J10 on the chopping block and my heart unable to truly cherish the K1500 like a Chevy truck fan would, I find myself with a truck problem. How will I carry big, heavy parts like those needed to build my eBay World War II Jeep? How will I cary washing machines and driers and drywall and other things needed to maintain this ancient house my wife, child, cats and I live in?
What I need is a Jeep pickup truck that won’t fail SMOG, and that leaves me with four options. The first is an old Willys pickup truck; this thing:
These are basically pickup truck versions of the first true family 4×4 SUV, the Willys Wagon, and like the Wagon, the Pickup was loosely based on the World War II Jeep (on which the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A is also based). They’re old, really don’t go much faster than about 45 MPH sustained, and they’re small.
The truth is, finding one of these in decent shape is difficult and pricey, and what’s more, they’re basically antiques; they’re for driving either on a farm or slowly around town; they are not meant for LA highways.
I could also hunt for a pre-1976 Jeep J10, which would allow me to forgo annual emissions checks. Of course, decent Jeep J10s from that vintage — coveted for their beautiful “Razor” grilles — aren’t cheap. Most of these have rust on the bedside seams, and fixing that is really tough. I’m lucky enough that my bed doesn’t’ have this.
What I could do is buy a pre-1976 with a rust-free cab but a crusty bed, swap my bed and 85,000 mile powertrain, and boom: I’d not only have a California-legal truck, but the rust on my floorboards and the back of my cab would no longer be an issue.
This would take time, of course, and then I’d be tempted to paint it all to make the bed match the cab. And in the end, I’d still have a temperamental, carbureted old truck that makes 112 horsepower.
I could also do an engine swap — namely do the 4.0-liter “stroker” mod that involves taking the crankshaft out of the 258 currently in my J10, swapping that into a 4.0-liter engine. (they are a dime a dozen), and installing a new Hydroboost brake booster (since the 4.0’s intake manifold would interfere with the J10’s brake booster) as well as an engine computer and all the requisite wiring.
It wouldn’t be trivial. The easiest “J10” option involves me just plunking down $15 grand for a nice pre-1975 J10.
Door number three involves buying a new Jeep Gladiator. This is a good option for a few reasons; first, because it’s newer, it’s more refined, more reliable (thus giving me more time to do family things), and safer. This latter point, along with the fact that the truck has four doors, means I could actually drive my kid around in it. Not to mention, it’s really the only option on this list that can actually tow.
The downside to this option is that the manual version of the truck isn’t rated to tow more than 4,500 pounds, and I refuse to ever buy an automatic ICE car again. What’s more, pre-2024 Gladiators don’t have rear side-curtain airbags, which is totally ridiculous. 2024+ trucks are too expensive, but older Gladiators are actually fairly cheap, with 2020s going for around $23,000. That’s not bad for a modern truck, but it’s only got a 5-foot bed, towing with the stick is limited, there are no rear side curtain airbags, and $23,000 is still $23,000.
That brings me to the final option, and the one that I’m exploring.
The Jeep Comanche.
And not just any Jeep Comanche; I just committed to purchasing the very last model-year: 1992. Jeep built only 1,000 Jeep comanches this year, so this is an extremely rare truck.
I’m usually not a snob about final model-years, but what I am a snob about is engine management systems, and all Jeep Cherokees and Comanches prior to the 1991 model-year had what was called a “Renix” fuel injection system, along with a “hot bottle” cooling system. These tend to be a bit temperamental, and the Renix-era vehicles make less power. I’ve gotten used to the Chrysler Fuel Injection system offered in 1991+ Jeep Cherokees and Comanches and Grand Cherokees, so I really didn’t want a pre-1991 Comanche.
So this left me with 1991 and 1992 options.
I’ve actually owned a 1991 Jeep Comanche before, but it was not only an automatic, it was horribly rusty and outfitted with a janky lift kit. I barely recall that truck since I owned it for only a year or so. But I do remember it being reasonably comfortable and capable enough to haul over 11,500 pounds of scrap metal to the metal-yard. Here’s old-me doing feral things in Michigan with that old Comanche “MJ”:
Some people call it a backyard. I call it a proving ground. pic.twitter.com/AEWDkHaUAj
— David Tracy (@davidntracy) March 3, 2020
Anyway, I recently spotted a 1992 MJ for sale up near Boise, Idaho. It is a bone-stock, final model-year model with the coveted AX-15 manual transmission. The asking price of $6,500 seemed reasonable, and if I sold my K1500, I’d actually come out ahead. So I told the seller I’d buy the MJ, only to later realize it was a no-AC truck. Oh well!
Tomorrow I’m flying from Burbank up to Boise to pick up this rust-free 200,000 mile pickup that I hope will fulfill my truck wants and needs. I hope it will offer a bit of the comfort/reliability of the K1500 and the cool factor of the J10.
We’ll see. Before I decide on which truck to keep, I have to get this machine from Idaho to California, which is a tall task for any 30+ year-old car with that many miles on it.
If a 1992 Comanche is rated to tow more than 4500 pounds (guessing it’s 5000 or less?), I guarantee it will be worse towing that much weight than any modern Gladiator, no matter the transmission.
My feelings on this are conflicted.
On the one hand, Comanches are rad! I’ve always liked them. You obviously are looking for a very specific spec and have found it which is awesome, and it’s fun having a rare vehicle. I am about to buy a very rare ’80s pickup project of my own, so I will know the feeling. And there’s probably nobody to take care of this and fix whatever needs addressing better than you.
On the other hand, dude. You keep saying you want to cut back on vehicles and talk about how busy you are with adulting and now the WWII Jeep, then you do this! This is becoming Groundhog Day. But fine, you say you want a truck to haul big heavy car and house stuff, which means you need it as a tool, but then you buy a 200K mile truck that will undoubtedly need some time and attention to sort out which you don’t have?
And then it’s a manual trans no A/C truck in the San Fernando Valley? Last weekend I drove my manual trans LTD through LA and after a while the heavy cable operated clutch became a chore. As Cake said, if you want to build cities, you’ve got to have roads. But at least I had nice cold A/C. Maybe it’s my age showing, but when it comes to trucks as tools I personally prefer an automatic. Even the project truck I’m buying I could easily convert to manual but I’m keeping it auto.
I know I’m getting more pragmatic as I get older, and some of your articles here have been fun to read because you’re coming to some of the same realizations about life and the value of time that I had at your age 🙂
I think, in some ways, the Comanche is a better city truck than the comparatively large J10 or K1500. I will need to solve the AC thing, eventually. But I’ve drive many AC-less cars in the heat. I’ll probably live for a year or two. Definitely not doing it while I still have the WW2 project.
I’ve had no issues with my manual vehicles in LA, though I do have an i3 to drive some of the time.
We’ll see which one earns its keep in my fleet. I am getting older and more pragmatic, but it’s a process.
Fair enough. Your tolerance for lack of conveniences is certainly higher than mine. But in that case I do think this is a vehicle that most of the time only you will ride in since I’m guessing E and D can’t both fit at the same time, and that’s a bummer.
I think it’s important if you have a classic car that it’s a vehicle you like just driving around for fun. Because unless you’re a contractor or farmer, it’s gonna sit most of the time otherwise. The J10 fills that more than the K1500; we shall see about the Comanche.
Did you consider JK conversion to a 2 door? It’s the right length for me to park in my garage
https://www.normandinchryslerjeep.net/jeep-wrangler-jk-8-pickup-conversion-kit/
No problem, it will make it.
I’ll be getting my dad’s ’88 Comanche when he decides he’s too old to maintain it. Long bed, 4×4, auto (my left knee thanks me) and still in pretty decent shape. I almost bought a ’91 short bed with a manual back in 2009. I wouldn’t be able to drive it most days now, so glad I didn’t. But I do love that Comanche; it’s just big enough to do the truck stuff I need it to and looks tiny compared to modern trucks.
Did your dad buy it new?
No. Originally it belonged to his father in law, who bought it new. One day grandpa backed it into the back wall of his garage, got pissed off, and told dad to scrap it. So dad drove it to a yard to ask what he’d get, pulled that much cash out, gave it to grandpa, and hid it in his barn for two years. There was nothing wrong with it except a window seal leaking. The original clock still works too.
People will see him driving it and ask if it’s for sale every time he goes anywhere. Gets $10-15k offers. But he knows I’ve wanted it for 20 years, so it will be mine.
> forgo annual emissions
A WINNER
Thanks for indulging my spelling peeve. :p
Believe me: I almost screwed it up again.
Hahaha
David,
You’ve made the right choice. Having owned a 92 XJ with the 4.0/AX15 and currently driving a Gladiator Mojave, I think your level of anxiety while driving the Commanche home to CA should probably be less than the level of anxiety I experience while I wait for my Gladiator’s cam lobes to flatten-out.
Good luck.
Hahaha. Are they THAT problematic?
Wow two in one day, another Comanche article, another comment on how I miss my ‘90. Dang it, now David is getting one there’s gonna be more articles…
Woohoo! A Comanche. I had an 88 Comanche that I from from Los Angeles to north west PA, was a great trip. I appreciated buying a cheap one in LA that didn’t pass emissions. I sold that am immediately regretted it. Spent three years looking for my dream one, a 90 model with 4×4 and an AX-15 manual. I wanted Renix as I knew it and they supposedly make better low end torque. I found a 250k mile 1990 Eliminator, which was a 4×4, AX-15 truck with bucket seats, AC and vent windows! I added factory cruise control, redid the interior and it’s now an awesome little truck. Have moved a lot of stuff with it and it gets a crazy amount of attention.
I can understand wanting a 91 or 92 but I didn’t trust being able to fix them. Renix 4.0L Jeeps are super easy to diagnose and someone makes a full diagnostic computer for them that integrates into the dash, of which I have. The OBD1 Jeeps scare me as I don’t know how one would diagnose sensor issues. That said I wouldn’t mind an extra 8 horsepower that the 91/92 has over the 89/90 ones.
Good luck and have fun! Comanches are the perfect small truck.
Sharp looking truck, you’ve got this! You know your thing and have driven worse, and wouldn’t consider it if you really felt it wouldn’t make the drive. I’ve actually done something similar recently. A couple months ago I flew out to buy (another) ‘02 Tahoe, then drove it home about 2,100 miles away, I guess it helps to be familiar with what you are getting and a little luck. I hope you enjoy the drive home!
Is retrofitting A/C doable?
Yes, my Comanche actually has dealer installed AC.
Yeah, more of David doing stupid stuff we like to see David do, making a questionable purchase of one of his “holy grail Jeeps” then driving it home long distance. Boo, more of David doing stupid things we don’t like seeing David do, purchasing yet another vehicle before getting rid of any of the numerous other vehicles that “need to go” and didn’t make into the keep column on in any of those “I’m cutting back on the size of my fleet” articles.
Sure I get it is is a “holy grail” for you being the pickup version of your all time favorite vehicle and with the most desirable power train option. That of course means that you can (and probably will) “Fix it in your sleep….Blindfolded….with one arm tied behind your back….while keeping an eye on Delmar.
But on the other hand it is a down grade in every other way compared to the Chevy. Lower payload, smaller bed, smaller cab, NO A/C and the fact that it is just a Chevy means you are unlikely to have the urge to do anything more than use it as a truck and fix what needs to be fixed to keep it functional.
Meanwhile you have a “real” imitation Jeep to build instead of driving back from ID in one that will eat up time to get registered in the sate.
Now if you were driving the Chevy to ID to get some axles for the E-bay Jeep, that would be gold.
It’s a Jeep thing
It wouldn’t be The Autopian if he picked the Gladiator nobody wants to read about the latest “recalls” on David’s new ride.
Great choice!
2-doors with 3 pedals is truly the way to go.
I’m a devoted GM owner, but I believe I’d rather daily-drive that Comanche than your extended-cab K1500.
I daily drive a 2010 GMC Canyon 2wd regular-cab 5-speed.
My dad used to own a Comanche. Too bad it was an automatic.
Best of luck on your drive home.
Thank you!
But this isn’t supposed to be his daily driver, it is supposed to be the go to Home Depot, Dump, chase large and/or dirty parts, to tow pig truck. The i3 is supposed to be his daily driver and rightfully so since it is far safer and cheaper to operate than any of his current or this future pickups.