I’ll admit that part of me was starting to question purchasing this 1992 Jeep Comanche. Time has become such a rare commodity in my life, I have a family at home that needs me, and I already have far too many vehicles. But tonight, about an hour after my plane from Burbank, California touched down in Boise, Idaho, I find myself in a dark Super 8 Motel parking lot getting my first look at the machine I flew all this way for. And I’m in love.
The mind of a diehard car person — especially one whose job is to write about his car hobby — is a tortured one. The world is full of amazing cars — from vintage Nashes that you can get for free to old Plymouth Valiants that only cost $2000 to Valiant Utes in Australia to diesel manual minivans in Germany to $700 4×4 5spd Chevy Trackers to Holy Grail 5spd Jeep ZJs and on and on. How do you decide which cars to own? How do you decide which white hot deals to pass up on?
For the longest time, the question of “which white hot deal do I want to pass up on” was: Literally none of them. And the result was, well, this:
That’s not a bad result, to be honest. I loved owning 14 cars, even if it was sometimes challenging. It forced me to learn how to repair cars, often in adverse conditions. I remember welding up a Jeep XJ unibody in the middle of the winter while it was snowing. I remember pulling a rusted-out axle from a junkyard in 20F weather. I remember doing oil changes in deep snow. This was all character-building, and I regret none of it.
These days, life has become so absurdly complex. I almost cannot believe how quickly this has happened. Two days from my family feels like an eternity. Co-running a business is a shockingly time intensive and mentally-taxing endeavor. As a result, my car-buying tendencies have had to change. I just gave away my Nash Metropolitan to Stephen Walter Gossin’s friend, I just sold my Willys CJ-3B, and I’m in the process of trying to consolidate my fleet in perhaps the most illogical way possible — a way that brought me here to Boise.
“Mental gymnastics,” some may call it. I think that’s fair; like I said, my mind is a tortured one trying to keep at least one toe in the “fun” pool while the other nine rest firmly in the “serious obligations” ocean. A few months ago I bought a Chevy K1500 to potentially replace my Jeep J10, which is a fantastic truck with a bit too much rust and an engine that will never pass SMOG. The K1500 hasn’t quite scratched the itch that the J10 scratched, so I considered doing a 4.0-liter engine swap to get my J10 SMOG legal, only to realize that, actually, I could just buy the Jeep truck that came with a 4.0 in the first place.
With the Jeep Comanche, I’m hoping to hit a three-run homer. Not only do I hope it will replace my J10 in cool factor, but I also want it to replace my K1500 in driving comfort/reliability and I want it to potentially replace my first Jeep — my original 1992 Jeep XJ — for nostalgia-factor. That’s right: I’m hoping this one vehicle can take the place of three, leaving me with the following manageable fleet:
- 1992 Jeep Comanche (truck)
- 1994 Jeep ZJ 5spd (overlanding Jeep)
- 1991 Jeep YJ (convertible rock crawler)
- 1966 Mustang (classic cruiser)
- 2001 BMW i3S (daily driver)
Those parenthesis are entirely pointless, because really they should all be replaced by “(a cool car that I just want to own).” Nobody needs five vehicles; one 2005 Corolla would be a much smarter move in so many ways.
But this is the burden I bear. I really love cars. The way they connect people. The way they make you feel when you drive them. The way they make you feel when you look at them. The joy you get when you fix them. Few things in this world can bring joy to people from completely different backgrounds like cars can. There’s music, babies, food, movies, sports, and there’s cars.
Here I stand in this dark sketchy parking lot, looking at a truck that seemingly everyone loves. The enthusiasm I see in forum posts, on Reddit, in comments here on The Autopian, on YouTube, on Twitter — everywhere — was surprising to me until this very moment. This Jeep Comanche is special.
Sure, it’s just an XJ Cherokee with a bed, but that’s the whole point. The Ford Maverick is somewhat like a Ford Escape with a bed, but people love it because small trucks rule. The world is full of big, ostentatious pickups, and when a small pickup that can bat above its weight class comes along, it’s hard not to adore it. And that’s what’s happening here, right now, in this parking lot. This MJ Comanche is tiny, and it’s in far better shape than I expected. It’s a vehicle that isn’t trying to be macho or tough like perhaps my J10 and K1500 are — it’s just happy to be here, lending its 7’4″ bed (that you can easily reach into) for your hauling needs.
It’s simple, it’s reliable, it’s capable, and it’s friendly.
I know it’s odd to assign a personality to a car, but I think we all do that inherently. And I think that’s why the Comanche draws so many people in. It’s capable and powerful and quick, but without being so in-your-face about it. It’s a Golden Retriever, and if it drives anywhere near as well as I hope, I could see it becoming a permanent fixture in my fleet, replacing two, maybe three machines, and thus simplifying both my driveway and life.
Anyway, it’s late, and I’m not sure any of that^ made any sense. But I’ll keep you all posted on how this Boise-LA drive in my new Comanche goes. Initial impressions couldn’t be better.
All of that made sense! The Autopian is all about people who really enjoy (and appreciate) cars; it’s great to see pieces like this that really put that sentiment on display. I’ve been online long enough that I still post on a small message board; as much as I’ve had a great time chatting with some of those people, I’m very, very careful about mentioning that I own a 28-year-old Jeep. Over there, cars are appliances, meant to be disposed of as soon as they exhibit the slightest issue, and some brands are to be avoided altogether. That works fine for some people, but I also don’t see anything wrong with being nostalgic for (or otherwise attached to) a vehicle.
F yeah, Project ZJ made the cut! This is the one I’m most excited about.
Question tho; isn’t the Mustang your brother’s car? Can you give it back to him? It’s charming… but oh so boring, you can’t wave a stick around at a car show without hitting one. I get why people like them, but they’re so incredibly common that they do nothing for me.
ALSO, THIS IS WORTH CLICKING, it’s all I ever think of when someone mentions a Jeep Comanche:
http://www.emailsfromanasshole.dontevenreply.com/view.php?post=107
This is why I chose to be obsessed with guitars. I just acquired two more – one I got in trade for another I was selling because I bought a new one. It turns out I like the new traded one, but I’d already bought the other new one, and it’s also great, so they’re both staying. My other 7 or 8 are all keepers too. I keep 4 hanging on the wall. Luckily a closet is all I need to store the rest, and I can rotate them out so nothing gets stale.
Cars are so much larger and don’t respond as well to sitting unused for a year.
Damnit I am so jealous. Been wanting a Comanche for so long now.
Congrats David! I like it a lot, and am not a “Jeep guy” per se. That XJ gen is my fave (I routinely lust after a plain white, totally stock looking base model that a neighbor’s daughter just bought as her first car) and your new Comanche looks to be in great shape, at least visually. I also dig those steelies and the cap. 🙂
Eagerly waiting for the article titled, “here’s all the crap wrong or broken on my new Jeep.”
I’m beginning to think that by contract, only Matt and The Bishop are allowed to drive reliable cars
And even Matt is new to that whole thing, having driven a Subaru until recently.
Ah, you got the long bed.
You see, children, back in the Before Times manufacturers would build trucks that could only seat two people, but that was okay because most of the time it’s just one, maybe two people going somewhere. And because the truck was intended for work, the bed was huge so it could carry the stuff you were going to work with.
It wasn’t a really big car with a trunk that didn’t have a lid.
I spent an absurd amount of childhood riding/sliding around in pickup beds.
I rode 800 miles on a long family trip in the back of a Ford Courier (the rebadged compact Mazda) with a topper on the bed. We put sofa cushions and a Coleman catalytic heater back there. It wasn’t that bad, actually, but the cat didn’t like it very much.
Those Comanche trucks are so cool; I’m glad you’re getting and saving this one.
Your mental gymnastics and parenthetical categorization of your vehicles reminds me of when I went through the exact same process to evaluate and cull my watch collection. One day I realized that I didn’t need more than a dozen watches, so I started making up categories for them (field watch, chronograph, dress, etc.). I finally got it down to 4 watches (two Breitlings and two Citizens) and it was that way for a couple years until I recently saw a German watch (a Circula Supersport with an internal rotating bezel!) that I just had to have. So now I have 5 watches and I think that will be the case
foreverfor a long timefor at least a year. My point is that categorization can be a useful tool and it certainly helped me reduce the size of my collection, but the heart wants what the heart wants.“Real super compression function!”
(I’m sure that poorly-translated phrase means something to you, but it’s gibberish to me.)
Nobody needs more than a dozen watches, but at least your collection doesn’t spill over into your business partner’s PARKING LOT. Kudos for consolidating anyway!
True! That’s actually an accurate translation. The watch case is an actual super-compressor design as opposed to some watches on the market that only look like a super-compressor. This is a case design that was popular in the late 50’s and 60’s that achieves greater water-resistance by using the compression of the water at increasing depths to make the case fit together more tightly, as opposed to relying on advanced seal materials or other methods. Modern materials have made the super-compressor design unnecessary, but I think it’s cool and I’ve wanted one for awhile.
I’ve found over the years that selling to an individual can have negative results unless the car is in as perfect condition as possible. Anything less goes to a dealer. The few hundred or more bucks difference isn’t worth the aggravation and legal problems. Right now I’m selling a 2019 Chevy Bolt with 33k miles, replaced by an Equinox EV that was an in warranty “steal.” The 12V battery’s the only possible problem at six years old but I’ve heard of them lasting eight years. If this one dies within a reasonable period of time for the new owner, I’ll replace it because I don’t need problems, and a couple hundred to keep thousands is a reasonable deal. Maybe that’s how I got to be 84.
I love Comanches and I’m glad you got one.
That said, I’m a gmt400 guy. Soooo when you selling that one?
I think you’ve finally got a solid vehicle lineup! Zero notes!
Great to hear it’s even better than expected!
DT you know my thoughts on your automotive decisions so I won’t expound upon them again for you.
However, have you considered scratching your automotive itch by collecting 1:64 models of your favorite cars? I started doing this when I paired down my fleet and it’s significantly cheaper, takes up less space, gives you a chance to appreciate vehicles you’ll never be able to own, and will be a hobby you can share with the kiddo.
I have a 1979 Chevrolet El Camino that I bought in 2000, drove 1800+ miles home, resto-modded it, and enjoyed driving it for the past 25 years.
I also have fifty 1:64 scale El Caminos, plus a couple of 1:64 Rancheros and a 1:64 Rampage.
I admire your dedication.
I’ve done this and have almost all the models my wife and I have owned over the years, a few 3d printed, and it’s over 20, but the satisfaction of getting one and putting it in the little garage is great.
This. Currently own several thousand cars. All affordable.
No maintenance, insurance, taxes, titles, or tags required.
I have no kids, etc to leave them to. And no desire to sell them.
I can almost hear it in my head, a country-western song about David Tracy:
“I Sold My Soul to Ertl.”
I do this. Also 1:18 scale for ones I REALLY like.
…in
unrelated news, I need to acquire another shelf. Or convert a wall into scale model displays. Hmm M…Okay – but is shower spaghetti involved?
Inquiring minds, etc….
As much as my comment on your last Comanche post was mostly about how buying this won’t solve any problems and buying this isn’t a pragmatic move… I get it. I swore off car projects for a while after getting burnt out running a Lemons team by myself, but a friend told me he was selling his very rare and interesting project truck that I’ve always been fascinated with, and then offered it to me at a price I couldn’t refuse. So in two weekends I’m driving from San Diego to Sacramento and back to pick it up. It’s a sickness.
That’s a long drive!
My wife is coming and splitting driving duties.
“Those parenthesis are entirely pointless, because really they should all be replaced by “(a cool car that I just want to own).”“
You’re onto something here.
I drive a red 80s VW pickup sometimes and it brings out the best in people. Curiosity, stories, adoration.
As you’ve noted and already noticed, your new pickup has the same ability to bring joy to strangers in a parking lot
I am struggling to understand replacing the K1500 with a Comanche to do truck stuff and for comfort and reliability. Alas, Jeep guys.
While they are both pickups, the Jeep is a Jeep.
Really he’s replacing the J10 with the Comanche. The K1500 could do truck stuff comfortably and reliably, but couldn’t satisfy the heart. Which is also why David doesn’t own a late-model F-150 or something, which could be much better for truck stuff/comfort/reliability.
The Comanche could tow a utility trailer at least. TBH, my hauling issues are mostly bulk, not weight.
Yeah I think David’s truck needs have shifted a bit. If he’s truly done grabbing every grail he ever finds (not a guarantee) he might not be doing much car towing and instead needs a truck for household projects and getting WWII jeep parts.
The Comanche will be excellent for lumber, mulch, dump runs, u-pick parts runs, etc.
Fully agree – a Comanche would more than meet any regular need for me as well. I owned an ’89 XJ and understand the appeal.
It’s a Jeep thing… You wouldn’t understand. 🙂
We each have our Passion. David’s is Jeep. I would also happily rock a Ranger/S10 etc…
As noted in my other comment the Comanche will do everything he needs from a “pickup” and scratch the Jeep itch. When he needs a tow pig he can borrow something.
Hard agree on the truck size issue. I’m currently borrowing my dad’s ’22 hybrid F-150 Platinum, and it’s just so obnoxious to drive coming from my ’07 Tacoma. The terrible turning radius is the main thing getting to me right now, but just the overall size feels unwieldy. And it’s just the 150! What are the bigger ones like? I see so many of them so they’re clearly popular; do so many drivers just want feel like they’re the Big Man driving around town with nothing in the bed?
A F-250 assuming the same cab configuration and bed size isn’t really any larger than a F-150. Now in the days of the Jelly Bean, then yes the Super Duty was larger, but not that much.
Yeah a quick google search shows they’re the same width, so maneuverability is probably similar. It really is the 1/2 tons that have gotten the most out of hand compared to what they were.
I’m a little shocked as my experience has always been 2nd gen tacos and 4runners of that era drive very truck like and ford 1/2 ton after 03, 3/4, 1ton after 11 drive like almost like a car. Ram after maybe 14 is the same. But a newer full size is about 2 feet longer and a bit wider then a taco.
If it was a Chevy I could definitely understand they don’t seem to understand turning radius but Ford has always been fairly good and Ram has come a long way. I have a 18 ram 2500 and it has a fairly decent turning radius I think my 04 expedition might be a bit better and my gen 2 rams like old trucks steering is more of a suggestion then a command.
I drove an 04 4runner the other day and was shocked how it drove like an old truck and then I remembered it was.
The newer trucks have gotten so big they barely fit in parking lots it’s definitely a problem that’s why alot of times you will see all the trucks toward the back. When I have my gen 4 next to my gen2s it looks very funny as it’s just bigger and must be almost at least a foot taller.
They are all stock ride hight and wheels maybe a little more rubber the factory tire.
I think there is definitely a lot of people that buy a truck to have a truck and not use it as a truck. They also seem to not be able to drive them. I see so many that are ruined and will never be used for any real work unless someone removes all the nonsense.
Somewhere there’s a support group for this condition.
Maybe someone could create a website for like-minded folks. Nah, it’d never take off.
“This MJ Comanche is tiny”
You can fix that easy enough. Park it next to a Kei truck.
Word to the wise, don’t fall in love at a cheap motel.
On this potential fleet listing, where is the WWII Jeep (The new one under construction)?
I think being sponsored it goes on the same list as the Crosscab and taxi, a company car.
Maybe it’ll be listed on eBay motors when it’s done.
Or the one (or is it two?) vehicles still back in Michigan
I have a newer Ram 1500 Crew Cab with the “long” bed. When I bought it, I was adamant about having the long bed because I use it. The gladiator (which I traded for the Ram) was too short.
I’m *shocked* to see that the Comanche has a 7’ 4” bed. So shocked
I approve of these mental gymnastics, this is a smart move.