If you’re considering a small beater truck for hauling and some off-road duty, why not go with one based on the highly-capable XJ Cherokee and which isn’t seen every day? We suggest the relatively rare Jeep Comanche.
This truck once lived on an avocado farm, which is neither here nor there, except that it seems VERY California. It has accumulated 222K miles; so it’s not one of those trucks that never left the farm. You’ll need to do some internet research on how long the 4.0-liter inline six can go before a rebuild, but we do know enough to say that it’s was a torquey little beast when new. You know, back when 190HP was a surprisingly big number for a small truck.
As stated in the title, this one is desirable because it has an I6, 4WD and 5MT. This should be at least a little fun to drive and should be highly capable off-road, although the longer bed and resultant longer wheelbase may not be ideal for off-road work. Still, if you’re going for a pickup, the bed might as well hold stuff.
The front left corner has “found” something at some point, but it doesn’t look terrible and, as the seller states, a fender isn’t hard to find if you choose to go the fix and repaint route. The question here is whether the price is right, given the desirable features, relatively high mileage and the body damage. Hmm.
Click for Craigslist ad
Los Angeles, CA area
$3,000
These have utilitarian good looks, just like their Cherokee cousins. This was always a good wheel on jeeps, too. You’ll have to decide whether you want to keep the camper shell and associated racks.
Here’s the fender damage.
Rear appears to be in good shape.
Interior looks good overall. This will look familiar to anyone who spend time in a Cherokee.
This won’t look so familiar, but at least there are some storage pockets for your atlas and other maps. Remember paper maps?
Here’s the 4.0-liter inline six. Remember this came along with 185 or 190HP before even the Maxima got bumped to that number. These were quick little trucks in their day and this should offer plenty of power today (if running well…).
Ad text:
this is a top of the line fully loaded comanche pioneer. 4.0 fuel injection 6 cyl. 5 speed manual. and it is a 4×4. airconditioning tilt and cruise. this is the long bed version which is much more useable than short bed, it also has the factory Dana 44 rear with posi. unusual to see in a comanche it has the full opening quarter windows and full instrument panel with tach and all gauges also. it is from a long time original owner and was on an avocado ranch in ventura county. the miles are at 222k or so now and the engine runs fantastic, high steady oil pressure, smooth and starts right away. its the original gold paint with the gem top shell that was paint matched to the truck. the sliding racks on top work real well and allow carrying much longer things. there is the one dent on the driver side front fender as seen in the pic. im told it is an easy fix. or maybe easier put any cherokee fender on. good thing theres a million xj cherokees out there being taken apart to supply parts. any one looking for or knowlegable about these very last trucks ever built by jeep knows that the 4×4 version is harder to find and brings more money. especially with the 44 posi rear end this is a really capable little truck. in any case comanches are starting to go up in value and look like there poised to really take off as a collectable as they were only a few years production of them, and there just really bitchin little trucks for what they are. i have the pink in my name and registration just payed till march 2016, the last smog is with it also. lots of original records, haynes manual and odds and ends with the truck. from the little ive driven it it seems to get really great gas mileage for a truck with all this capability. 20 plug mpg for sure. its ready to roll now. if interested phone