The XJ Cherokee's debut back in gave Jeep the midsize four-door positioned below the Wagoneer that it wanted for quite some time.
The new Cherokee was certainly plusher than the CJ of the time, but it left the luxury up to its older and larger sibling. But a midsize 4x4 isn't the only thing the XJ platform permitted Jeep: the automaker could now field a competitor to the Chevy S, Ford Ranger and other small trucks, which were present in a much greater variety in the s. In fact, Jeep aimed the Comanche squarely at the Ford Ranger and the Chevy S, seeking to beat both in price as the least-expensive Jeep in the lineup.
For starters, the base model wasn't all that trail-friendly: Buyers could get it with rear-wheel drive and a 2. That output was dialed up to hp for , when a 4. Two other engines were on the menu: a Renault 2. So the Comanche had no shortage of engine choices, and a choice of two bed lengths created some variety in the range, as did the optional four-wheel drive.
These numbers are high even by today's standards, and Jeep's newest truck doesn't even come close to matching. We think this is the one aspect of the Comanche that other manufacturers should have taken notes on because saving money on gas is something we all strive for when looking for a new vehicle. The Comanche might have lacked in the public's eye back then, but today we look at it and wonder why more trucks weren't bought by consumers. The Jeep Cherokee was a best-seller for Jeep, so they figured they should make a truck that was based on some of the key characteristics of the Cherokee.
It used this car's chassis, as well as a modified front suspension, and created a truck out of an SUV. It was great in theory, but it seemed people were still more smitten with the idea of the Cherokee over that of the Comanche.
This truck might have a long history, but we doubt it will make a comeback with the Cherokee still coming out at the top of the SUV market. A digital rendering artist revisited the classic muscle car giving it a blacked-out, widebody look. She enjoys playing a wide variety of video games and spending time with her husband and son when she's not writing.
Share Share Tweet Email. Related Topics Car Culture Jeep. The inaugural Comanches could be equipped with one of three engines. The AMC 2. The V6 , which was the same basic unit used in the first generation Chevrolet S , had 7 hp less than the base four-cylinder, only slightly more torque, and was equipped with a two-barrel carburetor instead of the four-cylinder's electronic TBI fuel injection.
In addition, fuel mileage with the V6, particularly in four-wheel drive models, was generally poor. Changes to the engine lineup happened in the truck's second year on the market. For , the 2. The slow-selling turbodiesel was officially dropped at some point during the model year. One positive effect of this change was that the 4. In addition, most parts for the Chrysler systems are easier to come by, even though many Renix parts were borrowed from GM at the time, and are still widely available today and most are surprisingly cheap.
CEL But if the owner can operate a simple and cheap multimeter, they will find that Renix systems are quite easy to diagnose and keep running.
During the production life of the Comanche, six different transmissions were offered, manufactured by Aisin , Chrysler and Peugeot. Aisin provided the AX-4 four-speed , AX-5 and AX five-speed overdrive manual transmissions, along with the AW-4 four-speed automatic that was used beginning in This is the same Warner transmission used in early to mid-nineties 4Runners with the 3.
The Comanche came equipped with a rather unique weight sensing rear brake proportioning valve. This valve has become a matter of massive contention and controversy in the MJ sphere. The more load in the bed the more fluid is diverted to the rear brakes. Although Chrysler purchased AMC and, by extension, Jeep in , only one Chrysler transmission was ever used in the Comanche, and that was prior to the takeover. Throughout the Comanche's production run, Chrysler would continue AMC's practice of purchasing Aisin automatics that began in After the Chrysler buyout, the Comanche, like the Cherokee, received only minor changes, primarily those that would improve reliability and parts interchangeability with other Chryslers.
The lack of an extended cab body style, which all other compact trucks were offering by the time of the Comanche's debut, and the fact that the Comanche's prices were, in any given model year, higher than those of the top-selling American compacts Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S , led to lagging sales as customers went elsewhere for roomier trucks. As sales dropped, the Comanche was planned for discontinuation. The company chose to cancel the Comanche on June 12, , after only a few thousand trucks had rolled off the Toledo, Ohio assembly line.
Looking at the photos of the listing, this Jeep Comanche MJ is in immaculate condition. Restoring and repairing old Jeep Comanches is relatively simple. Parts can be found with ease due to the small trucks using many of the same components as the high production Jeep Cherokee line. From coil springs to rear bumpers, two-barrel carburetor, axle housing, transfer case, coil correction plates, or a front end, the parts for old Jeep Comanche compact trucks are not difficult to find.
Even the rear axle was the same Dana 35 model found in the Cherokee. Once located, the parts are inexpensive and easy to install compared to modern-day vehicles. Accessing Comanche components for maintenance on the unibody design was simple. Fans of the Comanche cite the ease of repair and restoring as one of their favorite attributes. Chrysler already owned the Dodge brand, which produced a variety of pick-up trucks.
Many people believe the Dodge Dakota, which was launched in , took over as the replacement for the Jeep Comanche. Only 2, units were sold during the last year of the compact pickup truck.
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