20th Jan 2006, 08:57
I owned a 89 4.0L 5spd Commanche a while back and still miss it..5 years later I'm now looking for another one in mint shape because upon looking at the competition nothing compares. tuff I6, solid front axle, larger cab and bed and they look cool!
12th Sep 2007, 15:35
Just another positive comment.
I own 2.5 L 5 spd and what a special truck it is. Parts are easy to replace, it's great on gas and very reliable. I suggest the over size wheels for a better ride, but control is a bit trickier.
3rd Jun 2009, 21:55
I bought a new Colorado Red 2WD Comanche 4.0 L in 1988. One of the coolest looking vehicles ever, and that's what got me to buy. I loved the power of the 4.0, but the truck was not reliable for me. I went through multiple starters, water pumps and radiators, and found the window cranks and even the doors' sheet metal to be pretty flimsy. I did manage to get it to 190K miles before selling it in non-running condition.
After driving mid 90's Ford Contours in which I never replaced a starter or radiator or front end part, and never had one fail to start and stay running, I'd have to say now looking back that the Comanche had some serious shortcomings despite looking pretty cool. I am totally a Ford car person now.
25th Feb 2012, 03:17
I owned an red 1988 Jeep Comanche 4X4 4.0 from 1989 to 1998. Put close to 200,000 miles on it. It was a good truck, and would drive just about anywhere I wanted to go.
The only major problems that I had were the crank sensor and that darn pressure radiator coolant refill tank; having to bleed the air out anytime you drained coolant.
In the end, it overheated and I had to trade it in. My Jeep mechanic had closed up shop after his wife passed away. Best Jeep doctor in the south. I did not trust anyone else to work on it, who would not burn you a new one.
If you have a trustworthy mechanic that knows what he is doing, and charges an honest fee, you can't go wrong with a Jeep Comanche.
23rd Jan 2020, 19:21
It's been said and accepted that "Jeeps mark their spot". They don't have to.
My '88 Pioneer Olympic Edition 4.0 has the aluminum valve cover. Four $8 cork valve cover gaskets later and no improvement. Then I sought a silicone gasket with the metal spine. The NAPA guy said, "it's $55!". I told him four cork gaskets and now a fifth at $8 each which I know won't work so order me the silicone gasket. Best $55 I've spent. No more (aluminium) valve cover leak.
BTW, I even did the cork gaskets like we used to do Fords; using hard set Permatex only on the valve cover side won't make the cork stay on aluminium.
Hard set on both sides and it takes dynamite to remove the valve cover. I broke one once.
3rd Nov 2004, 18:58
Just got my 5th Jeep... 2nd Comanche.
Before searching the web, didn't realize there were so many fans! I've been hoping for Comanche to get reinstated sometime... crossing my fingers!!!
Btw... have always been harder than hell on my jeeps and they always held up strong... of course.