Here im going to discuss a bit about the Jeep Comanche MJ. Since it's practically a Jeep Cherokee except for the bed and rear springs, Im not going to get into all the technical area's of it  just refer to the Jeep Cherokee sections 1985 through 1992 for other information.

 

 In 1985 the Jeep Cherokee XJ gave birth to a new model called the Jeep Comanche MJ.  The Comanche was a Jeep Cherokee from the doors forward. From the doors back it was a pick up.

 

There are a few things that set the MJ apart from the XJ. First is the obvious..the truck bed. Second the rear frame of the MJ is a stamped and spot welded X frame. The frame had to be a one piece design to help with the over all structure and to hold a detachable bed like a conventional truck.

 

Also the rear leaf springs were considerably longer on the Comanche than the Cherokee and the springs were mounted under the axle where as the XJ's springs were mounted on top. The longer spring gave the Comanche greater load carrying abilities but still had a good ride.

 

Jeep Comanches in long bed models had the option of what was known as the " BIG TON" package. The package included heavier-duty leaf springs and wheels, larger tires and upgraded the rear axle to a Dana 44.

 

The Dana 44 axle increased the stock payload capacity from 1,400 to 2,205 pounds, well above that of any other mid-size truck. The Big Ton Comanche's payload rating was higher than that of many full-size pickups of the day. That's not to shabby from XJ's little brother.. lol.

 

The Comanche shared the assembly line with the Cherokee, so building more Comanches meant sacrificing production of the highly-profitable Cherokee and Wagoneer. That competition with the Dodge Dakota are probably the main reasons why the Comanche was eventually dropped.

 

MJ Production numbers:      XJ Production numbers:

1985: 29,245

1986: 33,386

1987: 43,070

1988: 43,718

1989: 25,311

1990: 9,576

1991: 5,188

1992: 952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Jeep Comanche had a few different Trim packages throughout the years.

 

1986 - Custom - White styled wheels,Sliding rear window,Power Steering, Gauge Group, Dual remote mirrors,Extra capacity fuel tank,P205 black sidewall tires.

 

1986 - X - Stood for X tra value package - Two toned sport paint, Vinyl bucket seats, Center console, Floor Carpeting, Plus all the Custom options.

 

1986 - XLS - Not completely sure what made of the XLS package, but it was pretty much a fully loaded MJ with all the works.

 

1987-1992 - Base (Sport Truck) -

 

1988- Olympic Edition - A option package influenced by the 1988 Olympic Games.

 

1987-1988 - Chief -

 

1987-1990 - Laredo

 

1987-1992 - Pioneer

 

1988-1992 - Eliminator - 10 hole Aluminium wheels (and spare), Eagle GT 2 tires 215/64-14, Front fog lights with "Jeep" covers, Sport steering wheel, Eliminator dec, Fender flares, Front air Dam and side stripe stickers, Three part sliding back window. AC and cruise contol optional. 1989 was the first year for ABS brakes on 2 and 4 wheel drive models.

 

A really neat part of the Jeep Comanche's history is it's very noticeable racing hertiage including the Baja 1000, the Walker Evans and Mike Leslie stadium trucks, the SCCA trucks (run by the Archer brothers), and various rock crawlers and desert racing trucks..

 

This 1985 Jeep Comanche was modified by Chrysler in 1986 to test and demonstrate all the new 4.0 engine . It was known as the LSR1, 2 and 3 which were naturally aspirated. The Comanche set 14 different land speed records and the last record it set was broken in 2011.

 

If I'm not mistaken I believe the LRS-2 sold at auction on April 25 2010 for $8,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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