Jeep Comanche (MJ)
The Comanche was a compact pickup built on the XJ Cherokee's unibody, with the cab and bed formed as one structure rather than a separate frame. It shared the Cherokee's engines and four-wheel-drive systems, and from 1987 the 4.0 L six gave it far more power than the original engines. A Metric Ton package let long-bed trucks carry up to 2,205 lb, one metric ton. Sales faded after Chrysler took over AMC, and the last trucks were built in June 1992.
Engines
| Engine | Power | Torque | Fuel | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L AMC I4 | 117 hp (87 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1986 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 | 121 hp (90 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1987 to 1990 |
| 2.5 L AMC I4 (multipoint injection) | 130 hp (97 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1991 to 1992 |
| 2.8 L GM V6 | 115 hp (86 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1986 |
| 2.1 L Renault turbodiesel I4 Old Cars Weekly gives 82 hp. |
85 hp (63 kW) | — | Diesel | 1986 to 1987 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 173 hp (129 kW) | 220 lb-ft (298 N·m) | Gasoline | 1987 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 | 177 hp (132 kW) | 224 lb-ft (304 N·m) | Gasoline | 1988 to 1990 |
| 4.0 L AMC I6 High Output | 190 hp (142 kW) | — | Gasoline | 1991 to 1992 |
Transmissions
- 4-speed manual (AX-4) (1986 to 1992)
- 5-speed manual (AX-5) (1986 to 1992)
- 5-speed manual (Peugeot BA-10/5, with 4.0 L) (1987 to 1989)
- 5-speed manual (AX-15, with 4.0 L) (1989 to 1992)
- 3-speed automatic (TorqueFlite A904) (1986)
- 4-speed automatic (Aisin AW4) (1987 to 1992)
Sizes and weights
| Measure | Size |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 113–119.9 in2,870–3,045 mm |
| Length | 179.2–194 in4,552–4,928 mm |
| Width | 71.7 in1,821 mm |
| Height | 64.7 in1,643 mm |
| Towing (most) | 2,000–5,000 lb907–2,268 kg |
A range covers the body styles and trims of this generation.
Trims and editions
- Custom
- X
- XLS
- Base (SporTruck)
- Pioneer
- Chief
- Laredo
- Eliminator
- Olympic Edition
- Metric Ton package
Worth knowing
- The Metric Ton package for long-bed trucks added a Dana 44 rear axle and raised payload from 1,400 to 2,205 lb.
- A modified 1987 Comanche set nine U.S. and four international speed records at Bonneville.
- 190,446 were built from 1985 to 1992, with a peak of 43,718 in 1988.
- Wikipedia lists the Gladiator (JT) as its successor.
Year by year, newest first
- Final year; production ended June 12, 1992, after only 952 trucks that calendar year.
- New colours included Midnight Blue, Hunter Green, and Gray Mist.
- Chrysler engine electronics replaced the Renix systems.
- The 4.0 L became the 190 hp High Output, and the four-cylinder was no longer sold with an automatic.
- A four-wheel-drive Eliminator was added.
- Last year for the Laredo.
- The AX-15 five-speed replaced the Peugeot BA-10/5 behind the 4.0 L.
- The sporty two-wheel-drive Eliminator arrived as a $2,929 package with the 177 hp 4.0 L.
- The grille went from ten slots to eight, and an Olympic Edition was offered.
- Production peaked at 43,718 trucks.
- A short-bed model joined the long bed, and the 173 hp 4.0 L six replaced the V6.
- The AW4 four-speed automatic replaced the three-speed.
- Pioneer, Chief, and Laredo trims were added.
- Introduced to AMC dealers in August 1985 as a long-bed pickup in Custom, X, and XLS trims.
- Engines were a 117 hp four, a 115 hp GM V6, and a Renault turbodiesel.
- The two-wheel-drive version started at $7,049, the cheapest Jeep that year.
Notes
Towing figures (2,000 lb with the manual, 5,000 lb with the automatic) are Old Cars Weekly's ratings for the 1988 Eliminator, not the whole line. Wikipedia lists the Chief for 1987 to 1988; Old Cars Weekly says it was dropped after one year. Sources give 82 or 85 hp for the diesel and 2,205 to 2,240 lb for Metric Ton payload. EPA listings include 1993 Comanche entries even though production ended in June 1992. Wikipedia's infobox lists the CJ-8 Scrambler, CJ-10, and SJ Gladiator as predecessors. Curb weight and fuel tank not confirmed.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Comanche
- oldcarsweekly.com /features/jeepcomanche
- fueleconomy.gov /ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options