Shop beater truck 87 Jeep Comanche - Private Parts

Blaze

Blaze

The Jeeper Reaper
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Location
Wake Forest, NC
So as if we didn't have enough going on here, I got a good deal on this thing so figured what the heck. Would be a good shop parts runner.

So I bring you the newest project - Private Parts. :eek:

Normally this would be a parts vehicle per our standards, but it is a Comanche and 4x4 and I'm a little off in the head. I also like military history, so you'll find most of my stuff has military themes. So parts Jeep, military theme.......Private Parts.

It is a pretty standard 87 MJ with a 4cyl and 5-spd, 4x4. We got it in, had no compression in #3 cylinder. Pulled the valve cover and it had a broken rocker arm guide and a pushrod was off. A new head gasket set was only $35 so I went ahead and pulled the head just to make sure nothing got smacked around in there. Figure for about an hours worth of time and some peace of mind, it was worth it for $35.

It is going to be a total shop beater. We are doing it cheap, just something for me and @Buddy_Holly to do parts runs in and for us to beat around with.

So here's how it looked when I bought it.
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So while we were waiting on the head gasket kit to come in, we figured what the hell, we'll climb up to the top rack and see what parts we had lying around for a while. Came up with some 97+ body panels and a new steering wheel. We went ahead and left the old bumper on there and swapped over to the old style flares. It doesn't match up perfectly because of the front fender dropoff, but come on, look at this thing.....it'll be just fine. Can barely tell anyway.
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Excellent!! :bounce:
 
Glad you saved it! I have a soft spot in my heart for the last real jeep truck........
 
ghost said:
Glad you saved it! I have a soft spot in my heart for the last real jeep truck........
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Yeah, Lucas has been begging me since he started here to pick up an MJ project. Figured I'd give him something to use for the parts runs! Now I can bring my Chevy pickup back to the house! :)
 
The poor Private has certainly seen better days. He is a tad crusty. First time I attempted to go for a drive I couldn't get my foot on the gas pedal because the floor mat was in the way. After removing 4, yes 4, floor mats I found this:

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Good thing too, cuz with it running 3/4ths as well as it should I almost needed to Fred Flintstone it to get up the hill :D
 
Cant wait to see the progress. If i wasnt saving up for a powerstroke, i would be doing this too
 
Quick update. I put a new head gasket on the Private and it seems to be running better but has a little oil pressure problem we are going to chase down. Plus it needs a track bar and brakes, but we have those lying around here.
 
Nice. We got our Mj all together. Haven't got it running yet.
 
Well, the body is done. At least as much as we are going to. Made some stencils and did our own little military take on the truck. :lol:

And of course, the motor is shot now, no oil pressure. It is just worn out, pretty sure the bearings are shot.

Looking for a Dakota AX15 bellhousing now so we can swap in a 3.8L SC motor....
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So the motor in the Private is completely shot. We are going to start the engine swap here in the next couple weeks. We are taking these two turds and putting their parts onto our parts and having some fun. With our Private Parts. The joke never gets old.

So the plans are to take the GTP 3.8L SC motor and mate it up to the NV3550 out of the TJ with a Novak adapter and a 2.8L S-10 or Fbody T5 bellhousing and 3.8L Fbody flywheel and pressure plate and the appropriate clutch plate.

There are other items to hash out, but this is where we are at right now. :lol:
 
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The parts have been ordered and the donor stripping has begun. We have an early S10 bellhousing with the correct pattern and have ordered a GM3550 adapter from Novak. I also did some research and found that I can use a 3.8L F-body flywheel and pressure plate and once they get here I can figure out the clutch disc for it. I am either going to be using a 4-cyl CJ clutch disc or one out of a 6-cyl 2nd gen Camaro. I'm not sure yet, I have to measure the pressure plate when it gets here. Not sure on the pilot bushing either, that's another measuring item when all the parts are out and ready to be put together.
 

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I'm pretty sure there is info on this swap on NAXJA. Or is that not a 60deg V6? I looked into a camaro motor for my 84 before I found my 94 with a 4.0L
 
Trans and tcase are out and ready to go, the adapter should be delivered today. We started stripping the GTP last night and hopefully Sunday I'll have the driveline mated together.

Of course, we went out and did burnouts till one tire went flat. :lol:
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Got a bunch done. Mounted the adapter to the transmission, clearanced the bell to fit the trans. The bolts they sent to mount the bell have too big of a bolt head to fit the bell so I am going to go pick up some flange head bolts to get it to work. Also the block does not have a starter boss on the passenger side, so we're going to have to cut a notch in the bell for the starter on the driver's side. The Camaro flywheel fits, so need to get some flywheel bolts for that and start bolting shit together.
 

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StretchASU said:
This isnt helping my want of a Comanche. Considering I know where theres a roller Eliminator that needs an engine and I know where a 3.8SC engine and harness is. Both of which just sitting. :lol:
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Do it! I love out of the box swaps. So sick of the LS this LS that........
 
StretchASU said:
This isnt helping my want of a Comanche. Considering I know where theres a roller Eliminator that needs an engine and I know where a 3.8SC engine and harness is. Both of which just sitting. :lol:
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Hopefully we'll be offering a kit for the swap here shortly. :)
 
OK, figured out the clutch disc. An early 3rd gen Camaro with the 2.8L and a 4-spd has the exact clutch that I need.

I called Centerforce, they were completely useless and the guy tried to sell me a clutch that was like 1/2" too big. So after I got off the Phone I did some more research and cross referencing and figured it out. :)
 
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