1986 Comanche XLS 4WD

by Jon
(Michigan)

OK here's one. This is my daily driver, an original-condition '86 Comanche with less than 50,000 miles on it. This is a transitional vehicle, being both the last year AMC built Jeeps and the first year of the Comanche truck line. This one has the 2.8 liter GM V-6 and automatic, with four-wheel drive. It's an XLS with A/C, cruise, and the original Charcoal Metallic (an extra-cost option) with a Garnet Red 'luggage cloth' interior. The cap is a Leer cap that was a Jeep accessory, illustrated in the Comanche dealer brochure. This truck even has the original owner's manual and dealer invoice listing the options. Having spent its whole life in the sunny South, the seller delivered it in his enclosed trailer directly to the local Ziebart shop, and it was immediately power washed, rustproofed and undercoated. As only the second 'driving' owner (the second owner had only had it 6 months and had never registered it), it is my every intent to keep it as original as possible, keep the miles down, keep it clean and maintain it scrupulously.

Now that I am retired I wanted (A) reliable wheels (B) something interesting (C) a cheap enough ride to not have car payments, and (D) four-wheel drive... we live in Michigan.

The seller bought it with the intent to build an
extreme SEMA-style custom off-roader, but given the originality, condition and completeness, it seemed, to me anyway, a shame to pull apart.

I know a lot of people will see the truck and bemoan the idea of putting a Comanche with mileage this low through the rigors of Winter driving in the Great Lakes, but it's been rust proofed. I keep my own vehicles carefully maintained so it gets garaged and hey, it's a Jeep!

Based on the 100,000-plus mileages I was seeing
on Jeep pickups for sale (both Comanches and J-series trucks) I plan on driving it a long time.

Larry's Comment: Very nice find Jon! I love my '87 Comanche too.