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Jeep Comanche MJ Pickup: What If...?The Jeep Comanche pickup came onto the scene in 1986 enduring six years until 1992 when Chrysler/Jeep canned it's production. The MJ Comanche was originally introduced by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and carried over by Chysler upon Chrysler's buy-out of AMC. Chrysler did kill the full sized Jeep trucks AMC produced in the J-10 and J-20 series, but continued with the Comanche. Although built as a 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive, the 4x4 truck was, and is most desirable as a utility vehicle, work truck, foul weather truck and/or fun truck. It also holds it's own with off road trucks. Mind you the Comanche is no CJ5, CJ7 or Wrangler, but can be a formidable off road truck under many tough conditions.
Chrysler introduced the Dodge Dakota in 1987 which was also in the mid-size to compact pickup category. By 1992 the Jeep Comanche was having relatively poor sales when compared to the Dakota and was scrapped more for that reason than any other. However, what if Chrysler had continued with the Comanche or upgraded to a new Jeep 4x4 truck model instead of letting go of the last Jeep truck? Could or would the marketplace have sustained a Jeep pickup and a Dakota pickup? It is my opinion that the Jeep Comanche pickup with it's iconic roots could have fulfilled a strong niche market if Chrysler would have done one thing. That is, sell the Jeep as the rugged, tough and durable image that Jeeps have always been known for to those loyalists who have always been drawn to that image...and then DELIVER.
Okay, I know that the auto/truck manufacturer's spend millions on market analysis, and I am no expert by any means, but I truly think that the auto/truck people are missing some golden opportunities such as:
Am I alone or does this make sense to you? Sorry about the rant, but this has been an issue with me for a long time. There is a new concept Jeep pickup potentially on the horizon which is getting some positive attention. The Jeep Gladiator Concept would be the first pickup from Jeep since the last Comanche in 1992 if produced for public consumption.
(See the newest Gladiator Concept pickup which may end the gap since the Jeep Comanche.)
Now, let me tell you a little about my pride and joy. My Jeep Comanche MJI can't explain it, but this old truck is my pride and joy. It truly is "A Jeep Thing" is all I can come up with at the moment. This Comanche is 20+ years-old and only has 130,000+ miles at this writing. It is a 1987 model with the Comanche stripes and logo on the sides.
The truck is unrestored, and completely original. No bells and whistles...just a dependable tough Jeep. It has the 4.0 liter six with the 5 speed gearbox...4-wheel drive and the long bed. My Comanche is a not pristine and is driven often. As 4x4 trucks go...this is a good one. Hey...this is starting to sound like a sales ad! Well...at the moment she's not for sale.
My MJ With Blacked Out Wheels...Simple Improvement Illustrated On The Jeep Wheels Page
Cherokee XJ and Comanche MJ share most Components...Even Off Road Builds...Find out More!
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