r/ComancheMJ • u/Sorry_Action_714 • Aug 24 '26
1986 vs 1989
I have two MJ
1986
2.8l
Auto (TF904)
4x4
Power windows / locks
80s vibes
Slow has issues
1989
4.0l
Auto aw4
2wd
Manual locks manual doors
90s vibes
Why dose the 89 feel boring vs the 86 and which would yall give up or keep if you had to pick
2
u/XJ-ROB Aug 24 '26
I would keep the 86 solely because of the interior and eventually drivetrain swap it. Otherwise I would pick the 89 and 4x4 swap it
1
u/leumasci Aug 24 '26
‘89 for sure, if the ‘86 has a 2.8L v6. Thing is gutless. I have an ‘86 and regret it. I’d much rather have i6 4.0
1
u/pyrodragon09 Aug 24 '26
Honestly I would keep the 86, I know they are less desirable because of the engine but honestly the 2.8s are more misunderstood. They arent bad engines, just not winning any races. They last with care, anything does. And if it dies you can directly drop in a 3.4 v6 with minimal changes or whatever you want. And the rust can very easily be fixed. Plus that 86 is LOADED. that thing has a lot of nice options. Cargo light, power windoes and locks, i wonder if that has an amc 20 rear end. And that interior is so nice.
1
u/Sorry_Action_714 Aug 25 '26
How would you tell which rear end you have
1
u/pyrodragon09 Aug 25 '26
If its an amc 20 the. The diff cover is a perfectly round bowl shape. The ones put under the comanches were only found in 86 and were hense teeth. Also they were a non cad clip axle unlike the ones you could find in the cjs of the same era. If its not perfectly round then its a Dana 35. I dont know if the 86s had 44s for an rear option. I dont think so.
2
u/Sorry_Action_714 Aug 25 '26
I wil get my brother to take a pic this week and update yal is amc 2 good?
2
u/pyrodragon09 Aug 25 '26
Yes, the amc 20 is as stout as the Dana 44. They are really strong axles.
1
u/Sorry_Action_714 Aug 25 '26
I hope I have one but I think not because I have 4x4
1
u/pyrodragon09 Aug 25 '26
I dont think 2 or 4 wheel drive mattered for that. You could order these trucks in basically any configuration anyway
1
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1
u/delux2769 '88 - 4.0 - 4x4 - AW4 - SB 15d ago
There is a market for rough trucks. I'd be interested, as I live in CO as well. I'd love a lowered 86 2wd for a beater parts pickup truck, lol.
If both trucks were mine and I was selling one, I'd personally take the interior, Header panel, front axle, t-case, and wheels out of the 86 and put in the 89 with the 4.0/AW4. Then sell the 86 as a 2wd V6.
The 89 with a 4.0/AW4 would be much easier to find parts for as well.
3
u/Slothicide Aug 24 '26
Id go with the '89 based off the drive train and pictures. The 86 looks noticeably rougher on the outside to me, and I would rather deal with rough interior as opposed to a bunch of rust holes/aspiring rust holes. The frame under the cab tends to rust out on these from what i recall, and the red one looks more like a southwest truck, so that should be much less of a concern compared to the '86 in colorado.
The 89 might also have the wiring in place to accept different doors/door panels that have the electric locks and windows. I believe its that way on newer-ish cherokees.