1988 Jeep Comanche Eliminator 4.0 6 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

The Comanche is the best small pickup ever built

Faults:

No major problems. Mostly just the expected wear and tear of a truck with 150,000 miles on it. Needs a new paint job. Emissions control lines have worn out and were replaced. Driver's side window will only roll down about 2/3 of the way before it goes off track. It blows a fuse every time the air conditioner is turned on. Also it needs a new antenna for the radio.

General Comments:

I paid a very reasonable price for the truck from an individual. There is very little rust and although it needs a paint job, there are no dents or dings in the body with the exception of a slightly bent bumper on the right rear corner. The bed is a little scratched up, but has no dents. So far this little truck has impressed me greatly. It gets between 18 and 20 miles per gallon, which for a truck this old with as many miles it has is very good in my opinion. The engine is very strong and it has enough power and torque to pull what a full size truck could pull with no problem. No fluid leaks are noticeable. There is quite a bit of ground clearance for a small two wheel drive truck.

I am surprised that more were not built. This is by far the best used vehicle I have ever purchase for the price, and as long as the general maintenance is done, I strongly believe that it will last until the body falls off.

The only drawback is that since this is a rare truck, parts are fairly difficult to find, but if you really look, you can find what you need.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th May, 2007

20th Jan 2020, 20:03

Regarding the A/C blowing fuses, mine did the same thing. A wiring diagram indicated that trucks with A/C got power from the same circuit that fed the heater control on heater only models. Mine was fine until the blower motor got old and started drawing more load. This caused the fuse in the panel to overheat, which weakened the contact clips. I installed a separate switch for the A/C and gave it its own feed and fuse, thus relieving the original of the full load.

Just a suggestion as it worked for me

1988 Jeep Comanche Pioneer Olympic 4.0 I6 from North America

Summary:

Size has no relevance to its might!

Faults:

The gas gauge went bad at 207k, and I just can't seem to have my rear tires last long.

General Comments:

I own a 1988 Comanche "Olympic Edition". It's got about 210,000 miles on it, and I love it.

The I6 is so strong in such a small truck; I love pulling up to big V8 trucks (F-250, Chevy 2500's, etc.) and asking "wanna go!?!" (they think of most small trucks having 4 bangers). The light turns green and most will fall behind me right after we get through the light, then it is bye bye buddy.

I got a leak in my intake manifold gasket, and it whines really bad. So the V8's accuse me of having a blower. Funny as it is all stock.

Bar none, the best vehicle I've ever owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th April, 2007

21st Apr 2007, 21:49

Its because your truck barely weighs anything in comparison to the full size and super duty trucks that you're able to get them off the line. Try taking them from a roll and you'd likely get destroyed.

26th Jul 2007, 20:22

Just bought an Olympic ed. for $100 it is rusty as heck, but it ran to beat the band what a truck!

In reply to 21st Apr 2007, 21:49

23rd Jan 2020, 19:35

4.0 AMC engines aren't ate up with horsepower (177 hp in a 1988 isn't wimpy), but produce an incredible amount of torque. By design these engines have a relatively flat torque curve so you don't have to buzz up the RPM. Horsepower is fun, but at the end of the day it's torque that turns over the wheels.

I have no problem running off and leaving my friends' pretty trucks. I don't do it much as I want to stay friends.

In reply to 23rd Jan 2020, 19:35

26th Jan 2020, 19:23

And they don't pass you once your truck gives out around 55-60 mph -- for the same reason!