Pickup trucks are everything. There are so many reasons to love them. They carry a lot of stuff, they have superb pulling capabilities, and they are always ready when for an off-road drive. The list goes on. The Jeep Comanche among the group, and one of the most powerful classic pickup trucks that made history.
Premiered in 1986, the Jeep Comanche was known for its robust unibody construction, awesome engineering, and great performance. It was provided in three engine selections and could tow up to 5,000 pounds. It was equipped with a "Quadralink" front suspension system from the Jeep Cherokee line-up. This contributed to its comfy ride and fine off-roading aptitude. All Jeep Comanche models had an optional Eliminator package that elevated the truck's design and gave it a unique look that rivaled the Chevrolet S-10 Baja.
The Classic Jeep Comanche Eliminator has a bold look, strong engine, and boasts good durability reviews. Here’s why we love the 1988 Jeep Comanche, and why it should be your everyday pickup truck.
It Has A Strong Unibody Construction
One of the things that have made the Jeep Comanche Eliminator so popular is the exterior design. The Comanche has an elegant fascia that really stands out, especially considering that it was built for utilitarian purposes. The Jeep Comanche’s design pays homage to the classic XJ Cherokee, from which it also took after its powertrain and drivetrain. Aside from that, these models also shared the same Quadralink front suspension, which featured coil springs. All Jeep Comanches with the 6-inch bed measured 179. Inches and 113 in length and wheelbase respectively, while trucks with the 7-inch bed reached up to 194.0 inches in length and 119.9 inches in wheelbase.
But unlike its predecessors, the 1988 Jeep Comanche model came in a revamped exterior design, featuring new front and back end additions. While the 1986 to 1987 line-ups had a 10-slot grille, the 1988 model came with a revamped setup, and the number of slots was reduced to 8. This new grille design put the Comanche at par with the SUV sibling.
The Eliminator was an optional appearance package that included elite 15-inch aluminum wheels enclosed by Eagle GT tires, body-shaded front grille and bumper add-ons, silver-painted guards, and special side decals.
It Was Offered In Multiple Powertrain Selections
The Jeep Comanche came with three engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and a 2.1-liter four-cylinder, and a 4.0-liter inline-6 engine – which was introduced in 1987, shortly after the V-8 engine met its demise.
In terms of its powertrain, the standard engine was paired to a four-speed manual while the 4.0-liter inline 6 was initially attached to a four-speed automatic until a Peugeot-obtained five-speed manual was introduced to the line-up.
The Jeep Comanche Eliminator Has An Decent Towing Capacity
The 1988 Jeep Comanche Eliminator has a total towing rating of about 5,000 pounds, which is considerably lower than today’s trucks but can take on a lot of hauling jobs than the classic Chevrolet S-10, and other older options. This towing performance isn’t affected by its transmission. The automatic and Manual Comanche Eliminators have the same towing capacity.
It Has A Good Fuel Economy
A large number of mass-produced classic trucks are known for their off-roading capabilities, strong powertrains, and so on, but most of them fall short when it comes to gas mileage. While most models produced from 1970 to 1980 trucks have this in common, the Jeep Comanche has a surprisingly better gas mileage, even when viewed from a modern-day perspective. From the 1986 model, the Jeep Comanche Eliminator made up to 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, exclusively with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 4.0-liter inline-6, on the other hand, conveyed up to 16 mpg city and 20 mpg interstate, which was still impressive, yet not as economic as the latter.
With its outstanding fuel economy, the Jeep Comanche competed with other practical options, such as the classic Ford Ranger, the Chevrolet S-10 line-up, and its closest sibling, the Jeep Cherokee. The Comanche’s Proficiency was strikingly better compared to those of bigger trucks
The 1988 Jeep Comanche Is A Durable Pickup Truck
All powertrains of the Jeep Comanche are considered to be very reliable in terms of durability. The standard 4.0-liter inline-six is apparently the most incredible in this division - and numerous models are known to have been driven up to a 250,000-mile count without major maintenance issues.
Yet, in any event, when such maintenance issues do arise, finding parts is relatively easy, and most parts are very cheap. The best part is that the classic Jeep Comanche and the 80’s Jeep Cherokee used similar parts; thus, you could consider sourcing parts from classic jeep Cherokees if any Comanche parts aren’t around. But right now, the market is currently flooded with parts from America’s classics. But generally speaking, the Jeep Comanche is a robust truck and can be used as an everyday companion, and is always ready to pull anything attached to it or haul anything you throw in its bed.
It Holds Its Value Very Well
The capabilities of the Jeep Comanche make it a must-have. And honestly, it would be hard to find any other classic Jeep that’s as strong and durable as the Jeep Comanche. As such, the Jeep Comanche is among the high-valued classic Jeeps you’ll in the market. But of course, as with any used car, the price really depends on the mileage reading, its condition, and trim. But you’ll be glad to know that all Jeep Comanche models produced from 1987 to 1991 are excellent choices.
However, a few models are clearly more costly than others. Typically, a 1988 Jeep Comanche in a moderate condition with about 120,000 mileage will cost you around $6,000, and any Jeep below the 50,000-mile reading may fetch you up to $10,000. But you’ll be guaranteed a lot of years of driving without having to refresh the truck or deal with some extreme maintenance issues. A 4.0L 6cyl Manual Comanche with 200,000 miles was listed for $7,000 on jeepcomancheforsale.com – an entire site dedicated to Comanche enthusiasts.