Comanche Commercials featured on Hemmings Blog

Hemmings.com has posted a short writeup about the Jeep Comanche, including 3 original commercials from the late 80's.  The commercials are definitely a blast from the past.

Source:
Class of 1986 - Jeep Comanche
Hemmings Blog

Three Comanche pictures included in Facebook Jeep Mosaic

On April 5, 2011 Jeep released a photo mosaic of the Jeep Wrangler.  This photo mosaic was created in celebration of Jeep reaching over 1 million Facebook fans.

Three pictures of two different Comanches were included in this mosaic.
The first Comanche included was a blue Comanche submitted by Jeffery E from Grand Bay, Alabama.
The second Comanche included was a red Comanche SporTruck submitted by Ken B from Boonsboro, MD.
If you look closely enough at the second picture of the SporTruck, you will see a ComancheClub.com sticker is proudly displayed on the windshield.  An enlarged version of the photo will display the sticker more clearly.

To view the Comanche pictures, click the following link:
http://apps.facebook.com/jeepmosaic/?key=comanche

To view the entire mosaic, click this link:
http://apps.facebook.com/jeepmosaic/

Illinois man breaks original Comanche top speed with "LSR-3"

On 8/17/2010, Pete Lechtanski broke the original Comanche top speed with a speed of 155.149 MPH.

Pete's Comanche uses a 4.0L I-6 engine which has been bored and stroked to 5.0L.

The Comanche produces 450 hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque.

Source:
Bonneville Comanche
8/30/2010

Original Jeep Comanche Land Speed Record Truck Auctioned

Today the Jeep Comanche used to set multiple land speed records at Bonneville Flats was auctioned for $8,800.

From the original auction writeup:

To introduce the new 4.0-liter engine and demonstrate its potential, a Comanche was specially prepared in late 1986 with a modified engine for a series of sanctioned speed runs at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. There, the Comanche set four World Records, two National Open Records and seven National Truck Records, achieving speeds in excess of 140 mph in the process!

These remarkable achievements were achieved by American Motors, one of the most innovative automotive marques in America, which actually had a very successful history in speed competition and racing to improve its production automobiles and reap the press potential of its efforts. Other notable AMC successes included wins at the Nurburgring 1,000 km endurance race in 1979 and Craig Breedlove’s 1968 assault on Bonneville in the famed AMX.

Records Set by the Bonneville Comanche:

World Records:
½-KM Standing Start
¼-Mile Standing Start
1-KM Standing Start
10-KM Standing Start

National Open Records:
½-KM Standing Start
¼-Mile Standing Start

National Truck Records:
½-KM Standing Start
¼-Mile Standing Start
1-KM Standing Start
1-Mile Standing Start
10-KM Standing Start
Flying Kilometer (KM) 140.255 mph
Flying Mile 141.381 mph

Source:

RM Auctions - 1985 Jeep Comanche Bonneville Salt Flats Pickup 

Illinois man seeks to set new land speed record with a Comanche

Peter Lechtanski from Woodstock, IL.


He has purchased a 1989 Comanche with the following specifications, prior to modification:
2WD
4.0L 6 cylinder Engine
AX15 Transmission
Dana 44 rear axle


The necessary speed required to set a new land speed record for the 240-261 cubic inch displacement class is excessive of 183 MPH.


Source:
The Worlds Fastest Comanche

Chrysler to End Production of Jeep Comanche

The Chrysler Corporation announced today the end of the production of the Jeep Comanche.

The Toledo, Ohio plant had been building approximately 12 Comanches per day.

While the Comanche is officially scheduled to go out of production June 12, the final Comanche may have already been built.

Source:
New York Times
June 6, 1992

Chrysler plans no Comanche ads in 1992

Chrysler has made no plans for advertising the Comanche in 1992, relying on dealers to "carry the ball".

Source:
Toledo Blade - Aug 29, 1991
Page 22

1991 Comanche Gets Performance Boost

The 1991 Comanche features an engine upgrade for both 4 and 6 cylinders.

1990 4 Cylinder 2.5L Engine:
121 hp @ 5250 RPM
141 ft/lb torque @ 3250 RPM
Throttle-body fuel injection system

1990 6 Cylinder 4.0L Engine (I-6):
177 hp @ 4750 RPM
220 ft/lb torque @ 4000 RPM

1991 4 Cylinder 2.5L Engine:

126 hp @ 5250 RPM
148 ft/lb torque @ 3000 RPM
Multi-point fuel injection system

1991 6 Cylinder 4.0L Engine (I-6):
190 hp @ 4750 RPM
225 ft/lb torque @ 4000 RPM

Engine/Transmission Options:
Optional 4-speed automatic transmission available for all models
Base - 2.5L Engine, 5 speed manual standard (4.0L Engine, 5 speed manual optional)
Pioneer - 2.5L Engine, 5 speed manual standard (4.0L Engine, 5 speed manual optional)
SporTruck - 2.5L Engine, 4 speed manual standard  (4.0L Engine, 5 speed manual optional)
Eliminator - 4.0L Engine, 5 speed manual standard

Other Options:
Optional Command-Trac part-time four-wheel-drive with shift-on-the-fly capability
Air Conditioning
Speed Control
Skid Plate
Off-road Package

Optional Off-road Package includes the following:
High-Pressure Front and Rear Gas-Charged Shocks
15x7 Silver Styled Wheels
P225/75/R15 Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Tires
Heavy Duty Radiator
Skid Plate
Axillary Transmission Oil Cooler
Tow Hooks
Full Size Spare Tire


Warranty:
12 month/12,000 mile full coverage, excluding tires

7/70 Protection Plan:
7 yr/70,000 mile engine and powertrain protection
7 yr/100,000 mile rust protection


Source:
Advertising Supplement to The News - Apr 11, 1991
Page 9

Comanche on Toledo Jeep Plant to Recieve Facelift

The yellow 1987 Jeep Comanche on top of the Toledo Jeep Plant is being temporarily removed in order to update its appearance.

The truck will be updated to look like a 1991 model "with black trim, a new grill, and new black fender flares above the wheels".

Additionally, the Comanche will be repainted white, since the yellow is "an old Renault color" from when Jeep was owned by AMC, and to make the vehicle more visible.

The Comanche has no engine and no interior, to make it lighter.

Source:
Toledo Blade - Jul 13, 1990
Page 19

Former Jeep Comanche Staff Manager becomes President of Kelpie Industries

Paul Cooper was Staff Manager for the release of the Jeep Comanche.  He worked at the Toledo Jeep plant from 1983 to 1988 as Staff Manager, then Facilities Manager.  He became the president of an independent truck company, Kelpie Industries U.S.A., in May 1989.

Source:
Toledo Blade - Jul 13, 1990
Page 19

National Council of Jeep/Eagle Dealers Requests Comanche be Discontinued

Due to lack of sales, the National Council of Jeep/Eagle dealers asked Chrysler to discontinue the Jeep Comanche, and allow them to sell a version of the Dodge Dakota pickup.

Jeep Yearly Sales Numbers - Comanche sales have been highlighted

Source:
Toledo Blade - Jul 2, 1990
Page 20, 21

Recall Issued for Catalytic Converters

Model Year: 1987
Make: Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer with 2.5L fuel-injected engine
Problem: Catalytic Converter can overheat and break down
Number vehicles affected: 11,056

Source:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - May 22, 1990
3A

Jeep will offer four wheel drive Eliminator for 1990

Some analysts believe that 1990 may be a rough year for Jeep, including sales of Cherokee, Comanche, Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer.

Starting in 1990, Jeep will offer a four wheel drive version of the Comanche Eliminator, which was previously two wheel drive.

Source:
Toledo Blade - Sep 12, 1989
Page 24

Three Recalls Issued for Jeep Comanche

Today AMC issued recalls for three issues today.
1) Parking brake pedal could release on a loaded vehicle - 1986 Comanche, 41,073 trucks
2) Assemblies could cause the accelerator cable to disconnect during use - 1986 Comanche, Wagoneer, and Cherokee, 5,900 vehicles
3) A stud on top of the engine manifold could cause fuel hose chafing - 1987 Comanche, Wagoneer, Cherokee w/ 6 cyl Engine, 680 vehicles

Source:
The Free Lance Star - Feb 16, 1987
Page 30

New Smaller Version of Comanche Available for 1987

Two different size Comanches are available for 1987:
113 inch wheelbase with a 6 foot cargo box
119.6 inch wheelbase with a 7 foot cargo box

The V6 Engine is replaced with the I-6, an in-line 6 cylinder engine.

I-4 Specifications:
121 hp @ 5000 RPM
141 ft/lb torque @ 3500 RPM

I-6 Specifications:
173 hp @ 4500 RPM
220 ft/lb torque @ 2500 RPM

A new 4-speed automatic transmission with two modes is introduced:
Comfort mode - conservative and economical shifting
Power mode - Upshift at higher engine RPM, dowshift more rapidly, more sensitive to throttle position

Base model and and Pioneer model available in 6 or 7 foot bed versions.
Chief package for 6 foot bed version only.
Laredo  package for 7 foot bed version only.

Source:
Record-Journal - Feb 15, 1987
F-17

Comanche available for $6,495

A restored/enhanced ad from The Courier

Featured an optional Power Tech Six engine with 173 hp, 220 lb of torque (most likely not included in price)

Source:

The Courier - Nov 14, 1986

11A

Comanche sets Land Speed Record

On Sept 5, 1986 a modified Jeep Comanche set a new land speed record of 141 mph for compact-size pickup trucks.

Above: Original Ad for Comanche Land Speed Record

Details:
Engine - 4.0 L 6 cyl  "Power-Tech Six"
174 hp
220 ft lb torque
113" wheelbase
5 speed manual transmission
Average speed: 141.381 mph in a two-way run over a one mile course
Peak speed: 144.028 mph in a one-way run

Source:
Lakeland Ledger - Nov 13, 1986
6D

Comanche available for $7995 Canadian

Restored ad from the Ottawa Citizen

For $7995 Canadian, a brand new 1987 Jeep Comanche included the following features:
4 cylinder, fuel injection engine
5 speed, overdrive manual transmission
Power Brakes
Short Box
All weather radial tires
Halogen headlamps
Quadralink front suspension
15 inch wheels
Mini console
Glove box light
Fabric headliner

Source:
Ottawa Citizen - Nov 10, 1986
B5

Second Jeep Comanche Model offered for 1987

For the 1987 model year, Jeep will offer a second version of the Comanche.
This version will feature a shorter wheelbase and a shorter cargo box.

Source:
Portsmouth Daily Times - Oct 26, 1986

Comanche Engine Upgrade in 1987 Model

The 1987 Comanche (as well as Cherokee and Wagoneer) will receive a power boost with electronically fuel-injected 4.0 L, 6 cylinder engine.

The I-6 specifications are as follows:
0 to 60 in less than 10 seconds
Peak 173 hp @ 4,500 rpm
220 lb ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm

This is a 50 percent gain in horsepower and 47 percent gain in torque over the V-6 engine offered in 1986.

The I-4 will also receive an upgrade due to using the same, larger air cleaner as the I-6.
Specifications are as follows:
121 hp @ 5,000 rpm
141 lb ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm

Also introduced in 1987 are the following:
New wide-ratio, 4 speed automatic transmission
New NP 242 transfer case


Source:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Oct 21, 1986
5-F