If you're looking for a stylish rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive pickup truck that's not a Ford or an off-road vehicle that's not a Jeep Wrangler, allow us to introduce you to the Jeep Comanche. Fiat Chrysler, now FCA, discontinued the compact pickup truck decades ago, but it hasn't stopped the Jeep Comanche Pioneer and Jeep Comanche Eliminator from becoming modern-day classics.
Succeeded by the Dodge Dakota, the Comanche had several different powertrain options. On the transmission side, you had everything from five-speed Peugeot manual transmission to four-speed automatic transmission. It came with four different engine options: the 2.1-L Renault J8S turbo diesel I4, the 2.5 L AMC 150 I4, the 2.8-liter V6, and the 4.0-L AMC 242 I6.
While Jeep models like the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler are certainly much loved, they don't do anything to fill the void left by the unibody Jeep pickup's absence. Unfortunately, we won't be getting a new Comanche anytime soon, either. Recently, the Jeep Comanche and Wagoneer were passed over for a Jeep pickup revival in favor of the Jeep Gladiator. To help you cope with the Comanche's continued absence, here are 6 facts that you probably didn't know about the classic pickup with the unique body style.
6 Things You Need to Know About the Jeep Comanche
1. The Jeep Comanche stands the test of time.
The Jeep Comanche is an extremely durable vehicle. Aside from a rust issue, the Comanches on the road today are generally in extremely good condition thanks to the incredible longevity of these Jeep pickups. Some Comanches even got up to nearly 300,000 miles -- unheard of for their production era.
2. Demand for the Comanche is skyrocketing.
In recent years, the Comanche has become more and more coveted. The automotive community has quickly begun to realize that the Comanche hasn't always gotten its due -- and unjustly so. A few years ago, you might have found a Comanche in a used car dealership for around $2,500. Today, an aftermarket Jeep Comanche might sell for nearly $10,000.
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3. There are more Ferraris on the road than Comanches.
Comanches didn't sell all that well during their production period. Because of this, not many were made. This means that today they are exceedingly rare. More rare, even, than exotic sports cars like Ferraris. Today, you're more likely to see a Ferrari on the road than one of the 200,000 Jeep Comanches that were made.
4. The Comanche's drivetrain can outlast the rest of it.
An automobile's drivetrain will never outlast the automobile. That is, unless you count the Comanche, which we do. The Jeep Comanche is one of the very, very few vehicles with a drivetrain that might last longer than the rest of the car. This is why Comanches are able to reach such high mileage and still run smoothly.
5. The Comanche's front suspension is a taller clone of the Cherokee.
The Jeep Cherokee might look quite different than the Comanche, but they actually have several parts in common. The Comanche's front suspension, for instance, is a clone of the Cherokee's, except that the Comanche's was extended in length for off-road utility.
6. The Comanche gets outstanding fuel economy for its production era.
Most trucks, especially old trucks, aren't known for their excellent gas mileage. The Jeep Comanche pickup, however, gets excellent fuel economy for a truck of this era. Far ahead of its time, the Jeep Comanche received 21-24 MPG. Many new model-year pickup trucks still can't match the Comanche in this fuel economy today.
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This post was originally published on September 2, 2019.