The Jeep name is synonymous with 4x4 off-road vehicles, such as the Wrangler, Cherokee, Renegade, and Gladiator. The latter is one of the most reliable pickup trucks
in Jeep's lineup, but only a few truck enthusiasts know the company's truck history, which started with the record-breaking Jeep Comanche. Like the '67 Chevy Impala
, the classic car keeps on appreciating in value every year. It's a car that many collectors would love to purchase without even thinking about vehicle insurance
costs. Nonetheless, it was discontinued, but was later revived with the introduction of the Gladiator in 2019. The design, specs, and features of the Jeep Comanche
Back in the late ‘80s, the Jeep Comanche made its market debut as the first truck with a unibody and removal bed. As noted on Top Speed
, that design was inspired by the XJ-generation Cherokee. Still, it was strange for a truck. It was a hybrid construction because the cabin and front-end section had a unibody design, but the bed retained a body-on-frame design. Manufactured by American Motors (AMC) from 1985 to 1987 and Chrysler from 1987 to 1992, the Comanche offered performance-conscious drivers three engine options. The standard 2.5-liter four-inline engine delivered 117 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. There were also two more options: a 121-hp, 2.8-liter V6, and a 2.1-liter four-cylinder motor with 173 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque.
AMC claimed that the Comanche could offer the best in-class towing capacity when properly equipped. The 4.0-liter inline-six engine (introduced in the 1987 model) paired with a manual transmission system could tow up to 2,000 lbs. However, when paired with an automatic transmission, its towing capacity increases to 5,000 lbs.
How the Jeep compares to other trucks in its class
The Comanche faced stiff competition from other trucks in its class. For instance, while it came with three engines, the 1985 Chevrolet C10 featured six engine options, including a 155-hp 4.3-liter V6, a 120-hp V6, and two small-block V8s producing 160hp and 175hp. It also had a 230-hp Big Block 454 ci engine and a 6.2-liter 379 ci V8 that delivered 135 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque.
Chrysler introduced a 4.0-liter inline-six engine in 1987 to give the truck more power increasing the horsepower to between 220 and 225. According to BlueOvalTech.com
, the 1987 Ford F-150 was available with five different engines, including a 4.9-liter inline-six and four V8 engines that delivered between 185 and 225 hp. Although the Comanche couldn't pull 5,000 lbs. without upgrades, its raw towing capacity was still above the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-10. The Comanche's value continues to increase, despite being out of the market for almost 30 years. Whether you choose Custom, X Base, Chief, XLS, Pioneer, or the limited Olympic trim, you can expect to pay at least $10,000. That's a big deal, considering the truck used to cost $2,500 - $5,000 a few years ago.
What's unique about the 1985-1992 Jeep Comanche?
One major distinction that the Comanche had was its design, which featured a unibody front-end and a body-on-frame rear that allowed owners to remove the bed. Its frame was different from the others available in the market because other automakers welded the body on a frame, but the Jeep incorporated everything in a single uniframe.
The Comanche is also a record-breaking pickup truck, having won several records during its heydays. To advertise the upcoming 1985 model, Jeep fitted a big six-cylinder engine under its hood, enabling the truck to set 13 different speed and power records. One of its best runs included a quarter-mile dash in 16.9 seconds at a speed of 53 mph, an impressive performance for a non-supercharged gas engine.
Shortly after Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987, the sales margins for the Jeep started dipping, and Chrysler had challenges trying to fit the Jeep brand—which it acquired with AMC—in its hierarchy of brands. Consequently, it was discontinued in 1992 after selling a little over 190,000 models.
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