Best Car Reviews - 1987 Jeep Comanche 4WD

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Introduction

The 1987 Jeep Comanche 4WD is a compact, rugged pickup aimed at drivers who value simple mechanical design, useful cargo space and genuine four-wheel-drive capability. Although often grouped with standard pickup trucks in fuel-economy data, the Comanche is physically closer to the compact-truck class. Its distinctive formula combines a Cherokee-based cab, a separate pickup bed and Jeep’s off-road character, making it appealing to collectors, DIY owners and recreational users.

Design and Exterior Features

The Comanche has a squared-off 1980s Jeep shape, a long hood, upright windshield and a practical two-door pickup layout. Its 1987 front end uses the period-correct ten-slot-style grille treatment, while the cab shares much of its appearance with the XJ Cherokee. Buyers could choose short- or long-bed configurations, and 1987 expanded the Comanche range beyond the original 1986 launch-year offering. The separate cargo bed and tough-looking stance give it more traditional truck character than its Cherokee relative.

Boxy two-door pickup profile with a practical cargo bed
Period Jeep grille, round headlamps and simple steel bumpers
Available short- and long-bed body styles
Four-wheel-drive hardware suited to rough roads and light off-road use
Compact proportions that are easier to place on trails than full-size pickups

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is straightforward and utility-focused rather than luxurious. The dashboard uses clear analogue gauges and large physical controls, while the upright driving position provides good outward visibility. Materials are durable but basic, and comfort depends heavily on trim level, seat condition and whether the truck has optional air conditioning, upgraded audio or convenience equipment. It is best considered a two-person work truck; rear seating is not part of the Comanche’s design.

Simple analogue instruments and physical switchgear
Two-seat cab with useful outward visibility
Vinyl or cloth upholstery depending on trim and options
Optional air conditioning and upgraded stereo equipment on some examples
Practical layout, but limited refinement and storage by modern standards

Performance and Handling

This Comanche 4WD uses the 150 cubic-inch, 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with single-point fuel injection, regular gasoline and a five-speed manual transmission. It is built for steady low-speed work rather than fast acceleration, and a verified period fuel-economy guide lists the 2.5-litre 4WD five-speed configuration at 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, or about 11.8 and 10.2 l/100 km. The supplied consumption figure of 15.66 l/100 km is substantially higher, but can be realistic for a worn vehicle, heavy load, winter use, oversized tyres or frequent four-wheel-drive operation. No dependable period acceleration time was identified for this exact configuration.

2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with single-point fuel injection
Five-speed manual gearbox and selectable four-wheel drive
Period fuel-economy listing of 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway
Better suited to trails, hauling light loads and relaxed cruising than quick overtaking
Solid-axle-style Jeep character delivers useful traction but a truck-like ride

Technology and Connectivity

Technology is strictly period-correct. The Comanche has no touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, USB connectivity or modern driver-assistance systems. Its key technology was electronic fuel injection, which was a meaningful improvement over older carburetted pickups. Audio equipment, air conditioning, cruise control and power accessories varied by trim and original option list.

Electronic single-point fuel injection
Analogue gauges and conventional warning lights
AM or AM/FM radio equipment depending on specification
Optional cassette stereo and convenience features on better-equipped trucks
No factory smartphone integration, navigation or modern driver aids

Safety Features

Safety equipment is basic by current standards, centred on front seat belts, front disc and rear drum brakes, a padded interior and conventional lighting. Airbags, stability control, traction control and rear-view cameras were not available. There is no directly comparable modern NHTSA or IIHS star rating. A period 35 mph NHTSA frontal test reported high head-injury measurements for the Comanche, so buyers should treat it as an older truck with limited crash protection and ensure that brakes, tyres, belts and structural areas are in excellent condition.

Front seat belts and basic occupant restraints
Front disc brakes with rear drum brakes
Conventional steel body structure and impact-resistant door construction
No airbags, electronic stability control or traction control
Careful inspection for corrosion is essential to preserving structural safety

Pricing and Variants

A single original base price for this exact 1987 Comanche 4WD, 2.5-litre, five-speed specification cannot be confirmed reliably because price depended on bed length, drive system, trim and options. Contemporary material advertised the entry-level short-bed SporTruck from $6,495, but that figure should not be treated as the price of every 4WD Comanche. The range included different bed lengths, two- and four-wheel-drive versions, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder, an available 4.0-litre inline-six and, in some markets, a 2.1-litre turbo-diesel. Rivals included the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10, Toyota Pickup, Nissan Hardbody and Dodge Dakota.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Authentic Jeep four-wheel-drive character
Compact dimensions that work well on narrow trails and job sites
Simple, serviceable mechanical layout
Useful pickup bed with short- and long-bed choices
Strong enthusiast following and broad Cherokee-related parts knowledge

Cons

Slow performance from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Basic safety equipment and poor protection compared with modern trucks
Fuel use can be high in real-world four-wheel-drive operation
Ride, noise and comfort are distinctly old-school
Rust and deferred maintenance can turn a cheap purchase into an expensive project

Maintenance and Common Issues

No dependable, model-specific annual maintenance-cost figure is available for a 1987 Comanche, and condition matters far more than mileage alone. A well-maintained example can be manageable for a hands-on owner, while rust repair, drivetrain rebuilding or electrical diagnosis can quickly exceed the purchase price. The five most common owner-reported concerns are:

Rust in rocker panels, floors, cab corners, bed areas and structural rails
Aging wiring, weak grounds, corroded connectors and inaccurate gauges
Cooling-system wear, including hoses, radiators, water pumps and overheating risk
Four-wheel-drive, transfer-case, clutch or manual-transmission wear
Brake and suspension deterioration, including rear drum-brake and load-sensing-valve issues

Rating

Overall rating: 6.2/10. Design: 7.5/10 for its unmistakable Jeep pickup identity. Comfort: 5.5/10 because it is functional rather than refined. Performance: 6/10, with good traction but modest four-cylinder power. Technology: 3.5/10 by modern expectations. Safety: 4/10 due to basic equipment and limited crash protection.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the Comanche’s character, trail ability and do-it-yourself friendliness, while also stressing that buying condition is more important than buying price. Enthusiasts tend to recommend clean, well-documented trucks and caution against neglected examples.

Owners enjoy the unusual Jeep pickup styling and compact off-road footprint
The manual gearbox and four-wheel-drive system are appreciated when properly maintained
Many consider the 2.5-litre engine dependable but underpowered with cargo or highway speeds
Rust inspection is repeatedly described as the most important buying step
Electrical and age-related repairs are accepted as part of ownership

Best Cars in This Category

1987 Ford Ranger 4WD
1987 Chevrolet S-10 4WD
1987 Toyota Pickup 4WD
1987 Nissan Hardbody 4WD
1987 Dodge Dakota 4WD

Summary

The 1987 Jeep Comanche 4WD is best for an enthusiast, hobby mechanic or driver who wants a compact classic pickup with real Jeep personality. Its four-cylinder engine and simple cabin make it less suitable for fast, comfortable daily commuting, but its manual gearbox, usable bed and four-wheel-drive capability remain appealing. A rust-free, carefully maintained example can be a distinctive and rewarding classic; a neglected one should be priced as a restoration project.