A glance at Julio Perez’s 1988 Jeep Comanche is all it takes to see that this is no ordinary MJ. But its towering stance and massive tires are just the beginning of the truck’s impressive list of modifications. The deeper you look, the more surprises you find.
The Comanche MJ Left Its Mark On Pickup History
The Jeep Comanche MJ may have shared its DNA with the Cherokee XJ, but it carved out a legacy all its own. Introduced for the 1986 model year and produced through 1992, the compact pickup featured an unusual combination of body-on-frame construction behind the cab and unibody construction up front. That hybrid design allowed for a bolt-on cargo bed that wasn’t structurally connected to the cab. Today, spotting an MJ on the road is a rarity, but its loyal following is as strong as ever.
A Daily Driver… At First
Julio bought the Comanche in 2005, and it was a clean, red truck in good condition. He drove it daily for about five years before tearing into the build. What followed was an ambitious transformation packed with clever engineering and creative upgrades.
Supercharged 4.0-Liter I6
One of the Comanche’s biggest surprises resides under the hood. Julio replaced the stock engine with a 4.0-liter I6 sourced from a 2000 Cherokee XJ. He made the swap primarily because the newer engine features a better multi-point fuel injection system. To boost the I6’s output, Julio installed a supercharger that he purchased used from another Jeep owner. The engine draws air through a K&N cold air intake, and exhaust gases exit through an aftermarket header and 2-inch-diameter exhaust tubing with a Flowmaster muffler.
Julio also sourced the transmission and transfer case from the same 2000 Cherokee. The transmission is an Aisin-Warner AW4 four-speed automatic, while the transfer case is an NP231 equipped with a slip-yoke eliminator kit.
Comanche Axle Up Front, Ford Explorer 8.8 Out Back
Power from the transfer case is sent to the Comanche’s factory high-pinion Dana 30 front axle. Julio made several upgrades to the axle, including Grand Cherokee-sourced spindles and brakes. One benefit of the brake upgrade was replacing the Comanche’s single-piston calipers with dual-piston units. The track bar and steering arms are custom, and the steering system is equipped with Rough Country dual steering stabilizers.
Out back, Julio ditched the factory Dana 35 in favor of the more versatile Ford 8.8-inch axle. He found the axle in a salvage yard under a Ford Explorer. It features a limited-slip differential and upgrades the truck to rear disc brakes. Both axles are equipped with 3.55:1 gears and G2 aluminum differential covers.
14 Inches Of Lift, 38.5s, And More
The plan called for big tires, so the Comanche needed plenty of suspension lift. In all, the truck sits approximately 14 inches higher than stock. Up front, it features a Rusty’s Off Road long-arm kit paired with coil spacers. Out back, the lift comes from Rusty’s leaf springs and a spring-over-axle conversion. Julio kept things simple by choosing a set of monotube shocks sized to work with the taller suspension.
The lift provides enough clearance for a set of 38.5×10.50R15 Interco Super Swamper Bogger tires mounted on 8.5-inch-wide ION 174 wheels.
2000 Jeep Cherokee Dash
The surprises continue once you open the Comanche’s door and look inside. Julio swapped in the complete dashboard assembly from a 2000 Cherokee. Not only did this modernize the truck’s interior, but it also provided the gauges and wiring needed for the engine swap while adding airbags. He also installed the doors from the 2000 Cherokee, complete with their factory interior panels. Julio chose to keep the Comanche’s original bench seat to preserve its three-passenger capability.
Winch, Potent Lighting, Flares, And More
Outside, the truck features a Warn winch bumper that houses a Badland 12,000-pound-capacity winch. Julio designed and fabricated the custom light box, and it holds a quartet of Hella lights. Other exterior modifications include Bushwacker fender flares, a custom rear roll pan, and custom blue paint applied by Taylors Classic Auto Body.
Attention-Getter
Finding a clean Jeep Comanche is tough. Finding one built to this level is even tougher. We caught up with Julio and photographed his truck at the 2026 Summer 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, where it drew plenty of attention. He summed up the build best by saying, “I always wanted to build this Comanche into an extreme show truck that my 4-year-old and I could show. She is now 17, still loves showing it, and is getting ready to drive the monster.”
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