---
title: "This Short-Bed, Stick-Shift Jeep Comanche Might Be the Perfect Used Pickup"
description: "Shut up and take (some of) my money (because it's really not too expensive)."
date: "2020-03-29"
modified: "2020-03-29"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Teague"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-teague"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/32792/this-short-bed-stick-shift-jeep-comanche-might-be-the-perfect-used-pickup"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "For Sale"
  - "Jeep News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Jeep"
---

# This Short-Bed, Stick-Shift Jeep Comanche Might Be the Perfect Used Pickup

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/03/90876553_3078136072211214_2894424030377410560_o.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Most of us know that the [Gladiator](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/27300/2020-jeep-gladiator-review-master-of-the-midsize-pickup-truck-arena>) is not Jeep’s first foray into the pickup market. Back in the 1980s, the company released the [Comanche](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Comanche>), which was arguably a lot cooler than the new truck thanks to its ruggedness and utilitarian demeanor. The Comanche eventually fell victim to poor sales and a shifting corporate structure at Chrysler, where the company wanted to center pickup production under the Dodge brand. Even so, [Jeep](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28531/jeep-wrangler-owners-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-fca-over-death-wobble>) made plenty of Comanches over years, so you can find them on the used market fairly easily. In turn, they’re usually reasonably priced—like [this short-bed, stick-shift model](<https://www.facebook.com/groups/StreetMachinery/permalink/2583562648574894/?sale_post_id=2583562648574894>) from 1988 that’s perfectly spec’d for a simple-but-clean pickup.

The Comanche was based on the [Jeep](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32766/study-suggests-state-of-the-world-has-more-americans-considering-a-jeep>) Cherokee, and it touted many of the features that enthusiasts loved about the era including the legendary AMC/Jeep 4.0-liter inline-six and a five-speed manual transmission. The seller notes that the body on this example needs some touch-up work, but says that the undercarriage is clean. It's currently listed in Florida, so cold weather likely hasn't had a chance to completely ruin the truck's sheet metal.

![message-editor%2F1585486223619-90851744\_3078137512211070\_7972293701852463104\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585486223619-90851744_3078137512211070_7972293701852463104_o.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

![message-editor%2F1585490708591-comanchegallery4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585490708591-comanchegallery4.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

![message-editor%2F1585486327879-91282877\_3078137342211087\_4421172560645849088\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585486327879-91282877_3078137342211087_4421172560645849088_o.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

![message-editor%2F1585486337294-90958033\_3078136378877850\_7972986089235283968\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585486337294-90958033_3078136378877850_7972986089235283968_o.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

![message-editor%2F1585486321226-91025701\_3078135962211225\_1306704603936456704\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585486321226-91025701_3078135962211225_1306704603936456704_o.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

![message-editor%2F1585490598407-comanchegallery1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585490598407-comanchegallery1.jpg>)
*JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace*

Though it’s rocking 181,000 miles, the seller has replaced a laundry list of parts on the Jeep, including the fuel tank, radiator, battery, U-joints, and exhaust. There's plenty more you *could* do to this Rad-era truck, though there likely isn't much you *should* do. It has all the musts—four-wheel-drive, a stick shift, and a torquey engine perfect for doing a little work or heading off-road. Anymore might be overkill.

As for the interior, it's been upgraded with leather buckets from a [Chrysler Pacifica](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32103/the-2020-chrysler-pacificas-new-awd-system-can-go-full-rwd>) and a Jeep Cherokee center console. The truck is undoubtedly pretty clean both inside and out, so someone will get a good deal on a capable and usable daily driver if they so choose.

![message-editor%2F1585490667235-comanchegallery3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1585490667235-comanchegallery3.jpg>)
**JD Thompson via Facebook Marketplace**

All in all, $7,500 (or best offer—this seller clearly doesn’t “know what he has”) is a solid price for the Comanche, even with the minor work it apparently needs.

*Got a tip? Send us a note:* *tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
After working in the technology and software industry for several years, Chris Teague began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, he turned his attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, he earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped him gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/TeagueDrives>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/TeagueDrives>)