There Are Many Like It But This One Is Mine

by Bill G
(New Jersey)

It's an '88 Comanche 4.0L 4x4. I bought this truck in 98 for $5,000 when it was 10 years old with 56,000 miles . Now it's 21 years old with 130,000.

I love this truck. It has never let me down. It has never left me stranded. It's never failed to start. I knew I had a keeper the first winter I owned her. There was a heavy snow storm overnight and all of the cars in town were drifted and plowed window deep in snow. As I trudged out to my Jeep with shovel and broom in hand, many of my neighbors were shoveling out their vehicles. I pushed the foot of snow off of the roof, windshield, and hood then pried the door open against the snow and squeezed inside to warm her up while I shoveled. As usual she started without so much as a groan even though she was buried in snow and probably couldn't breath very well. As I sat behind the wheel looking out the window at all the neighbors cursing the weather. I glanced down at the gauges when the Jeep logo on the horn button caught my eye. I remember thinking (lets see what this "It's A Jeep Thing" I keep hearing of is all about). I reached down grabbed the lever on the transfer case, pulled it into 4 high, shifted into 1st gear and slowly let out the clutch. I couldn't believe it. This little honey got up and walked out from under that pile of snow like it was a stroll in the park.

And just like that, I found my Jeep Thing. The guy across the street stood up, leaned on his shovel and yelled out "YOU S#%K" as I drove by with a big stupid grin on my face. I was sold.

Though I plan on holding on to this Comanche, there is going to come a time in the near future when I'll need to buy a new truck. I've been waiting patiently for Jeep to offer another PU. I would buy one in a second.

Larry's Comment: Bill, great story! Sure would like to see a photo of your special Comanche. Email me a photo link and I will add it to your story. Just go to my "Contact Me" page if interested.