Choose your project car hell: quirky minitruck edition!

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 05/01/2020 at 13:44 • Filed to: Project Car Hell, NPOCP, jeep comanche, VW Sportruck

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Dang this is one of the nicest Comanches I’ve seen in a long time and also one of the cheapest.

This is a great straight rust free body, though it only has 2WD and the four pot. The seller claims to have bought it for a 4 liter 4WD swap. No word on the number of gears in the manual. He also claims new tires and rims as well as a clean title.

Unfortunately, the fourth cylinder doesn’t fire so you may not be driving it home. Overall this is a very promising project for a cool small truck.

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If that Comanche didn’t hit the right note, how about this 1.7 liter four pot and 4 speed equipped Rabbit pickup? The body looks solid if in need of paint once that replacement quarter panel is installed. No word on the interior but it appears to be present.

The bonus here is that plenty of spare parts are included. Based on the presence of pictures of the engine both in pieces and intact in the engine bay, it is hard to say whether this truck is currently sitting in pieces. Under 100,000 miles does bode well for what is there, though.

If I had to choose, I think I would take the Comanche simply on account of the larger aftermarket and cheaper price. It’s really a tossup though. Which would you guys choose?

PartyPooper2012 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 13:47

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is El Camino not a mini truck or is it just not on a menu?

Just Jeepin' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 13:52

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Oh man. You know which I’d choose.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > PartyPooper2012 05/01/2020 at 13:55

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These were the only cheap project trucks worth mentioning and I didn't have time to extend my search. I guess just not in the menu.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin' 05/01/2020 at 13:56

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I didn’t know you liked Volkswagens!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 13:56

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T he Rabbit is a novelty, and though the Com anche is 2wd, it’s still at least, a useful truck. There’s no contest here unless you’re a regular poster to The Samba...

The Ghost of Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 13:59

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Aside from that rear quarter panel that VW looks to be in pretty good shape. Those are notorious for the strut towers rusting out but they look to be decent from the one pick. The tailgate, which is my favorite part of the truck, are also prone to rust, but also looks good.

But I also like the look of that Jeep.

Edit: I just noticed the VW was only listed for sale an hour ago, I bet it doesn’t last long at that price . VW enthusiasts still lust over the Caddy

Ssfancyfresh > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:02

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VAG fanboi here. Give me the Rabbit and a wrecked TT. Let’s make magic happen

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:02

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Comanche. Because I am a sucker for punishment. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 05/01/2020 at 14:06

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Well, less of a glutton for punishment than if you chose the VW. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Ssfancyfresh 05/01/2020 at 14:06

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Now that is something I would like to see.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > The Ghost of Oppo 05/01/2020 at 14:08

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Yeah, I am not as much of a fan of the Rabbit but that straight of a cheap body has got to be hard to come by. You’d be surprised what all doesn’t rust in temperate Georgia. That said, I’d take the Comanche any day of the week.

412GTI > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:10

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Oh man I love both, hard to choose. I think I’d go Rabbit just because I’ve seen some very well done ones at VW shows

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:11

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I’d take the jeep, then lower it and put a 300-400 HP engine in there.

The Ghost of Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:13

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Are you tall? Or even average height? Because the cab on that Caddy is tiny. I don’t know how anyone over 5'8" can comfortably drive them.  

I added this edit to my first comment after you replied so you probably didn’t see it.

I just noticed the VW was only listed for sale an hour ago, I bet it doesn’t last long at that price. VW enthusiasts still lust over the Caddy

SmugAardvark > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:13

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As much as I love Rabbits, the diesel pickup is a real dog. Slow as crap, and still FWD.

With that said, it can look pretty darn clean when done.

19JRC99 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:22

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The Comanche. I love them. 

MoCamino > PartyPooper2012 05/01/2020 at 14:23

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I wouldn’t call an El Camino “mini”. My 5th gen is almost 17' long! Also, $2500 usually won’t buy much of an El Camino. They’re getting hard to find and in that price range are typically rusted to bits and not running.

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:24

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Truth. Oh, and thanks! I am now on Craigslist looking at old other people’s project cars. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 05/01/2020 at 14:31

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Ha yeah try catching me when I’m not on Craigslist. That’s the hard part.

But I would probably end up upgrading to a more fun ride since I don't think I can afford two cars. I'm looking at low mileage early Cooper S and Miatas.

Pickup_man > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 14:44

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Comanche no question. I love those little Rabbit trucks, but since it’s already 2WD that Comanche would make for an awesome lowered mini truck. Plus it’s cheaper. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Pickup_man 05/01/2020 at 14:50

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Yeah I don't know why I don't see many Comanche minitrucks. Maybe just too rare and too Jeep? It would be pretty unique.

Pickup_man > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 15:15

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Comanche’s seem fairly rare to begin with, I imagine the 2WD ones even more so. Probably a combination of rarity, the attitude that Jeeps are off roaders, and the ubiquity/quality of Japanese mini trucks at the time. 

facw > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 15:18

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If I were planning on doing any sort of good restoration, I’d take the VW, it’s just more interesting overall . But for just having a random small cheap truck, I’d go with the Jeep, I think it would be a lot easier and cheaper to get to “good enough”.

PartyPooper2012 > MoCamino 05/01/2020 at 15:18

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OK. so the price range was 2500. Got it

How about Avalanche or Aztec? Surely those should be no more than 20 dollars. Tho they might be too tall for this ride

PartyPooper2012 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 15:20

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mmkay. Is this just a wrenching project or do you actually have to haul stuff?

Avalanche or A ztec too big to qualify for a mini truck?

Mini truck meaning having a teeny tiny bed

Ohh! How about Baja? They are small in both departments and might be reliable 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > PartyPooper2012 05/01/2020 at 15:25

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“Avalanche or Aztec too big to qualify for a mini truck?”

Yes and yes and Aztec isn't a truck. I mean small truck.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > The Ghost of Oppo 05/01/2020 at 15:27

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I am tall but so narrowly built I can usually make up for it. Yeah I jumped on this post before it sold.

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 15:27

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I’m sure I really don’t have to say this, but, no Coopers. Miata isn’t always the answer but if you want something fun and reasonably reliable, it is the answer. here. 

shop-teacher > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 15:30

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Definitely the Comanche. It’d leave it  2wd, swap in a 4.0, and rallycross it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > shop-teacher 05/01/2020 at 15:32

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A mostly stock good condition manual 2WD Comanche is just so rare that I would do the same. Lighness and RWD is still great for rallycross, so I would love to hear that 4 liter sing!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 05/01/2020 at 15:34

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But only here? There are plenty of Cooper fans here too. I'd really have to do some test driving, which might prove problematic since I can't drive stick yet.

Under_Score > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 16:31

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Absolutely shocked there’s that much rural land in Alpharetta. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score 05/01/2020 at 17:17

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It doesn't look that rural really. And I've known the circle of location to be miles off before. 

shop-teacher > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/01/2020 at 18:50

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It would be pretty freaking great!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/02/2020 at 00:24

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jeep

Hooker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/02/2020 at 00:34

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I know this sounds incredibly cliche, but buy one and then you’ll learn how to manual drive. And you  should. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Hooker 05/02/2020 at 12:02

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Well the problem is I have a good functional car and I can't afford two cars so I wouldn't be able to get a feel for the car myself until after I bought it. Thanks for the help though.