Differences on trim levels of Cherokee

[BayshoreBlues]

I'm new to fiddlin' with FS Jeeps, other than owning a '99 Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7 V-8 4X4 for the last 7 years that I just sold last night. Had to replace many, many items on her over the years (lost count of front rotors, but not radiators, 3, the last 2 I installed, what a pain in the...). Those were not well engineered at all, period. Owned a '70 Mark Donahue Javelin in the past and currently have a '70 Javelin 232 project car and '72 Javelin SST w/88K orig miles, so not new to AMC's, just to FSJ's. I purchased my '74 401 Wagoneer as a transplant donor for the '70 Javelin, but am rethinking that.
In the meantime, and to get to the actual subject of the post, I have located what looks to be a very solid '76 Cherokee S 2 dr in Renegade Orange and white. I have not approached the folks to see if they are even willing to sell due to the number of irons I have in the fire right now (one less since I sold the '99 last night, but still working on my '85 GT Mustang w/235K miles to put back into daily service, plus the aforementioned AMC's), but would like to check this one out before I put much, if anything into the '74 (it needs a w/s, radiator job, full tune-up, rockers, 1/4's, various patches, and I have no idea what the braking, suspension, steering or tailgate window mechanism condition might be in). I really used the cargo area of my '99 and would like to still have its' capabilities, just in a package I can work on more easily (less frequently would be nice too...). So, I'm trying to educate myself some more on what should or should not be present on a '76 Cherokee S, what codes I might be able to decipher, where those are located and generally what the going values are. I already know the VIN reads J6A17MN****** (don't ask, I have my ways), so I know it is a 360 2-bbl and I think auto and I believe the 17 is for "S" trim (which I still don't know exactly what that means). Here is a shot of her from as close as I could get with my camera on max zoom.
11984

[skeletor]

17 stands for wide wheel/ wide track.

thats a nice looking cherokee w/t. probably 360/th400/bw1339 q/t. a 74 wagoneer will share a lot of parts with it. put the 360 in the javelin and stick the 401 in the cherokee...

in the meantime post some pics of those javs.

[Tornado230]

The presence of the "S" trim is nothing to get overly excited about.
It's a package of stripes, upgraded seats, and fancier door panels. Would also have had the aluminum rims and center caps if narrow track.
Really doesn't enhance the value, as far as I am concerned.

[BayshoreBlues]

I'm confused on something. I thought the 17 indicated the "S" trim level, but you say the 17 is for W/T. This Cherokee doesn't appear to have the fender flairs, or is that an illusion due to all the fencing and cross fencing blocking the camera angle and the color blending in with the main body of the vehicle? The visible rear wheel does appear to be aluminum, but that doesn't mean it's factory I know. I've zoomed in on my computer and just cannot tell. If I flip back and forth with a clear shot of a W/T, I do believe I can see some lines that meet up on the body for the flairs, but it's so hard to tell with all the fencing in the way. Well, only one thing to do, stop and see if it's even buyable. Leaving work now and will pass right by it, so if they're home and if the monsoon hasn't hit yet, I'll stop by.
So, what are the actual differences in the W/T vs N/T value, parts availablity, reliabilty-wise? I assume there is more tire clearance right off the bat, but other than that what differs? Thanks for the quick responses.

[JAWs7227]

I just checked the tech database, and you're right, 17 is listed as "S" Custom. I'm 99% sure thats a W/T, the space where the front fascia meets up with the fender flares gives it away. As far as I know, which isn't much, the only differences between W/T and N/T are the axles, W/T axles are same as the half-ton J-truck's, N/T are same as the Wagoneer's, so same parts, same reliability, same value most likely. And if it were me, and if you can get the Cherokee and its in decent shape, I'd put the 401 in the Javelin, and save any parts you might need off the Wagoneer for the Cherokee, and build a nice DD and parts runner. :thumbsup:

[amcboy]

I'd put the 401 in the Jav' and the 360 in the FSJ...

IMHO.

[BayshoreBlues]

Sad to say the '76 Cherokee is not for sale...at this time. The fellows grandfather bought it used way back some time, then his dad drove it, then his brother, then his dad again and now he has it. Danged thing even has a rebuilt 360 in it and not rusted up (so he says, he didn't offer to take me back there to look at it up close). He did take my name and number and come to find out his wife does the same job as and is friends with one of my co-workers, so don't think he'll forget me if he decides to go ahead and sell.
So, we drop back and punt. I recently looked at an '88 Wagoneer locally with 141,000 miles that was a cross between a dog and a pig and rattled inside like mad on the cobbled up black top they lived off of, but then drove smooth as could be when I got it up on a nice Farm Road. Vacuum leaks under the hood audible (seems like could here them from inside too), some kind of knock in the exhaust (the girl thought the muffler was rattling, but the sound seemed to come from the catalytic converter or the pipe just in front. Never run into this before, but did not sound like motor oriented), rear doors stubborn and pwr windows stuck in up position on each, grimey on top and greasy under the engine, burgundy interior (which is a big turn-off for me) is filthy with the driver seat torn up pretty well, someone attempted radio install and now no audio working, some stray wires under dash area, blower motor not working and or wiring monkeyed with, did I mention it rattles inside on rough pavement really, really loudly?, body straight for most part and rust free other than just beneath front vent windows and they are very crusty there for some reason. Ok, they are down to $1,300, the girl just left to go to college 1,200 miles away leaving the tank behind and I'm thinking of offering them $500 and not a cent more. Sound insulting or like a stupid "investment" on my part? Figure with tune-up/clean-up this could be driven until it comes apart and still have parts left (the 360 in particular) to go toward my other AMC's. Advantage here over my '74 is that it can be driven legally (and seemingly safely on short test drive anyway) right now. This girl had been using it as a daily driver for the last year. Before that I know it sat at a note lot for 2 yrs, cause I passed by it every day, but they wanted $2,800 for it then. I suppose this is a totally new thread now, so I'll copy and paste most of this info there for thought provocation.
Skeletor, here are some pics of my Javelin projects:
11999

12000

12001

And yes, I have way too many things going on to consider taking on an ailing Wagoneer as a semi-daily driver, but I'm just kinda stupid that way :banghead: yeah, that feels good...