Ever hear of this?

[Weelspin]

I have a 1980 Jeep Cherokee S, in a 4 dr. with a 258 and a T-18 manual.... I haven't seen ANY of these around on the readers rigs or in any other forum. Can anyone gimme any info on this beast? :P

[joe]

Dave, it's basically a stripped down Wagoneer which sold for about $1500 less than a base model 15 Wag. Pretty much the same rigs except no fluff. It did have the T-18 option though which wasn't available in a Wag. It was marketed(as all Cheros were) to the folks that wanted a more "rugged image" rig than a station wagon type rig. Not many 18's around w/T-18. Sounds like you've got a pretty sweet rig. The 258/T-18/D20 is a great combo. Too bad about the crummy axle gearing though but at least the manual tranny model 18's came with 3.31's rather than the stock 2.72's the 15's did.
Nice rig...enjoy.

[Ralph]

Nice to have the 6-cylinder with all the aftermarket parts available for it as well as Chrysler/Jeep fuel injection.

[Bob Barry]

Hmmm, a true VIN-declared _1980_ (VIN begins "J0" rather than "J9") Cherokee with the T-18 tranny?

Just to be sure, it's not a '79 with a passenger-side front pumpkin, a D20 transfer case and an offset rear D44, which was purchased and titled in 1980 as a 1980?

If it has the basketball-cover AMC20 rear axle, the NP208 part-time transfer case and the driver's-side front differential, then it would be EXCEPTIONALLY unusual to find such a Cherokee equipped with a T-18, which was presumably a J-20 item only, beginning in 1980. The Cherokee with the NP208 would normally be expected to have a T-176 light-duty 4spd.

1979 or 1980, it sounds like a great truck! Not many 4-doors equipped with that drivetrain combo. In 1979, the only way to get the six-cylinder/manual powertrain in a 4-door wagon body was to go with the Cherokee. In 1980, however, in a bid to improve the truck's advertised fuel-economy, Jeep reintroduced this combination on the Wagoneers as well. Such a combo can knock down around 20mpg on the highway, something us V-8/auto owners can only dream about... smile.gif

[joe]

You brought up a good point Bob. 1980 was a big change year for the running gear which just sorta blew over my head when I replyed above :(
The T-18A was only offered in J-20's from '80 on. It'd more likely be a T-176 in an '80 but it was a cusp year for changes so it's possible I suppose. Hopefully he'll reply again with some more info. Either way though sounds like a nice Cherokee. Yeah it would be cool to get 20 mpgs smile.gif

[jeepgods]

a t-176 light duty?????? ive beaten the snot outta mine turning 35s and never had a problem.

by the way, what IS 20 mpg like??????????