NT to WT - J or Chero Axles?

[K-Centre]

Haven't even gotten my rig inspected yet and looking at mods for
my 83 Cherokee 4 door. I have located a pre-80 J-10 and a 78
Cherokee Chief that could be axle donors since both bodies are
shot. My question is, which set of axles would be easier to swap
under my narrow track? (I know that it will require a new t-case
since it would be a swap to a passenger side drop.)

Also, the truck as-is is running 31x10.5x15 tires. I'm assuming
that I'll have to do some trimming of the rear wheel and
install w/t or TJ flares to be street legal: no tires beyond the
body. Will a lift still be needed?

Thanks in advance.

[Tad]

83 Cherokee 4 door, am I missing something here?

[K-Centre]

Not sure what you mean Tad. Guess you're questioning the
existence of such an animal? Yes, they exist. Last year of
production before the baby Cheros came out and in 83 you
could get either a 2 or 4 door, like most years of the Cherokee.

I'm still learning about them too. Found an 81 or 82 4 door
Cherokee in the boneyard a few weeks ago with Cherokee
Chief striping, six cylinder and locking front hubs. Never knew
they made a 4 door chief let alone with a six.

PS - Please put Lyle's picture back up or a F*rd or anything
but Barbara! Please :D

[ July 01, 2002, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: K-Centre ]

[joe]

Originally posted by tadsal:
83 Cherokee 4 door, am I missing something here?Tad, the 4-door Cheros(model 18's) came out in 1977 and lasted till the end in 83. All 4-doors were NT's but could have the S or Chief package depending on year. Fairly common Chero here in the PNW actually. Guess there were a lot of folks up here that bought them as an alternative to getting one of the full boat fluff equipped Wags.

[Cecil14]

Back to your original question. It will be easier to swap in a set of axles off another chero as opposed to a set from a J truck. The frame is wider in the rear of the trucks, thus the spring mounts are farther apart. The chero axles should bolt right up.

Anthony

[Rob]

Isn't there a difference in gearing between J-truck and Chero axles?
Might be something to consider as well.

[PhilSine]

The Chief and "S" option were only available for the 2 door models of the Cherokee.

And, as for which to cannibalize I too would go with the Cherokee. Also, you need to send the complete wiring harness from the donor to me so I can get mine going again.

[K-Centre]

Phil -

Actually, they did have the Cherokee Chief 4 door from 81 to 83, I believe. I didn't think they did, but like a lot of things, I've been proven wrong. Check the 83 Chief in the for sale section.

If you need a harness bad, there is a yard 10 minutes from my house with 2 - 70's N/Ts that are complete. I can call them to see what they'd charge if you want. I won't be getting the Widetrack for a while to I wouldn't wait on that if I were you. ;) (Have to talk my wife into it. ) :D

[joe]

Originally posted by PhilSine:
The Chief and "S" option were only available for the 2 door models of the Cherokee.

Would you like me to send you a pic of a 4 door Chero "S" from the 79 dealers brochure? ;) Sorry the pic I have of an 81 4-door Chief isn't very good though.
Actually if you go to the Readers Rigs section of this site you'll find a few 4 door "S" Cheros there. I think Dr. Bob here on this forum has a 78 4 door "S" chero also.

[ July 04, 2002, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: -joe ]