Bought a 78 Cherokee... have a few questions

[kthelen]

Hello all!

For the past couple of years I'd been driving by - and occasionally inquiring about - a fairly clean looking Cherokee that's been sitting a few miles from my office. The owner was a Jeep guy, and was planning on making it his next project... but since he passed away several years back it never happened. Recently his wife called and told me she was ready to sell it. I went back for a more thorough look this afternoon.

Normally I'm a GM-only kinda guy, but today I finally joined the "cult" of AMC ;)

http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep.jpg

It took a good hour at the car wash (and $15 in quarters) to get the pine needles and general filth off. Turns out it's quite solid underneath - someone put some new metal in behind the front wheelwells, and the driver's side rear quarter has some Bondo on it, but that's about it. Not perfect... but excellent for Minnesota! The interior is all there, all original, and in great shape. The 360 is nice and strong, making no ominous noises, and showing no bad signs (though it is in dire need of a tune-up). And best of all, the paperwork seems to indicate 58,000 *actual* miles. (I bought it on the assumption that it was 158K)

Well, enough storytelling - on to the questions!

1) Other than the general things to look for on any older truck, are there any Jeep-specific things I should be looking for or checking? I'm not familiar with these and would hate to overlook something important.

2) The bumpers are in poor shape, what with the chrome coming off and some strange sort of oxidation slowly eating away at the back one. Next time I hit the local junkyards, what Jeeps should I be looking at for replacements? (In particular, do the '80s Grand Wagoneer bumpers swap?) I'll also be looking for correct mirrors... any suggestions there?

3) New paint may be in this Jeep's future. Does anyone reproduce the Cherokee "stripe" decals if I should decide it needs one? Also, I see some Jeeps had chrome side trim instead of the decal - which years/models/packages might I find said trim on?

4) I bought this Jeep with the intention of cleaning/tuning it up and having it for when I'm snowed in, or times when my daily driver is down and I need a "parts runner". I'm fairly sure there's nothing all that odd or rare about it... but might it have value as a survivor? If so, how would I go about determining its worth? (Depending on the answer, I may need to reconsider my plans!)

Any help/advice/etc. I can get would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure I'll be following up with some tech questions later - researching coils and other ignition components now in anticipation of my first project/chore :)


--Keith

[Tornado230]

It's a 1979 model.
The side decals are available.
The trim level is the "S" model.
As to the bumpers, those are the famous chrome-plated aluminum bumpers.
The rear one is probably worse than the front.
Newer ones used solid aluminum. Good luck finding nice ones. I don't know that they are reproduced anymore. Bumpers from a Grand Wagoneer will fit.
The mirror thing is rather limited if you want to go stock. They used a small rectangular mirror, some had a remote-control one only for the driver's side.
Other than that they offered the tripod style ones.

Dave

[Tigger4X]

Persistance paid off for ya. CONGRATS on your acquisition!! :thumbsup:


I dont have any answers for your questions but I wanted to say WELCOME TO THE INFECTION .. errr .. OBSESSION! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Mavawreck]

Is that the right front bumper or has someone already swapped a later on onto it? I didn't think they used the rubber bumperettes on cherokees but I must admit ive never paid attention to it before.

[blazer3664]

I also have a '78, mine was a wide track, but the fender flares are long gone.

First off, you do not mention what drive train it has in it, other than the 360.
If it is the 360, TH400 (being a GM guy it should be easy to tell), and quadratrack t-case it should be excellent for winter driver. Thes Jeeps dont usually have any problem keeping the cab warm either, good heater systems.
Things to check as far as an old FSJ.....

Oil pressure - Amc V8 is not unusual for it to have issues due to timing cover wear. Many ways to cure it, from $ to $$$$$$$.

If you do any cam or dizzy upgrades make sure to either reuse the stock gears or get a matched set from somewhere like
http://www.bulltear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_35&products_id=33&osCsid=0aaead6119df0925ad3d838b1644b6fa
an HEI upgrade is not a bad idea for winter weather. Starts much easier IMHO.

The quadratrack is a chain driven case, and the chain may need replaced. First sign is usually a popping (chain skipping a tooth) when you goose it under load. It may also want to pop out of low range (if it has one) under load.
Make sure the "emergency drive" switch (vacuum) is working and not hooked up backwards.

An ammeter bypass may be in order, or at the least unhook and clean the wire connections, they have been know to start fires if the wiring is corroded/loose. Also if you upgrade alternator it is not optional, as any higher output alt will fry it.

Right off the top of my head thats all I can think of for "Jeep specific" .

You already found this site, so any info you need can usually be found by searching here or asking if you cant find what you are looking for.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your new toy.... er... truck:thumbsup:.

Jim

It's a 1979 model. Good eye, I wasn't even paying attention to that. Wrong grill and headlights for a '78.

[Wagn Man]

Sweet rig and nice to see that you've converted. :thumbsup:

[vintagetrks]

Very nice rig. :thumbsup:

[kthelen]

It's a 1979 model.

Oh, duh - would only make sense that if the door tag says "September 78", it's a '79. Thanks for straightening that out!

The side decals are available.

Any idea who makes/sells them?

If it is the 360, TH400 (being a GM guy it should be easy to tell), and quadratrack t-case it should be excellent for winter driver.

Yep, it's got the Turbo 400 - one of several familiar things on it that I found attractive.

an HEI upgrade is not a bad idea for winter weather

My thinking exactly. Been doing some reading on that; looks like it's not as simple as just grabbing one off the nearest SBC and bolting it on. I'm in the process of figuring out the easiest and cheapest way to end up with an HEI distributer with a 360-friendly gear... will have to check out that link.

Make sure the "emergency drive" switch (vacuum) is working and not hooked up backwards.

Just to clarify, that vacuum switch in the glovebox is for switching between 4-Hi and 4-Lo, right?

Also if you upgrade alternator it is not optional, as any higher output alt will fry it.

Good to know in case I ever go the 10/12SI route (I usually do on every vehicle I own, eventually).

Also, on the topic of metering and gauges, was there a factory tach for these? If so, can anyone describe it, or tell me what models would have had it?

[Millerluck]

Great score.

[Wayne]

Welcome, it looks good.

[tgreese]

If it's an automatic, it will have a GM TH400 and the Borg-Warner Quadratrac, the BW1339.

If so, I suggest you read the Quadratrac page at Jubilee Jeeps http://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac/index.htm

Looks like a '79 to me too. What's the VIN?

I like it - I'd snap it up if I had the opportunity. Sadly, even in reasonably good condition, these Jeeps don't sell for a lot of money. If it were a really beautiful, low mileage Wagoneer, then it would be highly sought after - check the Wagonmaster site for some examples. The wood-sided Wagoneers have become something of an icon, and nice examples are in demand for print and television currently.

So I think you're pretty much on the cusp about whether it would appropriate to use it as a winter beater. The mileage is fairly low, and the value will probably go up in the future. But the vehicles that are valuable now are complete, and cosmetically and mechanically excellent, and this car may never qualify in that sense. '79 is a desirable year, but there don't seem to be that many Wagonmaster-quality vehicles out there from the '70s any more.

So, up to you. Maybe this car will become more valuable in the future. What's the interior like?

[Tornado230]

Check out BJ's Off Road for the decals.
The knob in the glove box is for locking the Quadratrac.
Use this as a last resort, like when you open the driver's door and plow a foot of mud.
If it hasn't been switched lately, chances are it will not un-lock when the knob is turned back.
Lots of info on the Quadratrac on the site. Use the search feature.
I would suggest you obtain a TSM for the vehicle.
The owner's manual will answer some of your easier questions.
Do you have that?

[kthelen]

'79 is a desirable year, but there don't seem to be that many Wagonmaster-quality vehicles out there from the '70s any more.
Well, it does have/had a small amount of rust, so I imagine a place like Wagonmaster would pass it by for that reason alone. But on the other hand, living here in MN the only place I've seen a cleaner one is in pictures.

What's the interior like?
Actually, it's quite nice - wife said the interior was half the reason her hubby wanted it. Seats are all original, not worn out, ripped/torn, etc. Carpet is all there and not stained. Dash is slightly sun-faded, but not cracked or cut up. Door panels are like new.

Quite frankly, I'm not wild about the colors and don't think the seats are all that comfortable - but if I ever take anything out I guarantee it'll either get stored or sold.


I would suggest you obtain a TSM for the vehicle.
The owner's manual will answer some of your easier questions.
Do you have that?

Sadly, no - all I got with it was the Chilton's "do-it-yourselfer" style service manual.

If there's a PDF of an owner's manual from this vintage around, I'd love to give it a look.

[Mavawreck]

I went with a CRT distributor this time, I only have a few miles on it but the price was right, the other reviews I've read are good, and customer service answered my emails quickly.

http://www.crtperformance.com/

[kthelen]

Wish I'd have gotten this Jeep three months sooner! There had been a '77 Cherokee Chief at a nearby junkyard... rustier than all-get-out, but it had a set of flares and an MSD ignition kit that I figured I'd pull if/when I got mine. Unfortunately, it got crushed a short while back.

The CRT unit looks interesting - and at $120 it's not terribly expensive. But (of course) I'm always looking to save a buck. ;)

Some time ago I'd bookmarked this thread from another board (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-186539.html). It has a lot of interesting posts. Not sure who there is knowledgeable and who's full of it, so I hesitate to take any of it as gospel.

The two major points (no pun intended) I did get out of it were: one, there may be a way to modify a standard HEI distributer by installing your existing gear on it; and two, there's lots of different kinds of gears out there, some of which may be incorrect even though they're supposed to fit a factory-original 360.

Guess I won't know what swaps until I get my old one off and do some visual comparisons...

[blazer3664]

There are several HEI dizzies available as more or less bolt in.
I got mine here, (this is the 6 cyl version, the V8 is 6512R and out of stock...... again) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AMC-JEEP-232-258-4-0-4-2-6-CYL-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-6511-R-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem563ee9eea1QQitemZ37042 2705825QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries
but they sell out fast, so you have to keep an eye out. I got mine for around $70 delivered. That CRT unit looks nice and I have seen it here before.
Bulltear and BJ's as well as Summit have different ones that work too, and are probably nicer units, but more $$.

Most people I talked to recommend pulling the gear off the old dizzy and putting it on the new one, since they are already broke in together. Thats how I did mine, not hard, and it works great.
there may be a way to modify a standard HEI distributer by installing your existing gear on it; by the time you do the machine work on the shaft and IF nothting gets messed up it would still be risky IMHO. They are not that expensive, and will last a long time so its a one time investment for the most part.

Also, on the topic of metering and gauges, was there a factory tach for these?

Not that I know of, but a good question I dont think I have heard before. One of the more knowledgeable members will hopefully chime in on that later.

If you start looking for parts check the for sale section, or put up a wanted post, you can find most any hard to find parts here if need be.

Jim

[FSJ Guy]

Just be aware that you will need another Parts Runner for your new Parts Runner. :D

Welcome!!

[710 Burner]

Be aware that if you had to remove that many pine needles, they can get into the cowl vent and down to the kick panel vents, where they will accumulate and rust through the front fenders. This is also a major source of water ingress from the vents that soaks the carpet and rusts the floors. You may want to remove or open the vents and shine a light in there to see if you have some clean up ahead of you....or, you know, put on some safety goggles and open them at 80MPH. ;)

[jtpolla]

If there's a PDF of an owner's manual from this vintage around, I'd love to give it a look.[/QUOTE]


http://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html

[jeepmandan]

Welcome fellow Minnesotan! What area are you in?
Nice looking truck!

[tgreese]

The Duraspark (Ford) distributor in your Cherokee will trigger any module that you choose, including MSD, HEI and the Motorcraft module.

I'm running a Duraspark distributor with a big cap and rotor (TFI parts) and a 4-pin HEI module in my CJ-6. Works fine. No need for an aftermarket distributor.

[kthelen]

Good info - looking at the manual now; will have to check out how dirty the vents are tonight.

Some pictures, now that it's home:

http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep1.jpg
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep3.jpg
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep4.jpg
See what my bumpers are doing...
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep5.jpg
The discoloration on the carpet isn't a stain, just dirt (haven't thoroughly cleaned it yet)
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep6.jpg
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep7.jpg
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep8.jpg
http://www.kanabec.net/~kthelen/jeep9.jpg

No underhood pictures yet... want to clean things up first ;)

Welcome fellow Minnesotan! What area are you in?

About 75 miles north of the Cities - near Hinckley, etc.

[InfiniteWisdumb]

Congrats! East side of the cities over here!

[710 Burner]

100MPH speedo....good score.

[81cherokee laredo]

Nice cherokee, looks like you got a nice one, interior is in great shape :thumbsup:

[kthelen]

100MPH speedo....good score.

Love how the speedo shows you're "into the red" at 55 and above :eek:
But even though it's in dire need of a tune-up (stumbling if you accelerate at anything more than a snail's pace, wanting to cough and die when you let off the gas, etc) I found 65-70 to be perfectly comfortable on the ride home.

Next afternoon I get at home, it's carb cleaning/adjusting, plugs/wires/cap/timing, fuel filter, etc. time :)

[tgreese]

...

If there's a PDF of an owner's manual from this vintage around, I'd love to give it a look.
There's no '78 ('79?) manual online that I know of. There is a '76 and '82 manual online at www.oljeep.com (http://www.oljeep.com) as well as most year's wiring diagrams and other stuff.

The manual is available as a reprint, as is the parts book. Both good investments IMO.

I like the exterior color. Is the paint on the hood failing? (I presume it's clear coat that's failing, but it's hard to see from that angle.) I'd consider sanding down the hood and repainting - green does not fade very badly, and you should be able to match the rest of the body ok.

This looks like a pretty nice Jeep - I think I'd vote for 'preservation' - IMO it's only going to appreciate in value.

[Wayne]

Nice looking interior. We are use to dirt.