Body Differences in 74 & 79 cherokees?

[coolguyinjeep]

Hello. I was wondering if there was any difference in the bodies between a 74 and a 79 cherokee? I found a 79 for sale and the body is in a lot better condition but I cant just swap the entire body because DMV said they go by the body as far as vin # and I need to keep it a 74 to avoid smog in Cali coming this january. So will the doors and the tailgat off of the 79 fit my 74?
thanks,
Mike

[Gwamp]

They should be the same.

[M/Z]

Last time I checked with the DMV, it was '73 and earlier vehicles that are excempt, not '74. Somebody tell me if I'm wrong.

[tc]

the doors will fit not sure about the tailgate.

[oddfire]

There is so much confusion about Kalifornias smog laws that even the DMV doesnt know whats going on. This state is maddening with all its stupid laws and inept and misinformed gov. employees, its a wonder people dont go postal more often.
Last I heard there was a standing smog exempt year, being 1973 and earlier, Then a coupla weeks ago I picked up a San Jose paper and in the auto know -it- all column, the writer said that we are back to a rolling exempt year. 1973 this year, 74 next ect. God only knows what the DMV says, most of the time 2 different answers for 2 different people. Can you tell I'm pissed?........phil

[coolguyinjeep]

Hello guys. I actually called the bureau of automotive repair and as of january 1st, 74 will be exempt from smog. I dont know if they are going with a rolling year scheme or what but 74 will be exempt so I am happy.

[AzFrank aka Desertson]

On thing I found out (the Hard way) was ...somewhere between '77 and '79 they changed the door strikers & catches. I had to swap the catches off the '77 on to my'79.I ended up welding them on.(both doors and tailgate,they all fit just fine .) It was kindovah P-I-T-A to line everything up just right, alot of fiddle farting around, so be paitent.Make a half @$$( or best you can)template to get you with in the ballpark.
I'm willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that'74 up to '78 are the same style strikers etc.
Good luck Amigo

[joe]

Pete(Crazy_Jeepman) mentioned in another thread that the hinge/latch change was about mid-79. So you may or may not need to swap the hardware from the 79 along with the doors, gate etc. I figure Pete's torn enough of these rigs down and sold enough parts from them to prolly have the hinge/latch change pinned down pretty well by now. smile.gif

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

Originally posted by -joe:
Pete(Crazy_Jeepman) mentioned in another thread that the hinge/latch change was about mid-79. So you may or may not need to swap the hardware from the 79 along with the doors, gate etc. I figure Pete's torn enough of these rigs down and sold enough parts from them to prolly have the hinge/latch change pinned down pretty well by now. smile.gif DO YOU THINK THAT MR.MAN,BUYS AND PARTS-OUT, GREEN FSJs ??? :D :D