84 Cherokee SJ identification?

[rockhound66]

Father in laws junk yard just recieved an 84 Cherokee.He knows I do alot of jeep stuff so he spared it from the crusher for 2 weeks to see if I wanted any parts. I have a few questions. It has an AMC 20 rear but appears to have factory one piece axels. Is this correct? Is there any value in the front axel assy. since it is a left hand diff? This is the Dana 30, correct?
It appers to have a T-18 but can not be sure due to the tires/wheels are gone and it is sitting on the ground. It has a NP??? shift pattern for the tranfer case. Which case did these come with? The case seems to be bad due to a bungee cord holding it in 2WD HI.
Sorry for all the rookie questions, my expieriance is with CJ's and wranglers.

[ August 10, 2001: Message edited by: rockhound66 ]

[Bob Barry]

Well, if it is REALLY a USA-built 1984 Cherokee, then it's a downsized XJ Cherokee with the AMC Model 15 (aka Dana 35) rear axle, Dana 30 front axle, T-4 transmission and NP207 transfer case. Engine is either a 150ci (2.5L) I-4, or 173ci (2.8L) V-6.

If it is a 1983 or earlier SJ-model Cherokee mistakenly called a 1984 Cherokee (the SJ-model Cherokees ceased production in the US in 1984, though they were assembled in Australia until 1985), then it has the AMC20 (not Dana at all) rear axle with one-piece shafts, Dana 44 front axle, T-176 transmission and NP208 transfer case. Engine choice would be either the 258ci (4.2L) I-6 or 360ci (5.9L) V-8.

It's not hard to tell them apart: the XJ Cherokee is small, has a lift-up tailgate and no separate frame. The SJ Cherokee has the roll-down tailgate window and a drop-down tailgate, and a separate body-on-frame construction.

[rockhound66]

Its the full size truck, build date on the door frame was March 84. So I guess it is an 83. It has the straight 6/258. So it's a left diff D-44? Would it worth saving for maybe a wrangler build up? I had a right diff 44 from a waggy and couldn't give it away.
If anything is worth saving let me know, she'll be soup cans by October. The Jeep is in Toledo.
How much wider is the full size AMC 20 one piece from the wide track CJ?

[Bob Barry]

That build-date would make it a Grand Wagoneer (they used the Cherokee-style taillights in '84 and newer trucks), unless it's a real oddball.

If it's got a manual trans, then it'll probably have the NP208 transfer-case, which means it DOESN'T likely have the front-axle disconnect used in '83 and '84 FSJ's with the Selectrac axle. Not a bad choice for a Wrangler front upgrade.

I think the rear is about 4-5" wider than a WT CJ axle.

[trickc]

The bungee cord on the x-case is not necessarily indicative of a bad x-case, I have one on my dana 20 cause it rattles over 45 mph. smile.gif A good tight bungee keeps it from rattling till I hit 65!

[rockhound66]

Maybe its an oddball like you say (lotsa exta parts left on the assembly line) but it is manual trans, it is a full size pick-up truck, build date is March 84 and it says Cherokee on the bed side. She has 6 lug wheels and Warn internal spline lock outs.

[ August 10, 2001: Message edited by: rockhound66 ]

[J4GRAND]

Now we're all confused! It is a full-size pickup and says Cherokee on the bed side? The full-size p/u was made until 86 so that makes sense with the build date. :confused: :confused:

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Why not rescue it and make a nice trail rig out of it then??

[rockhound66]

The "Cherokee" on the bed side is more than likely someones add-on. The way jeep names and models swap from full size to SWB is a little unclear to me. What was the full size P/U named in 84? It does not say J-10 or J-20 on the front fender, that was the first thing I looked for.

[andy d]

thje 6lug wheels make it a j-10. shame to crush it couldnt you just keep it for parts?

[Bob Barry]

Hmmm, the J-10's had a "Pioneer" option; maybe the line-workers drank too much beer at lunch that day and slapped on a "Cherokee" label by mistake? smile.gif

[rockhound66]

Would love to keep it, wouldn't take much to make it an evil sod slinging beast. But alas I do not have the room at home and I am only given 3 spots at the yard and they are taken.
67 Firebird Conv.
Cosworth Vega
48 Jeep P/U
Sorry.

[WillyPete]

does it drive? i might be tempted to bum on up to ohio and take it off your hands if it does.

what kinda shape is it in?

[rockhound66]

Don't know about the running condition. It came in without wheels/tires. No battery and the radiator was empty. No atnifreeze in the oil though. The body has the salt rust in the normal spots for an up north winter jeep. A resto is a long shot, but for a trail thrasher maybe. I will take a better look when I go up tomorrow. It does have electrical probs also. Someone was using a twin batery selector as a kill switch in the cab.

[ExpandingMan]

Why not post the VIN. This will ID it precisely (with reference books many of us have). BTW, wouldn't she have been built in Toledo originally?

...returning to her birthplace die.

Why not part the Jeep out. Just look at the 'For Sale' forum. Stuff get snapped up!!! Look through the 'wanted' forum and help some folks out. I'll buy a mirror and some armrests off you. They're easy to remove, and I'll pay shipping!

[rockhound66]

Tell u what, work kept me home this weekend but I will try again next weekend. I will get a digital pix if I can. If anyone wants a specific piece or two, drop me a line. I will drag her off in a corner and try to hide her. But they crush the 23rd, if they find her I can't save her.
I am not holding any parts as a "maybe" or "I will have the money soon". I move on the 2nd of Sept. I have enough stuff to haul.