Newbie in need of help

[moscar45]

Hey fellas, I'm soon to be the new owner of a 79' cherokee chief wide track.

OK--so the seller tells me that the transfer case and front drive shaft is new, but the 4wd needs a switch in/near the glove box to engage, as well as a cable under the drivers seat. I'm guessing the floor switch is 4Lo, is the other one a vacuum switch? I'm trying to figure out how to test the 4wd before purchase. Also, the rear end supposedly was recently serviced, however I've been told there is a chip in the gear so it makes a humming sound...is that total BS, or if it is true is it ok to drive like this, and what could have caused it, how hard to fix (buying this truck on a budget).

So aside from my 4wd and rear end question, could someone give me a breakdown of what a regular 1979 cherokee auto would have for a transmission and axles? thanks very much, I'm excited to be getting my first and full size jeep--she's a year older than I am.

[jpjeeper]

Look up the specs in the tech library...

Just use link above.

[Santa Claus]

79 would have the TH400/Quadratrac if in stock configuration. The switch would be vacuum switch in glovebox and engages "edrive" which locks the differential in the transfer case, used for extreme conditions.

[joe]

Yeah what Santa said. The 727 wasn't used till 80+ when they moved the front differential to the drivers side along w/different tcase options. The floor lever for H/L should be linkage operated though. Only the very early FSJ's with the QT had a cable operated H/L but it was with an underdash pull lever.
If you use the glove box switch to LOCK (E-drive) you can only run on loose traction surfaces. In the unlock mode for everyday use though it's like any other full-time tcase.

[moscar45]

Thanks for the update fellas. So, I now know for certain that its the quadratrac transfer case and the th400, and its a cherokee chief with the wide track. Is this a good combo? The owner said that locking hubs were installed to disengage the all time 4 wheel drive( and supposedly the t case is new)--is this possible and if so, is it a common thing? Also, the transfer case is supposedly new, so is there anything else I shoud look for? thanks. -still trying to figure out the rear end question.

[jeeping1974]

welcome aboard! :thumbsup:

[janie]

Thanks for the update fellas. So, I now know for certain that its the quadratrac transfer case and the th400, and its a cherokee chief with the wide track. Is this a good combo? The owner said that locking hubs were installed to disengage the all time 4 wheel drive( and supposedly the t case is new

Yes, that is a good combo, and welcome to the madness. A "new" QT? Hardieharharhar. You can certainly "freshen" these cases with new seals, chain, fluid and since it has lockouts it may have had the MM PT kit installed. Which by the way is a good thing.

Post up some pic's and congrat's.

[fulsizjeep]

Welcome! Quadratrac is da kine. :cool: The "new" one in your Cherokee could mean it has a new part time kit installed. If that is the case, it will no longer be fulltime 4wd, but selectable from the vacuum switch in glove box. That actuates a vacuum diaphram on the tcase to shift in/out 4wd if it has a part time kit and if not, it switches from fulltime through a limited slip differential in the tcase to Edrive which locks the differential. A red light should come on in the instrument cluster indicating Edrive is on. The lever under the front edge of the seat shifts Hi-N-Lo.

More on Quadratracs in a link in my signature.

[moscar45]

Awesome--thanks a million for the replies guys. I'm pumped to get workin on her, and I have the feeling that this site is going to be an invaluable source of information and a great place to meet fellow jeep fanatics

[flatbackdragon]

chk Flints Quadratrac info link, scrol to the bottom and you'll see a vacuum diagram for the actuator and switch. If your switch, in the dash, is missing you can use a length of vac line from the actuator (see the diagram as to which port on the actuator does what) to an engine vacuum source to make it engage, do this while on dirt or gravel only if you will drive it in E-drive. A light on the dash 'should' come on if engaged (unless the e-drive indicator switch wires are not plugged to that switch or a bulb is out). You may have to go forward or reverse slowly just a few feet to actually activate it at times, disengage ti before getting on pavement.
If it has a low range, there will be a lever to the front right side of the drivers seat on the hump, pulling it UP will engage low range. You can use the low range without the QT being in 4wheel (via the switch in glovebox), would be in low 2 wheel drive and be able to go maybe 45 mph.
Will destroy the QT (don't ask, long story).
I've had 2 79's set up just like yours and enjoy it. You will too.
Welcome to the madness.