Looking at a 76 Cherokee. Need Advice...

[poppatello]

Hello all, I'm looking at a 76 Cherokee. I am now a Cj owner but the love for the older FSJ is becoming to unbearable. The one I found is a 76 with a V8 and manual. That is just about all I know. Still waiting to hear back from the nice lady. However, what can you guys tell me about them? Are they decent trail rigs? What should I look for? Is the 76 a good year? Now understand, I only think I will be doing some mild trail riding and no rock climbing. I also plan to do some surf fishing. If I ever do a lift, but don't really plan too, I would go maybe 2". I have a 4 1/2 on the Cj and the short wife can't get into it. I know, it would be best, but she loves the ride. Plus I like her to tag along. So thinking of switching over. I also have two little ones to think about. The cherokee would be better for them. Any input would be great. Thanks for all your time.


Lance

[billyrb]

If it's a V8, it'll be either a 360 or a 401 (Z in the VIN if it's a 401). You can use a flashlight and lay under the rig, shine the light up under the motor mount and you'll see the casting number showing the CID of the engine. Trans if auto is a Th400, and will have the Quadratrac Tcase (round knob in the glovebox and if it has low-range, it'll have a shifter at the front base of the driver seat). 1976 and later are good bases to start with. If it has the 4" metal fender flares sticking out, it's a widetrack. If the flares are basically 1" rolled flares that are a part of the fender (ie, no seams) then it's a narrow track. WT can fit 32's with a 2" lift without rubbing when flexed. NT will fit 31's. 4" and 33's look right, as will a 6" and 35's :)

They are good rigs, easy to work on, and easy for the beginner to start repairing and modifying. Check for rust on the floorboards and also on the driver-side frame just in front of the axle, adjacent to the fuel tank. If rusted there, it can be fixed, but the price should reflect that. Otherwise, check the basics, tcase operation, rear window operation, etc.

[poppatello]

Here is the pictures of the Cherokee. It must be a 360 cause of the VIN, but it also is a manual. The body is suppose to be redone and painted. Not sure yet if it's the orignal color. The interior is grey. This lookes to be a NT. Does this look like a stock color? If so I will keep it that way if I get it. If not, I would change it.



http://i17.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/2c/6b/a226_1.JPG



http://i11.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/2c/6b/aa53_1.JPG



http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/2c/6b/9a51_1.JPG

[seventynine]

Looks like it's in real nice condition from the pics.

Dean

[poppatello]

bump

[fulsizjeep]

Looks like a stock color to me.

[tonyrio]

Inpect the frame closely. Especially by the gas tank... drivers side behind the door.

Bad frames are no fun. I made that mistake once, so it's the first thing I always mention to people.


Otherwise, that's a nice looking Cherokee.

[J.J.]

Looks like a stock color. Listed as Reef Green Metallic. Pictures look good. Let us know what you find.

[mdill]

A 76 should not have the frame ssue, that issue is a 80+ thing with the coffin tank, stanard rust issues on this one are lower rear quarters, tail gate bottom then everything else.



Inpect the frame closely. Especially by the gas tank... drivers side behind the door.

Bad frames are no fun. I made that mistake once, so it's the first thing I always mention to people.


Otherwise, that's a nice looking Cherokee.

[tonyrio]

Looks like a stock color. Listed as Reef Green Metallic. Pictures look good. Let us know what you find.


Yep, that's the same color as my '76 CJ5

[Chris P.]

Looks like a nice one, but check the rear quarters and in front of the rear wheel closely for bondo. That area looks like it is missing some body lines.

[poppatello]

thanks, any pros or cons?

[tgreese]

Pretty much can't go wrong with the manual transmission Cherokee or Wagoneer from the late '70s. It's either the Borg-Warner T-15 3-speed or Borg-Warner T-18 wide ratio 4 speed transmission. The VIN will tell you which transmission. All the components are sturdy, with no significant issues, and parts are readily available. Check for rust.