Another 401 find

[seventynine]

Well...after my disappointing encounter with the "t-18" Honcho this morning (see my other thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=99692)

I went and looked at a Chief that was on a property just a few mile from my house. I had seen it a couple of years ago while I was hunting on the property but hadn't looked at it closely or aske the owner about it.

It's a '77 with '74k miles that was parked in this spot somewhere around 1986. A neighbor had moved from another state and didn't have the title for it or something and asked this guy if they could leave it there for the moment. 23 years later I pop the hood and see:D.

http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-02.jpg


It's been sinking into the ground for 23 years. It has GoodYear Tracker ATs on it with a lot of tread on them!

Of course it's an auto with QT. It does have low range though. I was really looking for a T-18 darnit.

The guy told me he backed in to this spot in 1986 and it was running strong.

It has a really nice clean Razor grill on it. Both front fenders appear to be pretty rust free. The whole front clip looks really nice...with a bit of imagination. The back fenders are rotted. I was hoping the seats would be salvageable but...I don't think so. Snake skins and rat poop all over the place....sticks to high heaven. The dash pad looks excellent...i didnt see any cracking at all.

Door skins might be salvageable.

Both front and rear three piece bumpers look excellent. It has a manual crank tailgate off of a Wagoneer...different color.

Here are a couple a more pics:
http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-01.jpg

http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-03.jpg

http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-04.jpg

What do you guys think about that brush guard? Does that look factory? I didn't think the factory ones were rounded like that around the headlights?

The thing about the 401 is...I'd like to have one but I've got freshly rebuilt 360/304s in all of my Jeeps...I really don't need another motor...but it is a 401 which would be cool. Anyone interested in the 401?

I don't know should I buy this thing?

Dean

[Chris P.]

I don't know should I buy this thing?

Dean
What kind of question is that?:) Yes, you should get it. I've seen some worse looking FSJ's driving around here. Did you see if the engine would turn?

[jrlane]

And what would the price be? I,m sure not much for as long as its been setting. I would love to have it if the price is right for me to make a trip from Tn. Let me know. Thanks

[mathman]

What do you guys think about that brush guard? Does that look factory? I didn't think the factory ones were rounded like that around the headlights?


Here's a picture of the one on my '78 J-20 - not sure if it's factory though.

http://www.jeep-trucks.com/assets/images/jtruck/028.JPG

[J.J.]

Yeah, you probably need to buy that. Or send someone else here to get it.

[seventynine]

I'll see if I can buy it next week.

Mathman...yeah the brush guard on yours looks like all of the other ones I have seen. This one is more rounded on the ends but the design looks similiar. Has anyone else seen one like this? Here is another pic from the front:

http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-05.jpg

[Al Johnson]

Looks like a fixer!

:cool:

[Charlie_B]

snake skins?!?!?! :eek: Call me a wuss, but Id have never got the hood popped.

Not really but it Id have the willies the whole time I was looking at it. And PAYING for it. Buy that thing! :thumbsup: good find

[skeletor]

Mathman...yeah the brush guard on yours looks like all of the other ones I have seen. This one is more rounded on the ends but the design looks similiar. Has anyone else seen one like this? Here is another pic from the front:


jeep made em like that for the boobie/ razor grills. when they went square headlights they made the brush guard square. i would like to have one and a 401.

[funhog]

Anyone interested in the 401?

I don't know should I buy this thing?

Dean

I'll be glad to take that thing off your hands. I even have family up there. Just let me know when to come and get it. :thumbsup:

[seventynine]

I worked out a deal with the guy and it looks like I'll be picking this thing up with in the week.

I'm going to part it out probably since there is no title.

I'll post it up in the sale section when I have it. I may end up selling or trading the 401 not sure yet. I'm looking for a T-18 set up so if there is anyone in the VA area that has one that might want to barter let me know.

Dean

[aallison]

That looks too good to part out. Some states are real easy on getting a title for a car. Georgia, for instance. Can you call the VA DMV and get one using a bill of sale?

I can almost guarantee there is no record of it with any state anyomre. Ask a cop budy to run the vin.

I think you can get a title. Save it. Don't part it.

[jeepskater433]

awesome find man, i love finding trucks like that, I kinda found my old j10 and cherokee like that

[seventynine]

That looks too good to part out. Some states are real easy on getting a title for a car. Georgia, for instance. Can you call the VA DMV and get one using a bill of sale?

I can almost guarantee there is no record of it with any state anyomre. Ask a cop budy to run the vin.

I think you can get a title. Save it. Don't part it.

I'll take a closer look at it when I get it...I havent been able to see the frame yet. The roof is rusted through in places along the gutter and the body is rotted out behind the rear flares.

Might be able to bring it back from near death...but it would be a project.

Dean

[jakecj7]

If you pick it up, let me know on that razor. Would really like to get my hands on one.

[Headhoncho]

http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/401chief-03.jpgDean

When your dash starts rusting through....:eek: .....it's time to part it out.


JR

[seventynine]

I finally picked this thing up. A '77 Cherokee towing another '77 Cherokee...thats a sight you don't see every day:thumbsup:


http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/chero-onthetrailer.jpg

[woodironman]

looks like alot of great parts, i am thinking the frame my not have done well, being it was so close to the ground maybe some critters in there as well.

[Carleysjeep]

I finally picked this thing up. A '77 Cherokee towing another '77 Cherokee...thats a sight you don't see every day:thumbsup:


http://www.concrete-blues.com/jeep/chero-onthetrailer.jpg


That is a cool pic. I dig it! :thumbsup:

[red mistress]

Golddust's old Chero, your now, needs that brushguard.

Really cool looking picture. Before & After :eek: waxing...LOL

[aallison]

Good pickup. I hope you got a great deal on it. Does the motor turn by hand?

And I still hope it's salveageable. I really like them. your red one is most awsome.

[seventynine]

Yep the brush guard is the first thing coming off. I'll pull it, blast it and paint it then put on the Chief.

Funny about the color....I wasn't sure before if it was the same color or not as the chief but when I rubbed off the scum in and area and kinda buffed it up a bit with my shirt it started to to look right. They used two different reds in '77. Anyway I checked the paint code on the vin tag and sure enough it is the same...don't think it had been repainted either.

Amazingly the whole front clip is really nice...almost no rust...just a very little bit of surface rust in a couple of places The fenders are cherry under all of that scum.

The interior is identical also but trashed for the most part...though there are a lot of usable in there but I think the seats are probably beyond salvaging.

[seventynine]

Good pickup. I hope you got a great deal on it. Does the motor turn by hand?

And I still hope it's salveageable. I really like them. your red one is most awsome.

I got a great deal on it. I haven't tried to turn the motor yet. Not sure what I'm gonna do with the motor. I'll probably just leave it in there for now. Don't have a use for it at the moment.

[netbear]

I'm interested in the complete 401 if it's available.

I have cash or a complete dana 20 transfer case with T18 adaptor, Bull gear and T18 output shaft off my 1979 Cherokee. I installed an Atlas in
mine so everything south of the T18 in my Jeep is looking for a good home.

Send me a private msg if interested.

[seventynine]

Well the 401 is gone. netbear came buy today and we pulled it and loaded it into his pick up. Good wrenching with you today Todd:thumbsup:

Dean

[PlasticBoob]

Awesome! Normally I'd be so jealous of you ;), but I picked up a spare 401 a few months back. They're impossible to find out here in Prius-land! :mad: