The Unofficial First-Year (1974) Cherokee Registry

[PlasticBoob]

The Unofficial First-Year Cherokee Registry







This thread is here to catalog as many existing first-year Cherokees as possible. The Cherokee was introduced in 1974 and went on to become one of the most recognized names in automotive history. These early Cherokees, while similar to the Wagoneer, definitely had a sportier vibe, with well-placed vinyl body stripes, less chrome trim, and sportier metal and vinyl interiors. A few years later, the line between the Cherokee and Wagoneer blurred considerably, with four doors and many packages becoming available.

If you own one of these historic rigs, please contribute to this thread by posting a picture of the firewall data plate, which tells us your color code, and the door jamb sticker, which has the date of manufacture. Pics of your Cherokee would also be greatly appreciated, no matter the condition. Remember, the purpose of this registry is to keep track of the remaining trucks; despite having relatively healthy sales the first year (14,082 examples were made), few still exist.

Historical Stuff

Television Commercials and Vintage Video

Jeep Cherokee's Introduction Commercial

Magazine Articles

Jeep Cherokee wins the very first 4Wheeler Award: [HQ RAR archive] [Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 5] [Page 6] [Page 7]

Jeep Cherokee review in Off-Road Adventures: [HQ RAR archive] [Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3] [Page 4] [Page 5]


VIN and Trim Plate Decoding









Colors and Interior Trim











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Original thread:

I don't see too many first-year Cherokees around here, let's get a thread started showing them off! I'm curious to see how many are left, and with what color combos, so let's keep this 1974-only please. And of course interior shots would be great too.

Here's one of mine before the body lift, roof rack, and bumper bumps, springs still stiff on the new lift...






And one after....my friend and I decided to head to the beach on a beautiful, clear, hot summer day to take some "beauty pics" of our rigs, only to find the temperature to drop 20 degrees within five miles. Oh and there was fog. Lots of fog!






Here's the interior right now - it's next on my list of things to get to. I plan to get it looking mostly stock. New carpet, etc. The driver's seat is NOT original - it was either reupholstered or taken out of a newer FSJ, because I have seen that style seat before.








Firewall data plate:

[jeeper54]

Sweet looking ride you have there.

[mud89]

Good idea , the two tone paints , the mag rims and the stripes of these 1st year cherokees are just great
If you give also the VIN or the production date , will know if one of the very first cherokees is owned by a forum member

[Bill Moore]

agree, nice color combo

[Jacked]

Definately not a pretty representation.

[Mike7009]

74 cherokee s. no pic of interior but it's a white/creme color in great condition 57,000 original miles bought it off of original owner.

[Driftwood]

thats a hell of a leak under it:O

[Stuka]

Ahh missed it by a year.

I will always be a fan of NT Cherokees

[Mike7009]

thats a hell of a leak under it:O

thats water if your talkin about my pics. just got done washing it. can't ya tell, it's all shiney

[Ugly Truck Nut]

My '74, don't have pictures of the tag, will post one later.



......

Here is the door tag:



Here is a photo of the interior before I started to molest it:

[mud89]

Thanks for the first tag
Nobody with an earlier tag from 1973 (beginning of the '74 model year) ?

[austinaubinoe]

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm132/pamike/jeep/SANY0489.jpg

When did they stop the 'Clear' turn signals? Also, is that a later model brush guard?

[grand_wag_85]

Rob, that red NT of yours is by far my favorite

[Mike7009]

When did they stop the 'Clear' turn signals? Also, is that a later model brush guard?

i think they had the clear lenses until about 76 or 77 . i know my 78 had the amber ones and i had a 76 that had the clears. and the brush guard is from a 79. i had to cut off the bumper mounts and flip them around and re-weld back on to make it line up with the 3 pc bumper. i really didn't want a factory 78 and older guard. they are taller and i feel they don't look as good as the 79+ ones.

[Mike7009]

Thanks for the first tag
Nobody with an earlier tag from 1973 (beginning of the '74 model year) ?

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm132/pamike/jeep/SANY0268.jpg