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03-18-2010, 08:14 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 24, 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 19
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Lookin at Buyin' my First...Any Advice?
I'm looking at a PRISTINE (so they say and pictures show) 1976 Jeep Cherokee Chief on Sunday. Any words of advice on what to look out for? I love these things and am stoked for it, but admittedly am somewhat of a novice, it's my first one! 
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03-18-2010, 08:36 PM
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Dec 23, 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Welcome to the insanity.. lol
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03-18-2010, 08:39 PM
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jan 01, 2005
Location: Pine Mountain Club, CA
Posts: 1,282
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Check the rust in the rear fender flares, fuel fill hoses, your smog requirements, air pump, carbon cannister, return lines, etc, ticking or knocking sounds from the engine, doors close properly, clean interior, straight body, again, as little rust as possible, 4wd actually works (quadratrac OK?) tailgate window goes down and up? brakes feel good? rusty roof rack holes? I guess the list could go on but it would depend on the price!
would love to see some photos of a nice 76
D.
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Drew
77 Cherokee WT
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03-18-2010, 08:51 PM
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Join Date: Aug 24, 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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awesome! thanks for the advice. I have my BF going with me and he's bought many an old truck before, so he'll be a good second set of eyes. I'll take pictures on sunday!
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03-18-2010, 09:28 PM
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FSJ Maniac
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Join Date: May 17, 2007
Location: Algonquin (Chicago suburb) Illinois
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Bondo Check the rear Flares at the back and the gas tank skid plate for holes Good Luck 
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Originally Posted by suzq044
Welcome to the insanity
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Definition = fixing something over and over again expecting different results
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91' Grand Wagoneer
401/727/229, HEI, Edel 2131 Intake,8600, Holley Truck Avenger, Dual Exhaust, Flowmaster 70. Edelbrock shorty headers.4" BJS 31 BFG Mud-Terrains
Currently: Down for Body Work
80's J10 258/T-5/208
90' Jeep GrandWagoneer SOLD
74' J10 Go Grabber Green Running
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Originally Posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
Inferior Chevy
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03-18-2010, 10:18 PM
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Gear Head
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Join Date: Jan 05, 2009
Location: New Braunfels, TX
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Look underneath it and see if there are any oil drips/stains. If there aren't then don't buy it. The owner obviously ran the engine out of oil and the tranny out of fluid. 
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1988 Grand Wagoneer currently in pieces across the shop.
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03-19-2010, 07:44 AM
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FSJ Maniac
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Join Date: Apr 11, 2008
Location: Oregon
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Post some pics of it!  |
03-19-2010, 07:47 AM
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Turbocharged Quandary
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Join Date: Mar 28, 2003
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If you do buy one, just drop it off in Tacoma, WA area where my sister lives. She will love an old rig
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1999 Chevy Express 3500 cargo van
1997 Mercury Mountaineer
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03-19-2010, 09:49 AM
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Join Date: Aug 24, 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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picture...
thanks for all the advice!....picture attached |
03-19-2010, 09:59 AM
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jan 01, 2005
Location: Pine Mountain Club, CA
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wow that does look clean, although somewhat "aftermarket"...
when you are looking at the engine, check the wiring harness for melted or burned wires, look around the alternator or at the junction block on the firewall.
good luck
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Drew
77 Cherokee WT
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03-19-2010, 10:12 AM
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yeah, a tad aftermarket, but according to the owners, they are only the second owners that truck has seen. And by the sounds of it, only lightly used and low miles, surprisingly. So we will see on Sunday.
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03-19-2010, 10:22 AM
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Sep 17, 2005
Location: Farmington Hills Mi.
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I don't think that is a "Chief. I'm not sure the Chief was available in 1976. Contrary to popular belief the Chief is a trim package not a body style. The Chief trim package has a low gloss black upper body and black "Cherokee Chief" overlays with unique striping along the sides and rear. What you have there looks to be a Cherokee "S" with the single paterned stripe along the side and back.
Dan
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I blow my horn before it happens, not after.
A good mechanic can fix their own mistakes.
Waste not war not.
Ignorant is blist.
When you're in a hurry... slow down.
Measure once... cut twice.
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03-19-2010, 10:31 AM
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Join Date: Aug 24, 2009
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AH! well, that solves it, I was kinda confused and aware that there were two different trim packages...just confused on what was what.....makes sense
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03-19-2010, 10:48 AM
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Join Date: May 29, 2003
Location: Medford MA USA
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Looks nice ... we may not all like the accessories, but they show that the PO was proud of her/his ride.
Other than rust, the Quadratrac transfer case is the main liability in this era. Nothing wrong with it if it's been well maintained, but they are often neglected.
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Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, KOs, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
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03-19-2010, 04:29 PM
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Join Date: May 15, 2008
Location: Tacoma, WA
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Looks like a nice clean rig. I'd say one of the easiest ways to keep them nice in the NW is to keep them garaged, but not everyone has theat luxury. Good luck on the purchase...
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03-19-2010, 05:02 PM
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Join Date: Mar 19, 2010
Location: Las Cruces
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Nice rig! Post more pic of engine, and interior. MORE....WANT TO SEE MORE!
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Originally Posted by angie_t
AH! well, that solves it, I was kinda confused and aware that there were two different trim packages...just confused on what was what.....makes sense
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03-19-2010, 05:21 PM
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Nov 18, 2009
Location: France (burgundy)
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Very nice rig
76 was in fact the first year of the Cherokee Chief package
This package could be ordered for the model 17, also called model "S"
Normally with this trim, the cherokee got a two tone paint : maybe it's a new paint, seems like new ?
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80 CJ7 Laredo V8
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03-19-2010, 09:48 PM
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Dragin Az
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Join Date: Oct 17, 2003
Location: Chino Valley, Arizona
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X2 on more pics. It looks like it was well cared for... |
03-19-2010, 10:31 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 20, 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ClovisMan
Look underneath it and see if there are any oil drips/stains. If there aren't then don't buy it. The owner obviously ran the engine out of oil and the tranny out of fluid. |
No kidding, the Cherokee I bought was run without oil in the trans, t-case, and both axles!
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The eternal project -'88 6.2 diesel, '75 cherokee chassis, t-18 & dana 20 , & WT dana 44's, front lock right, '67 j-3000 cab ('75 dash & pedals, '67 column, "leather" astro bench), '3? IH bed, 32" mtr's
Almost drivable!
'66 cj-6a tuxedo park - 225 v-6, bds 3" lift, ft disc brakes, PTO winch, OBA, Mobi-Arc OBW
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03-19-2010, 10:46 PM
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FSJ Maniac
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Join Date: May 17, 2007
Location: Algonquin (Chicago suburb) Illinois
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I would Take those Aluminum Runners Off if you buy it looks like the rear Flare has suffered some damage also
__________________
91' Grand Wagoneer
401/727/229, HEI, Edel 2131 Intake,8600, Holley Truck Avenger, Dual Exhaust, Flowmaster 70. Edelbrock shorty headers.4" BJS 31 BFG Mud-Terrains
Currently: Down for Body Work
80's J10 258/T-5/208
90' Jeep GrandWagoneer SOLD
74' J10 Go Grabber Green Running
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
Inferior Chevy
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