- City
- Columbia
- State
- MO
So some of you may have noticed I've been a bit absent for the last month and a half. Part of that was because I was on vacation with my family in Oregon (Lost Lake) for two weeks and I was pretty much without phone/internet access. During that time I realized how much time I had been spending online and I really needed a break! Thanks to Big Walton and the great members here for keeping this place going without a hiccup!
Now just because I haven't been online as much doesn't mean that I have not been dealing in Jeeps! I am now the proud owner of a 1983 Jeep Cherokee. This particular Jeep is an all original survivor from California with 55k original miles. It is 99% rust free (very small amount in diver's side rear quarter), highly optioned with AM/FM/Tape, A/C, and cruise control, black "Sun Valley" interior is near perfect, and still has the original Goodyear Tracker tire spare on original wagon wheel that has never been on the ground! It is interesting though that it does not have power windows/locks and only has the 258 and not the 360. I also don't see any sign of Cherokee Chief emblems ever being on it but it does have the blackout window treatment on the sides and black fender flare stripes so I'm not sure if it is a true "Chief". I'm hoping I can find a build sheet for it.
The two issues it has are 1: at one point it had a small engine fire. The fire was only big enough to melt the wiring/hoses on the top of the engine. There is one small area on the hood where the paint was damaged from the fire. I believe this fire happened some time around 1993 as that is the last time I have paperwork for when it was registered and dated maintenance records from California. It has lived most of its life in CA, was in AZ for a short period and then went to WI and I found it. Second issue is that is has a sheet of diamond plate screwed to the top. The factory roof rack was removed (it is in the back of the Jeep) and this diamond plate was screwed to the top. I do not know why and the guy I bought it from doesn't know either. It could be a big issue or small, I won't know until I take it off. The up-side is that the headliner is in good shape. I do have a roof section I can use as a replacement/patch if need be.
How I ended up with it is interesting. I actually saw this Jeep for the first time many years ago when I bought my J10. The guy had several AMC Eagles and Full-Size Jeeps. He was selling the 1984 J10 that I bought and when I went up to Wisconsin to get the J10 I naturally looked around at all his Jeeps. He has several nice J10 Sportside trucks as well as a J10 Laredo and two Cherokee Laredo's. This Cherokee was sitting in his driveway. I told him at that time that if he ever wanted to sell it to let me know. Well, about 2 years ago he e-mailed me and said he was probably going to sell the Cherokee if I was still interested. I said I was but I didn't know when I would have the cash and be able to get up there with a trailer to get the Jeep. He said it wasn't a problem and that he could wait for when it was a better time for me. As everyone knows, time is a difficult commodity to come up with. Fast-forward to about a week ago; the seller contacts me again (we stay in contact about Jeep parts often) about the Cherokee. This time he says "my neighbor happens to be coming to Columbia, MO" which is about 15 minutes from my house. His neighbor also happens to own a towing company and he can deliver the Jeep to my door for $350. No excuses this time! DONE!
So now I have yet another project Jeep! My plans are to pull the diamond plate off the top and see what is needed to repair the top and get that done. Then pull the 258 and drop in a 360. I'd like to find a good running but rusty Wagoneer/Cherokee and just transplant the motor with a minor refresh and not a full rebuild. Then paint the hood/roof and drive it! I really need a shop!
Ok, here are the pics. Sorry for the crappy quality.
Now just because I haven't been online as much doesn't mean that I have not been dealing in Jeeps! I am now the proud owner of a 1983 Jeep Cherokee. This particular Jeep is an all original survivor from California with 55k original miles. It is 99% rust free (very small amount in diver's side rear quarter), highly optioned with AM/FM/Tape, A/C, and cruise control, black "Sun Valley" interior is near perfect, and still has the original Goodyear Tracker tire spare on original wagon wheel that has never been on the ground! It is interesting though that it does not have power windows/locks and only has the 258 and not the 360. I also don't see any sign of Cherokee Chief emblems ever being on it but it does have the blackout window treatment on the sides and black fender flare stripes so I'm not sure if it is a true "Chief". I'm hoping I can find a build sheet for it.
The two issues it has are 1: at one point it had a small engine fire. The fire was only big enough to melt the wiring/hoses on the top of the engine. There is one small area on the hood where the paint was damaged from the fire. I believe this fire happened some time around 1993 as that is the last time I have paperwork for when it was registered and dated maintenance records from California. It has lived most of its life in CA, was in AZ for a short period and then went to WI and I found it. Second issue is that is has a sheet of diamond plate screwed to the top. The factory roof rack was removed (it is in the back of the Jeep) and this diamond plate was screwed to the top. I do not know why and the guy I bought it from doesn't know either. It could be a big issue or small, I won't know until I take it off. The up-side is that the headliner is in good shape. I do have a roof section I can use as a replacement/patch if need be.
How I ended up with it is interesting. I actually saw this Jeep for the first time many years ago when I bought my J10. The guy had several AMC Eagles and Full-Size Jeeps. He was selling the 1984 J10 that I bought and when I went up to Wisconsin to get the J10 I naturally looked around at all his Jeeps. He has several nice J10 Sportside trucks as well as a J10 Laredo and two Cherokee Laredo's. This Cherokee was sitting in his driveway. I told him at that time that if he ever wanted to sell it to let me know. Well, about 2 years ago he e-mailed me and said he was probably going to sell the Cherokee if I was still interested. I said I was but I didn't know when I would have the cash and be able to get up there with a trailer to get the Jeep. He said it wasn't a problem and that he could wait for when it was a better time for me. As everyone knows, time is a difficult commodity to come up with. Fast-forward to about a week ago; the seller contacts me again (we stay in contact about Jeep parts often) about the Cherokee. This time he says "my neighbor happens to be coming to Columbia, MO" which is about 15 minutes from my house. His neighbor also happens to own a towing company and he can deliver the Jeep to my door for $350. No excuses this time! DONE!
So now I have yet another project Jeep! My plans are to pull the diamond plate off the top and see what is needed to repair the top and get that done. Then pull the 258 and drop in a 360. I'd like to find a good running but rusty Wagoneer/Cherokee and just transplant the motor with a minor refresh and not a full rebuild. Then paint the hood/roof and drive it! I really need a shop!
Ok, here are the pics. Sorry for the crappy quality.
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