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There is an error, we should read "The Cherokee S was canceled for 1981. In its place was a new NARROW-TRACK Chief four door variant"
By the way , as far as unicorn are concerned, the dealer Brian Chuchua built some wide tracks Wagoneers back in the days
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle
2dr WT Cherokees were made until 84. The 4dr Cherokee was made from 80-84 (I think, maybe it started in 78, I cannot recall off hand), and was typically a very low end model (basically a wagoneer with very few options. Cherokee S and Cherokee Chief are mutually exclusive. From 74-79 you could buy a 2dr NT Cherokee S. This was basically a highly optioned Cherokee NT, and typically had the diamond stripe down the side and the Indian head badge behind the rear window. A Cherokee Chief was WT only, and 2dr only. The Chief was a dress up package that was applied to S model WT Cherokees that was basically just some stickers. There were also S model WT's that were not chiefs.
I remember 1982 like it was yesterday. I was at a Chevy dealership and saw the NEW S10 Blazer and thought it was the coolest thing out there. They also had a Chevy Love [Isusu] but it looked like a toy in comparison to a Real truck. Little did I know that AMC was moving wholly to a Down Size inventory and the XJ would roll-out in '84 with the Chevy 2.8L [turd]. I was driving a '67 Gladiator in 1982 and paying $.89 per gal for fuel.
I don't agree for the production last years : In 1981 the Chief dress up package was no more WT and 2 doors only, it was offered as an option for the model 18 (4 doors NT)
J10 81, J10 77, CJ7 80, Gladiator 64, Wagoneer 65, ZJ 5.9
parts vehicles : wagoneer 63, cherokee Golden eagle
First year for the model 18 4-door Cherokee was 1977. As Stuka points out, that model was intended as the down-market 4-door complement to the model 15 Wagoneer, with the Wagoneer only offered as a V8 automatic full-time (Quadratrac) model, foreshadowing the future "Grand" Wagoneer. I recall the 6 cylinder and/or manual transmission Wagoneers came back for a few years, maybe starting in 1980? From '77 to '80ish you could only opt for the six or manual transmissions in 4 doors with the model 18. The 2-door models 16 and 17 and the new model 18 could be delivered with the full range of drivetrain options.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.