New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

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Trosskyll
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New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration
I have found a hens tooth - or, rather, it found me.
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My J20 trucks (patiently waiting for restoration) could be seen from the road, so a guy dropped by and said he had what I needed... Here in New Zealand (N.Z.) they are a very rare thing. So of course I paid my money, and now a very tired 1976 Cherokee Chief has started me on a journey towards getting it into active life once again.
I think the VIN plate indicates this new import into NZ had a white colour body with blue interior and upholstery, an AMC401, TH400, and Quadratrac trans. Maybe someone can confirm for me?
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Now it sports a back-yard black paint job covering various repairs, namely the bottoms of rear mudguards, fenders, under the tailgate, and bottom of the 'A' pillar. It has no blue internals as they are painted black, very tired rear bench, original front seats are gone, no headliner, cab lights, carpet, and the wiring loom under the dash has been ravaged. The engine is now an AMC360 dedicated to LPG gas, with a TH400 (I think) mated to a Toyota FJ40 ASCO transfer case, Dana 44s front and rear.
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This truck is in quite a mess really, with Lots of missing parts, and it has been hacked about here and there. But they are rare here, so I am on a mission to get it back on the road and have some fun!
I am going to need many parts to make this Chief my usable and fun vehicle. I will see how close I manage to do a restoration to original specs, or maybe a restomod may be a little easier. None of the parts I need are available in N.Z. so it will all have to come from the U.S.
I will do some research in the library of info’ and experience contained within the pages of this Full Size Jeep Forum to help me. I am sure I will be posting some questions to you, and I welcome any thoughts, tips and info’ that you think will help me with my job here down-under.
This build will be a steady one, and I hope to complete at or near the end of this year, but I have had a really good start on it this week, where I got most bits removed from the body, and the body and chassis separated. Next I will remove the engine and transmission, mount the engine on a stand, mount the body on a rotisserie, and then I will be ready for the big clean up and blasting ready for repairs and painting...
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I had posted on IFSJA quite a while ago about the three J trucks a 'brought back from the brink'. This Chief has taken priority, but the J20s will be next in line for restoration.
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Last edited by Trosskyll on Sun Apr 05, 2020 10:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D

will e
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by will e »

Let me be the first to welcome you to the site! You've found a great place where there will be a lot of advice, help and encouragement.

You've started off right by posting pictures and telling the story. It looks like you are jumping into this with your 'eyes wide open'.

Thanks for joining and sharing. We look forward to following along on your progress.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

twisted frame
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by twisted frame »

Cool story! Good luck, looks pretty nice from a few feet away. They're getting hard to find around here too!
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Thanks for your interest will e and twisted frame. My wife says if I had my eyes wide open I would have looked the other way when the Chief appeared in a vision to me! Amazing how just a few feet of distance can make a heart grow fonder ;) Anyway, I know I will win her over when we can drive off into the sunset wilderness together.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

I am now trying to post an image so it shows up in the text, and you don't have to click on the text to see it... here goes
Image
Hope it works :-?
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Last edited by Trosskyll on Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Oh well - nope. Not yet anyway. Maybe I need to wait a day or two for it to show?...
Next I will try to link to my flickr page.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Now try this... trying to link to an image on my flickr page
Image
I will be happy if it works...
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

or this?
Image
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

now?
Image
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

nope, nope, nope, so here is a link to the flickr page anyway.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aec-av/al ... 515027922/
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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fulsizjeep
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by fulsizjeep »

Welcome to more fun! That is an interesting option for replacing the QuadraTrac. It's not very big so I assume the FJ case a single speed, yes?
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Hi fulsizejeep. The conversion to an ASCO FJ40 T case does not surprise me, as NZ has had much trade with Japanese car makers since the 1970's. My case has H & L range & 4WD / 2WD mode. The retrofit front locking hubs do the in /out 4WD mode. No linkage and selector levers were incorporated into the floor-pan, so the only way to change anything was to crawl underneath and manually pull / shift selectors. I guess there are not many options to get from broken Quadratrac to a T case with the correct side drop and leave both Dana 44's alone. I shall be looking into what the best way forward should be for this Chief. I have Dana 44 & 60 and NP208 from a 1980's J20. Would this work with the TH400? Or leave it as is, get a coffin tank, and keep on truckin' - with some shift levers.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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fulsizjeep
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by fulsizjeep »

I like that it has 2 speed transfer case. I would be tempted to build/install a shifter for it if I had it. I am not sure you can mate the 208 to the T400. If your 208 came from a T18 truck, it will have the more rare input spline (different count) to the 208. The more common 208 option was for 727 and T17x transmissions.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Yes fulsizjeep, my 208 came from a T18 truck. Thank you for giving me a clue about it not being very likely. In a week or two I will remove the transfer case, transmission, and engine. Then I can see what the spline count is. I have had words with one or two people who seem to think the ASCO case is a decent item, and I should not be too quick about swapping it out. I will seriously consider making up a control lever / linkage for it.

Today I got the body mounted on the rotisserie ready for easy access to the underside clean up and repairs.

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It also means I can easily move things around in the workshop as I need to.
That is probably all I can do for a week or so as I need to get on with sanding and painting a weatherboard clad house with my daughter.
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Last edited by Trosskyll on Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D

letank
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by letank »

what a project, welcome !
Pay attention to the windshield frame for rust, the A pillar and especially the bottom where the metal is rather thin due to the bend and tend to rust. The early years in the 70's did not have a very good metal treatment, the real improvement was really in YM 86. I have an 85 and 86 -the price was too low to resist temptation- and I must say that the overall inside roof is nicely painted. My 74 was rusty already 25 years ago when I noticed the rust encroachment.
You can check the links like Body work below for more insight
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Thanks for the heads-up letank, and the link to your images.....I thought my project involved a lot of work! Looks like you have your hands more full than I do.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

OK. I got it all apart. It looks like the short (1" approx.) 17 spline output shaft of TH400 has it been cut down, or is it actually stock?

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It looks like the Toyota T case shaft has had the female section of 17 spline welded to it to make the ASCO / TH400 combo work with the adaptor plate.

Image

What is keeping me awake at night is: Do I keep this set up, OR
Do I get a quadratrac T case that might be available to me, keep the Chief near original, OR
Go with the Dana 20 T case that I already have?

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I will be grateful if someone can confirm that this is a Dana20.
Q trac or Dana 20 would mean replacing T case cross-member support.
I could try to go with NP208 That I also have - except this option means swapping out the front Dana44F axle for opposite side front shaft drop, that I have. I think I would need to change the adapter plate to mount T case, and shaft. I have looked at the Novak Site, and it seems I could do any / all of the above.
I am leaning towards the Dana 20, as it keeps the vehicle all Jeep :D

Image
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Last edited by Trosskyll on Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

Next Question, has anyone got a dust cover for my TH400?

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Last edited by Trosskyll on Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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Trosskyll
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by Trosskyll »

My NP208 has a fine spline count of 32

Image
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Last edited by Trosskyll on Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
'76 Cherokee Chief AMC304, TH400, QT, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = Under restoration right now :fsj:
'82 J20 AMC258 4.2, T18a, NP208, Dana 44F, Dana 60 R. = 3x J20 truck waiting for restoration next :D
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fulsizjeep
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Re: New Zealand ’76 Cherokee Chief Restoration

Post by fulsizjeep »

That looks like a D20 to me but I am not immersed in D20 experience. Difficult for me to say what the 17 spline shafts came from or may even be custom fab. The adapter you had on the T400 is QT specific but that may have mods on it too. I see at least one extra hole in the top. Novak makes a replacement Jeep style T400 to D20 adapter. https://www.novak-adapt.com

EDITED: If you go with D20, you'll need a T400 adapter, correct tranny output shaft and bull gear. The bull gear is different depending on the transmission, 3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, T400.

EDITED: If you try and go with the NP208, you need a T400 32 spline output shaft. Should be able to get a 32 spline that is GM specific. Then you need to deal with an adapter between T400 and 208. There may be a GM specific solution for that. You'll also want to get a left exhaust manifold from an 80-91 FSJ w/AMC V8. The one that is on there now puts the exhaust on the left hand axle differential.

If you go to a QT, you will need the 10 spline T400 output shaft, bearing and adapter. Your adapter may or may not work for a QT again.

None of these options are drop in solutions. Bare minimum, the T400 needs to be tore down for the output connection to the desired transfer case. Then deal with a different cross member to fit desired transfer case. Then drive shaft(s).

The dust cover is 2 pieces. I have an extra set but they have been beat up. You probably want a set in nice shape if you are getting it shipped in from USA.

Image
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
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