My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

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CBJoe
Posts: 141
Joined: Tue Dec 24, 2019 6:04 pm

My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by CBJoe »

Figured I'd post here as an introduction to the forum as I finally snagged a '76 Cherokee Chief.

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I'm sure I'll be on here posting questions (sorry if they are dumb) while I'm getting everything sorted and shaking it down into a mostly daily driver for me. I've been wrenching on vintage motorcycles for most of my adult life until a few years ago when I was introduced to the classic pontiac world via a '73 Firebird. Cut my teeth on that and decided to dive into my childhood dream car. My dad had a red '79 Chief when I was a kid and I LOVED IT....but like all things it was sold. I've wanted one of these for years.

I know almost no history of this jeep other than it was a Idaho vehicle which was spared the rust and rot that hits most of these. The body is in great condition. Someone in recent past has done a re-paint in close to the original color bit in Matte Finish. I actually kind of like it for a daily...but we'll see how it holds up.

Its a "Z" code Chief...which I believe means it came with a 401. But it currently has a 360 with a 2 barrel Motorcraft and unknown miles. Has the stock Quadratrac with the low range option. Little to no rust....its started off pretty good as I drove it home 280miles at 70mph from St.Louis to Indianapolis with very little problem. There are issues that need addressed...but nothing awful. Only one fuel leak Image

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- Steering box and pump are shot and will be replaced in quick order
- Exhaust was fabricated and replaced recently...but the welds suck and it has exhaust leaks around Y-Pipe....so thats gotta get addressed

I have a full Weatherstrip kit from BJs already here, so going to start replacing all the old weatherstripping immediately. I'm going outside today and tomorrow to do a full assessment and just have a beer and stare at the new toy :D

Cheers, Joe

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Last edited by CBJoe on Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
1976 Cherokee Chief / Stock Q-Trac, Stock 360
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Yeller
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by Yeller »

Welcome Joe! Nice find.
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
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Johnzi10
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:43 pm
Location: Northern Kentucky

Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by Johnzi10 »

Man, I’m jealous! Nice Chief
2020 Cherokee Limited v6. Wife’s Jeep
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will e
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by will e »

Welcome from Phoenix! That's a good looking rig. I wonder why they painted over the Chief Emblem. There are lots of friendly folks on this board. Don't be shy about asking questions.

Oh, and I love the Firebird!
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
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CBJoe
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by CBJoe »

will e wrote: Mon Feb 28, 2022 5:46 am Welcome from Phoenix! That's a good looking rig. I wonder why they painted over the Chief Emblem. There are lots of friendly folks on this board. Don't be shy about asking questions.

Oh, and I love the Firebird!
Thanks :) Soon our only 2 vehicles (besides my motorcycles) will be the Firebird and the Chief. Should be fun...I work from home so our vehicles dont get a ton of miles.

I think they were going for that battle wagon look with the flat paint and the black rims. Gonna leave it for now and focus on all the other mechanicals.

Joe
1976 Cherokee Chief / Stock Q-Trac, Stock 360

MHWagoneer
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by MHWagoneer »

That's a really nice Chief you've got there! I also love the Firebird!
Hmmmm.....makes me think....Ram Air on a Cherokee Chief!
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2nd Day
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by 2nd Day »

Welcome, looks very solid!

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The PIG Smith
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by The PIG Smith »

Welcome from Fort Wayne!!
Nice rig!
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
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1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
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IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001
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CBJoe
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Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by CBJoe »

Finally camping in the jeep...we'll see if my wife still wants to jeep camp in the morning Image
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1976 Cherokee Chief / Stock Q-Trac, Stock 360
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by Yeller »

Nice to see it getting used 😎

Looking forward to the report 😂
The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

1970 J2500 Resto Mod
https://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewt ... 12&t=21395

1974 Bronco “Broncno”
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threa ... st-3411909

Theodore
Posts: 377
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Location: East Tennessee

Re: My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana

Post by Theodore »

Greetings from East Tennessee!

Very nice Chief - like the gray/black color scheme.
1990 Grand Wagoneer - "Theodore" - AMC 360, fuel-injected, TF727, NP229 - Sand Metallic - restoring to stock - Build Thread
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