'78 Cherokee Chief

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CJ7Pilot
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Joined: Sun May 21, 2023 12:59 pm
Location: Marysville, California

'78 Cherokee Chief

Post by CJ7Pilot »

Hello all,

I recently picked up the '78 Chief, and am getting to know it. I've had a few CJs, and an XJ, but this is my fist FSJ.

It's got a 360(w/Howell FI), Turbo 400, Quadratrac (w/MileMarker conversion), low range, and factory optional 4.09:1 axle gearing.

All-in-all, it's in pretty good shape. There are a few glitches to address though, so I'll be asking some questions in the tech fourm.

Here are some photos:
Last edited by CJ7Pilot on Tue May 30, 2023 2:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Now I must hurry on... for there they go, and I am their leader!

'78 Cherokee Chief
'82 Scrambler
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CJ7Pilot
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Joined: Sun May 21, 2023 12:59 pm
Location: Marysville, California

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by CJ7Pilot »

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Now I must hurry on... for there they go, and I am their leader!

'78 Cherokee Chief
'82 Scrambler
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Topic author
CJ7Pilot
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun May 21, 2023 12:59 pm
Location: Marysville, California

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by CJ7Pilot »

black 3.jpg
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Now I must hurry on... for there they go, and I am their leader!

'78 Cherokee Chief
'82 Scrambler
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Topic author
CJ7Pilot
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun May 21, 2023 12:59 pm
Location: Marysville, California

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by CJ7Pilot »

black 4.jpg
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Thanks, and have a great day!
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Now I must hurry on... for there they go, and I am their leader!

'78 Cherokee Chief
'82 Scrambler
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tgreese
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Location: Medford MA USA

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by tgreese »

Wow, 4.09s. I thought those were only available with the 258.

Looking at the TSM, only available with a 360 in the model 17 or the J-trucks. Very cool! :-bd 8-) :ugeek:
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
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Yeller
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Location: Rogers County Oklahoma

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by Yeller »

Nice truck!!! Welcome aboard! 😊
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
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Stuka
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Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by Stuka »

Really nice Cherokee!
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

donniesoup
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Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by donniesoup »

Nice looking and sharp interior!

sierrablue
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Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by sierrablue »

Looks good! Those wheels are awesome--looks like a 6x5.5 version of those cool XJ wheels with the round holes.

Bet those seats feel good if you're wearing shorts and it's been sitting in the beating sun :lol:
'71 Wagoneer (DD)
-B350 (HEI, iron 4-barrel, Edelbrock 1406), TH400, D20
-'74 D44 front (nonpower discs)
-custom headliner
-Front shoulder belts (rears eventually)

viewtopic.php?t=23070

There are 2 major differences between new Wranglers and FSJs. FSJs are meant to be both utilitarian and capable, not just capable. FSJs are also rarely initially recognized as Jeeps by the average American.
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CJ7Pilot
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Joined: Sun May 21, 2023 12:59 pm
Location: Marysville, California

Re: '78 Cherokee Chief

Post by CJ7Pilot »

Thank you! I like the wheels, too... but if I found the right set of original slot mags, I could see swapping them out. ;)

The upholstery is nice, but you're right, it get hot!

The front seats themselves are interesting. They're out of a '63-ish Lincoln Continental, and they're bolted in with a non-adjustable home-made bracket. Fortunately, whoever did it was long-legged like me, so I can actually drive the thing. Unfortunately, the back seat is pretty inaccessible if the front seats don't slide forward.

One of my next projects will be to pull the front seats out, see if they still have motors (the switches are there), and try to get them working again. If I can't, I may be on the hunt for OEM seats.... :banghead:
Now I must hurry on... for there they go, and I am their leader!

'78 Cherokee Chief
'82 Scrambler
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