My new '76 Chief - Hello from Indiana
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:11 am
Figured I'd post here as an introduction to the forum as I finally snagged a '76 Cherokee Chief.
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
- 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
Cheers, Joe
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
- 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
Cheers, Joe
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.
