Jeep Cherokee CHIEF (1976)
for sale
Price: US $2,500.00
Price: US $2,500.00
1976 JEEP CHEROKEE CHIEF S
No reserve, this rig needs a new home!
Previous total restoration in which the builder
meticulously chronicled with pictures and diary entries online
at the International Fullsize Jeep Association (IFSJA) Forum, his handle is:
“Sappy 76” I have copied all of his entries into a single word document, which
is available upon request via email. I
also copied all of the photos which documented the extensive restoration.
-OR-
you could use this link to visit the forum yourself:
here
In
2014 I bought this rig from a collector in San Antonio, TX which goes by the
eBay username, “texastimemachine” As
far back as I could tell, this Chief came out of California 10-15 years ago
with a short stay in Michigan. The truck had a Texas title and now has a
Florida title, which I have in hand. At
the time of purchase, I was told the builder had in excess of $25k invested.
Since
I’ve owned the Chief I’ve invested about $4k in bodywork, parts, electrical repair, rebuilt the Hydroboost, replaced power steering pump, master cylinder, added Bilstein shocks, tune up (plugs, wires, distributor cap, and K&N air filter), alloy rims, & new tires. The
odometer reads 18, 081 – which I believe to be the accurate mileage since
rebuild as chronicled online at IFSJA.
This
Chief is turn-key, its ready to drive right now. Its mechanically sound, runs VERY strong, and doesn’t
burn or leak oil. Not sure what it's rated to pull, but it seems like it could yank the slab out from under my house. The wiring harness was
replaced with a new ‘79 Cherokee harness eliminating the glass tubes for modern
fuses. The interior is in excellent condition
with new carpet, aftermarket front bucket seats and center console. Take a
close look at the attached photo’s, note the barely visible penny; tires are
nearly new. The 5” lift is tasteful and not over the top – it looks great and
handles well. Every time I go down the road I get thumbs up, waives, and
questions at the gas station – everyone loves it.
- Highly desirable “Rhino Grille / Gladiator” front clip
-
Highly desirable 401 (from ’83 Cherokee) bored 0.030 over, Keith Black pistons, Comp cam, & Hedman Headers
- Automatic GM TH400 with Quadratrac 4wd
- Edelbrock aluminum intake
-
Power Windows & Locks (all work including rear tailgate)
-
Power Steering
-
Factory A/C
-
Dana axles out of J20; Front HD44 and Rear D60 w/
3.73 gearing
- Brakes: 4 wheel ¾ ton discs w/ hydroboost (stops on a dime)
- LED Tail lights
- LED curved light bar on
top
- Alarm w/ 2 FOBs
- CD Player w/ amp & remote
- CB
- Aftermarket 35gal fuel
tank
- Aftermarket (winch
compatible) modified Cliffhanger front bumper
- Aftermarket chrome Nerf Bars
- Aftermarket rollbar inside
- Aftermarket steel rear bumper with swing open spare carrier and
LED back up lights
- Roof rack; 5’x7’ Con-Ferr with steel mesh welded platform
- Smittybilt 54” Trail Jack (winch / lift / pull up
to 7k)
- Class III Hitch
- New gauge cluster (at time of rebuild)
- Auxiliary electric oil pressure gauge
- HD Alternator
- Moto Metal 17x9 alloy wheels with Cooper Discovery R/T-3 tires
As
you will see when reading the builder’s well detailed log – this was his daily
driver - unfortunately he lived in Michigan. Upon completion of the
restoration, the builder entered it in a car show. Although it’s never been a “Trailer Queen” this
Chief has been and retains the potential to again be show quality. I encourage you to take a few minutes and research the cost of the components the builder used: try not to swallow your tongue...
Paint is
bubbling and rust issues should be addressed to preserve this awesome truck of
a bygone era. I have purchased many hard to find body parts (pictured & included in sale) that you can have replaced prior to paint:
- L & R Widetrack
front fenders (fiberglass)
- L & R lower door panels
- L & R rocker
panels
- Tailgate (lower) panel
- Also
included is weather stripping for the passenger door and the sweeps for the
window channels in the tailgate and passenger door. All parts are new.
The Cliffhanger front bumper is setup for a winch (I removed the Harbor
Freight 12.5k winch shortly after buying it & have been trying to get a
Warn for Christmas but Santa hasn’t complied yet…) The air pressure gauges
& electric pump are intact & working should you decide to switch back
to air shocks from the Bilsteins I installed. The LED light bar was inadvertently
dis-connected at the last trip to the mechanic and 1 of the Bosch fog lights is
burned out. It’s starting to shift a little rough and the front end is getting
a little loose and will need ball joints soon. These are all very addressable
issues and not out of the ordinary for a 40-year-old vehicle. I am very saddened to sell my Chief; however, I can no longer work on or enjoy her due to a traumatic back injury.
Additional
info: the builder installed a DVD player with dual 9” monitors (built into the back
of each headrest), 2 accompanying headsets and game controllers are
included - all of this A/V gear is intact. Shortly after buying the truck, the battery was running down overnight
so I disconnected power to the A/V system and have never tried to address since. It may be an easy fix, especially if you’ve got kids to entertain – and the A/V may help justify the purchase when negotiating with your wife –
Good luck
men!
If
you’ve got questions, don’t hesitate to call, text, or email Kevin at (724)
877-0445 between 8am-8pm EST or anytime at kwm1970@gmail.com.
PAYMENT
AND STORAGE
A
$500 deposit is required from the winning bidder, due electronically via PayPal
within 24 hours after the auction ends, to hold the vehicle. I do not accept Paypal for payments over
$500 - deposits only. I will not be accepting trades. Respectfully, please bid responsibly by having any required financing in place before
committing to purchase the vehicle as full payment is due within 7 days of
auction end via cash or certified bank check (drawn on a major US bank). I can hold the vehicle for no more than 2
weeks at no charge to the winning bidder after the auction (the charge is
$20 per day thereafter unless another arrangement is made). I apologize
in advance, but bidders with zero feedback will have their bids canceled, no
matter what the amount, unless you contact me in advance of bidding. Bidders outside North America (anywhere other
than the US, Canada, or Mexico “mainland”) are welcome to bid, but also must
phone me before bidding.
update: 2016-10-15
Condition: | Used | Year: | 1976 |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | J6M16MP078308 | Mileage: | 18,081 |
Number of Cylinders: | 8 | Make: | Jeep |
Transmission: | Automatic | Model: | Cherokee |
Body Type: | TWO-DOOR | Trim: | CHIEF |
Warranty: | Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty | Engine: | 401 bored .030 over w/ high comp pistons & cam |
Vehicle Title: | Clear | Drive Type: | FOUR WHEEL DRIVE |
Options: | 4-Wheel Drive | Power Options: | Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows |
Sub Model: | CHEROKEE CHIEF | Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Exterior Color: | Red | For Sale By: | Private Seller |
Interior Color: | Black | Disability Equipped: | No |