This 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief “S” is a nicely presented driver-slash-survivor, hovering somewhere between those two categories. The truck has been painted once since new and has been with the current caretaker since 1987 who purchased it off the second owner. The Cherokee is said to run and drive well with some minor sorting needed to be a trouble-free daily driver. The two-door models are generally the ones people want, and while this example doesn’t sport the sexiest colors, the must-have decal kit looks to be in great shape. Find the Cherokee Chief here on craigslist with an asking price of $32,000.
The Cherokee is listed on behalf of the owner by a third party who seems to know the present caretaker. The listing mentions this isn’t the only vehicle up for grabs, as the owner also has a 1987 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 with 19k original miles and a 1979 MG MGB convertible. The Cherokee Chief is also a low mileage specimen with under 60,000 on the clock. The S trim is the more desirable spec of the two-door trucks, and this one looks tough with its wagon wheels and fender flares. The chrome bumpers present well and while we don’t know the quality of the respray, it looks good in photos.
The red interior with light gray striped upholstery is in excellent condition as well, and it wouldn’t surprise me to learn it’s been redone previously. The seller notes it is clean with no rips and that you’ll find the original books and manuals in the glovebox. With the side windows slid open and the back tailgate window down, this is an incredibly airy cabin; it’s really too bad we don’t make trucks like this anymore. Despite being a two-door, the Cherokee Chief has plenty of room for your friends and family, or just a couple of hunting dogs. No word if it has air conditioning or if it works.
The gauges are clear and the instrument cluster surround is in fine shape; the same goes for the (huge) original steering wheel. The Cherokee Chief has always been a desirable truck, but they’re not immune to rust or simply being abused for their off-road prowess. The seller’s truck definitely strikes me as one of the more honest examples we’ve seen, but the asking price is more often associated with the best of the best. The description does acknowledge that it has flaws, including some carb issues, so I’m hoping there’s room for negotiation – but I don’t see this seller coming off the asking price by very much.
For 32000 ? You sure can buy alot of different cars for that kind of money. Definitely not my first choice. And sought after butt ugly interior? No! And then to top it off it needs work. You should go fishing instead of selling cars. The tall tail to tell.
They look like Mexican blanket style covers, albeit custom fitted. I wonder what’s underneath?
I always get a chuckle out of seeing the Hornet gauges and knobs in these. (AMC was master at getting the most possible out of its parts bin.)
Quality Cherokees of this era are very fashionable in the Hamptons and Cape Cod. If the condition on this one is good enough, the seller could get another $10K if it was for sale in East Hampton or Hyannis.
Agree…Many spots on the Eastern seaboard would snap this up Ken.
90% of “carb” problems are ignition related. Old times should remember that one. Start with fuel filter first then plugs, wire, and so on. Bet ya it’s fixed before you reach the carburetor.
And, the AMC V8s were susceptible to timing fluctuation caused by camshaft sprocket, timing chain and distributor drive gear wear. It wouldn’t hurt to replace those (and the crank sprocket) just to be on the safe side.
No different than a Ford or Buick set up dude DING DING DING try again
But for $32K, I don’t expect to have to do ANY of that stuff!….
That vintage Cherokee usually had another companies engine n drivetrain. My dad had a 79 Cherokee Chief that had a junky Ford 360 v8 hooked to a GM drive line. Along with that goofy 4WD system where you twisted a knob in back of glove box.
The body n interior was nice though, it had black interior with yellow paint with black stripe. Was not good at all on snow.
My sons Jeep Gladiator was a lot better, it had 390 Ford engine with truck 4 speed trans and Warn hubs.
They should have put a GM 350 in the Cherokee with standard 4 WD.