Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

What Was It Used For? 1974 Jeep Cherokee

They don’t come much cleaner than this! You have to wonder what the heck it was used for–it sure doesn’t show much wear! That’s the original Omaha Orange paint you see! It’s also amazing that it’s being sold in a no reserve auction here on eBay, where bidding is currently $7,100. The Jeep is located in Clackamas, Oregon, and there are 76 pictures of it in the auction that look every bit as nice as this one.

Wow.  It looks like a promo picture for the 1974 Jeep brochure, doesn’t it? The aggressive tires help too, don’t they! I can’t get over how clean and original appearing this early SUV is. Yes, those are original wheel covers too.

It’s not an accident that this is one of the longest continuous stretch a body shell has been in production in the United States.  The clean styling and rugged good looks meant that the basic shell was in production from 1963 to 1991. This Cherokee represents a reintroduction of the two door model that took place in 1974, so this is actually a “first year” model.

The underside of this Jeep looks every bit as good as the top side, and also reflects some work done with a spray can. However, the simple lack of corrosion and recent maintenance (like the new fuel filler hose) have me very enthusiastic about this Jeep.

The interior looks every bit as good as the outside of the car. The paint on the latch has me wondering about original paint, but with it looking as nice as it does I don’t think I’m going to worry about it.  In case you can’t guess, I really like this Jeep. Really like it.

Here’s a distant view of the factory 360 V8. This was still the AMC engine at this point. Naturally, it runs well, the four speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and is said to have ZERO rust. I don’t know what this one will end up going for, but I don’t think you’re going to find a better one. Do you agree?

Comments

  1. Avatar DrinkinGasoline

    I know what I would use it for….My daily driving pleasure !!
    Loved this body style.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar JW

    The color and being a 2 door really sets this apart from others. To me it looks to have been restored with new paint and interior work but it still looks darn nice and I wouldn’t mind this in my driveway.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar dirtyharry

    Nice Cherokee. However, when you lift a truck with blocks, it is a good idea to extend the brake lines. The rear line on this is now stretched so tight it will pull off on the first speed bump, let alone off road. Original Paint? Not a chance. 40 plus years without even a door ding? In fact, I see a little bit of overspray here and there and underneath, rust in the door sill. Nothing beats a good eyeball in person and it still a rare day to find one of these with much life left. I am sure the seller is thrilled.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      That stretched rear brake hose is comical!

      Like 0
    • Avatar David W Member

      I do like this truck, but it amazes me that people continue to spend huge amounts of money on cars they have not seen in person. The ad for this Jeep states definitively that this truck’s paint is original, no rust, etc. etc. “No Mods, Never Restored And All Original.” If it plainly has an aftermarket lift kit, how can you believe the other claims in the ad? With 10 hours left in the auction, the bidding is up to $14,600, so someone out there is going to spend a ton of money on this vehicle. Maybe that person will be thrilled with his or her purchase. But knowing that every seller will gild the pig to some extent, forget to mention the flaws and problems they know about, or perhaps simply don’t even realize are present, I just can’t see taking a chance like this. But there must be enough people who feel differently, as eBay is doing quite well. I would be a local buyer only, and even then, any car I buy would be inspected by a professional I trust. To each his own, no doubt.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Dave Member

    I saw that brake hose too. We did a lift kit on a customer’s 4Runner and had to address that little issue. As much off-roading as our customer does, it was the thing to do.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar JamestownMike

    LOVE the 2 doors! Very nice rig!…….$14,600 nice??……..sorry I don’t see it!

    I have a problem with, “Undercarriage Is In Great Condition With Zero Rust”. It IS in great condition for a 74 Jeep but it’s far from “ZERO RUST”! Last time I checked, zero rust means just that, zero rust! It has surface rust all over underneath and looks like some rocker panel rust…….guess that doesn’t count.

    OBVIOUSLY it isn’t all original and unrestored. The 2″ block lift and longer shocks aren’t original. The person that did the undercarriage and interior floor trim black rattle can paintwork should be shot!

    Like 1
    • Avatar CJay

      I saw the spray painted (or undercoated) floor boards also. To me this looks like a pop riveted patch. This photo is from the Ebay ad.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Steven

    That’s not a Barn Find , but a daily driver or once in awhile.. Awesome Jeep

    Like 0
  7. Avatar CCFisher

    Also featured on BAT, where the commenters have done a pretty thorough job of debunking many of the seller’s originality claims.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      What did it bring on BAT (Bring A Trailer)?

      Like 0
    • Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

      Yep…SO many things wrong with this truck that make you wonder whether the seller is legit or not.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar John M.

    Way better than the Cherokee that was recovered from the garage that was covered over for decades by a sand dune at the beach that was shown here a couple of weeks back.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      LOL! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than that one!

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Steven

    Well I’m not one to bid online auctions, if you can’t see it in person up close then back away.. American Auctions in Florida has a very nice original Jeep Wagoneer going across the auction block in a few weeks..

    Like 0
  10. Avatar leiniedude Member

    And after all those years. No radio. Having issues commenting lately.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Steven

    68 Jeep Wagoneer 4×4 for sale at American Auctions coming up..

    Like 0
    • Avatar AMXSTEVE

      UGH that’s a 4 door man, not the same. Even if it has been restored that’s the going price for a clean Chief.

      The seller didn’t have to lie to get what hes asking.

      Like 0
  12. HoA Howard A Member

    Pretty sharp, you guys noticed that brake line. I thought something looked different about how this truck sat, and the new U bolts. I’m surprised that hasn’t torn off by now. I agree, this truck has had the once over, but it is a sharp truck. I had terrible luck with my ’78 Cherokee, I’d never buy one again.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Steven

    I knew I was right that this Jeep used to be Factory Blue and White in Color, anyone who is a good in restoration would have strip it down to repaint..

    Like 0
  14. Avatar bob S

    Factory paint still on tail pipe. Impressive. I do like the vehicle though.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JK

      Good call. Probably was just painted yesterday.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar johnj

    This Jeep may be solid compared to most, especially what you would find here in the North East. But the spray paint, pop riveted in tin and the false claims of originality are just a shame.The seller is trying to make what would probably be a decent project truck look like more than it is, and the new owner will pay the price. A little honesty could have gone a long way with this one, maybe even attracted more bidders and it still would bring decent money.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Rustytech Member

    Yea it’s definitely had some work done. Lift blocks look brand new, nice catch dirtyharry, that brake hose looks down right dangerous. Love Jeeps, and this one definitely has potential, but there are some issues to be worked out here.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    Sorry to be cruel, but the color reminds me of the term, Lipstick on a pig.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar JK

    Can someone explain the issue with the lift block (?) and the brake line? What is it supposed to look like?

    Like 0
    • Avatar CJay

      The issue (as I take ) with the lift block is the ad says “Stock” lift blocks were added , therefore it is no longer stock.
      The problem with the brake line circled in dirtyharry’s photo is that it is at it’s maximum length. If the line is to be stretched any further as the rear suspension drops it could tear apart causing brake failure.
      When suspension blocks or spring height changes are made the flexible brake line must be (made longer) altered accordingly.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Chris

      JK, the flexible brake hose is tight because of the lift blocks installed between the axle and leaf springs. The flexible hose is attached above to the mount on the frame cross bar to the three-way fitting on the axle. By adding in those blocks there is no more slack in the brake line and the first good bump in the road where the axle drops even the slightest will snap the hose. Normally there would be a couple inches of slack in the brake line so instead of looking straight up and down like this one does the hose would have more of a nice “S” shape.

      Like 0
  19. Avatar Steven

    Just come think all it is a Jeep Wagoneer

    Like 0
  20. Avatar BRAKTRCR

    I had one briefly. Helped a friend out that needed some cash. Sold it after a month or so, it sure did rattle. It was fun to drive v8 with a 4 speed. Was it a 360 engine?

    Like 0
    • Avatar BRAKTRCR

      Miss the friend, more than the vehicle

      Like 0
  21. HoA Howard A Member

    I heard, raising the suspension increases the chance of “death wobble” considerably.

    Like 0
    • Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

      That it can. Also, if you’re going to ask serious money for a lifted Jeep…do it right. Use springs, not junkarze blocks.

      Like 0
  22. Avatar Rob from Texas

    Misrepresented with very poor grammar, spelling and punctuation. Good job seller.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ikey Heyman Member

      The reason for poor grammar, etc. in many ads is that very few English majors decide to get into flipping cars – or so it seems.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steven

      Rob do you think you can do any better, lol 😁 as plain fact is they are given brf details on it.. They could be posting it in some other languages..

      Like 0
  23. Avatar leiniedude Member

    It seems like a lot of cash to me, but she sold for $17,950.00 with 65 bids.

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to JamestownMike Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.