This Retro-Cool ’79 Jeep Cherokee Chief Has Crazy Doors and a Stock Powerplant
SUV / CUV
Classics
American
In 1974, the Jeep Cherokee won MotorTrend’s first-ever Four Wheeler of the Year - opens in new window or tab. award. The honor firmly established the full-size SUV as one of the coolest, most capable rigs on the road. Case in point, consider the 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief recently sold on eBay.
The restomod retains many stock components but offers delightful surprises to elevate this blue beauty above the average SJ Cherokee.
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While the Wagoneer was billed as the SUV for adult buyers, Jeep used the Cherokee to target younger, adventurous owners. The Cherokee Chief trim emerged in 1976 with extra off-road capabilities, including wider Dana 44 axles - opens in new window or tab. and room for larger tires.
Easy Entry
There was a drawback with the wide-track Jeep Cherokee Chief: It was only available as a two-door model. The solution for an industrious builder is obvious—fabricate a set of rear doors. And while you’re at it, you might as well make them suicide doors. Go big or go home.
The rear door is more like what we see in extended cab pickups, so passengers need to squeeze in to reach the two rear bucket seats, which are elevated to grant passengers a good view of the road ahead.
By 1979, Jeep buyers could get an inline 6-cylinder engine or a 5.9-liter V-8—one with a two-barrel carburetor and the other with a four-barrel. The Jeep Cherokee Chief on eBay still has the stock powerplant under the hood, a restored V-8 pushing out 175 horsepower. An LS swap - opens in new window or tab. is seldom a wrong choice, but this Chief’s 360 cubic-inch V-8 - opens in new window or tab. has a special charm.
Beauty in Blue
The cosmetic restoration looks excellent, with a custom leather interior featuring quilted seats and door panels. The beautiful wood panels in the cargo area are now adorned with upgraded LED lighting. An Alpine stereo system - opens in new window or tab. with Kicker speakers - opens in new window or tab. pumps out the tunes.
Taking advantage of those wider fenders, this Chief is outfitted with 17-inch American Racing wheels - opens in new window or tab. wrapped in 33-inch Nitto Grappler - opens in new window or tab. tires.
Garage Queen No Longer
The seller states that the rig runs well but is mainly used for car shows. It has a Buy-It-Now price of $75,000. But its precious market value wouldn’t stop us from enthusiastic wheeling.
Moab would be a great place for this restomod. First on our list would be Fins and Things, a moderate trail that weaves its way through dunes cemented into sandstone 200 million years ago. Afterward, we’d join the big boys and girls on Hell’s Revenge.
There are plenty of advanced obstacles on this trail, but if you feel intimidated, it’s easy to go around. We’d find a vantage point to watch the modified rigs take on Hell’s Gate, Mickey’s Hot Tub, or the Escalator—all guaranteed to get your heart pumping, even as a spectator. Then, for a fantastic photo opp, we’d take this four-wheeler on Seven Mile Rim to get a snap at Merrimac and Monitor Buttes. Set against the red rocks of Moab, the Jeep Cherokee Chief’s rich blue paint would look amazing.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.