1977 Jeep Cherokee 4-Door, NO RESERVE, Owned Since 1985, Very Original FSJ

1977 Jeep Cherokee

196,386 miles

The Story:

Dad bought this Jeep from Galloway Motors AMC/Jeep in December 1985. It had 74,725 miles. He was a realtor, and liked to sell vacant land that was often on dirt roads. The Jeep salesman told my Dad that an ‘old lady’ from Green Valley (a small retirement community south of Tucson), had traded the Jeep in. We didn’t believe that story until a high school friend told us the Jeep used to be his Grandmother’s. Galloway Motors told my Dad that they swapped the white steel wheels onto the Jeep. My guess is that an employee wanted the factory wheels. When Dad bought it, it already had the ‘Mile Marker' type part-time 4WD conversion, with the Warn locking hubs.

The current clean Arizona title was issued in 1989, when Dad paid off the loan.

Dad only put it in 4WD a few times during his real estate years. The Jeep was Dad’s main vehicle until 1994, and it has been my Mom and Dad’s second vehicle since Dad retired in 1999. Dad always wanted to keep the Jeep usable, so Mom could always have their main car to use. Dad rarely drives now, so I’m selling the Jeep for him. Dad only put 27,000 miles on it in the last 25 years. Dad wants the new owner to know what they’re getting, so here’s everything we know.

Exterior:

The Jeep always sat outside, so the paint is starting to show its age. The paint is getting thin in places, especially on the horizontal surfaces.

As you would expect from an Arizona vehicle, it is virtually rust free. There isa rust spot on the right quarter panel, and a rust spot on the edge of the right wheel opening.

When I removed the bumper jack to clean it up for selling, I found the jack parts were stored in a fabric bag. The bag was held against the quarter panel in one spot, and kept moisture there. Over the years it rusted through the quarter panel. The rust spot on the edge of the wheel opening looks like the usual wheel opening problems that can be found on Full Size Jeeps. This spot developed over 33 years of Dad’s ownership, and has not been cleaned up.

Please review the detailed pictures of both rear quarters. The picturesshow the quarter panel, wheel well, underside, and the inside of the quarter panel.

The rear lip of the left rear wheel well looks to have a thin coating of white body filler. This must have been done before Dad bought the Jeep in 1985. See the detailed pictures.

The top of the rear wheel lips were rolled / bent in. I assume this was done tofitthe wider tires.

Dad replaced the marker lights in 2014.

No one knows when the dent on the very top of the left quarter happened.

Glass and Windows:

The windshield and weatherstrip were last replaced in 1997, at 185,000 miles. The tail gate power window works as intended.

The wing windows work fine. The door windows work fine too, but rattle from the aged seals.

The driver's wiper arm broke, so I replaced it with the passenger wiper arm.

Interior:

Dad had the seats recovered in cloth and vinyl in 1993, at about 169k miles. Dad never got the windows tinted, so the seats have not done well in the Arizona sun.

The carpet is original, and is very worn, especially in the cargo area.

The fuel gage has not worked for many years – Dad tracked fuel usage with the odometer.

We replaced the ignition lock cylinder and tightened up the tilt column in 2003, at 189,179 miles. The ignition key is different from the door key. I broke the column gear indicator while working on the column. The parts are included.

The JVC stereo was a Christmas gift to Dad in 1992. It works, but doesn’t sound very good.

Mechanical:

The Jeep has always had to pass emissions to be registered in Tucson. Dad had a local shop tune it up for emissions in 2014.

I took it for a 25 mile drive a few weeks ago, and it ran great. It was hard to start after sitting for several weeks – in part due to old gas.

It starts normally if driven every couple of weeks. I’ve topped her off with new gas.

The engine and transmission both leak, but work fine.

The 4WD system works – Dad relocated the vacuum switch to a metal bracket after the cardboard glovebox liner fell apart.

The air conditioning works, but quit blowing cold a few years ago. Dad did have the compressor replaced back in 1996.

The front wheels bearings, seals, and brake pads were replaced March 2006, at 192,310 miles.

We replaced the flex plate, rear main seal, and the oil pan gasket in 1993.

We replaced the three brake hoses in 2003. When we replaced the right front brake hose, the flare nut would not come loose, so we twisted the hard line.

We installed a new flare nut and put a new double flare on the line end.

We replaced the fuel pump in 2015.

We replaced the power steering pump and hoses in 2003.

Lots of normal maintenance done over the years: fluids, radiator repairs, brakes, u-joints, etc.

Tires:

The tires were installed in June 2015, and only have about 150 miles on them. I don’t see any cracks in the rubber. The spare was bought in March 2006, and has sat covered in the cargo area since. I put a new valve stem on the spare three weeks ago.

Miscellaneous:

I had turbo style mufflers installed at a local exhaust shop in 2003.

The alternator and voltage regulator were replaced in 2002, at 188,499 miles.

During Dad’s test drive in 1985, the left motor mount broke, and the fan broke the fan shroud and threw a piece into the hood. That is the reason for the unpainted bump on the left front of the hood. Galloway Motors replaced the mount. Dad wired the fan shroud back together and it’s still that way now.

Dad wants to keep the Century 21 license plate - it’s sentimental.

Payment, Shipping, Storage, Etc.

This Jeep is as-is and where-is, and comes with no warranty. Please ask any questions you have.

I reserve the right to end the auction at any time.

Buyer is responsible for all shipping arrangements and costs.

I will accommodate reasonable transaction needs – see my EBAY feedback for confidence in this.

Buyer is responsible for a $500 non-refundable deposit due within 48 hours of auction end.

Full payment is due within seven days of auction end. Vehicle will not be released until full payment is made.

The Jeep will be stored in my garage, in east Tucson, until picked up.

I can store the Jeep for a reasonable amount of time after auction end (up to 14 days) while setting up unique shipping or pickup arrangements.

If you need to make other payment, storage, or shipping arrangements, please contact me before auction end.

Thanks For Looking!!

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