Hello From a Previous Owner

[stratman]

Hi all,
I owned a 1977 Cherokee Chief for nearly 30 years. It was built and ran well but I sold it in 2010. I've started looking for another but so far, haven't found anything that didn't require a frame off restoration. I currently have a mildly built 2002 Tundra extended cab and recently acquired a 2018 AMG E63s wagon. Both great cars but I truly miss that Jeep out of all the cars I have owned. Anyway, I used to post a bit and did a lot of the work on my Jeep myself which was fun back in the day. If anyone knows of a good Wagoneer or Cherokee that isn't too beat down for a decent price please let me know.

[rang-a-stang]

Welcome back!

Here's what I see on Craigslist around here (SoCal), recently. If you want a decent deal on a driver, be ready with at least $4k in cash. They pop up occasionally for a good deal like that but you have to act fast. 95% of FSJs that show up on CL around here either failed smog miserably, have huge DMV backed fees (from a failed smog years ago), or the previous owner is not willing to get it smogged so when one is smog ready, it's price is relatively high.

My definition of a decent driver: smog legal (with either a current smog check in the last 60 days or the buyer smogs), current registration or Planned non-op, complete (windows, doors, transfer case, A/C, etc), interior does not wreak of smoke, pee, rodents, or mildew, fluid leaks are a few drips per night or less, wiring (both under dash and under hood) are not rats nests, and it comes with a a key that works. I think a rig like that is worth about $4k around here. It may have some rust in the rear quarters or rockers, driver seat is usually pretty torn up and the A/C rarely works at that price though (WTs rear flares are pretty much ALWAYS rusted so expect that). G-wags usually have power window and door lock issues so expect that.

The best deals I see are usually on G-Wags. They are usually priced in the stratosphere but occasionally a decent one shows up for a decent price. Cherokees and J trucks show up and are hit or miss. Smog is the killer around here but we see ALOT less rust than others.