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I am in the market for an older Jeep Cherokee Chief and may have a chance to get a 1983 360 V8 model. I am, though, more familiar with the older Cherokee Chiefs (pre-1980s) and have read on the slight differences in engines regarding torque and horsepower, as well as change from Quadra-trac to Selec-trac.
For any Jeep I get, I would like either the 360 or 401 V8, with the 360 V8 seeming to be more realistic find. I was curious if the 1983 Cherokee Chief with a 360 V8 can reliably handle what an earlier (1976-1979) Cherokee Chief could?
For me, I am most interested in using a Cherokee Chief as a hauler, daily driver (even freeways), and occasionally camping. However, I was recently introduced to the Florida Jeeptoberfest which looks like a lot of fun, thus will the 1983 360 V8 be able to handle all these activities (hauling, camping, daily driving) and the "hills" and mud that are in the Jeeptoberfest event? Here is a nice view of the event:
Just out of curiosity, but could I get a 360 v* and then one day install a 401 V8 if I can find the engine stand alone?
Yes, all the AMC engines of that vintage (304/360/401) share the same block and will interchange. The 401 of course is the "holy grail" of AMC V8s. Difficult to find now, the last year for the 401 was 1977. The 360 is a good motor though and can be built up to produce good power. (I have an old AMC station wagon with the 360 and even in stock form it scoots along just fine.)
Yes, all the AMC engines of that vintage (304/360/401) share the same block and will interchange. The 401 of course is the "holy grail" of AMC V8s. Difficult to find now, the last year for the 401 was 1977. The 360 is a good motor though and can be built up to produce good power. (I have an old AMC station wagon with the 360 and even in stock form it scoots along just fine.)
Nice! I actually did find a 1978 Jeep Cherokee (not a Chief wide tract) for sale with a 401 in my price range but at some point in the truck's life the top of the truck had apparently been cut off and then reattached with sealant and rivets! Curious...
Nice! I actually did find a 1978 Jeep Cherokee (not a Chief wide tract) for sale with a 401 in my price range but at some point in the truck's life the top of the truck had apparently been cut off and then reattached with sealant and rivets! Curious...
Sounds like a pretty rough vehicle! Depending on price might have been worth it just to get the 401. As I said they are difficult to find these days and even rebuildable cores generally command a premium price. Aside from the increased displacement, there is additional webbing in the bottom end of the block for increased strength, and forged crank and rods are utilized.
(And I stand corrected, 1979 was the last year for the 401.)
If I recall correctly they were asking $3500 and the truck itself seemed decent, albeit in need of a paint job. I do admit that the thought of how much the engine itself would be worth crossed my mind. Yet for me I can only afford to buy one truck and living in rainy Florida I was not sure a truck that had its top cut off was a good idea.
The early Cherokees in good condition go for pretty high $$$ - here's a 1975 model currently on eBay that has not reached reserve with bidding at over $9000:
07-04-2017, 08:43 AM
1983 Jeep Cherokee Toughness
