what kind of motor and transmission was the 1977 cherokee chief equipped with?
What size motor and what kind of transmission was the 1977 cherokee chief jeep equiped with originally?
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1977 Jeep Cherokee Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1977 Jeep Cherokee was the first of this model line to offer a four-door, as well as a two-door, version. As Jeep's Wagoneer got more and more suburban, the folks at AMC decided to take the Cherokee in a different direction; the '77 Cherokee was marketed as an outdoorsy, sporty, four-wheeling off-road utility vehicle.
With this as its inspiration, the 1977 Cherokee was pretty bare-bones in terms of interior comforts. The Cherokee Chief package offered some performance extras like power steering, as well as some plusher decor details. But many buyers liked the '77 Jeep Cherokee's no-frills ethos.
Another selling point was the Cherokee's torque and power. The 1977 Cherokee shipped with a 258 cubic inch, 4.2 liter AMC inline-6 engine. Drivers looking for more power could upgrade to a choice of two V-8 mills: either a 360 cubic inch, 5.9 liter or a 401 cubic inch, 6.6 liter plant clocked at 280 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1977 Jeep Cherokee
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by Tyler E
Feb 06, 2010
Well, it a 1977 thats been sitting for 15 years....duh it needs repairs. But after 15 years, I spent $30 and the 360 V8 fired right up. True American made. It is in very good shape for 15 years, and with a Warner T-18 4 speed, it is quite rare.Feb 06, 2010
by Anonymous
Sep 27, 2007
AMC Electronic Ignition unreliable, switched to Ford system that was used I believe starting 1978 to resolve that, but hard to deal with the rust. Don't know where AMC was sourcing their steel, or perhaps the fact that the paint didn't adhere well and bare metal on underside of body panels. But an awesome drivetrain when it is running, and I love the looks, definitely stands out from the crowd, especially with 4" lift and 33" tires. Sep 27, 2007
by Anonymous
Jun 12, 2007
it is a great truck if the ignition switc doesnt lock up the lock cylinderJun 12, 2007
User rating:
by Tyler E
Feb 06, 2010
Well, it a 1977 thats been sitting for 15 years....duh it needs repairs. But after 15 years, I spent $30 and the 360 V8 fired right up. True American made. It is in very good shape for 15 years, and with a Warner T-18 4 speed, it is quite rare.Feb 06, 2010
by Anonymous
Sep 27, 2007
AMC Electronic Ignition unreliable, switched to Ford system that was used I believe starting 1978 to resolve that, but hard to deal with the rust. Don't know where AMC was sourcing their steel, or perhaps the fact that the paint didn't adhere well and bare metal on underside of body panels. But an awesome drivetrain when it is running, and I love the looks, definitely stands out from the crowd, especially with 4" lift and 33" tires. Sep 27, 2007
by Anonymous
Jun 12, 2007
it is a great truck if the ignition switc doesnt lock up the lock cylinderJun 12, 2007
by Anonymous
Jun 08, 2007
I will have a better opinion when I get mine running, but it looks awesome.Jun 08, 2007
What users have asked
ignition switch too long for rod?
the ignition switch for the 77 is too long it binds up so tight you cant turn the key. I have used both tilt and notilt switchs and still cant fix it. What am i doing wrong?
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quadra-trak
what kind of transfer case lube do i use?
147 views
77 Cherokee.... lift options and more questions...
...... I see you know something about the 77 Cherokee... so I thought I'd ask a few questions if you do not mind. I am a IH Scout guy.... and generally know everything about them.... but not too proud to say I know NOTHING about Jeeps! I met the owner of a really nice 77 full size Cherokee today... and helped him with a thermostat problem. (he was fairly mechanically inept) He then asked if I could help him build up his Cherokee (is it a "Chief"??). It is a 2 door "fulltime 4x4" as he told me, 360 v8, auto. It has sealed from hubs, so they must be fulltime or auto lockers.... and there is a "FULL - LOW RANGE" lever under the right hand dropped from the drivers seat. It is spring over... and they springs seem fairly flat and "swimmy" on corners. There is a 1" metal lift block between springs and axle tube. Also the front end has VERY LONG shackles that are about 6" or so from bolt to bolt. I do not know how much of this is stick or standard... but wanted to paint you the picture of what I was looking at. A previous owner did a hack job on wiring... so that will be straight forward but a nightmare. The questions I have are: -what is this thing? -what additives go in the diffs... limited slip or standard? -what are the best lift spring set-ups? I want to lift it about 4"-6", and not by stacking lift blocks. I know from Scouts that "Rough Country" and "Tuff Country" are crap... so what do the Jeep guys really suggest? Triangle? / Rancho? / Superlift? Is there a part number you can suggest, and what are the price ranges? I am assuming I get rid of the long shackles and go with stock?.... how long were the stack ones? I think that is it for now... thanks and I look forward to your reply. -Steve Bigler (stevebigler@ca.rr.com) *Oh also... behind the chrome grill there is clearly the set-up for a second set of headlights, but there are no buckets or anything -just the cutouts. Is this standard too?
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if the actuator rod is binding the lock cylinder up because of the ignition switch on a 77 cherokee chief what do i do ?
the lock cylinder was seiezed on the column so i replaced it and now the rod that goes into the ignition switch when installed is so tight you cant turn the key. I've put 3 different switches on and they are all too long and keep binding up the rod
385 views
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