Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

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uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

And so it begins.

I found this 79 Cherokee Chief on ebay a couple weeks ago.
Finally got the paper work sorted out and it shipped out of NY yesterday.
I am told its a 3 owner out of Colorado.
I am told that it runs well.
A/C, cruise and tailgate window does not work.
Rear fender flares are rusted out.
Interior is so so.

Image

On its way.

Image


Gasoline is over $5.00/gallon at the moment so her name is Miss Piggy :D
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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Stuka
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Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by Stuka »

How long before it gets to you?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

It will hopefully be on the island during the week of the 27th of this month.

I am kinda rushing this as The Bahamian government has passed a new law that goes into effect Sep 1st that no more vehicles 10 years or older will be allowed to be imported into the country.
So I am cutting it close and I hope all goes well with the shipping.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

twisted frame
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Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:41 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by twisted frame »

Looks great, good luck with it! Is there much public land in the Bahamas where you can go off-road? What is the beach access like for a 4x4 vehicle?
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.

Topic author
uncletiffy
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Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

I live in Nassau, there is some access but not much.

However, vacation time is when I go wheeling.
We have "roll on ,roll off" ferry boats that carry cargo to various other islands in the Bahamas.
Right now I am on the island called Eleuthera with my Wife,2 dogs and Land Rover Defender for 10 days.

Eleuthera is about 100 miles long, endless miles of beach's to explore, bush and swamp.
We try to get over here 3 times a year sometimes more.

Image

Image
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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Stuka
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Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by Stuka »

Not a bad place to live!
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Update.

The Cherokee arrived in Florida yesterday.
Now I have to wait 3 business days for the title to clear then she ships.
It may be back in Nassau before I am. :-)

I found a Rhino grill and plates on the bay, they have already arrived in Nassau. I will pick them up when I get home.
I also ordered engine service parts, they should also be there.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

twisted frame
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 9:41 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by twisted frame »

Sounds like Eleuthera is lots of fun. Nothing like that up in the northeastern U.S. but you can still get beach permits for certain areas of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and a few other places. That's where I got hooked on Wagoneers and going off-road.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

nothing like a drive and picnic on the beach.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

racerx12003r1
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Location: China Grove NC

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by racerx12003r1 »

There are some places i North Carolina to run on the beach. You are 100% right about the driving on the beach and having a picnic. That is wonderful. I know you have to be careful though. The first time I took my old girlfriend to do that, we stumbled onto another truck and they were having some personal fun, if you know what I mean. :shock:
Daniel

1980 J10 Thunderbolt Grease slapper (formerly Beast II)

Topic author
uncletiffy
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Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Here is my YJ

Image
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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Gumby
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Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by Gumby »

uncletiffy wrote:I live in Nassau, there is some access but not much.

However, vacation time is when I go wheeling.
We have "roll on ,roll off" ferry boats that carry cargo to various other islands in the Bahamas.
Right now I am on the island called Eleuthera with my Wife,2 dogs and Land Rover Defender for 10 days.

Eleuthera is about 100 miles long, endless miles of beach's to explore, bush and swamp.
We try to get over here 3 times a year sometimes more.

Image

Image

Congratulations and I hope that all goes well with the jeep. I like your defender wish I could afford one later in life :D
1984 GW 360/727/208.... 4"/ 31"
2004 CRD QC SRW 3500 4X4 (DD)
1983 "project Dubya" (long term)

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Ms. Piggy is home, finally.
Here she is on my driveway.

Image

I got her from Customs yesterday and drove her home.

First impressions; Its HUGE!
I just sold a Mini Cooper that was my daily driver, got a Jeep YJ and drive a Defender 90 on weekends.
The Cherokee is huge.

AND, the V8 !, so smooth! so powerful and sounds so lovely.
This is the first V8 vehicle that I have owned in about 25 years.

I also now have to get used to a carb again, been a while. I am sure I will be installing FI in the future.

She drives quite solid, I was expecting a very cushy ride, but she feels almost tight.
Steering is perfect, no shimmy or drift.

Brakes squeak but work great.

Getting a clunk or bang noise when shifting into gear, U-joints maybe?

All in all, I am very happy with my purchase.

Lots of stuff to be done but its exactly what I need.
She is already turning lots of heads, maybe its all the rust?

I am happy.
More to come as it happens...........................
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Replacing the u-joints tomorrow, all 4, to see if that will fix the clunk when changing gear.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

So,

After a couple weeks calling around, there is no one on the island that can re-build differentials properly.

I have made the decision to pull them off the truck, clean them up, strap them to a pallet with the parts that I have already purchased and ship them to a shop in Florida.

I figure whilst they are there I will also get the rest of the axles re done, ball joints and steering stuff......................

Image
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Axles out and suspension out.

Image

Ready to strap to a pallet and ship to Florida for a re build.

Image

Front grill off, looking at Rhino grill install.

Image
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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Tatsadasayago
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Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by Tatsadasayago »

You don't mess around. I like that!
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

This weekend I pressure cleaned underneath and sprayed with an undercoating.

Before undercoating.

Image

And after.

Image

Its going to be a few moths until I get around to painting her and I noticed the surface rust was starting to get a little more red.
So I spray painted all the surface rust with zinc paint to try slow it down till its time to paint.

Image

I am waiting for axle/diff parts to arrive.
I have actually found someone on the island to do the rebuild.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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Lumpskie
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Location: New Hampshire

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by Lumpskie »

I'm having fun watching this build. Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to ship things like axles from the Bahamas to/from Florida?
1989 Grand Wagoneer - Rebuilt 360, 2" Alcans, 10" travel Gabriel Guadian shocks.
1996 Land Cruiser - 1HD-T Diesel, Gturbo (23psi), Wholesale Automatics 442f, F/R ARBs, 35" Duratracs, ARB Rear Bumper, OME 2" lift, home built sliders and aluminum belly skid
2000 Honda Civic - Integra GSR engine, transmission, shift linkage and axles, 200hp, 33 combined mpg
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 - 437hp/447ft-lb

Topic author
uncletiffy
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 10:54 am

Re: Bahamas 79 Cherokee Chief build

Post by uncletiffy »

Lumpskie wrote:I'm having fun watching this build. Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to ship things like axles from the Bahamas to/from Florida?

I got a quote of $250.00 each way strapped to a pallet.

Then I would have to pay another shipper about $150.00 each way to the shop and back besides the cost of the rebuild and parts.
1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief, 360V8, auto ,QT, rust.
1995 Jeep YJ, 2.5 4 cyl. Sold, yay.
1998 Land Rover Defender 90, 2.5 TDI.
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