1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

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customfab4x4
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1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by customfab4x4 »

Hi Folks,

After 20 years of being away from custom Jeep builds, I have come back to my roots and landed a single owner 1980 Cherokee Laredo that appears all original (except a recent lift 4" lift). Texas born and raised so barely any rust. It has the origjnal Laredo badge on the dash.

My dilemma is that I am starting to think this particular model is extremely rare. And really desire to do a restomod with a LS swap and beefed up drivetrain to Dana 60s. Of course, this would ruin the originality of this Laredo.

I cannot for the life of me find a breakdown of the Cherokee SJ production numbers, especially by model. My understanding is that the Laredo was the premium trim package in 1980 over the Chief and Golden Eagles. Anyone happen to have them?

Any thoughts on doing restomod on this thing vs keeping it near original from a resale value perspective?
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Yeller
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by Yeller »

I say make it yours and enjoy it. Ask yourself, if your restore it, will you drive it? If you restomod it will you drive it more?

Great looking truck! I too always look for body condition, mechanicals can be fixed over time and a rusty body is a time and money pit.

PS welcome abord! Great bunch of folks here
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sierrablue
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by sierrablue »

Looks awesome!

I would say see how it drives now, and get any bugs worked out, then if you need to change anything for what you're doing go ahead and make the changes.


According to my Jeep book there were 1,734 2-door SJ Cherokees built in 1980.
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why_rick
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by why_rick »

Great looking jeep! What does the Laredo have interior-wise (or exterior) that sets it apart?
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candymancan
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by candymancan »

Laredo is base modek for ZJs so i imagine this is base
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited 219k
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 I6 laredo 430k
1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 155k
1976 Jeep J10.. 85k(repaired)

Topic author
customfab4x4
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by customfab4x4 »

candymancan wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:40 am Laredo is base modek for ZJs so i imagine this is base
Actually this is WRONG 100%. I just want to be clear for others.

The trim packages in order of levels from lowest to highest in 1980:
1) Basic Trim - "S" Model
2) Cherokee Chief
3) Golden Eagle
4) Laredo
5) Limited (I didn't know these existed)

The Laredo package was new for 1980 and certainly is not the basic trim package for any Jeep through at least 1983. I've never understood the Laredo to be the basic package on any Jeep, regardless of year, but this may not be true for ZJs. I don't really pay much attention to the newer stuff.

There were additional options that my particular Laredo does not have such as power seats and windows. So at this point, even though 1700 or so were produced and I assume maybe 1/4 of them were Laredos then probably talking 400-500 for 1980. Very low numbers but I think I'm going to take the advice of others and build exactly what I want versus what might therortically fetch the highest value from a classic collector.

Unless a can find a buy for $20K! LOL. Then I would sell it. Thanks for all the input.

Here is the print ad for the 1980 Cherokee models that might be helpful to others:

https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/upload ... erokee.pdf
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Stuka
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by Stuka »

To my knowledge, Jeep did not break out sales for trim packages.

For 1980, roughly 7,614 Cherokees were sold (vs 10,481 Wagoneers).

And yeah, the Laredo was certainly not a base package for SJs. They pretty much had every option available.
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will e
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by will e »

So far the delimiter for value seems to be 'original and low mileage' vs 'modified and high mileage'. Trim levels seem less of a concern.
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Mopar_guy
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Re: 1980 Cherokee Laredo - Production Numbers?

Post by Mopar_guy »

Yeller wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 7:31 am I say make it yours and enjoy it. Ask yourself, if your restore it, will you drive it? If you restomod it will you drive it more?
I'm the same way. I build my stuff to drive, not resell. I bought a 83 Cherokee Laredo last year for the sole purpose of making it a 2wd touring truck. I've got a 2020 6.4 Hemi with an 8 speed behind it that will power it. Keeping the original patina'd paint on the rust free body. I don't care about resale because I'm going to build it to enjoy it. :D
Cherokee 1 sm.jpg
Cherokee 2 sm.jpg
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83 Cherokee Laredo
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