1977 Cherokee Chief Project Begins...

jeeeep said:
awesome project! looking forward to the updates
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Thanks! Today I'll be replacing the ignition cylinder, door locks and re-keying the tailgate lock. Stay tuned...
Disciple Off Road said:
This is awesome Tony! Looking forward to watching the progress and seeing it back in the road šŸ¤˜šŸ¼
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Thanks! I can't wait to get this rig on the trail again. I think it still has some life left in her...
Bullwinckle said:
Awesome project! Will be following along!
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Thanks!!
GP NOIR said:
Awesome project. Even better that it was your fatherā€™s. I love the two door wide track Cherokees, especially with the 401. Theyā€™re beasts and will go anywhere! I wish I never got rid of mine.
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I Agree! I think my dad would be proud to see his Jeep being brought back to life. I too have gotten rid of so many vehicles I wish I had today! Live and learn they say! Right!?
DirtHeadDavis said:
Not sure how I missed this yesterday but, so much AWESOMENESS right there. Canā€™t wait to see this come back to life so Iā€™m subbed as well.
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Awesome! Thanks!
Ddays said:
You fixin to upgrade the brakes?
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I've been giving that some thought! I know you can get a rear disc brake conversion kit for these so I might go that route. Have to do more research on that. But for what I plan to do with it, I don't really think it needs more than replacing what's needed.


Thanks again all! I really appreciate the support. I'll be sure to get some pics of today's project posted up ASAP. (y)
 
Forgot to mention...I plan to fix the ignition and door locks today. Back in the day, Jeep provided two square headed and two oval headed keys with each vehicle. The square headed key operates the ignition switch, front door locks and tailgate locks. The round headed key operates the glove box lock.

The new door lock keys came with oval keys. Question:
1. Would you replace the door lock keys as is and re-key the tailgate lock? or...
2. Would you rekey the new door locks to match the new square headed ignition key and re-key the tailgate lock to the square headed key?

Please let me know what you think. I'm leaning towards option 2.
 
JeepFan said:
Forgot to mention...I plan to fix the ignition and door locks today. Back in the day, Jeep provided two square headed and two oval headed keys with each vehicle. The square headed key operates the ignition switch, front door locks and tailgate locks. The round headed key operates the glove box lock.

The new door lock keys came with oval keys. Question:
1. Would you replace the door lock keys as is and re-key the tailgate lock? or...
2. Would you rekey the new door locks to match the new square headed ignition key and re-key the tailgate lock to the square headed key?

Please let me know what you think. I'm leaning towards option 2.
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It's been a coons age since I've had them apart, but I believe the lock cylinders use physically different mechanisms, thats why the 2 different key styles?
 
JeepFan said:
Forgot to mention...I plan to fix the ignition and door locks today. Back in the day, Jeep provided two square headed and two oval headed keys with each vehicle. The square headed key operates the ignition switch, front door locks and tailgate locks. The round headed key operates the glove box lock.

The new door lock keys came with oval keys. Question:
1. Would you replace the door lock keys as is and re-key the tailgate lock? or...
2. Would you rekey the new door locks to match the new square headed ignition key and re-key the tailgate lock to the square headed key?

Please let me know what you think. I'm leaning towards option 2.
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I would go option 2
 
It's been a while since I disassembled a Jeep steering column. Let's see how this goes.
IMG_20250730_145200977.jpg

After removing the steering wheel nut, horn cover, horn contact plate and cover, it's time to remove the steering wheel. don't forget to paint or scribe alignment marks on the steering wheel and shaft for assembly reference. This one already had alignment marks on the wheel and shaft.

IMG_20250730_145649445.jpg

After you remove all these bits, you will need to remove the steering wheel lock plate with lock plate compressor tool.

IMG_20250730_150043200.jpg

Lock plate and wire snap ring removed.

IMG_20250730_151843682.jpg

Next, remove the turn signal lever and switch.

IMG_20250730_151851628.jpg

Turn signal switch moved to the side.

IMG_20250730_152421036.jpg

To remove the ignition cylinder, place the ignition lock cylinder in the run position. Compress the lock cylinder retaining tab with a thin screwdriver. The retaining tab is accessible through a small slot adjacent to the turn signal switch mounting boss. The slot may not be visible due to casting flash covering the slot. If this is the case (as mine was) you will need to scrape or knock any casting flash out of the slot to gain access. One the casting flash is removed; you can compress the retaining tab with a small screwdriver while pulling the key cylinder out of the column.

IMG_20250730_164822718.jpg

This is as far as I got tonight. The bits in the column need a lot of cleaning and after careful inspection the turn signal switch, it may need replacing. I'll continue this adventure tomorrow...
 
JeepFan said:
It's been a while since I disassembled a Jeep steering column. Let's see how this goes.
View attachment 429113

After removing the steering wheel nut, horn cover, horn contact plate and cover, it's time to remove the steering wheel. don't forget to paint or scribe alignment marks on the steering wheel and shaft for assembly reference. This one already had alignment marks on the wheel and shaft.

View attachment 429115

After you remove all these bits, you will need to remove the steering wheel lock plate with lock plate compressor tool.

View attachment 429118

Lock plate and wire snap ring removed.

View attachment 429119

Next, remove the turn signal lever and switch.

View attachment 429120

Turn signal switch moved to the side.

View attachment 429121

To remove the ignition cylinder, place the ignition lock cylinder in the run position. Compress the lock cylinder retaining tab with a thin screwdriver. The retaining tab is accessible through a small slot adjacent to the turn signal switch mounting boss. The slot may not be visible due to casting flash covering the slot. If this is the case (as mine was) you will need to scrape or knock any casting flash out of the slot to gain access. One the casting flash is removed; you can compress the retaining tab with a small screwdriver while pulling the key cylinder out of the column.

View attachment 429122

This is as far as I got tonight. The bits in the column need a lot of cleaning and after careful inspection the turn signal switch, it may need replacing. I'll continue this adventure tomorrow...
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Wow, this is a trip from memory lane - I changed out a standard column to a tilt version I found in a junkyard on my 71 Javelin years ago.
Funny how many parts they interchanged on AMC's back then. Pretty comical actually.
 
JeepFan said:
After years of sitting in the California high desert, my dad's 1977 Jeep Cherokee Chief (wide track) is finally getting some attention and I figured itā€™s time to start documenting the journey.

Here's a pic I took of my dad and his Jeep back in their heyday...

View attachment 429047

Now, the Jeep definitely needs some TLC. The last time it ran was back in 2011.

View attachment 429048

The plan is to take it in phases, beginning with the basics to get it running, driving. First step: replacing the ignition lock cylinder and both door lock cylinders. The old keys barely worked! Typical 40+ year-old FSJ stuff. Iā€™ll also have a locksmith re-key the tailgate lock so everything is consistent.

View attachment 429049

Iā€™ll also be doing a full mechanical refresh soon with help from The Jeep Farm in AZ, but for now, itā€™s all about getting the small stuff handled and building momentum.

This will be one of many updates to come hoping to turn this Chief into a reliable, road-ready rig while preserving its character and patina. Always open to advice and encouragement!

Thanks for reading very excited to finally get started!

...Tony
Apple Valley, CA
ā€™77 Cherokee Chief | AMC 401 | TH400 | Quadratrac | Levi Edition
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I am really excited to see this build! I had the near exact same Jeep as my first bought vehicle. It was a 1978 with the 360. Same color and Levi Edition. What an awesome project Tony!! Keep those pictures coming!!
 
JeepFan said:
After years of sitting in the California high desert, my dad's 1977 Jeep Cherokee Chief (wide track) is finally getting some attention and I figured itā€™s time to start documenting the journey.

Here's a pic I took of my dad and his Jeep back in their heyday...

View attachment 429047

Now, the Jeep definitely needs some TLC. The last time it ran was back in 2011.

View attachment 429048

The plan is to take it in phases, beginning with the basics to get it running, driving. First step: replacing the ignition lock cylinder and both door lock cylinders. The old keys barely worked! Typical 40+ year-old FSJ stuff. Iā€™ll also have a locksmith re-key the tailgate lock so everything is consistent.

View attachment 429049

Iā€™ll also be doing a full mechanical refresh soon with help from The Jeep Farm in AZ, but for now, itā€™s all about getting the small stuff handled and building momentum.

This will be one of many updates to come hoping to turn this Chief into a reliable, road-ready rig while preserving its character and patina. Always open to advice and encouragement!

Thanks for reading very excited to finally get started!

...Tony
Apple Valley, CA
ā€™77 Cherokee Chief | AMC 401 | TH400 | Quadratrac | Levi Edition
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Looks like a fun project. You're in Apple Valley now?
 
Ddays said:
Wow, this is a trip from memory lane - I changed out a standard column to a tilt version I found in a junkyard on my 71 Javelin years ago.
Funny how many parts they interchanged on AMC's back then. Pretty comical actually.
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Damn! You just reminded me ā€” I think my dad has a tilt column out in the shed. Gotta take a look. AMC wrote the book on universal parts.

I owner a 68 Javelin back in the day ā€” installed front spindles and disc brakes from a 72 Matador. The donor car was a x police car and of course, I swapped over the 401 and torqueflite trans to replace the 304. Only thing I had to do is have the driveshaft shortened. Man that car was fun. Lol
 
Opted to have the tailgate lock rekeyed to the oval key. Would've cost a small fortune to rekey 3 locks to the square key.

Tailgate lock is now working! Woohoo!

Replaced both door locks with new parts.

Had to shorten the lock rod to match the original bits.

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Removing the clip that secures the lock cylinder.

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Glad I ordered to gaskets!

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Time to measure the old rods and cut the new...

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Measure twice cut...
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All set...

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Time to install. Insert the lock assembly and reinstall the lock clip.

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Done! Functional locks!

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Finished the ignition lock cylinder but have to wait to re-assemble the steering column. Need to order a new turn signal switch.
I'll post up more pics when I tackle that project. Anyone who has removed a turn signal switch from a CJ or Wagoneer KNOWS,
how much fun they can by. LOL!

Have a great day everyone!!!
 
JeepFan said:
Opted to have the tailgate lock rekeyed to the oval key. Would've cost a small fortune to rekey 3 locks to the square key.

Tailgate lock is now working! Woohoo!

Replaced both door locks with new parts.

Had to shorten the lock rod to match the original bits.

View attachment 429206
Removing the clip that secures the lock cylinder.

View attachment 429207

Glad I ordered to gaskets!

View attachment 429210

View attachment 429211

Time to measure the old rods and cut the new...

View attachment 429212
Measure twice cut...
View attachment 429213

All set...

View attachment 429214

Time to install. Insert the lock assembly and reinstall the lock clip.

View attachment 429215

Done! Functional locks!

View attachment 429216

Finished the ignition lock cylinder but have to wait to re-assemble the steering column. Need to order a new turn signal switch.
I'll post up more pics when I tackle that project. Anyone who has removed a turn signal switch from a CJ or Wagoneer KNOWS,
how much fun they can by. LOL!

Have a great day everyone!!!
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I replaced the turn signal switch on my CJ-5 several times. They seemed to be made from really weak plastic, and I must have bumped the turn signal lever on the way in or out of the vehicle.
 
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