Scrambler, Commando, Cherokee, Wagoneer

 
 

Scrambler

The Jeep Scrambler came out near the tail end of the ‘smog- era’, in 1981. This was a pickup truck on a stretched CJ7 chassis which became known as the CJ8.

Engines were the 151 4 cylinder or the 258 straight 6, but no V8 was offered. On the fuel side, both 15 gallon and 20 gallon tanks were offered. This Jeep essentially was the same truck through its entire model run, and ended three years following 1983.

 
 

Commando

The Jeep Commando was in its final year of production in 1973. It rode on a 114″ wheelbase chassis was 174.5″ in overall length. Both pickup and wagon style body configurations were offered. The standard engine was a 232 CID I6 making 100 horsepower and 185 ft/lbs of torque. An optional 258 CID I6 was available, and it made 110hp and 195 ft/lbs of torque. The top engine option was a 304 CID V8 making 150hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque.

The good news for 1973 Commandos is that they were fitted with upgraded axle joints, and the previous year’s optional tires were now standard. Commandos are still popular with enthusiasts today.

 
 

Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee was a new model for 1974. The only body style offered was a 2-door SUV configuration. It essentially replaced both the Commando and the 2-door Wagoneer in the lineup. To create some separation, the grillework was a little more modern than that of the Wagoneer. Engines choices were the 258 CID I6, the 360 CID 2bbl V8, the 360 CID 4bbl V8, and the top performing 401 CID 4bbl V8. California trucks automatically received the 360 4bbl as the base engine. These same engines carried over for 1975-1978.

In 1977 a Cherokee with 4-doors was added. This worked well with the Wagoneer because that truck already started to move upmarket.

In 1979, the 360 4bbl V8 and 401 V8 were dropped, engine choices narrowed down to the 258 I6 and the 360 2bbl V8 (which was now certified for California use). Ditto for 1980-1983. Also in ’79, the nose got an update to rectangular headlamps and horizontal grille.

Some trim levels through the years were base, Chief, Laredo, and Golden Eagle.

The last year of the big Cherokee was 1983, being replaced the following year with the XJ Cherokee.

 
 

Wagoneer

In 1973, the Jeep Wagoneer was starting to move upmarket in anticipation of the upcoming Cherokee. As of its first year, it was available in both 2-door and 4-door versions. But in 1974, the 2-door was dropped, due to the Cherokee now on the market. The same basic front end was on the truck until 1978.

For 1979, the truck received a new grille and single rectangular headlamps on each side. The last big Wagoneers were available up until 1983, then downsized for the next model year. Engine choices through this ’73-’83 era range from a 258 I6 (’73 & ’80-’83), a 360 2bbl V8 (’73-’83), 360 4bbl V8 (’73-’79), and a 401 4bbl V8 (’74-’78).