1978 Jeep Cherokee

The full size "SJ" Cherokee was available in 2-door and 4-door configurations for 1978 with the base 2-door starting at $6,229 factory delivered suggested retail price (FOB Toledo), with the "S" package (seen here) an additional $475 including chrome bumpers, 15 x 7" chrome wheels, deluxe vinyl seats, decorative medallions, folding armrest and rear ashtrays. Full time Quadra-Trac 4WD was optional on the Cherokee (with or without low range gearing). GVWR for the Cherokee and Wagoneer increased to 6,200 lb (from 6,025) for 1978. AMC's 258 six was standard, 360 and 401 V8s optional with only the 360 automatic/Quadra-Trac option available in California.

 

In the 1974 model year Jeep reintroduced the 2-door Wagoneer (originally available from 1963-1968) as the new Cherokee to broaden the full size SJ line beyond the more upmarket Wagoneer. A 4-door Cherokee followed for 1977. 1978 was a record year at Jeep with over 153,000 sold in North America and 36,945 Cherokees produced.

 

The new full size Ford Bronco appeared in the 1978 model year, giving the Cherokee competition. Cherokee's interior was comparable to a full size wagon, with 95.1 cubic feet (cargo volume index) with rear seat folded, more than the 1978 full size wagons at Chevy/Pontiac/Oldsmobile/Buick (87) or Ford/Mercury (94.6) while with intermediate size dimensions (108.7" wheelbase, 183.5" length, 75.6" width).

 

1978 Jeep full line brochure: www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/jeep/78jeep/78jeep.html

 

For more info on 1963-1991 Full Size Jeeps, see the International Full Size Jeep Association (IFSJA), Full Size Jeep Network, Oljeep.com and Wagoneers.com.

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