Texas Truck: 1974 Jeep Cherokee S – SOLD!

May 29, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we can now call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar

Launched for the 1974 model year, the two-door Cherokee was the first Jeep model designed by parent company American Motors Corporation that replaced the Commando originally designed during Kaiser’s ownership.  While very capable offroaders, rust prevention was not one of the AMC’s strong suits in the 1970s. Consequently, first-generation Cherokees are hard to come by these days.

The seller of this 1974 Jeep Cherokee S for sale in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania (Harrisburg), mentions that their Cherokee spent most of its life in Texas and thus explains why this SUV’s body remains in great shape.  Factory equipped with the desirable 401 cubic inch V8 and air conditioning, the next caretaker can either make it their daily driver or restore it.

Last offered for $18,500, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for first-generation Jeep SJ Cherokees produced between 1974 and 1983.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Cherokee featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $18,000 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $28,400 before factoring in a twenty-five percent adjustment for the desirable 401 cubic inch V8 and factory air conditioning.

The 1974 Jeep Cherokee S was a mid-size SUV that was produced by American automobile manufacturer, Jeep. It was a member of the Jeep Cherokee family, which was launched in 1974 as a replacement for the Jeep Commando The Cherokee S was the first vehicle to feature Jeep’s Quadra-Trac (Borg-Warner BW1339) full-time four-wheel-drive system, which gave the vehicle impressive off-road capabilities.  The Cherokee S also featured a new front-end design with square headlights and a two-door body style that was available with either a six-cylinder or eight-cylinder engine.

The 1974 Jeep Cherokee S was a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and adventurers who wanted a vehicle that was rugged, reliable, and versatile. With its powerful engine and advanced four-wheel-drive system, the Cherokee S was able to tackle even the toughest terrain with ease. The vehicle also had a spacious interior that could comfortably seat up to five passengers, making it a great choice for family road trips or outdoor adventures with friends.

Despite its impressive capabilities, the 1974 Jeep Cherokee S was not without its drawbacks. The vehicle’s fuel economy was not particularly impressive, and its two-door body style made it less practical for families with children or those who needed to transport larger items. However, for those who valued ruggedness, versatility, and off-road capabilities above all else, the Cherokee S was an excellent choice that would not disappoint.

The Osborn Tramain YouTube Channel features this 1974 Jeep Cherokee commercial:

With a rebuilt engine and transmission, all this solid 1971 Jeep Cherokee S for sale needs is some interior refreshing to make it a nice vintage daily driver.  Then again, with prices of vintage SUVs on the rise, no one would fault the next caretaker for restoring this 401 cubic inch equipped Cherokee S back to its former glory.

If you are serious about buying this Cherokee S, you can start the conversation by contacting the seller using the information provided in their Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please remember to mention you saw their vintage Jeep SUV featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

Restore or Daily: What would you do with this 1974 Jeep Cherokee S?  Please comment below and let us know!