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On the 27 november 1995 I picked up my 'new' 1979 Jeep Cherokee S and I had no idea what I was in for. It still had the original AMC 360cid motor, 2bbl Motorcraft carb, dual exhaust with a dual fuel conversion - LPG/ Petrol. It also had the stock TH 400 3 speed auto coupled to a Quadra Trac tranfer case with low range. The diffs are Dana 44 Full Floating (front) and Dana 44 Semi Floating (rear) with a 3.54:1 ratio and 31" x 10.5 tyres. In the pictures below you can see the Torana A9X bonnet scoop, complete with the 38, yes, 38 32mm diameter holes drilled in the bonnet (you can't actually see the holes though) and a external spare wheel carrier to make room for the LPG tank underneath. The bonnet scoop is now serving well as a tray adapted to a wheelbarrow frame - affectionatley known as the 'low loader', it was conjured up specifically for moving the 50 tonne of rock out of my backyard !
Modifications Completed Removed original seats - driver’s seat was offset to the left and was not centred on the steering wheel. Picked up two front seats from a Datsun Bluebird for $100 and got brackets made to centre the seat with steering wheel. Much more comfy and no more twisted, sore back. The photos show the original seats. Removed that stupid bonnet scoop. New radiator and thermostat housing. ‘Flashlube Valvesaver’ system for LPG running. Because LPG is dry the valves do not get lubricated nor get the lead from the fuel. This is a ‘lead substitute’ and seems to do the job. Engine rebuild for better LPG performance. Exhaust changed back to a single system with a single muffler and new tailpipe. Sounds better now....
Below are some recent pictures without the bonnet scoop and spare carrier.
The sad bit - on 28 July 2000 I bid goodbye to my Jeep to it's new owner, Ron & Liz, who live about 40 minutes away. I will be able to get myself a J20 within a year - I hope !!
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