When it comes to Cherokee, what is the first impression in everyone’s mind? If there is no accident, I think it should be the one that Beijing Jeep put into production in the 1980s. Indeed, that Cherokee has fulfilled the off-road dream of the older generation of off-road enthusiasts. For the vast majority of off-road fans, 7250, manual six, super cut, and E6Y can be said to be very rare. However, if we turn the timeline forward a few years, I am afraid that few people will be able to explain the ins and outs of the Cherokee. Next, what we want to talk about is those things about the first generation Cherokee.
If you want to go back to the source, all the classic off-road vehicles on the market today can be traced back to Willys Jeep during World War II, such as Pajero, Patrol, Land Cruiser, and Land Rover Defender. As a direct descendant of Willis Jeep, the CJ-2A launched in 1945 can be said to be the originator of off-road vehicles for civilian use. After Willis was included in the name of AMC, the American Motor Corporation, in the 1970s, Jeep’s civilianization process opened a new chapter. In October 1973, AMC Jeep released a new car named Cherokee in the Indian Reservation in North Carolina. .
When it comes to SUV products, one of the originators recognized in the industry is the Jeep Wagney that debuted in 1962, and this successful model has naturally become the originator of the first-generation Cherokee. At the beginning of the launch of the first-generation Cherokee, its body, chassis and most of its components were shared from Wagney, and the wheelbase was also maintained at 2761mm. However, compared with Wagney, which takes the luxurious and high-end route, the first-generation Cherokee is endowed with more sporty elements. Of course, the price should be more affordable. Due to the inheritance of Wagney’s styling elements, the first-generation Cherokee looks more like a station wagon with a raised chassis.
The first-generation Cherokee only provided a three-door model in the market, and the three-dimensional size of the vehicle was 4661×2004×1717mm. It was not until 1977 that a more practical five-door version was added. The three-dimensional size of the vehicle was 4661×1920×1699mm. Later, the first-generation Cherokee also derived different body forms such as a pickup version and a wide-body version. Inside the vehicle, there are five and six seat arrangements.
Judging from the body size of the first-generation Cherokee, its positioning can only be regarded as a small and medium-sized SUV in the 1970s when it was big and beautiful. However, in terms of power, the first-generation Cherokee maintains a 4.2L inline six-cylinder carburetor engine with a maximum output of 113 horsepower and a maximum torque of 277 Nm, which is completely on par with a higher-level model. In terms of driving form, a part-time four-wheel drive system is provided, while a full-time four-wheel drive system is listed as an option. This is quite similar to the four-wheel drive system configuration of the second-generation Cherokee.
In terms of chassis, the first-generation Cherokee followed Wagni’s chassis system, so the chassis structure also continued the design of front and rear leaf springs. Although there is a lack of controllability, this structure brings excellent load-carrying performance, and it also provides good impact resistance when dealing with harsh road surfaces. Therefore, the off-road ability and practicality of the first-generation Cherokee very good.
In terms of competitors, the first-generation Cherokee locked its market competitors on the Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Bronco, and the three have similar positioning. Around 1982, the Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Bronco ushered in a new generation. At the same time, with the arrival of the oil crisis in the late 1970s and the introduction of CAFE, a higher fuel consumption limit standard, the first generation of Cherokee began to show a decline. So in 1984, AMC Jeep took advantage of the opportunity and launched a brand new second-generation Cherokee, which is also known as the small cut. So far, the first-generation Cherokee has officially entered history.
