Throwback Thursday: 1974 Jeep Cherokee Makes a Case for Buying a Classic Off-Roader
Considering buying classic off-road vehicle as a fun project? This 1974 Jeep Cherokee illustrates why you should and shouldn’t do it.
The allure of buying a classic off-roader is easy to understand. First of all, in most cases they will be considerably less expensive than buying something brand new. And at this point it is unlikely the classic will depreciate much more, and it may even increase in value. But the strongest draw of all is in the experience itself. Sure, modern vehicles are safer, more efficient and very capable from the factory. But you can’t beat the old school look, feel, and even smell of a classic. This 1974 Jeep Cherokee is a perfect example of a classic Jeep you may be tempted to buy. It is a dead simple rig, and it has that perfect patina. But like almost everything in life. The decision to buy or not buy is just not that easy.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this 1974 Jeep Cherokee and if a vintage off-roader is the right choice for you. Brad Kowitz posted a video recently to his TrailRecon YouTube channel. In this video he discussed his 1974 Jeep Cherokee and the trials and tribulations he went through to get it back on the road. It took him a full year to get it to the point where it was road worthy. Was it worth it? Is it something that you think you would like to take on?
Old Tech or No Tech
Modern cars, trucks and SUVs spoil us with technology. A 1974 Jeep Cherokee like most vehicles of this vintage have basically zero technology. That is part of their charm. But it is also something that you need to really think about before you take the plunge and buy one of these things. It is not really a big deal to live without heated and massaging seats. But no ABS, no airbags, and old sealed beam headlights mean the classic rig is no where near as safe as a modern ride. That may not matter to some especially if it is primarily for off-road duty. But it is still something to keep in mind before you transport everyone you love in one of these old classics.
Things Don’t Work
When you buy a new Jeep, you expect everything to work perfectly. And if it doesn’t you have a warranty to take care of it for you. With a Jeep that is nearly 50 years old, you expect almost nothing to work perfectly. And everything that you do need to fix is going to be coming out of your own pocket. If you are mechanically inclined and love to get your hands dirty while fixing things up, then this could be a big plus for you. If you just like to hop in your Jeep and turn the key, then having things like a broken air conditioning system is really going to bother you. With an old Jeep like this you will always be chasing one thing or another that needs fixing. If that does not appeal to you then a classic Jeep might not be the best choice.
An Experience
A modern Jeep might be faster, more efficient and safer. But it does not offer the same type of driving experience as this 1974 Jeep Cherokee. Some might say that is a good thing. But a lot of folks love that old SUV feel. It is bare bones and basic. There are rattles and vibrations and you feel like you are in a bucket of bolts. But you also usually have a big smile on your face. And so does everyone else that sees you. People beep and wave at a classic Jeep. Sure, Jeep owners’ wave to all Jeeps. But in a classic you get waves and thumbs up from EVERYONE. Because everyone knows just how cool a classic Jeep is.
Your Choice
Watch the video below to get an idea of what buying a classic Jeep is all about. This is one of those things that you can only decide for yourself. Do you value the raw, and unfiltered driving experience enough to overlook the constant maintenance and safety concerns? That is up to you. Either way we are glad to see that some folks take pride in keeping these old classics on the road.
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