Scrap Yard? No Way! 1979 Jeep Cherokee, Golden Eagle...A Rescue Mission.

When my buddy Jeff told me he saved this 1979 Jeep from going to the scrap yard, I didn't really think much of it. I always loved a jeep, and knew they were beasts in the mud. When I saw it, for the first time, I knew we had to get her running again!
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NEW BERN NC 28560 3691
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Special Thanks: To my subscribers that love this car and bike stuff as much as we do, and letting us show you some of the things we do around here. Rescue classic cars, and sometimes choppers!

[@patricksnookjr.5290]

Some old school Jeep boys are having a fit right now. Love to see those old Jeeps doing what they do best. Off road.

[@tractortinkerer11]

A old gentleman once told when talking about stuck tractor motors .... don't be afraid of them, be smarter than them .... he went on to say that the more lube you can get in the cylinders after you get it moving the better it will come out. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@pd9717]

I love how you wash and clean stuff before you fix stuff. It's the right way to work

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

I have too, I can’t take it if I don’t. 😀

[@andydiaz7296]

Why can’t I be that lucky. She’s sweet enjoy the ride. Thank You 🙏 for what you do.

[@jimmyford271]

Sweet. I have always loved the old Cherokees they are tougher then nails.

[@Cat-fy5lw]

Looks more like a Wagoneer. Maybe it is a Cherokee.

[@Belznis]

Golden eagle needs to fly again, great sounding and looking vehicle.

[@danielventura8073]

I would reccomend from my own experience to just replace the gas tank, sending unit and blow out the lines. And replace the fuel pump. It's worth the cost.

[@Bahh1245]

Can you still get parts for these ol buggers

[@MikeJBlues]

The eagle has landed 😆.. Cool jeep

[@IronHorseGarage]

Had one exactly the same, shouldn't have let it go....

[@klsrncn2773]

Same for me. Wish I still had it.

[@armedinbama]

Making Jeeps Great Again! 👍🇺🇸

[@rudyhollis6540]

I don't remember if it was a relative or just a family friend, but someone back when I was a kid had a Golden Eagle but there's was white with gold trim and bird!!! I've been checking out badass cars and trucks since I can remember...lol!!!!

[@shadetreeKennyT]

That thing looks good and rugged! It woke up from a long slumber, stretched, yawned and said "let's go!" At first I thought that engine mighta been an AMC 304 til you mentioned it was a 360. This one might have to be a keeper Brad, a good ol 4x4 to have around. 😁👌

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Yes it did great! This jeep belongs to my buddy Jeff. He’s actually the one who saved it from going to the scrap yard, I just did the running and driving stuff….

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

304 was never in a wagoneer or cherokee... they were 360 401 or the inline 6

[@swidahooverlanding2867]

@@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305 Some early AMC Wagoneers did come factory with 304's.

[@topperthompson580]

Great memories of my old 401 Wagoner pulled alot of Suburban's out with it! They would get stuck on long frames!

[@joedreblow5236]

What a Beast! I love it! “I want to go muddin! Let me go find something. Oh, hey, there’s a Jeep. Let me get this running. Ok, get in, let’s go!” Awesome vid!

[@4eyefoxbodyfanclub625]

You trying to put out the fire was comedy gold!

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Fires don’t scare me, it’s just part of the game. But when plastic starts burning you can loose a car quickly….

[@The58stupot]

That man Brad saves another one, good on ya man. Respect from old England.

[@oldgeezer3269]

Another Cool one Brad She flies again! Love your enthusiasm brother its contagious

[@gwood69]

Wow old Cherokee chief golden eagle that’s pretty rare my friend I’d love to have one

[@rayrayadkins6178]

I love seeing you guys getting that Jeep going again

[@davidprimeau591]

If your engine is stuck pull the plugs at put some marvel mystery oil or atf in each cylinder. Keeps from damaging the rings or possibly scaring the cylinder walls. Nice jeep I couldn't get that lucky..

[@scottthompson6885]

Way to go Brad! The transfer case was in neutral.

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

I was worried, because the truck wouldn’t let me put the transfer case into gear. Don’t really know why, but she surrendered… lol

[@scottthompson6885]

@@PoorBoysGarageUSMC Semper FI

[@timothyballinger6280]

Unbelievable they were going to scrap it! You should check out what their going for. Especially the golden eagles! Ridiculous money! He could make a mint on it just the way it is! I'd love to have it 👍

[@NathansMoparGarage]

Nice Jeep it's crazy it was sitting that long but had no problem going off road.

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

It did awesome! My buddy Jeff remembered seeing it in a guys back yard rotting away in the late 90s…..

[@davidsmith687]

Oh Hellyeah! Brad! That thing is cool, might be worth messing around with if she ain’t in to bad of condition. Jacker-up a little with some cool wheels and big tires. Throw some tunes in her with a couple yeti coolers in the back! Awesome save man can’t wait to see what you get yourself into next! Let rip not rot!

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Right on David!

[@philhunt3908]

It's a keeper a friend of mine had and he pulled down a garage with it they are abeast

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

It would be perfect for that

[@bryduhbikeguy]

That's awesome Brad.Good to hear real steel crunching through the woods.Congratulations on 19K.Lets see 100K guys! Tell your friends.Share the fun.

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Heck yeah 100,000 let’s do this!

[@deepbludude4697]

Outstanding recovery! I always enjoy your trials and tribulations and really like your music!

[@oldmanintheshopbuiltnotbou8726]

good job brad i was sitting there saying timing she wants more timing

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Right on my man!

[@1982MCI]

I was saying the same thing brother. I’ve had these Jeeps for years and you can hear it when she’s not timed right

[@ukjeeper]

82 WT Cherokee Laredo, sitting on my driveway, in the UK. Inherited from a friend, who passed away too soon (leukaemia ...). His family called it 'Freddie' as it was a nightmare, to work on. One of the VERY few Jeeps remaining from AMC's short attempt to sell Jeeps in the UK (and Europe) between 79-83. 360 with Edelbrock, NP219, AMC 20, Dana 44 front, RHD converted. Needs serious work (roof is fubar, for instance) but just can't junk it. As far as i can tell it's the only 82 Cherk still registered with the UK DMV. 'Rare', redefined.

[@jacobboyko888]

Always loved these old wagoneers . Such nice bodys and interiors on them for the time (:

[@1982MCI]

I love em!! I have three of em

[@jacobboyko888]

@@1982MCI thats ausome

[@brandonrobinson9272]

Nice! I had an '80 Cherokee Chief. Baby blue with white top. I miss it

[@robertdean2410]

Hey Brad. Great find and good job getting it running again. Back in the day I bought one of these jewels. I lived and worked in Atl. Ga. In 1978 I special ordered a 79 AMC Jeep Cherokee Chief (same 2 dr. body style, different trim) in black. Same engine and all w/ Quadratrac full time 4 wh. drive. What a beast. The summer after I got it we took it on a road trip to Colorado and wheeled in the Rocky mtns. It did great except the carb. did not like the altitude above 10,000 ft. level, ran super rich. Fun times. Life went on, oil embargo kicked in, gas prices went sky high, ended up selling it and getting a Gas saver. (long commute to work) I moved to Colorado around 10 years ago. I have wheeled the San Juan mtns. in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and now own a 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee for easier trails now. I enjoyed your vid because it reminded me of mine. I sure wish I had it now. Also, just recently I have gotten away from 4 wheeling and have moved to a classic car survivor. 63 Chevy II Nova SS. Gone from wheelin to cruzin. Keep the cool video's coming. Save those survivors from rot and the crusher if you can. Save those classic's.😎

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Awesome story Robert! Thanks for taking the time to comment….

[@robertdean2410]

@@PoorBoysGarageUSMC You bet.😎

[@uski59]

LOVE THISE 63 Chevy II NOVAS I had 5...2 ragtops, a SS a 2dr sedan & a 4dr....Sure wish I could find another ragtop.

[@robertdean2410]

@@uski59 Good luck finding one. I found mine on a local Craig's List ad almost 3 years ago. Had to sell my 04 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon to buy my Nova. At my age and lack of build knowledge, shop space and $$ I figured it would be my best to find a hot rod ready to roll. Not actually looking for a Nova it's just the way the cards fell. I am glad because it is rare to see any 1st gen's around my area. It's a real head turner. 😎

[@uski59]

@@robertdean2410 yep cherish it....Im a senior too... I'd love to find a hotrod Chevy II Ragtop,...I see one from time to time...on the street or shows...

[@brantleys_ytchannelforkids6401]

They Love Clearin' Roads don't they!!!? 💯👍

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Awe man it was a tank

[@study650]

Boy, that "road trip" should have loosened up. LOL. Good video.

[@jimschafer9196]

Brings back memories ... back in the '80's I picked up a jeep wagon Buick 350 2bbl carb auto H/L xfer - did brakes all around and carpet drove it for a few years then traded in on a Subaru wagon. Had a 350 4bbl sitting on the side lines never installed. Oh the 2bbl wss a bit tire lifters were noisy but did not smoke.

[@2ASSHOLESINAJEEP]

Wow, I never thought I’d see a video like this! Mine’s a 1980 bought in November ‘79, and still running now!

[@blue-eyedtiger385]

Your 1979 Jeep Cherokee, Golden Eagle is awesome !!! I owned a 1978 Jeep Cherokee, bought it brand new and drove that Cherokee for 15 years. I then gave it to my brother who drove it another 10 years, who then gave it to my nephew, who is still driving it to this day. It has been running strong daily driven for 44 years with regular maintenance. Only issue was the starter going bad and chewing some teeth off the flywheel leaving a dead spot. So every once in a while if the starter lands on the missing teeth area have to break out the breaker bar and turn the main to put the starter on some teeth to get it started. With the quadra trac system in it, my Cherokee has never been stuck. Once in a mud hole ditch sideways while 4 wheeling, I locked the 4x4 in low & turned on the emergency locker switch in the glove compartment and walked that beast sideways right out of that mud hole ditch. No one could believe it, wish they still made them. Thanks for the memories and bringing that 1979 Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle back to life, may it run & drive for another 25 years !

[@jayramsey4953]

These old Jeeps are my favorite. My brother had an 80’s Grand Wagoneer with a 360C.I. V8 that pulled my F150 out of the thickest sand ever in a wash near our high school.

[@John-lu3yq]

Nice rig up here in Minnesota the Cherokees are all rusty and usually to far gone

[@jeremywilliams4381]

Nice golden eagle, I had a few cherokee eagles and a few j10 eagles. I've owned over 40 jeeps in the last 24 years. Still have a 72 j4800 camper special, a 78 j10 and an 83 j10 laredo. Love these old AMC and Kaiser era jeeps.

[@gunjiweber42]

The Golden Eagle soars again

[@BaconJD420]

This is awesome I grew up in the back of one of those things

[@greenwolf401]

Love those old Jeeps

[@brantleys_ytchannelforkids6401]

I Love it When A Plan Comes Together!!!!!!! Mopar or No Car!!!!!!! 💞💞💞💞💯💯👼

[@Benb05]

Them old jeeps I have a love for them my self

[@raten2791]

Nice save

[@buellrod]

Good job Brad kudos for not giving up

[@d.j.9961]

Tough looking Jeep Cherokee!

[@joedannunzio9416]

Hi Brad. No need to reply mate. Just want to say I like what you do and the way you do it. I would sooner have o c d than work in crap. You do it my way...as someone once sang.

[@tylerdunham9779]

First time viewer here, gotta say ive never subd to channel quicker. Half way through the intro I was sold. Thats a hell of a rig. My 01 xj is no where near as cool as that thing but love gettn her muddy when I can. She was damn near on life support when I got her. Redid everything from lifters to brake lines, full suspension overhaul with a lift on 33s now we've been from upstate ny to keywest and back and a bunch of cool places in between. Keep up what your doing brad. Dirty hands are a dieing breed now a days.

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Right on Tyler, and thank you for supporting us

[@johnp1966]

man, nice find! i love those jeeps

[@brantleys_ytchannelforkids6401]

I Love what You Guys Do!!!!!!! 💞💞💞💞💯💯👍

[@allensnook7760]

Glad u saved that tank from dying an early demise. My dad had same vehicle only not golden eagle model.took that beast out on many power line stretches.always carried a can of water displacer like wd-40 or better.because that distributer being upfront always sucked up water then spit n sputtered.he would spray prior to hitting mud puddles and devised a splashshield for it.that helped big time after that it was almost bullet proof.but that was the achilles heel on those 360s having that sit right up front.plus side was it wasnt hard to get too,i believe later motors had differant motors that had it behind,that helped.would love to find one up for sale here in pa.i would snatch up in heart beat!!glad u saved it!!snooky pa.

[@mattstacy1652]

I rode one of those when I was a youngin. Those things are beast when everything’s up to par. Good one bro!

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

The thing was a beast! We were very impressed…

[@1982MCI]

@@PoorBoysGarageUSMC these things are tanks!! You thought it was a beast now, and you only have her running at half speed so you ought to see what she’s like when you’ve got her running right!! Your timing is off on it right now and that will make a big difference on these 360s. I can’t believe you didn’t even change the dang cap and you were throwing lightning bolts out of those plug wires!! You probly need to change or block off some of the vacuum lines that are dry rotted tho, that will help her run a hell of a lot better also. But ya gotta be careful cause your 4x4 runs off vacuum tho so if you cap off the wrong line then you ain’t goin muddin tomorrow! Another couple things that will help her run better, smoother, more power, increased fuel economy is to get rid of the smog pump that is below the power steering pump. Just disconnect that bitch and jerk her off, but then you need to remove those tubes that go from the smog pump to the exhaust manifolds but in order to get rid of those, you need to get new bolts for that purpose. They are a hollow bolt that allow air to travel thru the bolt. There’s only a few places to get those and www.teamgrandwagoneer.com will be your best place. I’ve bought tons of stuff from them and their customer support is the best in the business!! I’ve got 3 of the Jeep Grand Wagoneers which is the 4 door version of this basically. The entire front clip is the same, doors are same, dash is same, driveline is all the same, etc. I love em! I’ve got an 85 Wagoneer I want to sell if anyone is interested. It’s a good, solid NC truck

[@treybrown4214]

New upper body workout... Brad calls it "stuck cylinder"... guaranteed results!

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Yeah no doubt!

[@RaySarasin]

The beast i loved was a F250 Ford 3/4 ton with a 460 4 by 4 now power and strength all in one

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

No doubt, 460s have some torque

[@brianaustingoodson3112]

Love how original it still is. Awesome.. I used to work on old Chrysler's since I was 10..me and my older Chrysler tech brother..God rest his soul. Thank for the save.. Stay safe..out there

[@arthurwagar6224]

Thanks for good stuff. That was fun.

[@Helge198]

Awsom old jeep

[@terryr8510]

Cool truck! Good job Bro

[@halloweenjunkie666]

congratulations on the hard work and determination..those last a long time they're strong and got great heat

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Thanks 👍

[@SladeM.]

Good ole AMC power! Fun fact, under that grill is the old Gladiator style grill set up and they repop those now.

[@robertgeary7520]

I need one of them 👍

[@Azonche]

Awesome find..Looking for one of those here(for years)

[@robj2704]

If it's not too rusty, ought to try and save that one. They're getting pretty rare, especially these full-size Cherokees. Might be worth fixing up. Had a 78 CJ-7 that I did a resto on and drove it about 10 years, still sold it for good money about 2009.

[@PacemakerandButtons]

Amazing! Love these old school 4X4's. absolutely Love them. Great Job

[@beardedscrapper538]

I love the look of these old jeeps.

[@rediron44]

Love that you guys saved the old Jeep. Not many of them around anymore. Save the ones thats left. Good job

[@slaisebam]

I own 2 1985 GRand Wagoneers but this is my dream jeep.

[@zackery5411]

Great Job!, love the music.

[@damiangillett6443]

if it isn't a breakdown repair. I agree with you. A clean engine bay is the first step. If a customer will not allow me to have a clean work area I say if my workshop was filthy you'd go down the road, so if I cant be paid minimal to degrease and clean the engine bay - go to the workshop down the road.

[@brandaneakright6082]

That jeep is freaking awesome and really rare, please for the love of god fix this thing up it really deserves it badly.

[@Fridaynightmixtape]

I love those old jeeps. Great job, keep them alive.

[@charleswildman137]

Great job saving the classic Jeep!

[@colinvanful]

i am an englishman i used to run a garage in the uk ! i once had a guy that brought a 1980 Cherokee into my place for work . IT IS A BIT HARD TO GET JEEP PARTS IN THE UK ! this 5 year old jeep had more friking wrong than right , honestly it was freaking goosed !!! 4 k (in uk then was about 7 k us to fix it ) , allwas fine for a week or so , then i got a call the guy had swerved to miss a sheep on the road ( a real thing in the uk ) his jeep went all to pot / sideways then roled down an embankment landing on it's roof ! OMG ! WHEN I SAW IT I COULD NOT BELIVE HE WALKED AWAY FROM THAT ! he got payed out from his insurance , twelve month later he turned up at my garage with another freaking jeep !!!! I KNOW WHAT YOUR THINKING ( MUG ???) nope this time it was a 1948 willis a real freaking jeep ! being english i had never drove one or even seen one other than in old second world war films :) ( driving this thing made me feel like a hero ) the crazy thing about it was there was litraly nothing wrong with it ! yep it had no doors yep the gear change litraly riped your hand off if you did not change gear nicely and the brakes did not real want to stop you unless you freaking jumped on the pedal and the all the wheels stoped , i quickly learned to use the gears to slow it down then brake to finaly stop it . somehow i fealt a godam lot safer driving that jeep than a freaking awefull Cherokee . :) :)

[@markallen1413]

Man that was really those old jeeps, they are our Mopar step brother's after all great job man👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

[@frankmolina6910]

I would like to see a Land Rover after part for so many years to try that...😜😎

[@michaelgorman4229]

Love the Jeep

[@Indignity12345]

Nice save, bro! Keep them coming!

[@kennethsonier1766]

That jeep was definitely a score 👍 keep up the good work in bringing these old vehicles back to life ☮️

[@billchaires6743]

Sweet ride

[@uski59]

OOOH YEAH THATS A KEEPER, had my first ever 4x4 experience in a Wagoner like that,...a friend rolled up to a hill musta been 45° incline...& just walked up it like it was flat road....I was howling...thot 4sure it was gonna tip over...after partying a bit on top....it was time to go down (just as scary as goin up)....I was Impressed to say the least....Glad you saved that....I have a 96 Grand Cherokee that takes me into the back woods now. Them Jeeps got the heart of a billygoat,... just loves to climb..

[@brantleys_ytchannelforkids6401]

After 20+ years, ya can't argue!!!! 💯💯💯💯💞💞💞

[@AncientCynic]

OMG dude do you know how rare that truck is these days lol. So many of them have gone to the heap and you’re cruising through the woods lol. Sweet find.

[@erickort1987]

poor boys garage,i had a coworker that had a Jeep Cherokee, Golden Eagle, 4 by 4she wasnt scared driving in the snow to work,it got around great in the snow

[@MIKEH.777]

For gas fires or grease fires you have to use flour, baking soda, or something like that . You can't use water because it will just spread . I think your doing a good job . Keep up the great work and God Bless you and your family.

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Yep I know, no water, but honestly it helped the plastic from catching but yes, No Water!

[@davidnorbertgarza]

Always, before you start it, put your air filter on, this will stop flame up...

[@denislandry7577]

I had a 78 golden eagle 360 am motor nice truck had lots of fun with it . Nice fire under the hood ! You got Mortsky and Puddings beat ! Lmho way to go Brad !

[@CJLane-62]

1 more towards your 20k,New subscriber here,was looking at Google news and this video was on my feed,so I had to click on it, Great Job Bringing That Classic back to Life! I own a 96 XJ Cherokee

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Ty C.J Lane

[@kkingquad]

Scrap yard?! I’m glad that didn’t happen, holy smokes!!

[@elev8j10]

Nevermimd replacing the front springs, 7 inch shackles will do. Awesome you got it going!

[@smarternu]

Nice work!! Another save.

[@slowshedgarage7409]

Oh man what a great find.

[@SargeantKiller]

Love this video! Thanks!

[@danielsmith9500]

I love the jeep. Sweet ride

[@friguy4444]

People are paying big bucks for these now. This one looks like it's in pretty good shape!

[@astronomenov99]

I bought one in the UK about 22 years ago. It had only done about 13k miles. Put a battery on, started straightaway! I didn't get to finish the project though and sold it after a year. It's somewhere in Aberdeenshire UK.

[@ukjeeper]

82 WT Cherokee Laredo, sitting on my driveway, in the UK. Inherited from a friend, who passed away too soon (leukaemia ...). His family called it 'Freddie' as it was a nightmare, to work on. One of the VERY few Jeeps remaining from AMC's short attempt to sell Jeeps in the UK (and Europe) between 79-83. 360 with Edelbrock, NP219, AMC 20, Dana 44 front, RHD converted. Needs serious work (roof is fubar, for instance) but just can't junk it. As far as i can tell it's the only 82 Cherk still registered with the UK DMV. 'Rare', redefined.

[@astronomenov99]

@@ukjeeper Mine was DRX[don't know the numbers]X. Maybe it's still out there! My family bought another rhd one in 1972 which had inspired me. It was a 1964 Wagoneer imported by JCB.

[@bocabral1433]

Light suggestion if you don't already know a wet bath towel works really well on a carburetor fire. 👍

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

I will definitely have on handy next time. Lol

[@bocabral1433]

Great, I discovered this back in the day at the lake with my girlfriend's golden eagle that backfired and caught on fire and she pulled her wet towel from around herself and throwed it over the top of the carburetor and the fire went out immediately convincing me to continue through the years using a wet towel many times when this happens. 🔥

[@timmcdonald9331]

nice work like what you do . just a thought I have seen alternators stuck and hold the engine from turning. I have made it a habit to cut off all the belts first thing .stay safe have fun

[@jeremyedgell9989]

So glad y'all saved it. To many good older vehicles get scraped. Its a dam shame. For a jeep that model it's in really good shape. That was always my favorite body style. Awesome save!! P.s. l was working on a S10 one time. Caught on fire and all I had to put it out with was a flip flop I had on! Laugh about it now. But l always keep a garden hose or fire extinguisher on hand. When working on my projects.