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Post by stickshifter on Dec 5, 2021 18:53:33 GMT -8
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Post by sc397 on Dec 6, 2021 5:39:13 GMT -8
Good man! Start another project because well, it looks like fun and how long could it take. Sounds like someone else that I know.
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Post by stickshifter on Dec 6, 2021 5:49:37 GMT -8
Good man! Start another project because well, it looks like fun and how long could it take. Sounds like someone else that I know. Trust me, I thought about you while working on it. LOL I now have 3 AMCs under construction in the barn at the same time. Smart, reallll smart.
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Post by landbarge on Dec 6, 2021 8:33:43 GMT -8
Those 2.53 gears suck even with that mega powered 258 under the hood. My wife had an 82 limited wagon with those. I had an 80 sport wagon at the time that had 3.07's. At least that one could get out of its own way. If I recall, the shock mount positions are reversed. For some reason I believe the clocking in the transfer case is off a degree or two so if you have the skid plate, it may not go back in.
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Post by stickshifter on Dec 6, 2021 9:26:48 GMT -8
I was just reading about the different T-cases and also realized I have a NP231, a true off road case. That is good for me for what I plan on doing with the car. And it is quite a bit smaller than the original case. Yep, the 2.35 gears are insane. I did get to test drive it with just the 3.55 rear axle and it makers a world of difference. Not sure if I will go with the OD trans in the future as that causes some of it's own issues. With the 235/75/15 Wranglers on it the top speed should be good enough for short highway trips.
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Post by Captain Awesome on Dec 6, 2021 9:51:28 GMT -8
With that tall of tire, definitely no problem. I had 3.73s in my old Truck with that tire with a 250 Chebby straight 6. Ran great on the highway. It really loved that gear. Most people who rode in it thought it was a V8. Would haul 2400lbs in the bed no problem, and tow a 3500lb Car on a dolly with ease with a stock worn 6 and a 1bbl.
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Post by stickshifter on Dec 28, 2021 16:43:03 GMT -8
Here's the complete recap of the mini project.
Like most projects, this one took more money, time, and effort than originally planned.
Rear axle is from the Cherokee and was supposed to be a direct bolt in. But the first thing to fix are the shock mounts, they are on the opposite side of the axle. Then the brakes were total junk so complete replacement from RockAuto. Needed new U bolts and had to make top plates. Put it in the car and take it for a test spin. The 3.55 gears sure pick it up but the axle is loud. Drive down dirt road and it is real LOUD. Pull the axle and order parts for a complete rebuild, including new gear set and add a new posi unit, might as well. During rebuild I find that the posi unit doesn't fit the axle shafts. WTF? Oh, I ordered the 29 spline unit for 97 and up but the Jeep was 27 spline for 96 and older. Back to the junk yard to get 29 spline shafts since the 27 spline posi units are out of stock everywhere. Start the rebuild but have trouble with ring gear bolts. Oops, broke two, WTF? Oh, they are left hand 3/8-24. Double WTF? Back to the junk yard to grab some bolts. Some more dicking around and effort and the axle is done.
Time to put in the transfer case from the Jeep. NP231 which is a nice piece,, 2wd, 4wd high, neutral, and 4wd low(2.7:1). Full mechanical connections, no viscous coupler. Remove the original and get the "new" one ready. But the input side looks different. Oh, that case came with a short, medium, or long input gear. It has a short and I need a long. Hunt around and found a company that makes them brand new for $70, sent it my way. Split the case, remove the guts, install new input gear, put it all back together. Now It goes in the car without too much effort. Had to make a shifter so I kept it simple, straight rod through the floor. I have the pin as a lock out to keep it in 2wd. Works fine for now.
The front axle in the Eagle is unique. It is a Dana30 but with a special housing to fit the car. And the 2.35 ratio axle is even more unique. The stock carrier has a deck height of 1.810" but the low gear units are 1.940". Well that was still not enough to get the ring gear next to the pinion. So I had to make a spacer that needed to be .156" thick.Then I needed to get the axle set up but I had never done a Dana before. Took some effort and watching a few YouTube videos but I did get it done. It went back in without much issue. But I did need to fix the exhaust first. I got one stud out of the exhaust manifold at the doughnut flange but the other one broke. With the axle mounting hardware it is a bitch to get to. Using almost everything in the shop and a couple hours of effort, I did succeed to get a hole where the stud was to fit in a stainless bolt.
I did add a leaf in the rear along with 1" riser blocks. The front now has the springs from the Matador wagon, which are 1-1/2" longer than the original springs. That allowed me to fit the 235-75-15 tires. Rides fine now but could use that overdrive gear.
Kinda fun and all but way more work than I was planning on. Now maybe I can get back to the Rambler.
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Post by n2ojoe on Dec 28, 2021 18:42:23 GMT -8
That looks awesome Kevin!
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Post by landbarge on Dec 28, 2021 18:49:03 GMT -8
Looks good. I also did the spring swap. Jav/AMX with a/c. Someone in their infinite wisdom at the factory decided on a weaker r/f spring. Each eagle I've owned sagged in that direction.
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Post by 69Rebel on Dec 28, 2021 23:49:39 GMT -8
That's pretty awesome. Now you have the Eagle that AMC should have built.
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Post by hurst390 on Dec 29, 2021 5:19:32 GMT -8
Looks great. And as with all of my cars anymore there are 2 masks laying in the seat.
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Post by stickshifter on Dec 31, 2021 12:56:48 GMT -8
And now, before the year ended, the Eagle is done. (I hope) I did the last thing today, the rust proofing. It looks like it came out pretty good. Another of my personal concoctions: Chain saw bar oil, toilet wax rings, black Fluid Film, and Naphtha to thin it a bit more. I have a electric deep fryer to heat it all up for mixing. Sprayed on nicely and I tried to put it on thick. I brushed some on the pinch weld at the bottom of the doors, just to help. I use a mixture of gear lube and grease for inside the doors. That shit will keep spreading for a 100 years and fill every void in the pinch weld gap. LOL
The forecast is to get 3~5 inches of snow tomorrow so that will be the first real test of the new setup.
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Post by javtwotone on Jan 3, 2022 11:29:23 GMT -8
Looks great Kevin, nice car! Seems like the front disc conversion I just did on the Commando. All proud of myself for getting the parts for about $300. And now, $600 later, it's done!! and while I was still a gluten for punishment, I moved on to the gas gauge not working. Just the dash circuit board, wiring, sending unit, vent hose, and gas tank mounts needed replaced.. Oh, and the lovely 4 corner vent system on the top of the tank had to be completely redone.
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Post by n2ojoe on Jan 15, 2022 9:10:22 GMT -8
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Post by stickshifter on Feb 18, 2022 7:24:20 GMT -8
Just a follow-up picture of the Eagle in the snow, as it should be. The car is great in the snow an a lot of fun so far.
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