Jeep Sedan...

[Sport-Trac 01]

Well, all this talk about Subura sedans a expo vehicles has got me thinking, how well of a expo vehicle would an old AMC Eagle be? It's just a jeep driveline with a sedan body, and cool to boot. Just a curious thought, was wondering what everyone opinion on this idea is.

 

[conifers4]

Sounds like quite the interesting idea. Four wheel drive, room for family and cargo, and a dare to be different factor. I just wonder about accessibility of parts.
Funny that you should bring this up since I recently saw an AMC Eagle listed on Craigslist, appeared to be in fairly good shape considering its age. I believe the asking price was $1200- or so.

 

[4Rescue]

Before you jump into all this, just look around and see how expensive a wheel bearing is for an AMC eagle... Not to mention the 500 other parts that fall off and need to be replaced.

My buddies Grandparents had a cherry AMC Eagle when we were growing up and frankly it fell apart VERY quickly. These were Old folks who absolutely babied the rig and it still went down hill very quickly after 100K. And then parts got REALLY hard to find. Not a good combination for an Expo vehicle IMO.

IF you want a 4wd Sedan get a Scuby or and Audi AllRoad and do it right the first time. If you want a Jeep get an LJ Wrangler and again, do it right the first time. There is literaly NO advantage to the Eagle other that they look neat. They don't get good milage either.

If you're really seton it, find a Wrangler Drivetrain, lengthen the frame and put the Eagle body on top. The AMC running gear is a nightmare.

Cheers

Dave

 

[ntsqd]

Like anything, there's at least one web page for it: http://www.amceaglenest.com/
I'd do some research there before writing off the platform. Seems to me that S-10 front drive stuff might be adaptable if the AMC parts too difficult to find. Those that I've looked at used AMC's 258 cid straight six, so any of the later model EFI engines should fit. Only issue might be the oil pan.

Not Eagle's but......

 

[6Pins]

I'd be amazed you could still find one of those that hasn't been devoured by the tin worm. We had one growing up and that think was neat, but stuff fell off on a regular basis and even though we lived in a moderate climate (central virginia) and road salt wasn't a huge issue, that thing rusted out before it was 10 years old.

 

[4Rescue]

Like anything, there's at least one web page for it: http://www.amceaglenest.com/
I'd do some research there before writing off the platform. Seems to me that S-10 front drive stuff might be adaptable if the AMC parts too difficult to find. Those that I've looked at used AMC's 258 cid straight six, so any of the later model EFI engines should fit. Only issue might be the oil pan.

Not Eagle's but......

As far as my understanding, none of that S-10 stuff works... Cuold be worng, usualy am but when it came time to repair the one I am familiar with it was about as big a PITA as another friends Pugeot to find parts for. But, should I be worng, that would be great news for these rigs (if there are any of them still around) because there are probably more S-10's in junkyards than anything aside from Chevy 350's so that'd be a great resource for parts.
Also a good point about the motor. A 4.0L FI jeep motor would be a nice transplant eh.

Cheers

Dave

 

[wesel123]

For all you AMC folks.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcXC5IUOdFk&feature=related

 

[RocKrawler]

A guy I used to work with said his dad had one & swore by it, took him anywhere he wanted to go

EDIT - just searched CL & there's a hatchback in Pahrump NV for $1500

and a better deal in Hesperia CA; a wagon with Wrangler axles (yes - solid front axle) on 35's for $2000

He posts these details:
Price reduced from $2,500 to $2,000!
My Son & I built this car a few years ago, and it needs to be finished. I don't have the time to finish it, and I have too many Eagles anyway. He drove it for about a Year, and got a vehicle that suits his needs better. It has Jeep Wrangler Axels, and 33" Tires on "Eagle" Alloy Wheels (5 including spare). 258 6 cyl engine and automatic trans. It needs exhaust and crossmember re-work for the 4X4 to work. It runs and drives, but has a few safety issues. The Brakes need to be up-graded, as it probably would not stop in a panic situation in time. There is a Brake upgrade for a Wrangler that should bolt right on an work good. The other safety issue is the Steering. It needs a Wrangler High Steer kit installed as there is bump-steer when driving the car. My Son drove it and got used to it and drove it with no problems, so it was never upgraded. The Interior is decent however, included is some original Upholstery Material to re-upolster the seats. Call Rich @ (626) 824-4404 (Cell)

 

[77blazerchalet]

From the Hemmings blog...

 

[gprsdlyt]

my great uncle has build/restored eagles for years. still owns about half/dozen i think. keeps two or three in alaska, others in virginia.

 

[whatcharterboat]

My best friend is in the middle of doing a right-hand drive conversion on an Eagle wagon here in Oz right now. What a nightmare. Very very rare here too, as you'd expect.

 

[ttravis5446]

I have thought about the Eagles too. I looked at a few Wagons with the 258 and thought it would be sweet to build. Put some wagoneer axles under it and call it good. My aunt had one when I was a kid and that thing was really cool.

 

[cocco78]

I'm surprised not to see any AMC eagles here. Here is my 83 wagon with the reliable 258ci I6. I needs work but it runs good, drives good, and the awd works very good... My ultimate goal would be a fuel injected 4.0L, 2" lift and a little trimming with some 31" tires for a light expo rig.

My advice is to not own an Eagle if you don't like attention and people talking to you. I constantly have people talking with me in parking lots or at gas stations, either asking what it is or telling me their parents or grandparents had one of these back in the 80's... Its great!

 

[Root Moose]

Why bother with an Eagle?

Buy an XJ/ZJ/WJ and be happy. It's effectively the same thing just more modern.

I'm all for funky old vehicles but in this case it seems more like a PITA than it is worth - at least if the intention is to use it as an expedition style vehicle.

$0.02

 

[cocco78]

Why bother? Why do those toyota guys bother with those old FJ's?

Well because it is basically a Jeep under the skin, not as funky as you would think. Its got a simple super reliable 258, I added a motorcraft carb to it, I can run all day long on the highway and pull 20+mpg. Today was 6 degrees and it started with a single pump of the gas.. As far as modern, besides not being fuel injected, its got a/c, power windows/locks, power leather seats, digital am/fm/cass, cruise (ok cruise doesnt work ). You can find motor and drivetrain parts for it anywhere cheap all the Jeep parts swap over, which lends to a good expo vehicle... AMC built a hell of a unibody with all there cars, XJ's have a weak uni-body and don't even compare to these old amc cars. I've had XJ's and a WJ, they are nice and comfy and in stock form they do work better than the Eagle off road but they lack the coolness factor. Even with an XJ or WJ you still have to upgrade them to work well off-road...

The big downside to the Eagle is the IFS front axle though, kind of limits what you can do with it. But I've got a TJ on tons with 38's for the harder stuff, the old eagle fits my needs for the rest of the stuff I do. Best part is the rear seat folds down leaving a completely flat cargo area to sleep on.