Jeep Sedan...
- Thread starter Sport-Trac 01
- Start date
Ruffin' It
Explorer
I had a friend with one in high school. It went everywhere he tried to take it (which is not to say everywhere it should have gone). We off roaded it quite a bit with good results. Nothing too difficult (we were in Michigan, after all), but it was a pretty tough car.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Jeep under the skin? Isn't it more like an AMC Hornet with a jeep rear axle and engine? A 30+ year old unibody design wouldn't be my first choice for a vehicle, if I wanted a car-based SUV for exploring I think I'd get a Subaru, they've been around a lot longer and there is quite a bit of aftermarket support.
I think the Eagle would make a very funky collector vehicle to restore but given AMC's less than stellar reputation for quality (and the fact that no domestic cars from the late 70's had a great reputation for quality anyway) I don't think I'd want to take it too far beyond the city limits.
Its an amc concord... lol but really yeah just an updated version of the hornet that came out in 70 I think?
They share both axles, although the front is an ifs version of the D30, the t-case is almost identical the the NP229 found in the grand wagoneers, its a direct swap giving you low range. I foget what 3 speed auto it has in it, TorqueFlite I think its called, but I know amc had it around along time and it is basis of all current Chrysler designed transmissions.. I would also take this uni-body over an XJ uni body any day, much stronger. I had a 2000 XJ that if you parked on uneven ground the rear hatch wouldn't latch. Ask any amc guy these uni-bodies were very well built. I currently have an 88 jeep comanche thats popped most of the welds on the unibody, but it does get used pretty hard.
I 100% agree on the quality though, but quality depends alot on the person working on it. I got rid of the poor running computer controled carb and most of the emisions equipment. And now with a properly tuned carb it will pass any emission test except a visual, oh well. I also agree there is no aftermarket support for AMC but these cars are so simple to build and tune its not really needed. Plus sharing so many jeep components, you can get lockers, springs, tons of engine performance parts, ect. I kinda see with alot of people here it about how much money can you spend and how much aftermarket stuff you can bolt on your rig. So what if you can buy a lift kit, I can assemble a custom spring pack, find the proper front coils, measure shock lengths and roll something out of the garage I actually built...
With all that said, i'm not really an AMC fan but always did like the Eagles and now after owning one and actually driving it I see the potential it has. I've driven subaru's and I agree they are nice, Eagle has more ground clearance stock though but whatever. Of course any more modern vehicle will be better :sombrero:
elripster
Adventurer
Eagles are just plain cool. I too had a buddy with one in highschool. I had a 73 Hornet I lifted and used it more for prerunning stuff. Just fun funky cool cars. I have lived in a place where I had space for more cars I'd totally pick up something like this just to tinker with.
Frank
Frank
I also have to show some love to the eagles of yesterday! I also imagine (at least wear I live) it is easier to get parts for a 25 year old amc than it is a 25 year old subie...Cant beat a nutered 258 I-6, pretty much leaves you with classic ford dura spark ignition...Seems to lean toward easy roadside (trail side) fixes!