your thoughts on the AMC Eagle

[Eaglefreek]

okay, ignore the obnoxious music and this starts out pretty impressive...saw it, and I figured i'd share it here since this is the only place on Expo that the Eagle seemed relevant

That's mick from http://www.evolution4x4.net/ in Wyoming. Here's a couple more of his Eagles:

His wagon is at the :50 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gilRl4TG6tg





I finally finished the install of a low range transfer case in my Eagle. I took it out for a little fun on my uncle's property and can't believe the difference a low range makes. I can't wait to get some time to hit some trails.

 

[Toyotero]

Skip it, get a Gremlin X.

Ditto what other's have said... I'd fear the emissions equipment. and I've never seen one that was well treated, most are trashed.

 

[NPR4x4]

Very cool in their retrotacular way...

Gotta wonder if a cheaper Jeep Cherokee (XJ) would accomplish the same goals though.

That said, if you want it for the kitsch factor then go for it. If you are looking for a reliable gas-n-go appliance I'd look elsewhere.

2¢

They were basically the precursor to the XJ. Same rear end, same engine 4.0, a lot of parts interchange on the old XJ's

 

[RocKrawler]

They were basically the precursor to the XJ. Same rear end, same engine 4.0, a lot of parts interchange on the old XJ's

Huh? I've never seen one with a 4.0, only a 4.2 which is what mine had in it.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt.

 

[Mbogo]

I had a 1981 Eagle Kammback (think AWD Gremlin) until a few years ago. VERY high on the "kitch" scale, so if you like talking to random people at gas stations and grocery stores (I once loaned it to a freind for a couple weeks, and it took her awhile to adjust to the fact that people were honking and giving the thumbs up, not for her, but for the car), it could be for you. It was fun driving it. I didn't even mind the 18mpg--pretty poor for a smaller car. It ran great in the snow and did OK on mild trails. Keep in mind that there was no low range offered, however. This and the not-so-impressive approach angle are the limiting factors off road. Other than the emissions junk, they are mechanically very straight forward. Mine had the AMC 4.2l I-6 (258ci), TF 998, and NP 119 Full-Time, viscous-coupling TC (same as NP 219, but no low range), Dana 30 IFS front axle and a Dana 35 rear. Compared to the Subarus of the day, this was very stout equipment. For 200 bones, why not? That's cheap admission to lots of fun potential.

 

[Eaglefreek]

I had a 1981 Eagle Kammback (think AWD Gremlin) until a few years ago. VERY high on the "kitch" scale, so if you like talking to random people at gas stations and grocery stores (I once loaned it to a freind for a couple weeks, and it took her awhile to adjust to the fact that people were honking and giving the thumbs up, not for her, but for the car), it could be for you. It was fun driving it. I didn't even mind the 18mpg--pretty poor for a smaller car. It ran great in the snow and did OK on mild trails. Keep in mind that there was no low range offered, however. This and the not-so-impressive approach angle are the limiting factors off road. Other than the emissions junk, they are mechanically very straight forward. Mine had the AMC 4.2l I-6 (258ci), TF 998, and NP 119 Full-Time, viscous-coupling TC (same as NP 219, but no low range), Dana 30 IFS front axle and a Dana 35 rear. Compared to the Subarus of the day, this was very stout equipment. For 200 bones, why not? That's cheap admission to lots of fun potential.

Do you mind me asking what happened to your Kammback? Did you sell it or some other fate?

 

[Mbogo]

Hi, Eaglefreek! Unfortunately, it came to a sad end. I was using it as a second car, definitely more fun but less economical than the Corolla I had at the time. Just about the same time the TC started having issues, it spun a bearing. Since I already had a Scrambler project taking up space in the garage, I didn't have the room, time, or $$ for another project. I tried to find someone who could take it and do something with it, but I couldn't before the plates expired and I started getting nasty letters from zoning about a week after that (I love my neighbors). I stripped what I could and drove it to the crusher. UGH! I still get sick when I think about it. Here's a pic:

 

[Eaglefreek]

Hi, Eaglefreek! Unfortunately, it came to a sad end. I was using it as a second car, definitely more fun but less economical than the Corolla I had at the time. Just about the same time the TC started having issues, it spun a bearing. Since I already had a Scrambler project taking up space in the garage, I didn't have the room, time, or $$ for another project. I tried to find someone who could take it and do something with it, but I couldn't before the plates expired and I started getting nasty letters from zoning about a week after that (I love my neighbors). I stripped what I could and drove it to the crusher. UGH! I still get sick when I think about it. Here's a pic:View attachment 68251

Sorry to hear you had to send it to the scrap heap but sometimes you don't have a choice. The reason I asked was because a guy in Centennial rescued a Kammback from a junkyard but it's a different color.
Before

After

 

[Mbogo]

Wow! He has done some really nice work! As I said, I truly wish I were in a better position at the time. I really hated to see that one go. If that's a friend of yours, tell him I have some Kammback-specific parts: taillights, rear hatch, etc., and I have a set of NIB front springs & some misc. interior parts. If he wants any of that stuff, I would let him have it for cheap or free just for doing such a great job on rescuing a rare (but not necessarily collectible) car from the crusher. I mean, who wouldn't do that for a Hemi 'Cuda? But it takes someone special to go through that kind of effort for a Kammback.

 

[Eaglefreek]

That's great I'll let him know ASAP. I'm actually considering purchasing a Kammback myself. I have a friend in Idaho Springs who has one and is considering selling it. I used to live in Littleton, CO.