News: Putting FUN and FRIENDLINESS, FIRST into owning and learning about AMC small bodied cars, primarily Eagles, Spirits and Concords as well as vehicles built in AMC's Mexican subsidiary, VAM.

The AMC Eaglepedia can now be accessed using the buttons found below  This is a comprehensive ever growing archive of information, tips, diagrams, manuals, etc. for the AMC Eagle and other small bodied AMC cars. 

Also a button is now available for our Face Book Group page.


Welcome to the AMC Eagles Nest.  A new site under "old" management -- so welcome to your new home for everything related to AMC Eagles, Spirits and Concords along with opportunities to interact with other AMC'ers.  This site will soon be evolving to look different than it has and we will be incorporating new features we hope you will find useful, entertaining and expand your AMC horizons.

You can now promote your topics at your favorite social media site by clicking on the appropriate icon (top upper right of the page) while viewing the topic you wish to promote.


  • March 28, 2024, 07:14:42 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"  (Read 27058 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Prafeston

  • I <3 Wheels
  • Global Moderator
  • Eagle Turbo Diesel
  • *****
  • Posts: 1461
  • Thumbs Up 55
Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« on: February 05, 2014, 11:02:51 PM »
Thought I'd compile a list of all the ways you can easily lift an Eagle for a subtle 1-3" lift. Anything more than that up front and you'll wanna start looking into a SAS.

There are several good threads spread around the forums on this subject and two are stickied above, but I figured I'd pool all the info into one post and try to get a consensus on every available option for lifting the Eagle without doing a SAS. I've compiled a list of things I've found around the forum, but I'd like to add additional Part # and Helpful links for people to purchase everything they'll need to do this lift. There are several ways to go about it on the rear...but really only one safe/easy way to do it in the front. Here is the list I've got so far. Please feel free to help me find part numbers and anything else I may have overlooked on the forum. Also add to or correct me if I'm wrong about some of the things I've listed.

Anyway here it is:

Rears
Lift Kit Shackles
Add-a-leaf
Helper Spring
ESPO Leaf springs with extra leaf
Blocks and U-bolts (not recommended)
XJ Leafs will fit the Wagons(and 2/4 door sedans) but still require an extra leaf to provide any lift. Also you must change shackles and bushings too. (SX4/Kammbacks can take an XJ leaf set and swap them to the main leaf on the Eagle..since they are a bit lighter this alone might provide some lift.)
“Bast@rd Pack” Donor springs: Cherokee, S10, Dodge Dakota, Isuzu Rodeo/Trooper. Possibly: Ranger, Explorer.

Fronts
Javelin springs from ESPO are said to provide about 1” of lift.
Coil Springs NAPA #277-3188 that are from a "Commercial Chassis" AMC Matador
1” Spacer provides approximately 2-3” of lift. Part # SPC 1706 (Don’t want any more than a 3” lift up front without swapping to Straight Axles.)

Helpful Links
Rear Lift Thread by Gil
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=158.0
Front Coil Spring Lift Thread by Gil
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=171.msg32860#msg32860
ESPO Leafs and Coils can be bought here
http://www.springsnthings.com/
Summit Racing Sells SPC Performance Coil Spacers
http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/spc-performance/product-line/spc-performance-coil-spring-spacers/make/american-motors
Shackle Kit on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029K202/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=analogindustr-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00029K202
Add-a-leaf
http://www.quadratec.com/products/76101_800_07.htm
Another Add-a-leaf
http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts/pro_comp_helper_spring/prohe66684/procompe3713120rear.aspx?scid=SG010000&origin=pla&ST_SRC=PPC&gclid=CJDQoIvZsbUCFWlxQgod1jEAfw
Cherokee Leaf Swap
http://www.amceaglesden.com/~iowaeagl/guide/index.php?title=Installing_Cherokee_Leaf_Springs
« Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 11:05:44 PM by Prafeston »
1983 AMC Eagle SX/4 - Penny

Offline Brentmo

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 53
  • Thumbs Up 2
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2014, 11:59:24 PM »
Thanks for bringing this all together.  How much lift is needed to run 215/75/15 tires?  225/75/15? 
Take my advice, I'm not using it...

08 JK Unlimited - daily driver
98 K1500 HT383 stroker - pulling, camping, road trips
83 SX4 Sport - resto project underway

Offline Prafeston

  • I <3 Wheels
  • Global Moderator
  • Eagle Turbo Diesel
  • *****
  • Posts: 1461
  • Thumbs Up 55
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2014, 12:19:16 AM »
Depends...you can run up to 235/75/15 on stock height if you don't mind just cutting the inner wheel well flares a bit. Captain has a write up on it somewhere out there. I believe a 2" lift should easily fit 225/75.
1983 AMC Eagle SX/4 - Penny

Offline vangremlin

  • Administrator
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • ******
  • Posts: 4411
  • Thumbs Up 212
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2014, 12:39:43 AM »
Thanks for bringing this all together.  How much lift is needed to run 215/75/15 tires?  225/75/15?

If your springs aren't sagging too much you should be able to use 215/75/15 without a problem. 

One other thing you can do that may provide a bit of lift in the back is using the Monroe Sensa Trac shocks.  I put those on my car and got about an inch of height in the back.
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline casper

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 35
  • Thumbs Up 3
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2014, 03:13:01 AM »
honeybadger (sx4) fit 215/75/15 tires with no lift what so ever.

rafe, i have heard from carnuck and his buddy (forget his online name) but they built SOTE, that spirit upper a-arms give eagles a 2" or so lift, and eagle a-arms on a spirit, give it a 2" drop. i have one of each, and want to do exactly that. problem is, i have to get a time between use of both to swap upper a-arms. drag car is used in the summer, honeybadger in the winter. lol. and if i go into swapping a-arms, im going to go full stupid and do entire front suspension rebuild. bushings everywhere. that means an alignment on both also. going to cost a heavy chunk. get with carnuck to find out for sure thats the deal. looking at them side by side, the spirit a arm drops down lower AFTER the spring seat. that would make the eagle sit higher, as it has a taller steering knuckle.

im thinking i want to do the spirit upper arms, springs, and all that. and try using the s10 cv shafts. they are a little longer shafts. maybe that would allow for maybe 4" of lift and cv's still live? some day i will get this swap done and see what happens. maybe this spring ill get to do it. between snow and racing seasons.
62 rambler classic 2 door (casper)
63 rambler american 440 (rosie)
79 spirit (drag race car)
82 eagle station wagon (rotty wagon)
82 sx4 (honeybadger)

Offline rollguy

  • Turbo Diesel Eagle
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • ********
  • Posts: 1797
  • Thumbs Up 84
  • Southern California
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2014, 10:53:47 AM »
Rafe, have an egg (thumbs up) for your efforts!
1980 Eagle Turbodiesel Wagon (only 2 known to exist as of 2008)- 7-7-2011 Flight to it's new nest @ Rambler Ranch
1983 Eagle Wagon  Tan over Copper
1982 Eagle SX4 "ALTREGL"  (avatar photo)
1982 Eagle 4 Door Sedan  Copper over Satin Black
1985 Eagle Sport Wagon October 2007 ROTM (SOLD)
4 Biofuel powered Benzs ('98 E300, '82 300 CD, '82 300 TD (wagon), '80 240 D)
1983 GMC Van (6.2 Diesel)
1985 Mitsubishi pickup (2.3 Turbodiesel)

Offline Nightpath

  • Eagle Limited
  • *****
  • Posts: 685
  • Thumbs Up 17
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2016, 10:26:31 AM »
Bumping an old topic, but I take it that the springs would be a better lift than the A arms and the old springs eh?

Offline vangremlin

  • Administrator
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • ******
  • Posts: 4411
  • Thumbs Up 212
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2016, 01:15:55 PM »
Bumping an old topic, but I take it that the springs would be a better lift than the A arms and the old springs eh?

If you're going to that much effort, you may as well replace the springs while you're at it, will give you a better ride. 
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline Billman

  • Lurking again
  • Eagle DL
  • ***
  • Posts: 257
  • Thumbs Up 17
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2016, 02:26:45 PM »
Has anyone got a preference in coil spring compressors?
1982 SX/4
1983 SX/4
1983 wagonProject
1984 wagon DD
1996 Jeep
2007  Caliber
2004 Silverado

Offline GRONK

  • The carburetor dude
  • Eagle Limited
  • *****
  • Posts: 676
  • Thumbs Up 55
    • GRONK Performance
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2016, 11:39:31 AM »
Just want to give a conformation on lift coils/spring since I just did both the front and rear.

I used new 74 Javelin coil springs in the front.  I already had a good height w/ no sagging but got a solid 1" lift.  I used new factory shocks w/ extenders, will upgrade those down the road.  It rides smooth, handles tight and doesn't bounce around when hitting pot holes.

I used new 88+ Jeep Cherokee RANCHO 2" lift springs in the rear.  New bushings were needed (and tricky to source)  I got a good 2.5-3"" lift in the rear end (at the bumper).   I wanted an aggressive stance and I got it.  I again used stock shocks w/ extenders.  Ride is excellent.  When I have the time, I will source the proper air shocks so I can utilize the factory air-ride suspension.

I am clearing 215 75 15's w/ no rubbing.  I installed a set of 225 75 15's and loved the look but the front rubbed on turns and I didn't want to trim.  If I was willing to trim the inner fenders and do a little adjusting, I could clear 235 75 15's.

I am very pleased with everything and have no regrets on any of the mods.

I had a professional alignment done and I get a "slight" vibration over 65 MPH.  Will align again after I do a 1000 mile shakedown.
"Bucket" 1983 Limited Wagon
"Tootie" 1984 Wagon
Owner - GRONK Performance

Offline Prafeston

  • I <3 Wheels
  • Global Moderator
  • Eagle Turbo Diesel
  • *****
  • Posts: 1461
  • Thumbs Up 55
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2016, 04:44:40 PM »
Welcome Back Gronk! Got any pics of before and after? Especially after. Thanks.
1983 AMC Eagle SX/4 - Penny

Offline Taylor

  • Administrator
  • Eagle Sundaancer
  • ******
  • Posts: 850
  • Thumbs Up 34
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2016, 06:17:32 PM »
I can still read most of the tire label in my glove box. the size i can read is 215/65 15
I think the other one is 195/75 15 but most of it isn't too legible.
I too would like slightly larger and all terrain. Thanks for the help everybody and welcome back Gronk.
2010 Toyota Rav4 pack mule
1985 AMC Eagle Limited Wagon 🖖🏼🦅
2020 Honda Africa Twin the long haul trucker

Offline amcfool1

  • Eagle Limited
  • *****
  • Posts: 638
  • Thumbs Up 31
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2016, 09:54:27 PM »
hi, I just "restified" a 84 4dr sedan. was not going for any kind of lift AT ALL. anyway, bought the ESPO front coils, now car sits nose up, bought rear HD leafs from Stenglebros in PA, car leveled up. maybe 1" lift, without even trying. looks good, rides well, life is good! btw, I run the stock tire size, 215/65-15, no need to reenginner the car. good luck, gz

Offline DIREWOLF

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 25
  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Alaskan Girl - 82 AMC Eagle SX/4 Sport Fan
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2017, 01:03:30 PM »
Hi everyone, sorry I guess this is an old topic but I had to ask when I seen that the "block and U-bolt" technique wasn't recommended. Why is that? My SX/4 had them on the rear already when I purchased it. Should this be changed and if so, why?

Thanks
82 AMC Eagle SX/4 Sport

Offline eaglefreek

  • Moderators
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • *****
  • Posts: 4011
  • Thumbs Up 209
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2017, 05:19:05 PM »
Lift blocks may cause axle wrap, bent springs or broken springs. However, thousands of vehicles are running them with no issues. I'd be concerned if it was a one ton truck with a big diesel, but I wouldn't worry about it with an Eagle.
1986 AMC Eagle Wagon 4.2L/4.0L head, AW4,NP242, Chrysler 8.25" rear.
1981 AMC Eagle Wagon As Seen On TV  Lost In Transmission


 

"I know he'd be a poorer man, if he never saw an eagle fly,
Rocky mountain high"  John Denver
Click for Fayetteville,TN Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150

Offline SilverEagle

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 10
  • Thumbs Up 0
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2017, 02:37:15 PM »
Having a little OCD I don't want to put spacers in with the old springs. Want to purchase the Javelin springs for the 1 inch, ( i assume thats in reference to stock ride height) as well as the spacers. I see there are three different part numbers for coil springs, one actually had a review from someone who installed them on a 83 eagle going to contact summit and moog to see what the difference is. In coordination with a 3/4 (.750) spacer should give me 1.5 there because the manufacturer states it will raise 2x the height of the spacer.  Or should i do 1/2 (.50)?
Constant rate springs are probably recommended as well???
And lastly, is there any type of notification I'm missing when someone replies? or I
 simply have to check, Thanks Guys!
« Last Edit: October 01, 2017, 02:41:44 PM by SilverEagle »
86 Eagle Wagon, Daily driver and fly fishing expedition vehicle.

Offline vangremlin

  • Administrator
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • ******
  • Posts: 4411
  • Thumbs Up 212
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2017, 04:20:14 PM »
And lastly, is there any type of notification I'm missing when someone replies? or I
 simply have to check, Thanks Guys!

I believe there is a way to set it up in your profile to be notified when someone replies to your posts.  Check that out.  And they will also show up in the "Show Unread Posts Since last visit" button.
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

Offline SilverEagle

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 10
  • Thumbs Up 0
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2017, 08:51:17 AM »
Just got off the phone with summit racing.
Part # 3112 lists for 4/6/8 cyl  javelin
Part # 3156 lists for 6/8 cyl javelin (has review of customer using on an 83 eagle)
Part # 3140 lists for 4/6 cyl javelin.
Has anyone used either of three, have knowledge of handling differences, or which one is recommended?
86 Eagle Wagon, Daily driver and fly fishing expedition vehicle.

Offline amarshall

  • Eagle Sport
  • ****
  • Posts: 286
  • Thumbs Up 16
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2017, 10:22:58 AM »
I put new front springs in my wagon this spring.  I used some from NAPA, part number NCP 2773188.  From what I can tell, the specs are the same as the Moog 3156.  I did not use any additional spacers.  I measured before and after, and got almost exactly 2" of lift in the front.  I assume the springs I took out were the original stock springs, but no idea how worn out the old springs were.  The car had 114,000 miles if that gives you any clue.

I only had limited driving experience with the car before the spring job so i can't really compare the ride before and after.  But the ride with the NAPA springs is not harsh at all.  I've done a 2200 mile road trip including 1000 miles on dirt trails, and they held up just fine.

Getting the springs swapped is a tough job.  I had the best luck with an "internal style" spring compressor I rented from Autozone.  There isn't enough room under there to use a compressor that goes on the outside of the coil.
Wanted:  More time to work on my Eagle!

1988 Eagle Wagon - Overlander Build
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=45852.0

Offline SilverEagle

  • Eagle
  • **
  • Posts: 10
  • Thumbs Up 0
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #19 on: October 05, 2017, 09:58:17 PM »
Yeah, Ive taken them out before already when i replaced all my bushings and balljoints up front. I will do the springs first. i bet your eagle, as well as mine, was/is sagging which will show the two inches. I had planned on taking measurements as well. What method did you go with on the rear to match that? as far as from the side did your eagle seem to sit lower in the front? i have yet to find anyones decent pictures of the control arm gap to the unibody before and after the lift.
86 Eagle Wagon, Daily driver and fly fishing expedition vehicle.

Offline amarshall

  • Eagle Sport
  • ****
  • Posts: 286
  • Thumbs Up 16
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #20 on: October 06, 2017, 01:33:54 PM »
In the back, I found that one of my original leaf packs had a snapped eye in front.  So I ended up getting some "stock spec" springs from Stengel Brothers and replaced them.  I also put in a full length add-a-leaf kit meant for a Jeep Cherokee XJ.  It was advertised as a 2" lift kit, and I got it from Iron Rock Offroad though I think others are available and are similar.  Finally, the bolts on my rear shackles snapped when I removed them so I had to use shackles from a Jeep CJ7.  The stock Eagle shackles are 3-1/2" long and the Jeep version I used was only 3" - so this lost me about 1/4" of height in the rear since they say you adjust by half the length.

Once I was all done, I measured front and rear at the sill and it was pretty level.  Within 1/4" front to back, with the rear just a hair low.  If I had stock shackles I would be dead level.  Frankly, it's not really noticeable and is probably due to my disappointment with the short rear shackles.  I may try finding some 4" shackles which should raise me another 1/2" in the back, and go for the "I just bought air shocks for my 1976 Camaro" look.

So, if you have stock rear springs with useable Eagle shackles I would highly recommend a full length 2" add-a-leaf kit.  Get new U-bolts too while you are at it. 

For the shocks, i used Eagle spec both front and back.  I used some short extensions in the back, they were needed.  I didn't need shock extensions in the front at all, since the difference in ride height where they attach was much less than the 2" (geoometry!).  My front shocks are serving as bump stops, they are the limiting factor for how far down the arms can droop.  That seems to be what the factory intended, and at full droop there is about 1/2" between the frame rail and the bottom side of the upper arms.  I didn't measure or take pics of the control arm gap before the swap, but I believe the change was minimal there - again because of the geometry.  It was certainly much less than 1" change at the sill, since it is so far inboard.
Wanted:  More time to work on my Eagle!

1988 Eagle Wagon - Overlander Build
http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=45852.0

Offline thammerman

  • Hatchling
  • *
  • Posts: 4
  • Thumbs Up 0
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #21 on: September 11, 2018, 08:45:24 PM »
Just want to give a conformation on lift coils/spring since I just did both the front and rear.

I used new 74 Javelin coil springs in the front.  I already had a good height w/ no sagging but got a solid 1" lift.  I used new factory shocks w/ extenders, will upgrade those down the road.  It rides smooth, handles tight and doesn't bounce around when hitting pot holes.

I used new 88+ Jeep Cherokee RANCHO 2" lift springs in the rear.  New bushings were needed (and tricky to source)  I got a good 2.5-3"" lift in the rear end (at the bumper).   I wanted an aggressive stance and I got it.  I again used stock shocks w/ extenders.  Ride is excellent.  When I have the time, I will source the proper air shocks so I can utilize the factory air-ride suspension.

I am clearing 215 75 15's w/ no rubbing.  I installed a set of 225 75 15's and loved the look but the front rubbed on turns and I didn't want to trim.  If I was willing to trim the inner fenders and do a little adjusting, I could clear 235 75 15's.

I am very pleased with everything and have no regrets on any of the mods.

I had a professional alignment done and I get a "slight" vibration over 65 MPH.  Will align again after I do a 1000 mile shakedown.

 :help: did you happen to get a part number for the bushings on the xj leaf swap? Also I was curious about a shackle choice and if a block combo would put me at 2 to 3 inches. Im hoping that that a arm swap mentioned was correct.

Offline westboundbiker

  • Hatchling
  • *
  • Posts: 1
  • Thumbs Up 1
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2023, 12:17:30 PM »
Does anyone have updated part numbers for any of the coil springs listed here? I can't seem to find any of them across the web.  Considering that I've been seeing some recent issues with ESPO springs, I'm hesitant to go that route, and would prefer an off-the-shelf solution.

Offline vangremlin

  • Administrator
  • AMC Eagles Den Addicted
  • ******
  • Posts: 4411
  • Thumbs Up 212
Re: Lifting the Eagle 1-3"
« Reply #23 on: July 11, 2023, 04:29:06 PM »
Kennedy American lists coil springs for Eagles.  Good luck!
1981 Kammback 258 - "Pepe"
1980 Coupe 258 - "Ginger
1972 Gremlin X 304
1978 Gremlin 4 cyl 121 - sold
1964 TBird 390 - sold

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk