I am a Navy vet that is just starting to transition back to civilian life, and have come across a 1980 AMC Eagle that I am going to buy real soon (it needs some work, but mostly cosmetic stuff). I have wanted an Eagle for about as long as I can remember, especially with the fact that I grew up with a 1979 Concord.
I do have one question right now regarding the Eagle: does anyone know where I can buy a new seatbelt for the '80 Eagle I am getting soon? The latch part of the driver's side belt is missing, so it needs to be replaced, but for the interim, bucking the belt into the passenger buckle works, although that prevents my wife from riding in the front for now.
The Eagle I am getting is a white 4 door wagon, if that helps anyone.
Noting the interior color would be good if you want one that matches what you've already got. Also, you ought to post some pics so we can admire the bird :)
Welcome to the nest. You are starting out on the right path by getting the 1980 model. It's the best and most desirable year. In 1981 new C.A.F.E standards mandated better gas mileage which forced AMC to downgrade the quality of the engine components and introduced other PIA changes to the fuel system in order to meet these standards.
Welcome Goatman,
I've also wanted an eagle for a very long time. as far as parts go, alot of members have become excellent scroungers, and extremely resourceful. But... there are some who have amassed a great amount of seatbelts, say... Three-2 cubic foot boxes full of them. Not mentioning any names here, but it's El Matador.
We love to see lots of pics, we love to see projects (with lots of pics), videos, and just basically lots of pics.
glad to have you on, and I'm looking forward to seeing all your pictures ;D
Welcome to the Nest and thank you for your service. I hope your transition goes smoothly and before you know it you will be able to speak and understand, "civilian". ;D
Yes post a Wanted topic for your seat belt needs and as mentioned El Matador has a bunch, but that one will come down from Canada so shipping will be a bit higher, but not too bad. If he does not have your color someone else may have it. And, AMC sourced their belts from the same place GM did and of course any older Jeep Grand Wagoneers you run across will probably have what you need too.
Right now I am torn between replacing the belt section, or by upgrading the front seats to a 4 or 5 point (probably a 4 point).
I know I would like to replace the 3 speed auto with an overdrive tranny at a later time.
Here is the only picture I have of the car so far.....
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_5842.jpg)
The car was sitting for several months, and it started right up. Aside from the bad rotor and pads on the left front (and a few electrical issues, mainly with a bad light switch and blown bulbs), the test drive went well.
El Mat: lol how did you get so many seat belts, you worked for amc or what?!?!
When I got my car it appeared to be in excellent condidtion...every power accessory worked to some degree...the interior smelled like fresh leather...but the SEAT BELTS were all falling apart and electrical taped to gether at the buckles and tongues and none of them would freaking retract. But I didn't care, and now I am always opening my door in traffic to pull my seat belt back in cause it's flapping on my rocker panel (guess I should wear the thing, but it;s always stuck in the door when I try to put it on...)
So I'm planning to go to the junkyard and get a complete set of GM buckles from an 80's car cause I want the sleek bulletproof metal ones...and I don't use GM parts lightly, believe me...but they did make darn good seat belts and it should be an easy adaptation, seat belts are all attached very similar on all cars, new and old, that I've ever looked at...
It's just an idea, cause AMC seat belts falling apart/not working seems to be a recurring thing...I'd go with the 4/5 points if you got them!
PS GoatMan: Don't feel bad, I spent a lot of my money I got from the military on an Eagle, too ;-P Plus they really remind me of a baby HMMWV, which of course AMC's AM General designed in the same era
Now go swab the decks, squid!!, er [?sailor?sir?] ! ;D (J/K, I love y'all!! my former team leader and my former platoon sergeant in the Guard, my grandpa, and my ex-girlfriend are ALL former NAVY, but I'm not cut out for the sea myself, so I joined the infantry )
It took some time, but I finally got my 1980 AMC Eagle. There are a few issues that came up during it's 100 mile drive home. I need help finding some of these parts:
Headlamp switch (the lights work, but will not hold the dash lights on).
Interior Lamp is gone
Driver's side mirror will not hold in place
The last owner lost the door keys, so I need a new set of door locks.
This is a new photo of the car:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6012.jpg)
Here was a "bonus" left in the car: a deer leg!
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6014.jpg)
Hope you didn't have to pay extra for the deer leg!
I don't think I've ever seen a stripe like that on an Eagle before. Is it part of a special package?
Pop a door lock out and have a locksmith make a key for it.
Quote from: vangremlin on December 14, 2010, 12:13:56 AM
Hope you didn't have to pay extra for the deer leg!
I don't think I've ever seen a stripe like that on an Eagle before. Is it part of a special package?
The back quarter of the car says MOUNTAIN EAGLE 4x4.
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6024.jpg)
The car has the term "4x4" on eight locations, twice on each back quarter, and on each hub cap.
Dash:
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6023.jpg)
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6022.jpg)
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6021.jpg)
Quote from: GoatMan302 on December 16, 2010, 05:51:10 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on December 14, 2010, 12:13:56 AM
I don't think I've ever seen a stripe like that on an Eagle before. Is it part of a special package?
The back quarter of the car says MOUNTAIN EAGLE 4x4.
(http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll34/AngrySailor302/100_6024.jpg)
Anybody ever hear of the Mountain Eagle badging before? Do you think that was an owner mod, or a regional trim option similar to the California Special or High Country Special Mustangs? Interesting!
I don't know. Kind of seems to be a low optioned car for a regional special -- you would think a Mountain Eagle, from the dealer would at least have had a roof rack.
Could also be dealer installed. In the early 90's we had a man who striped vehicle come around and you should have seen some of the stuff he came up with. In reality they were normal vehicles with 40.00 worth os stripes on them
First picture does have a roof rack. If I could find out what dealer sold my car and if they offered a regional package I would have it replicated as it would make it more unique and the vin would not show either way. Just a cool piece of history. I hope this car goes through a complete restore as some others have done.
I think you should make that deer leg into a keychain...
....for good luck!
Quote from: iAMCheap on December 17, 2010, 07:38:51 AM
I think you should make that deer leg into a keychain...
....for good luck!
It didn't seem to bring the deer good luck...............
maybe place the deerleg in the grille ..... make it look like the eagle ate it (if you do please oh please send me a picture)
Quote from: thereverendbill on December 17, 2010, 04:59:02 PM
maybe place the deerleg in the grille ..... make it look like the eagle ate it (if you do please oh please send me a picture)
I wouldn't send a picture to Doug. Deer give his SX/4 indigestion.
i seem to recall seeing another eagle on here with the same thing on it. same color too.
I thought I remembered it, too.
Quote from: jim on December 17, 2010, 08:07:53 PM
Quote from: thereverendbill on December 17, 2010, 04:59:02 PM
maybe place the deerleg in the grille ..... make it look like the eagle ate it (if you do please oh please send me a picture)
I wouldn't send a picture to Doug. Deer give his SX/4 indigestion.
lol
Quote from: IowaEagle on December 17, 2010, 06:30:22 AM
I don't know. Kind of seems to be a low optioned car for a regional special -- you would think a Mountain Eagle, from the dealer would at least have had a roof rack.
The car does have a roof rack, it is hard to see with the snow on the top of the car!
Quote from: thereverendbill on December 17, 2010, 04:59:02 PM
maybe place the deerleg in the grille ..... make it look like the eagle ate it (if you do please oh please send me a picture)
My brother in law's dog ate the leg already.... Maybe next season will see my Eagle "eating" a deer....
Quote from: GoatMan302 on December 18, 2010, 11:05:53 PM
Quote from: thereverendbill on December 17, 2010, 04:59:02 PM
maybe place the deerleg in the grille ..... make it look like the eagle ate it (if you do please oh please send me a picture)
My brother in law's dog ate the leg already.... Maybe next season will see my Eagle "eating" a deer....
if so, you'll decently get my vote for eagle of the month ;D
At least next Halloween, there will be zombie parts sticking out of the hood.....
Does anyone know where to get a radio adapter kit for my Eagle?
Quote from: GoatMan302 on December 24, 2010, 01:56:22 AM
At least next Halloween, there will be zombie parts sticking out of the hood.....
Does anyone know where to get a radio adapter kit for my Eagle?
if my mind isn't playing tricks on me Best buy sells them, or if you want i can take a picture of the wiring in memphiseagle's wagon (1985) that has already been spliced by the P.O. to work with an aftermarket CD player
Bit of a problem here:
My retarded brother in law rammed the back of my Eagle, breaking both of the hinges for the hatch, and it looks like the hatch might be damaged as well.
Does anyone know where I could obtain a hatch and hinges, and how much it would cost, as I am about to take my in-laws to court over this and my tractor, which was also rammed and damaged, and I need to know replacement costs for the suit?
I am just curious into how this all came to be ....... i could see accidentally hitting your eagle, but an eagle and a tractor? My guess is that he is one of those "if i forget it, it'll go away" types. Sucks that you have to go to court to get compensated
where are you located goatman?
HI In 1996 Oct I was in Reno and I saw one just like that. I thought it odd i had never sean a mountain eagle that wasn't alive and flying ...............Don
Quote from: maddog on February 16, 2011, 02:11:03 AM
where are you located goatman?
Litchville, North Dakota
And yes, my brother in law is the kind that thinks that forgetting and forgiving him is the solution, without fixing.
The Eagle has finally been brought home (my in-laws blocked in the Eagle in the hopes of getting money from me for damages that my brother-in-law's dog did, but they had to unblock the Eagle as that would constitute theft), but not without more damage. The side mirror has been smashed up by my brother-in-law's buddy.
Charges have been filed as vandalism, of which my in-laws are begging me to drop, but they refuse to pay for the damages, so I refuse to let my brother-in-law off the hook.
good for you goatman.
WOW! The sad part of it all is even if you do win and get money he can arrange payments wich could amount to as little as 20 dollars a month (that's what my sister is getting from some idiot hitting her car with no insurance and then taking off)
Stick to your guns!
The big problem that my in-laws have with me pressing charges, is that my brother-in-law has a rather lengthy rap sheet, including two DUIs, reckless driving, as well as disturbing the peace and so on, and they fear for his ability to keep his job, as having a DUI hinders most jobs that a non-college grad can hold.
Come heck of high water, my Eagle will be fixed enough for farm use this spring, even if I have to drive to CO for a new hatch.
If you where closer to me I'd hook ya up with a hatch
Quote from: thereverendbill on February 23, 2011, 10:48:38 PM
If you where closer to me I'd hook ya up with a hatch
Where are you at, I am sure that I could come up with an excuse to travel almost ANYWHERE (although I will not willing go back to corrupticut while my brains still work...)
I may have found a second Eagle sitting out in a yard near where I work. When it thaws, and can get a better look at it, I plan on asking how much they want for it, it's a black sedan, so the hatch issue will not be fixed by that, but at least that would get our Eagle count up to two.
I found out why the Eagle got rammed: my other brother in law wanted to buy it cheap to sell to a buddy of his for a profit, and thought that the damage would get me to drop the price, despite the fact I told the overgrown turd that the Eagle was not for sale.
I am in central Pennsylvania. If your willing to make the drive I would purchase the flawless hatch i saw at the wreaking yard today on the car I bought a set of hatch hinges, complete key set, all door handles, and a few interior trim pieces off of. And it would be yours free of charge
HI I was wandering if this is your wife's brother or your sisters husband. it can cause trouble on eather side just like to know............... :amc:.........Don
Quote from: thereverendbill on March 05, 2011, 11:54:02 PM
I am in central Pennsylvania. If your willing to make the drive I would purchase the flawless hatch i saw at the wreaking yard today on the car I bought a set of hatch hinges, complete key set, all door handles, and a few interior trim pieces off of. And it would be yours free of charge
That would not be a problem as I need to drive to CT this spring to retrieve parts of my yard tractor from a buddy of mine, so driving through PA is not an issue, as it's on the way.
Quote from: teneagle on March 06, 2011, 12:00:30 AM
HI I was wandering if this is your wife's brother or your sisters husband. it can cause trouble on eather side just like to know............... :amc:.........Don
The jerks (two of them) are my wife's brothers. And yes, they are causing a lot of problems.
More problems with the dummy brigade, part deals with stuff they stole from us, and also has to deal with stolen mail. (I have already had to close my checking account so far...)
I was told by the county court that I need to come up with a dollar amount of the damage done to the car (as well as other things damaged by them) as soon as I can, so proceedings may continue (I had put a stop to it briefly in the hopes that they would start treating myself and my property better.
The local mechanic has not seen an Eagle in some years, and does not know where to begin....
Does anyone have an idea how much replacement of a rear hatch, lock, hinges, and pistons would cost ?
This would include parts and labor.
shocks around 20 bucks a piece brand new, hinges around 50 bucks for a pair, and the rear hatch intact with glass 150 without wiper stuff to 250 with all of the wiper stuff. Those are the prices I would ask for it all but you may be able to find stuff cheaper
The Eagle has gotten itself stuck in our swamp of a field, but not too deep. Are there any points to pay close attention to when I can get it out of the mud/water?
Depending on how deep it sank, may want to drain and refill your axles, clean and grease your front hubs the best you can. no worries otherwise, unless you sank upto the tcase and trans :o, in that case fresh fluid for them too, lol. Give it a grease job at all fittings too ;).
We did get the Eagle unstuck once the water drained away, there is a lot of gunk and surface rust on the front end of the car now. What we had to do was jack up the car, pace rocks and boards in the ruts and pull the Eagle out dead, as it refused to start.
Unfortunately, all work on the Eagle has ground to a halt due to the VA finding tumors. I have already had one surgery so far, with more likely within the next few months. With losing my job because of the tumor removal surgery (Wal-Mart threw a fit because I was not willing to reschedule the surgery because of their inability to schedule people right, they had me scheduled for work on my surgery day, despite my having submitted a leave of absence the month prior.), things are having to be put on hold.
I might have a hatch available soon (I'll also have to double check it's condition as much of the vehicle is pretty beat up)...as well as some other things if you need them. Including a drivers side mirror. My hatch only has one useable hinge though. The left drivers side hinge.
I live in Rolla, MO and could take it as far as Kansas City...maybe farther if need be.
Goodness GoatMan302, just read your thread and it sounds like you are having a heck of a time. Shame you can't serve your country and retire in peace. Hope all the in-law stuff works out to your favor, but how do you put a dollar figure on all the time and grief spent on dealing with the low lifes? Best of luck to you with that. And best of luck with the surgeries too. I've had good and bad experiences with the VA. Hope your experience is positive.
Boo on Wal-mart for treating you so poorly. Consider contacting the news media. I can see it now, "US Vet Fired From Wal-Mart For Having Tumor". I so hate Wal-Mart. Sorry if any of you work for Wal-Mart, but I just hate it.
Let us know how it goes with your Eagle and all.