AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: cgi2099 on November 28, 2011, 03:31:52 PM

Title: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: cgi2099 on November 28, 2011, 03:31:52 PM
I have an 1986 Eagle 4x4 with a I6-258.

Is there a replacement coil spring for these eagles that lift the front 2 - 2.5 inches? Or is there a spring that i can use from another vehicle to do this. I work at an autoparts store so availability isn't a problem. What is the largest tire i can put on with the 2.5 lift?

Also i have another problem that someone might be able to tell me what part to replace. When i hit a bump the front in squeaks terribly bad, ive sprayed all the moving parts (i think anyways) with WD40 but still the squeak continues, what might be the problem? It doesn't it on both sides in the front, I thought it was the control arm bushings but i soaked them with WD40 and it still continues.

Thank You,
Josh
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: captspillane on November 29, 2011, 12:33:29 AM
There are only two different coil thicknesses available. Eagles used the thinner coil springs. A 1970 Javelin will have a thicker spring. Then there are very slight, arguably negligible, differences in spring length that account for slight differences in weight. That's in contrast to other companies who would vary spring rate, AMC only changed spring length. Cruising through Rockauto you won't see springs listed, since technically Eagle springs arn't sold. This is because the factory used slightly different springs on each side to account for the engine offset.

1970 Javelin Springs will likely put your station wagon just as high as you want it. Eagles can actually accept any size tire if you are willing to modify the fender opening or make a minor cut to the rocker panel. With the fender off the tire doesn't come any where near the frame even with 33x12.5 tires.

I personally use 235/75 R15 tires on all my Eagles. My Red SX4 in this picture has those tires, although I don't have a picture from before when the plastic fender flares were on it. It looked alot better then. The fender flares don't need any external modifications, they just need their 4 inch depth inside the wheelwell to be narrowed to about an inch. A formal lift wasn't at all necessary, in this picture the rear springs are replaced and stiffened but still the original height and the front springs have yet to be replaced.

There is a projection of the rocker panel that needs to be trimmed back, but it is a minor cut. With the fender on you just continue the curve of the fender down through the rocker panel. The part that gets trimmed is then only about an inch of rocker panel, and that inch doesn't effect the strength of the rocker panel or even open a sizeable hole in the end. The second picture shows this projection's odd shape and it should be obvious that cutting it back doesn't effect much.

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/11-15-09_1344.jpg)

(http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x427/captspillane/Eagleweb%20Postings/Oct20110528.jpg)
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: carnuck on November 30, 2011, 01:41:11 PM
I bought a set of '77 Hornet or Concord wagon front springs with V8 and AC to try in my '82 wagon.
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: standup650 on March 04, 2012, 11:20:21 AM
Quote from: carnuck on November 30, 2011, 01:41:11 PM
I bought a set of '77 Hornet or Concord wagon front springs with V8 and AC to try in my '82 wagon.
Did you try them yet? Do they work?
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: carnuck on March 04, 2012, 11:35:17 AM
Still haven't finished putting my trans in. Waiting for NP229 I'm getting tuesday to do that. Getting ready for next sunday's HUGE swap meet in Puyallup too.
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: standup650 on March 04, 2012, 11:44:41 AM
aw. well please keep us posted. Thanks
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: carnuck on March 04, 2012, 12:20:22 PM
I'm still recuperating from having all my teeth pulled, so I'm moving a bit slow.
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: standup650 on March 04, 2012, 01:49:44 PM
Holy  :censored: ! well I wish you a speedy recovery!
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: bigdog56e on March 16, 2012, 03:09:28 PM
  I used stock springs listed for my '82 Eagle with air, lifted it about two inches. Bought them from ESPO.
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: doc65 on March 16, 2012, 03:30:57 PM
I think that anecdotely we've determined that the espo springs are the thicker wire springs ala Javelin. I have a set if jav springs  to goin soon as i find time, they are a moog part 3156 iirc which is slightly taller v8 with air version so i can trim with cutoff wheel to get level if required...
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: DaemonForce on March 17, 2012, 03:32:21 AM
Does the AMC Eagle suspension system interchange with everything from a Grand Wagoneer?
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: doc65 on March 17, 2012, 10:07:01 AM
no, different animal
Title: Re: Coil spring replacement for lift?
Post by: carnuck on March 17, 2012, 02:54:40 PM
AMC front suspension is similar to FWD '80s Caddy