Hello everyone,
I'm currently setting up for plastic/rubber reproduction. As far as external body parts go, what do you guys need? There is a separate post for interior parts.
Here's the list so far in order of how I'm tackling them:
Turn Signals (Sides and front)
Brake Lights (wagons first, other body styles later)
Front Grill (Late model first)
Bumper end caps/corner caps (front and rear. Wagons first, other body styles later)
I understand seals (window/door) are also in demand, but I don't think think current process will be able to accurately reproduce those. They'll be dealt with separately later on.
Anybody interested in the rubber belting that runs horizontally? Or emblems? What about the crash blocks that mount to the bumpers?
The little bumper guards would be good, but I don't know if they would sell well. I'd like to see emblems produced again. The other thing would be the side markers for SX/4s and Kammbacks on the quarter panels. The side moldings would be good too. I think you've got a good list there.
Thanks for pursuing this. I own a Kammback and a two door sedan. I would be interested in the bumper ends - fronts are the same for 81-88, but the Kammback's are unique in the rear. My sedan is a 1980, those are one year only for all models I believe.
There is a piece that attaches to the body and covers up the gap between the rear bumper on the Kammback that would be nice to have but I'm sure there wouldn't be a lot of customers for that.
I have a mostly intact rear bumper end for an SX/4, which are also unique that I would be willing to send you if that would help you out. Let me know. Thanks again for doing this!
Side markers for SX4s and Kammbacks are the same as Spirits, right? Those are very doable.
Yes, the bumper fascia piece that always crumbles away. That's a good call. I know those were used on early models. The trick will be finding some still intact to copy.
Emblems would be very easy, but they'd come out as black or white plastic. Making them metallic is tricky. Either electroplating or vapor deposition would be required. It might be easier to cast them in pewter or zamak. I'll have to play around with that.
Vangemlin I appreciate the offer. I'll let you know if I need that later on. Lights (especially tail lights) are the top priority for me right now.
Yes, side markers are the same for Kammbacks, SX/4s, and Spirits. Those used to be available through Kennedy American, but I haven't checked on that in awhile. There used to be a member on the Den that reproduced them for awhile, but I don't believe he is still active. His turned out really nice but they were just one color, without the silver on the raised portions of the lense. I don't know if you'll be able to do that or not.
Thanks!
The 80 eagles also had a filler piece between the bumper and the back of the car that is different from the rest of the model years.
So I just looked on the AMC lives website and they do have weather stripping for the Eagles.
https://www.amclives.com/collections/weatherstripping/1980-1988-eagle
Vangremlin, do you know, the silver on the lens, is it painted or some kind of actual metal?
Maddog, AMC Lives is not a source I would use myself...but good to know they say they have those. That bumper filler piece (fascia?) is what I think Vangremlin was talking about on the Kammbacks. I wonder if all the 1980 models use the same piece or if their shaped differently depending on the body style? Either way they shouldn't be too hard to remake, I think the trouble will be finding one that's survived!
Quote from: Ludworks on October 04, 2024, 04:48:07 AM
Vangremlin, do you know, the silver on the lens, is it painted or some kind of actual metal?
I got mine from Kennedy American back in 2008-ish, and I believe at the time they told me the original ones had the silver plated on, but the reproductions were just painted.
I looked the other day, and didn't see them offered at Kennedy American or AMC Acres. However, I did run across someplace on Facebook last night that is reproducing them:
carreplico.com
Thanks!
Quote from: Ludworks on October 04, 2024, 04:48:07 AM
Vangremlin, do you know, the silver on the lens, is it painted or some kind of actual metal?
Maddog, AMC Lives is not a source I would use myself...but good to know they say they have those. That bumper filler piece (fascia?) is what I think Vangremlin was talking about on the Kammbacks. I wonder if all the 1980 models use the same piece or if their shaped differently depending on the body style? Either way they shouldn't be too hard to remake, I think the trouble will be finding one that's survived!
There's another company that has parts for eagles as well called American Parts Depot, they even have the side marker lenses for SX/4's. As for the rear filler piece I think the wagons and both the two and four-door sedans had the same one.
I'd bet that Carreplico and American Parts Depot probably have the same source for those side markers. Don't quote me on that, but that seems to be the way it goes for most similar things. Seems like they've got that covered though, so probably won't worry about those for the time being.
As far the filler pieces, they're also going to be a lower priority, seeing as they're only used on early models. When the time comes I'll put some posts on here asking to borrow specific pieces like that. Hopefully someone has a clean one to copy.
There are a couple of parts with metal plated/deposited/stamped on them that are going to be tricky, but I've got some ideas. To reduce cost I'll try and offer some parts without the metal and see what people think. For instance the front side markers have that "chrome" strip around the lens. Well that's actual metal that's been bonded to the ABS. However I can make the part much cheaper if I skip the "chrome" and offer it with a black border around the lens.
I actually hate Chrome and would honestly love to get rid of as much Chrome as I can. When I had to replace door handles on my car I went and got the black Jeep half door handles and honestly I think they're better made than the ones that came on the car originally, they also look better. As for that rear filler piece. I was actually contemplating taking what's left of mine and seeing if one of the local shops around here could make it out of sheet metal but I would definitely prefer something that doesn't dent. But it's also not a high priority right now, getting the car back on the road however is. One other body piece I know a lot of people with wagons would love to see made is hatch hinges.
Good to know on the chrome. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Honestly I go back and forth on it.
I should also be able to make front side markers, side molding/belting, emblems, tail lights, grills, and bumper corners in solid black.
The hinges themselves or the seal underneath?
Both the hinges and seals would be ideal.
I'll say it, I like chrome. And it seems like lots of younger folks that actually show interest in these cars like chrome too. I'm talking people that are in their teens and 20s here because that's my age. That said, silver paint looks like chrome for a distance. If it's easier to not do the chrome, I'm sure people would be more than happy to paint stuff silver.
I agree that both hinges and seals would be good to get replicated I know AMC lives has the gaskets and people have had good luck with them, but it'd be good to be able to have more than one source for stuff like that. Also if you really want something Chrome looking with paint they sell chrome paint and I mean the color is actually Chrome.
The only problem with the chrome is it's all (or mostly) real metal. Putting metal on plastic requires time and equipment. They probably used some form of vapor deposition for a lot of it, and I can't replicate that right now, but electroplating is something I could do and something I'm looking into. It would produce, for all intents and purpose, an identical finish, but would require a cost increase on the parts vs no metal. I will try and make both versions of such parts available for those interested in one over the other.
Hinge seals should be no problem. Hinges themselves are a little much for the moment, but, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, they're cast, right? Probably in Zamak with nickel plating on top? That's something I could replicate in the future if true. I'll look into it.
Quote from: maddog on October 02, 2024, 07:26:12 PM
The 80 eagles also had a filler piece between the bumper and the back of the car that is different from the rest of the model years.
I need one of these. Mine disentegrated.
I also think some mudflaps ould be cool. I haven't been able to find any for sale anywhere close.
I thought there was someone on here who did mudflaps already. Is that no longer the case?
Quote from: Ludworks on October 14, 2024, 05:01:45 PM
I thought there was someone on here who did mudflaps already. Is that no longer the case?
There was a guy who was doing the mudflaps as well as the Kammback/SX/4 marker lights. I don't think he has been active for quite awhile. Maybe if you contacted him you may be able to acquire the molds (or whatever he has) to start reproducing them again. I have some old contact info if you are interested. Thanks!
the "Limited" dome light lens is currently unobtainium. The rectangular one. That would be great. gz
Might try here. https://bjsoffroad.com/dome-light-lens-front-1980-1991/
Mudflaps should be fairly easy, they're a simple enough design. I'll need to get one or two in good condition to copy.
I know the dome lights varied based on trim level and year. I'll add them to the list to look at later on.
I have three of the original Eagle mud flaps and they're all in Fair shape and the only real difference between the driver side and passenger side ones is what side curve for inside the fender well is on.
the dome light lens has been out of stock at BJs for over 3 years. thanks, gz
Maddog is there a difference between front and rear mudflaps?
No not really. On the one front on I do have it's only cut down maybe a quarter of an inch more than the rear ones, and that could have been from somebody trimming it. The reason I say it could be that somebody trimmed it is because the cut goes from being straight to angled whereas the ones on the rear are both a straight cut.
Just a thought, is there any way that mudflaps could be made so that they mount under the flare instead of at the back of the wheel opening? I'd like to have mud flaps, and I'm sure plenty of others would too, but with how many people run larger tires than stuck, people have trimmed or have rubbing there and the flares would get torn off.
An interesting idea. I'm not sure about under the flare, but some kind of relocation could be possible. I think you're onto something...after all, it's the guys who go actually play in the mud that would want the mud flaps the most, right?
That's my thinking. Or at the very least, people with wider and larger tires might not want their paint destroyed from chips.
In my case, my car has crappy paint so I don't care about chips. It is a daily driver though and I don't like dirt and mud flung all over the thing.
I personally like the old style that mounts at the back of the wheel opening.
Maddog, I agree. As far as a traditional mudflap goes that's the best place for it. They're simple and they look good.
89 MJ, I think I'd have to look at a car with the larger tires and trimmed flares to get a real idea for how to make it work, but I'd got a few ideas.
It might just be best to make a reproduction of the stock flaps. The next time I am around my car (may be December, may be May, tbd), I could try to figure something out or grab some pictures to help come up with a plan.
Quote from: Ludworks on October 18, 2024, 03:26:21 AM
An interesting idea. I'm not sure about under the flare, but some kind of relocation could be possible. I think you're onto something...after all, it's the guys who go actually play in the mud that would want the mud flaps the most, right?
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Well, I run the original wheels and tire size, I just want to avoid rock chips and mud, since I live in a pretty rural area with dirt/gravel roads.
I found another thing that would be nice to have made and that is headlight buckets and their surrounds.
Quote from: maddog on March 11, 2025, 11:23:12 PMI found another thing that would be nice to have made and that is headlight buckets and their surrounds.
Here is a link to a company that makes the headlight buckets and surrounds. I had traded emails with them about 10 years ago and it looks like they are still offering those parts and others. Look in the Rambler section. Let us know if you are able to get any of these parts.
http://www.mirsa-mx.com/
I just tried looking up the parts but my phone thought their website was a virus.
Maddog,
Seems to me that the gaskets that are available right now are missing some of the molded features of the originals. I'd like to correct that when I reproduce them.
Hinges are underway as we speak. I'll make a dedicated post on them when possible. Chrome paint is a fine idea, but there are quite a few more durable metal coatings to explore first I think.
Vangremlin,
Great link. I reached out to them to see if they are still reproducing the parts in their catalog.
Ludworks that is awesome to hear about the hinges.
Well I haven't heard back from Mirsa-Mx and I'm guessing I probably won't. Their website is pretty dated. Vangremlin if you could try reaching out to them maybe you have better contact info.
Quote from: Ludworks on March 19, 2025, 08:52:29 PMWell I haven't heard back from Mirsa-Mx and I'm guessing I probably won't. Their website is pretty dated. Vangremlin if you could try reaching out to them maybe you have better contact info.
Will do!
Just a quick update, I did get a response from this vendor, he wanted to know specifically which parts we were interested in, so I told him all of the Eagle parts, and asked about pricing. If I remember correctly from the last go around, the prices weren't bad, but shipping was pretty expensive. Hopefully the Eagle parts are still available.
Vangremlin,
That's great news. I'm glad you were able to get in touch. I'd appreciate it if you could give him my email and let him know I'm interested in buying in bulk.
[email protected]
Quote from: Ludworks on March 26, 2025, 10:13:21 PMVangremlin,
That's great news. I'm glad you were able to get in touch. I'd appreciate it if you could give him my email and let him know I'm interested in buying in bulk. [email protected]
I wish I had more great news. Unfortunately, they no longer have/make the headlight trim, the headlight bucket, or the taillight that they used to sell. They still offer the front turn signal lense and housing, but only for the right side (I think). Ludworks, let me know if you would still like me to forward your email address, or I can also provide their address that I have used while communicating with them. Thanks!
Well that isn't very helpful!
Never mind about the email then Vangremlin. I'll continue with my own plans for reproducing them.
I wonder if they still have the moulds and/or jigs?