Greetings from Goatman302

[GoatMan302]

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.

[ravinsaend]

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

[milliard431]

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.

[Whuntmore]

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   

[IowaEagle]

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".   

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.

[GoatMan302]

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.....


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.

[MaskNMI]

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?] ! (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 )

[GoatMan302]

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:

[GoatMan302]

Here was a "bonus" left in the car: a deer leg!

[vangremlin]

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?

[IowaEagle]

Pop a door lock out and have a locksmith make a key for it.

[GoatMan302]

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.


The car has the term "4x4" on eight locations, twice on each back quarter, and on each hub cap.

Dash:

[vangremlin]

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.

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!

[IowaEagle]

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.

[eaglesx4]

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