Thinking of a solid front axel......

[rollguy]

My SX4 has a full rectangular tube frame and the wagons had a front sub frame only.  The fixture is just an Eagle front section upside down.  Fabbing a sub frame is easy because you don't have to weld overhead.   Modifying the front crossmember would be the easiest.   The sub frame is a bolt on unit that is attached at the 2 front bumper mounts, 4 crossmember bolts, and 4 rear crossmember studs (these need to be replaced with longer ones.  Full size Cherokee/ Wagoneer axles come in 2 widths.  The wide track axles are the ones with fender flares, and are about 4" wider than the standard axles.   They are on "J" trucks as well, but most of them that I have seen are wide track with the fender flares. 

[Mechanic]

Ok, so the sub frame doesn't sound to bad, and once that's done the hardest job will be getting it bolted and welded on properly. Everything else should just bolt up and then i just have to worry about piñon angle and shock mounts. Were did you mount your shocks??

You woudn't be able to send me a PM with all the dimensions for the subframe and were you welded your shackles would you??..... Hold on though, you said it was just the front frame of an eagle upside-down? Unfortunately, i don't have acess to a parts car right now and the one front of an eagle I do have is for my smacked up 84. So either way, If it is at all possible , in any way, to take those measurements that would be beyond awesome.

[Whuntmore]

No, you have two front frames.  We took it off Ian's '84.  from the dog leg to the front.  It's sitting there with a motor, tranny and TC case still attached in your yard covered over with plastic.

Plan for a motor swap as #1 project.  Get the motor and tranny onto your SX/4.  I can come down for the TC case swap, and there ya have a cut, useable frame.

[Mechanic]

No no, the frame i have is for the smacked up 84 wagon. The engine and tranny is for the SX/4 and you have the T-case.

[Whuntmore]

Sorry, I forgot you're NOT using the wagon as your bushbuggy anymore.  Ahhh well, it was just a thought. 

For your Blue '84, Maybe you should consider having the frame straightened, or getting another donor car.   Last summer, we had that other blue one we used as parts, IDK why the heck we didn't use it for fixing up your '84....

[Mechanic]

Ran outa time i think.

But i am thinking about just building a new frame for the wagon. I would like to look at it a bit more before i decide the fate of that front frame.

[Whuntmore]

Ran outa time i think.

But i am thinking about just building a new frame for the wagon. I would like to look at it a bit more before i decide the fate of that front frame.

That's right, too many projects on the go (If I remember correctly, there was the truck, and visits from Kristen's two Eagles.), not enough time, and over-quota on the vehicles.

Well, you're getting it squared away now.  The Jeep is gone, the parts blue one is gone, Ian's is gone, my '86 is out of there, the grand am is gone (that's 5 less then last year), hopefully you'll be able to sell the Olds, and get rid of the RX-7. 

That should put you back to a manageable amount of projects.  You know that I'll help you, so that's two sets of hands...  And we always have Dean for Parts - Or Pick N Pull. 

Also, at our last meeting, there was a suggestion put into motion that once a month (whatever) all members would pile down to a selected member's place, and help with projects, garage, parts, how-to, technique, etc.

We are going to Rich's place first - I think June 11. 

You might consider coming to one of the next meetings coming up, and plea your need.   And your timeframe.  Since you only have the summer to really go at these, you might consider asking to be during the summer, and getting a date set.

You just might end up having over 15 guys show up who know AMC's, and are willing to help you.  You could get ALLOT done. 

[Mechanic]

That would be cool, i would just have to have some of my projects all lined up and ready to work on as well what i want to do and a list of parts...... Would be a lot of prep work but if I can muster the parts that would be awsome when is the next eagle meeting?

[Whuntmore]

It should be the 14th of June.  That's the second Tuesday of this month.

I think if you get 'elected' to receive help (and if you do, you might wanna thank Regan, Rory, and Duane for coming up with this idea), yah, really get it together for some big-time help.

We're talking about some of these guys who were driving AMC's before you (or even I) were born.  They have experience and skills we don't.  So ya, If you can you gotta come to this coming meeting, and maybe beg to be the next person, since you only have the summer free.

[rollguy]

Here is a photo of the shock mount.  I just made a piece that bolts into the holes that the upper control arm mounts to.
The top has a bolt welded in it so it is attached into the top shock mount.

[Mechanic]

Ohhh...... THAT'S handy!!! I like that. Doesn't look like an overly difficult thing to build either, or adjust when building to a specific hight and shock length.

Sooooooooooo............. Would you be willing for those specs?? I don't mean to be pushy, and i do have a front frame disconnected from a vehicle so if it's just to those dimensions that works to. I just don't want to takle this job with such little experience and nothing more to go off of other than "the axel goes.......... HERE!" lol

[rollguy]

If you have the front section of an Eagle already, you have the dimensions.  You could just fabricate the front sub frame with your Eagle up in the air with all the front suspension removed and the engine supported from above.  It could be done that way, but it would be very difficult.  The shock mounts can be made at any time without the need for any fixtures (of course the springs would need to be removed first).

[Mechanic]

Right, I'm planning on pulling the engine and tranny for this job. I'm thinking that if i build the subframe completely, I should be able to install the engine and tranny onto the sub frame and then lower the car onto the subframe. But that's looking a bit into the future. When do i stop with the measurements on the subframe? Do i go to the lower control arm brace on the frame? Or untill after it levels out under the car?(can't think of the technical term.)

[rollguy]

Right, I'm planning on pulling the engine and tranny for this job. I'm thinking that if i build the subframe completely, I should be able to install the engine and tranny onto the sub frame and then lower the car onto the subframe. But that's looking a bit into the future. When do i stop with the measurements on the subframe? Do i go to the lower control arm brace on the frame? Or untill after it levels out under the car?(can't think of the technical term.)

If you study the photo of the sub frame in post #11, you will see a flat plate on each side.   That plate sits right against the existing frame rail where the trans crossmember bolts. The studs need to be replaced with longer ones, and the plates sandwiched between the crossmember and the existing frame.   The rectangular tube is cut to follow the "dog leg" angle.  The top of that tube is even (horizontally) with the front part of the frame below where the bumper mount is.  The space between the top of that tube and the frame where the engine crossmember is bolted, allows enough room to start and tighten the bolts (actually one bolt, and one nut that looks like a lug nut).   You will need some kind of fixture, or the actual car in order to make the sub frame.  Every piece needs to be cut, fitted, and tacked before the final welding, which should be done while bolted on to keep everything in place.    It would be very difficult to make something like this from only measurements.   

[Mechanic]

Ok..... So your building the subframe to the same footprint as the existing front unibody. Just have her kinda tacked up and mocked up before you finish welding it. What about the slight "hump" to accommodate the axel in the original eagle frame?? I'm assuming looking very closely at the pictures it's just a strait sub frame. And then one it's mocked up and tacked together you weld it up solid, mock up leafs while it's still on the vehicle, and then take the frame off and weld on the spring purchases??

Sorry about all the really niggle technical questions.