Re: [AMC-List] my 62 classic project

[farna@xxxxxxx]

1. Sounds like a good plan for the rear axle... almost. You can't use the orignal axle without the torque tube. There's no way to mount a more standard seal and yoke to the torque tube axle. So you'll have to change the axle when you change the suspension. AMC 15s are easier to find that will fit -- any Concord or Spirit axle is the right width. Still might be a good idea if you can find one with a decent gear ratio until you build a 20. 

2. Starting in 62 all Ramblers have the hard points for mounting optional front seat belts (no rear hard points). You should be able to find those in the floor with the carpet removed. The washer idea works just fine. If you hit something hard enough to split the floor and pull a 2" washer out, you needn't worry about the seat belts. I put late 80s S-10 Blazer shoulder belts in mine. You will have to weld in a hard point on the B pillar of your two door. I drilled the post and passed a bolt straight through on my 63 four door wagon. The bolt head is visible with the doors open, but very few notice unless I point it out. Check out http://www.julianos.com/seat_belts.html also. There are several installation photo shoots that will show what needs to be done. None in Ramblers, but all cars are about the same. Look at the trucks too!

3. It would be difficult, but not impossible, to adapt front coil overs to your front suspension. The main question is why. The upper trunnion on the big AMCs isn't the troublesome rubber encased arrangement of the 64-69 small cars. It's a simple piece with a hole in the middle and a stud on each side. Personally I'd leave it alone, just order 10-15% stiffer springs at the ride height you want. The TSM I sent you has all the spring info in it. The HD springs would be about right, though I'd go just a touch stiffer. It wouldn't be terribly difficult to make a bracket for the upper end of a coil over that sticks up into the spring tower and bolts through the top. The lower spring seat on the big cars is tubular at the bottom and screws onto the top of hte trunnion. It wouldn't be hard to get the correct size tubing and thread it to fit then weld a bracket for a coil over shock on it. You can cut the upper part off the original, but then you'd need to find another set if you de!
 cide to
 go back. That's not to hard, but I'd locate another set before cutting, or at least start looking during the work -- just in case. A fellow put air bags all around his 60 Rambler -- you might want to check that out (http://www.rgkustoms.com/rambler/progress/airride/index.html). Check the other photos for ideas while you're there. Under the skin your car is identical except for the lower suspension -- 62 was the first ball joint lower arms, and we've been over your unique crossmember. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

--- original message ----------------------------
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 05:25:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: d stohler <das24rules@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AMC-List] my 62 classic project

i am NOT going with a ford 8.8. i been told the 8.8 disk brake kit will fit the 
amc 20 bolt pattern on the output flange of the axle tube. if not, i will be 
able to fabricate it to fit. you say the m15 will work, i will leave it in for 
now, get rid of the torque tube, and have me a m20 standing by for when the 15 goes.  
   
  <snip>
   
  another issue i forgot to mension. seatbelts. the car never had any in it. is 
the floor pan strong enough in these cars to run bolt thru with about a 2-3" 
washer on the bottom side to keep from pulling thru to easy? doesnt bother me 
much ridin without them, but the wife, she is paranoid about it ya know? im 
content to go with just some lap belts with chrome latches. 

also....

for my rear suspension, already have noted i am going with a coil over 
suspension. for the front, i was trying to figure out how i was going to tackle 
this, then i found the coil over kit for amc's on wcs motorsports website for 70 
up 
  amc's.http://www.classicone.com/wsc/catalog/amc/amc_per1.htm
  what would i have to do to adapt this kit to my old trunion style on my 62 
classic? 

   
  dave stohler 
  camp taji iraq

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