Re: [Amc-list] 64-69 Amer/Jav/AMX upper trunnions

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Even if the spring tower isn't 100% identical on the 70+ Javelin/Hornet as the 64-69 American/Javelin/AMX, the "upgrade" to 70 style suspension can still be done with a bit of careful cutting and welding. The main difference is the location of the upper a-arm mounts on the body. The mounts are straight across on the older cars, the upper arm is angled toward the back on the newer ones to give some "anti-dive" effect when braking hard. For normal drivers it's not enough of an improvement to be worth all the trouble, and certainly takes more time and money than rebuilding the original suspension. Maybe for a road racer though. 

I'm not sure if the upper arm mounting locations are the same distance apart on the old and new models or not. If they are, and the A-arm is about the same length as the older models, it wouldn't be hard to replace the upper trunnion with a ball joint -- just replace the upper arm, steering knuckle, and spring. The old model shock can be retained, no need to put a shock inside the spring. The spring rates are VERY different due to the location of the spring. On the old cars it's directly above the steering knuckle, on the newer ones it's moved about 3-4" inward. The inward location needs a higher spring rate (stronger spring) to give the same feel as the further out location. Location had to be changed to clear the ball joint. The angle of the spring should be okay in the old style towers, but I haven't tried this -- it's all theoretical until someone does! I need a Hornet or Gremlin parts car to experiment with... or Javelin...


-----------
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:38:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: adh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Sandwich Maker)
Subject: Re: [Amc-list] SCORE!!! (i think??....) -- 58-63 American
	front end

" From: Davis Martin <martin-davis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
" 
" I am talking about 1967 so I guess it would be a newer trunion setup.
" Would the AMX trunions be the same? I have only ever worked on 70 and
" up stuff.

yup, '64-9 american/javelin/amx front suspension is all the same,
barring a balljoint upgrade mid-'66.

the spring tower sheetmetal is even the same, which makes me wonder if
you could convert a '64-9 american to all balljoint suspension with
'70 javelin/amx spring tower panels.  i know the '69 and '70 amx are
close enough that the fenders, hood, and grille all swap, so the
spring tower panels -should- have the same general outlines.  someone
with a crash book could tell if the '68-9 spring tower panel was the
same part for americans, javelins, and amxes, and if the other inner
fender panels were the same on '68-'70 amxes and/or javelins.

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


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