Re: [Amc-list] A front suspension idea!

[Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I'd take it in a minute, except I don't think it will work.
IIRC, the frame drops in front of the control arm mount area making it impossible to get a flat plane to bolt in a lower control arm such as this one. I guess one could be done though, It would be an interesting item for sure and would likely sell well for 70 up cars after the logistics were worked out.
  I'm real pessimistic this one could be worked out. 
Probably take a rack too. 
  The pre 70 cars woudl still be stuck with trunions, so no real cigar there as your only halfway home.
I've never figured out why in this day and age someone has not built bolt in upper control arms that would take an S10 or some other easy to buy spindle and coil over. I know it is not a simple exercise, but, I have to believe it is doable. 
    You can basically build the thing to work in AMX's, Javelins, Americans all at the same time too. Yeah the trunions are safe and reliable, but the image is tarnished, so replacements would sell. Bolt in stuff would sell reasonably well I'd bet.
   Back to this bolt in lower assembly.
Your going to have ot crawl under the car and spec out where the front arm pivot point needs to go.
Then see what it takes to put it there.
Will it clear the steering?
If not, will a rack fit?
Then will you be able to fit an existing swaybar?
If not that's another added expense. 
The more you need to replace the harder it is to keep the price in the range people will pay.
Did you keep that first Hornet clip you bought?
That would be your starting point to figure this one out.
Get the length of those Chev II lower arms and if they are the right length, you could actually start with those!
What about a unit that "wraps" the existing pivot point? It could bolt in and move the lower pivots to the front and to the rear of the existing one. Keep it as narrow as is safe, no I don't know what that is?!
  Maybe it could be designed to take a rack as an option, not a requirement! You could spread the arm towards the rear farther then the front to allow more room for the steering.
  I know I'm rambling, but it would be an awesome achievement to incorporate this concept into a couple of bolt in pieces. Say, one for Javelin, AMX bodies. One for Rambler, Hornet, Concord, etc. This crossmember would do the bottom half as a true bolt in. Then if you have a pre 70, you would be able to buy the upper half consisting of a spindle such as S10 other that is "off the shelf" an upper control arm that would take either the stock coil or a coilover to finish the deal.
   This would keep the costs down for post 70 cars and allow the pre 70 cars to finally be able to turn some wrenches and replace everything.
    Well, still rambling... So I'll quit.
Flame on.... :]

--
Mark Price
Morgantown, WV
1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5
" I was different before people dared to be different" 

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>
> O.K., guys, 
> 
> Take a look at the following URL. 
> 
> http://www.classicnova.com/product.asp?specific=1555
> 
> Also called a 1962-67 NOVA Mini sub frame kit from CPP and can be located
> through a web search. 
> 
> And think about it a bit. There was some noise this year about a possible
> Mustang II front suspension conversion to fit AMC cars, have not heard much
> on it recently, but here is an alternative that may have some merit. I know
> more about the 70+ suspension and for the most part, everything on a 70+
> suspension is interchangeable all the way through to end of production of 2
> wheel drive cars except the Pacer. The strut rods are the same I think. At
> least for the Hornet, Spirit, Concord, Javelin cars and I suspect for the
> big cars leaving me to believe the strut rod mount would be the same too!
> This lets me guess that the critical dimensions are the same but that can be
> proven if needed. (with the exception of the 1970 vs 1971 strut rod as to
> the steering stop function but I have ground down 1971 strut rods to use on
> 1970 suspensions with no problems). this consists of a plate that is some
> how bolted into the frame of the Nova to support a full blown A frame type
> lower control arm. The basic bugaboo of the ball joint suspension of the AMC
> products. I would bet my bottom buck that something of this nature could be
> fabricated for the AMC 1970 plus front suspensions and be a universal fit
> for ALL 70+ applications if mounting holes that exist for the cross member
> and strut rod mount are used to locate the "plate" and a single lower
> control arm would fit all applications. This item is under $400.00 not
> anywhere near the approximant $1200+ Mustang II package would be and would
> eliminate the strut rod completely and all of the problems associated with
> the lower control arm and strut rod. As far as trunion applications went, if
> I am unnerstanding Frank and others correct there is the late AMERICAN/
> Javelin/AMX application and the big car applications and maybe 1 or two
> variations in the late 50s and 60's that might also be a candidate for
> something of this nature. 'Specially if it gets rid of the strut rod. 
> 
> WhadaUthink? Any Takers.  
> 
> John
> 
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