Big body vs Small body AMC front sway bars

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   I'm thinking about upgrading the front sway bar on my 77 Matador wagon from the stock 7/8" to the 1 1/8", and discovered an 'odd' thing - Addco lists the exact same part number (866) for the big body cars (Javelin/Matador/Ambassador) as the small body cars (Gremlin/Hornet/Spirit/Concord). My question - how is that possible - when the between frame rail distance of these cars are so different?  Anyone have any experience with this on a big body car?

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73Gremlin401 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Mar/02/2013 Location: Stmbt Sprgs CO Status: Offline Points: 946	Post Options Post Reply Quote 73Gremlin401 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Big body vs Small body AMC front sway bars Posted: Jan/15/2017 at 2:08pm
	I'm thinking about upgrading the front sway bar on my 77 Matador wagon from the stock 7/8" to the 1 1/8", and discovered an 'odd' thing - Addco lists the exact same part number (866) for the big body cars (Javelin/Matador/Ambassador) as the small body cars (Gremlin/Hornet/Spirit/Concord). My question - how is that possible - when the between frame rail distance of these cars are so different? Anyone have any experience with this on a big body car?
	73 Gremlin 401/5-spd. 77 Matador Wagon 360/727. 81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd 83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

purple72Gremlin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Charter Member Joined: Jul/01/2007 Location: Illinois Status: Online Points: 16611	Post Options Post Reply Quote purple72Gremlin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/15/2017 at 10:11pm
	Good question...

401harry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/27/2011 Location: Clearwater,Fl Status: Offline Points: 758	Post Options Post Reply Quote 401harry Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 6:57am
	I just sold one of those bars that I originally bought for my Matador. Yes the 866 number is the same but the sway bar is a couple inches wider than a HD Spirit AMX bar I had sitting next to it. That bar will fit the big car definitely

LakesideRamblin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Dec/21/2015 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 2692	Post Options Post Reply Quote LakesideRamblin Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 8:11am
	I bought an Addco front sway bar for my 69 Rambler and (although I don't have it in front of me) I believe the number for the front is 165 and the rear is 915. Sounds like you have received inaccurate information. They are definitely a different size. Edited by LakesideRamblin - Jan/16/2017 at 8:20am
	LakesideRamblin 69 Rambler 360 73 Javelin 360 "If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt

73Gremlin401 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Mar/02/2013 Location: Stmbt Sprgs CO Status: Offline Points: 946	Post Options Post Reply Quote 73Gremlin401 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 1:59pm
	sadly - I'm getting the info right off of Addco's own website. Unless I'm really reading it wrong, here's the link: http://www.addco.net/aftermarket/catalog/amc/
	73 Gremlin 401/5-spd. 77 Matador Wagon 360/727. 81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd 83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

401harry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/27/2011 Location: Clearwater,Fl Status: Offline Points: 758	Post Options Post Reply Quote 401harry Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 2:23pm
	The 866 bar may still physically fit the small cars but the end links would sit at an angle. I had the bar mounted on my Matador and it was perfect

73Gremlin401 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Mar/02/2013 Location: Stmbt Sprgs CO Status: Offline Points: 946	Post Options Post Reply Quote 73Gremlin401 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 2:31pm
	This is the answer I was hoping for! Thank you! Now for the 2nd question - did it make a solid improvement in the handling? And are you using a stock rear bar, or an addco upgrade?
	73 Gremlin 401/5-spd. 77 Matador Wagon 360/727. 81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd 83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

401harry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/27/2011 Location: Clearwater,Fl Status: Offline Points: 758	Post Options Post Reply Quote 401harry Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 3:34pm
	I only had the bar mounted. I was going to do a pro touring type build initially but decided to do a 70s style street and strip car so I am using the stock bar up front and in the rear. Prior to the recent installation of bias ply drag tires the car handled very well for a big car with 275/60 and 225/70 BFG radial TA tires on 15 x 8 and 15 x 7 cragar wheels. I have aftermarket springs all around(Machine spec in rear with air bags) KYB shocks as well as a full polyurethane suspension which I highly recommend in the big cars. In the rear I also have edelbrock upper control arms (same as early chevelle) and TRW boxed lower arms that have the factory holes for the sway bar. The bigger sway bar on your car will make a difference as well as using the factory rear but the airbags really help firm things up in the rear. You would see more improvement with new shocks and bushings than just the sway bars alone

73Gremlin401 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Mar/02/2013 Location: Stmbt Sprgs CO Status: Offline Points: 946	Post Options Post Reply Quote 73Gremlin401 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 4:15pm
	Thanks! I've already purchased the KYBs and the full front/rear Prothane setup. I'll be running 245/50-16s all around (signature pic shows the wheels already on). Car has the factory handling package (front and rear bars) but I'm thinking that the thicker Addco bits will help level it out some more. Car has 120k on it, and the ride height looks pretty close to stock as is, so for the time being I'm planning on keeping the stock springs unless during the suspension swap/restoration they look a little questionable. Might cut 3/4 to a full round of spring on the fronts to up the spring rate and give the car a wee bit of rake.
	73 Gremlin 401/5-spd. 77 Matador Wagon 360/727. 81 Jeep J10 LWB 360/4-spd 83 Concord DL 4-dr 258/auto

401harry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/27/2011 Location: Clearwater,Fl Status: Offline Points: 758	Post Options Post Reply Quote 401harry Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/16/2017 at 4:36pm
	Sounds like you have a plan. With the wagon you might consider adding the airlift bags in the rear for both ride height adjustment and additional cargo capacity. They run 100 bucks and make a dramatic difference with even 10 psi inflation. I even use them to raise the rear of the car so when I want to remove the fat rear tires I have, I dont have to use 2 jacks for both the body and the axle to clear the rear fender lips. Be sure to go poly on the front spring seat bushing as well, very easy mod and also makes a big difference. As far as lube on the bushing ditch the waxy crap that Prothane includes. When assembling I use Chesterton 787 sliding paste instead. Very thick moly that wont wash out and a little goes a long way. No squeaks in 5 years on my car..good luck...Keep that Matty Wagon alive. Not many left. I had a 72 wagon and have a NOS rear tailgate inner door handle if you need one