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rear end swap 56-66 Classic |
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Wrambler
AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 4199 |
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I would use a Granada axle mounted with NASCAR 62 Chevy truck arms.
Might be hard to find the truck arms there. If you're going to change something. Get away from the two piece axles.
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Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler 4.0L, 5 speed 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited 2019 Chrysler 300 |
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farna
Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19686 |
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Open driveshaft, not a torque tube. And the American axle is only around 55" wide, not 58" like the big cars. Only the 56-66 big cars used Torque Tubes (and the big Nash and Hudson cars), and all AMc torque tubes used coil springs. All Americans and smaller cars (Javelin, AMX, Hornet, etc.) used open driveshafts and leaf springs. The diff is near centered on both, so the axle shaft from the American won't be long enough. On the plus side as long as the big car was a six cylinder the hub from the American axle will fit. Of course it's not a good idea to place a used hub from one axle shaft onto another as it probably won't have enough surface area to grip due to the 'splines" not lining up. Remember, a virgin hub has no splines and is slightly softer metal than the axle shaft, which has shallow spine rolled into it before hardening. Those splines are transferred to the virgin hub when it's installed. The splines simply increase the total surface are of part engagement, they don't really add strength. The strength is in the increased contact area when torqued down properly. If there is a key (pre 57 axles don't have a key, only 58 and later) it's just there so that the hub will be aligned the same if ever removed. A hardened key adds a little strength, but not much. That said, since yours has spun, you could have another key or two cut in the axle and hub. In the early days AMC drag racers did that, before there was a one piece axle available and some classes may have had to use factory components. But that would probably be costly since the axle shaft is hardened. Might ask a machine shop about that. Another solution that might no cost as much is ti have the end of the axle and hub drilled after assembly (and torqued down) for a hardened taper pin. If the end of your axle isn't totally trashed you might just try the used hub from the American axle though. At this point there isn't much to lose. Have I pointed you to page 16 of this thread? Alternatives to the torque tube, but need a live axle (like a Rover rear drive axle?). Another alternative: https://www.ramblerlore.com/AMC/Roadster/rear-suspension/index.html This is a "wishbone" suspension in that it has a single pivot point in front. Instead of a heim joint a rubber strut rod bushing (straight threaded rod on the end) could be used since there is little movement. That would also take a lot of vibration and road noise out, something Tom wasn't concerned about in open car that already has a lot of wind and road noise. The front of the "legs" could also be separated, turning it into a "truck arm" suspension. Again, strut rod bushings at the front (or rubber control arm bushings) would quiet things down.
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Frank Swygert
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farna
Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19686 |
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Mark has a good suggestion! Rover or Granada live axle would work. Maybe 79-82 Taunus/Cortina V6? Aren't they live axle? Rear track is 56", but with 1" spacers on each end it would work.
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Frank Swygert
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Wrambler
AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 4199 |
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Granada is about 57 1/4" and big tube clear to brake drum. 10x 1 1/2 brakes. Driveshaft is Centered! It just had too many things going for it for me to pass up for $200. Even the leaf pads are only 1/4' off
I have a 8.8 I'll be selling. 3L73 from 92 Ranger.
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Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler 4.0L, 5 speed 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited 2019 Chrysler 300 |
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