Stupid question ... 4x2 Eagle ?
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Eagle and Jeep Specific drive-train issues
Forum Description: Eagle and Jeep used different drive-train components, this is for discussion of these parts specific only to Eagle and Jeep, transfer case, front differential and axle, etc.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55177
Printed Date: Apr/16/2024 at 1:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Stupid question ... 4x2 Eagle ?
Posted By: nali
Subject: Stupid question ... 4x2 Eagle ?
Date Posted: Nov/01/2013 at 8:00pm
|
Forgive me for my ignorance, I can t find the information. I read from most sources that Eagle are permanent 4x4. Far from perfect for mileage ... On the other side, I once drove one, I also see pictures of them with a 2WD / 4WD button. So what s the trick ? Was there a change one year ? I d like to get one as a inter driver. Even in bad shape, it would be perfect for winter here. So not a pristine, of course :) Thanks. ------------- No more car :) Maybe a 1965 Ambassador Coupé someday .. If I can find a cheap one. |
Replies:
Posted By: carnuck
Date Posted: Nov/03/2013 at 1:19pm
|
All years except 80/81 and a few '82s are 2wd/4wd selectable. I've had mine for sale for $2000 for some time now. I'm about to change the differentials and right front wheel bearing, then put in new front axles which will make the price go up.It's not from the rust belt though. ------------- Got an Eagle? http://forums.amceaglesden.com" rel="nofollow - http://forums.amceaglesden.com |
Posted By: nali
Date Posted: Nov/03/2013 at 1:58pm
|
Thanks a lot ! So a post 1982 is what I may look for. You re a bit too far for me :) ------------- No more car :) Maybe a 1965 Ambassador Coupé someday .. If I can find a cheap one. |
Posted By: Fluffy73
Date Posted: Nov/03/2013 at 2:28pm
|
Yes, the design of the transfer case changed through-out the Eagles' production. Early ones as stated above 1980, 1981 and early '82 are all full-time 4wd. Sometime during the early production run of the 82s, they changed to the switchable type transfer case, however this style needed the vehicle to be stopped to be able to switch between 2wd & 4wd. Later still around the '84 model year, they came out with a switchable type that could be switched "on the fly" with no need to stop the vehicle. There were also changes to the orientation of the transfer case. The early 80/81s hung down quite low while later ones did not. ------------- I am genetically incapable of being Politically Correct. |
Posted By: carnuck
Date Posted: Nov/03/2013 at 6:34pm
|
I haven't seen any change in the orientation of the transfercases (other than 4 cyl and 6 cyl which use different transmissions) The front axle hanger on the passenger's side changed from the longer one for the early non-vacuum axles to the shorter one for the vacuum axles, which stayed the same and the axle was changed for the shift on the fly models. It's the (insert 4 letter word) vacuum shift front axle that requires stopping to shift. The vacuum hoses go bad (flexing/cracking from age) and the vacuum motors get rusted up (both on the axle and tcase) and the system is too excessively complex. It can be modded to shift on the fly by permanently engaging the front axle and simplifying the hoses to go to only the tcase shift motor. ------------- Got an Eagle? http://forums.amceaglesden.com" rel="nofollow - http://forums.amceaglesden.com |
Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Sep/07/2014 at 10:06am
|
There's only like 1 mpg difference between full time 4WD and selectable 2WD. The public perception is that it makes a big difference, but in truth it doesn't. The reason 4x4s don't get the economy of a 2WD vehicle is mainly the 400 pounds or so of extra weight, and they usually have bigger tires and lower gearing. The extra drag from the 4x4 hardware is minimal. ------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: gui67
Date Posted: Apr/01/2015 at 12:21pm
Hello Carnuck, My fathers eagle has the vaccuum type transfer case. It takes a lot of time to engage. Would you have some technical documentation about the transfer case, the vacuum diagram? What modifications can be done to simplify the system and make it more reliable? |
carnuck wrote:Posted By: farna
Date Posted: Apr/01/2015 at 7:26pm
|
Chevy used a similar system on early 80s S-10 Blazers, maybe others. There used to be a cable sold to replace the vacuum shifter. Should be simple enough to rig a universal control/choke cable to the axle if you wanted to keep the disconnect feature.
------------- Frank Swygert |
Posted By: carnuck
Date Posted: Apr/04/2015 at 2:21pm
|
This shows the Eagle (and pretty much FSJ) vacuum front axle and tcase system. http://oljeep.com/gw/vac/eagle/EagVac.pdf The easiest way is permanently engage the front axle and re-route the hoses like this. http://amceaglesden.com/guide/Shift_on_the_Fly_Vacuum_Set_Up" rel="nofollow - http://amceaglesden.com/guide/Shift_on_the_Fly_Vacuum_Set_Up http://amceaglesden.com/guide/Main_Page#Eagle_Modifications ------------- Got an Eagle? http://forums.amceaglesden.com" rel="nofollow - http://forums.amceaglesden.com |
Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Apr/09/2015 at 7:09am
AMC found so little change between 2x2 and 4wd operation as far as economy, they dropped the switch option later. I've had full-time and switchable systems and have no trouble accepting either case. All of mine over the years that could be switched operated just fine. My 1984 had the shift-on-the-fly system and if you were going under 50 I believe the book said, you could engage or disengage 4 wheel drive while moving, but I normally planned ahead, and there was not a lot to gain by taking it out so used the switch-on-the-fly feature not all that often. But when I did it worked great. My mid-1982 SX/4 is stop, switch, go system. The only difference is indeed the front axle as the transfer case on all of them can be shifted moving- it was OnLY the axle that necessitated stopping as there was no synchronization to it. But if you lock the axle together, you can shift the t-case moving or not moving. Worked on a ton of 'em, owned 5 different Eagles, have another in my shop now to refurbish for someone. The shift system on my baby Eagle works perfectly. Yes, I've seen heavy cables like those used for truck PTO controls used by rigging them through the floor to the t-case shift lever. A PTO cable is stout enough to handle the rigors of Eagle driving, mud, salt, crap, etc. and not bend or flex when shifting. -------------  http://theamcpages.com" rel="nofollow - http://theamcpages.com http://antique-engines.com" rel="nofollow - http://antique-engines.com |