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late model AMC fenders

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Topic: late model AMC fenders
Posted By: billd
Subject: late model AMC fenders
Date Posted: Mar/23/2013 at 3:02pm
If you hear Concord, Spirit and Eagel fenders are the same, reference this and correct them.
FYI - Concord fenders will NOT work on Eagles if you want things to fit.
They are different dimensionally ahead of the wheel. There is a 1.5" difference.
I've not bothered to try but I suspect there are other differences where things bolt together in the front as well. The wheel well opening itself is wider front to back on Eagle. by at least an inch and a half.
Height is nearly the same.
I found out the hard way........ a VERY expensive mistake.
This is one time I should not have changed my mind.............now I am back to "no, they won't work, they are indeed different.
I've lost a whole lot of time and enough money to really toss my projects and this car off course this spring. It may not get done for summer now.
(see my desperate wanted ad.....)


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Replies:
Posted By: Ohio AMX
Date Posted: Mar/23/2013 at 3:25pm
IIRC the Eagle has a slightly different wheelbase than a comparable Concord, and this was disguised by opening up the front fenders and using the flares.

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1940 Hupmobile Skylark
1968 Javelin future Pro Street
1969 AMX 290/auto (first car)
1997 Dodge SS/T 5.9L
AMO# 983


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Mar/23/2013 at 5:32pm
If you have seen the lower control arms on the Eagle, I would suspect you are correct. They have quite an offset where the 2 wheel drive car control arms come almost straight out from the cross member.
Too bad I didn't really measure for myself earlier instead of just looking at them on cars.
I traced both out on a large piece of cardboard and the bulk of the difference seems to be the front below the "body line" from the marker light down.

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Posted By: kirkwood
Date Posted: Mar/23/2013 at 5:53pm
I've told this to people many times and no one ever believes it!

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AMO Newsletter Editor


Posted By: Mr. Ed
Date Posted: Mar/24/2013 at 9:46am
Hollanders Classic Interchange says the '79-'80 AMX, '79-'83 Spirit, and '79-'83 Concord use the same fender. But when you go to section 1866, it has the following notes:

Note: AMX has flared wheel openings.
Note: Eagle has flared wheel openings and molded rocker panels.

AMX '79-'80.
Concord '79-'83.
Eagle '80.
Spirit (AMC) '79-'83.

Last century I took a fender off of a Concord and put it on my '80 Eagle Limited.
That is the only mention of the Eagle. But the books are 1965-1979 with only scattered mention of anything newer than 1979.

Later!
Mr. Ed


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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo "Gwendolyn."
1978 Concord Sport coupe "Mr. Black".
1982 Concord wagon. The Admiral. FOR SALE!
1976 Sportabout X, 304, auto, air. The Bronze Goddess



Posted By: maximus7001
Date Posted: Mar/25/2013 at 2:17am
Oh great. Looks like I will also need two Eagle fenders as well. After researching the heck out of this interchange for the last 3 years I determined that the 81 Concord fenders were suposed to be a direct swap for an 85 Eagle except for the trim holes. Let a repairable set stay in the scrapyard and get shredded over this time as well, partly due to my Concord being the same colour as the Eagle.

Well at least this is resolved now by a good source. Also saved me alot of hassle before attempting the swap myself.

This should be a sticky.


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1968 Javelin SST

1997 GMC Safari AWD

2001 Daewoo Nubira SX (Winnipeg only model)

1997 Honda Accord EX (Canadian Model)

Winnipeg, home of the Jets.


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Mar/25/2013 at 5:51am
I will next check my 80 Eagle wagon - it's hard to believe that the Eagle was different between 80 and 81 in wheelbase and thus fenders.
There was the difference in the trim, but to say that a fender fits a 1980 and not a 1981 of the SAME MODEL car is a bit odd. I'll measure that next.
To be safe and sure, the best bet is to simply remember -Eagle fenders are different. They are not the same as any other AMC car.

As for the wheelbase, I know the Eagle is a very short car. Even the wagon is shorter than the Javelin bumper to bumper. And in that it surprises me a bit that the Eagle wheelbase length is the reason since the control arms are swept BACK, meaning they place the wheels BACK of the crossmember, not ahead of it. This is because the differential hangs on the engine mounts BEHIND the crossmember. So sweeping the lower arms back, and since the engine mounts pretty much the same, resting directly on the crossmember, it means the wheels are further behind the engine mount points compared to other AMC cars of the time. Odd, then, that they needed more room ahead.  I would expect a shorter wheelbase in the case of the Eagle since the front wheels are behind the engine mount plane, not ahead or even with.
Whatever, in any case, the fenders for Eagle are different. I'll check the 80 if I remember to, to night.
Otherwise, just keep it as a simple rule -
Eagle != Concord or Spirit fender. 
(programmers will see that means not equal to)


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Posted By: Mr. Ed
Date Posted: Mar/25/2013 at 2:05pm
When in doubt, post the question in the interchange section. My Hollanders only goes up to '79 as stated above but it has saved me some headaches over the years.

Later!
Mr. Ed


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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo "Gwendolyn."
1978 Concord Sport coupe "Mr. Black".
1982 Concord wagon. The Admiral. FOR SALE!
1976 Sportabout X, 304, auto, air. The Bronze Goddess



Posted By: scott
Date Posted: Mar/25/2013 at 4:00pm
The parts book says 80 Eagle & 79-83 Concord & Spirit fenders are the same part #.
 
The book says 81-87 Eagle fenders are the same part #. They are not the same part # as Concord Spirit fenders.
 
The 80 Eagle uses one year only flares & trim between the flair & fender.
 
 Bill,  you should be able to use the Concord fender that doesn't fit your SX/4 on your 80 Eagle wagon. So its not a total loss.
 
I tried to post scans of the crash book with the part #'s but they wouldn't come thru clearly. I do have extras of the crash books that cover Eagle & Concord, if anyone is interested. They are cheaper than buying the wrong fender.


Posted By: amcjoe
Date Posted: Mar/26/2013 at 9:47am
To confirm what others have said about '80 Concord and Eagle fenders having the same part number, here is a pic from the factory parts manual.




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Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Mar/26/2013 at 11:27am
Scott if I don't have the books you refer to in my stash, I'd be interested anyway..... I'm going to be restoring the one my brother bought for his daughter, and frankly, plan on AMC work full time as soon as I can afford to quite the real job.
I've got so many books in multiple places, I frankly can't recall what I do or don't have!

Here's a kicker - don't take this as the absolute proven doubtless gospel, however, but before heading out the door today, I ran down to the shop, turned on the little incandescent lights so as to not wait for the big industrial lights to fire up, and using an LED light measured the 80 Eagle fenders under the trim.
First - BOTH fenders had the front lip and edge curled under as if they had made contact with the tires at some point - that in itself was very interesting as the SX/4 fenders are far enough away it's not possible unless you backed up REALLY fast, slammed the brakes and had a strut let loose of the lower control arm, or something got tangled between tire and fender (which BTW did happen on my 82, thus it got a split welded up)
So both 1980 fenders made contact at some time with what I will guess was tires.
Further, I measured all of my fender collection at the VERY bottom of the fender ahead of the wheel - wheel lip to the surface that mates with that front valance piece. The SX/4 (1982) was the shortest distance, 6.5"
The NOS fender was 8"
Accounting for the minor damage on the 1980 Eagle - 7.5"
I checked both sides, measured multiple ways and I could not for the life of me make that measurement stretch out to the 8" the NOS fender or the other 2 Concord fenders I have measure at in that location.
It's as if this is shy of the Concord by a good half inch, but not the full 1.5" of the 82.
I will pull back the trim, straighten that edge and measure again, but following the fender lip and projecting the front bottom end of wheel opening and measuring to where the fender attached to the front valance - it was short of the 8" by an amount it had me scratching my head. I'm not talking a quarter inch which I'd completely dismiss as an error based on damage or my being in a hurry.
Thus - I need to measure this beast again and even pull things apart if needed.


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Posted By: scott
Date Posted: Mar/26/2013 at 3:15pm
Bill, Here's a link to the crash books I have. I am flexible on price the more you buy.
http://theamcforum.com/forum/amc-coverage-crash-books-for-body-shops_topic46009_post415018.html?KW=#415018" rel="nofollow - http://theamcforum.com/forum/amc-coverage-crash-books-for-body-shops_topic46009_post415018.html?KW=#415018


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Apr/01/2013 at 12:34pm
Eagle vs. Concord vs. Spirit vs. 1980 Eagle fender - how to tell?

In photo below, if you measure the lowest point of the fender ahead of the wheel well opening, at the outside just before it is bent to form the lower lip that bolts to the fender brace, it will measure roughly 8" for Concord and 1980 Eagle, and will measure 6.5" (6 1/2") for Eagle 1981 and later.




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Posted By: greasygt
Date Posted: Apr/01/2013 at 12:51pm
   I just measured mine, an 83' Spirit. 7 1/2" where Bill measured his.

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greasy                        83 Spirit GT. 79 Ranchero GT.             


Posted By: toolmanxiii
Date Posted: Apr/11/2013 at 11:12am
81 - 87 eagle fenders will all interchange . and that is all . that includes the SX4 and Cammback. (gremlin body) they changed the look of the grills and front hood trim a bit over the years but they all will fit. no 2wd fenders will fit properly unless you want to do some cutting around the wheel wells.
The spirit doors will fit the SX4 .


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71 360 Hornet sst 83 2wd 360/727 Eagle wagon (crashed)


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Apr/11/2013 at 12:43pm
Originally posted by greasygt greasygt wrote:

   I just measured mine, an 83' Spirit. 7 1/2" where Bill measured his.


That's precisely why I indicated '  ~8" '  (where ~8 = 'about 8')
Depending on where the measurement it taken, due to a certain radius in the bend back inward at the bottom, the compound curves, etc. - precise won't be easy. But there's a big difference between "about 8" and 6.5" You could be off 1/4 to 1/2" in each measurement and still see a difference between the two.

Quote 81 - 87 eagle fenders will all interchange . and that is all


Yes, that's what we have previously stated here...... (joe thanks for the parts manual scan - that says it all)  and we've explained why.
The 1980 was the same at first until they discovered a lack of wheel clearance on turns under certain conditions. So they moved the wheel well arc out starting at a point between the side marker light (position indicator lamp for Europeans) and the lower body line. The rest of the wheel opening from that point on back up the curve to the bottom of the back of the opening matches up. (I traced this multiple times onto cardboard)

Yes, the doors (and many other parts) interchange directly because the SX/4 is quite literally a Spirit 4x4 (Sx4 or SX/4) - based directly on the Spirit platform (I also have some excerpts from a book outlining the process used). 
Some have called it a 4 wheel drive Spirit/AMX.
The changes were the floor pan obviously, and because of that the seat bottom frames - interior items that bolt directly to the floor pan were changed (Spirit gauge package won't fit an Eagle).
 
The engine is shifted to the right a bit. Because the stick used a hydraulic clutch, the exhaust had to wrap around and clear the clutch cylinder - it also had to swing out and clear the front drive shaft.

The hood is the Spirit hood for the SX/4, Kammback and wagons with the Sport package,
It's the Concord hood for the sedan and base model cars.
They compensated for minor differences with that front hood trim, covering and extending the hood forward and downward with the trim. (remove it and see how different the hood looks)

The grills interchange exactly (see image below) 
The headlight parts, many other parts are exact matches.
The bumper mounts are different because the Eagle was classified as a "light truck" for the purposes of federal rules.
In order of the red arrows, left to right - 1980 Concord, 1981 Eagle SX/4, 1983 Eagle SX/4 (but that ain't no Eagle grill  Wink  )



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Posted By: MudPuppy
Date Posted: Apr/11/2013 at 1:58pm
Thank you for the information. Was always told that they were interchangeable. Haven't had the need yet, but now I know.


Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: Jun/28/2013 at 7:22pm
Bill and others. Here is a link to the '79 - '83 parts manual that was rescued a few months ago and incorporated into a new Wiki that is continuing to be expanded.

http://wiki.amcevolution.com/index.php/1979_-_1983_Factory_Parts_Catalog" rel="nofollow - http://wiki.amcevolution.com/index.php/1979_-_1983_Factory_Parts_Catalog

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1970 Ambassador SST 2 dr HT; 1980 Concord DL 4 dr; 1982 Eagle SX/4 Sport.


Posted By: Marty
Date Posted: Sep/25/2013 at 8:29pm
Hi , I am Parting Out A 1981 A.M.C. Spirit 2 dr Hatchback . A FEW Years BACK, I Had a WRECK With MY 1980 EAGLE WAGON . I Took the 81 Spirit to the body shop ** and "Paul" WENT AT IT ! AND Took every part HE NEEDED! OFF THE SPIRIT. It Turned out "Beautiful " I am to OLD to be concerned That the Hood Looked diff and the BIG TOOTHED GRILL WAS AN 81 SPIRIT . But , NOW I HAVE THE LEFT FRONT FENDER FOR SALE ! What do I say ? to an EAGLE CUSTOMER OR A AMX OR Concord full size 2dr or 4 dr or 4dr wagon ? and is the GAS TANK THE SAME OR THE REAR END ( WAS A 4CYL AUTO DL ) WELL, One DAy at a time .. Later , Mike in North Central FLorida#32148


Posted By: Alaska AMC Guy
Date Posted: Jan/04/2014 at 2:13am
I would be interested in a set of those crash books if you still got one


Posted By: kidgrem
Date Posted: Jul/26/2014 at 1:12pm
The 8" measurement also applies to the 77/78 gremlin and the 78 AMX, I have all three.
The book lists the fit as 01-40.
I would assume any fender with the 8"measurement will be interchangeable, If you use the Headlight mounting panel for your application.


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Aug/04/2014 at 7:07am
Additional items related to Concord, Spirit, Eagle, etc. fenders.

Yes, AMC made a mistake and used the same fenders they had been using on the Concord and others on the first generation of their Eagle. They corrected the mistakes for subsequent years but in doing so made 1 year of certain parts for the Eagle rather unique. Besides the fender itself, some parts under and on the fender are different.

The different parts should include -
Different fender liners for 1980 vs. 81+ Eagle:   In using the Concord fenders, they also used a fender liner designed and sized to fit that fender shape and wheel opening. The liner is shaped to precisely fit the wheel opening to seal from debris getting between liner and fender.

Different flares 1980 Eagle vs. 81+ Eagle:  The flares for a 1980 Eagle are different from any other year Eagle due to the wheel opening size difference - but also due to another very important thing that eBay sellers spamming just to get hits by saying "fits eagle" in their posts - the 1980 Eagle did not integrate the bumper ends into the fenders! The 1980 Eagle uses the same bumper ends as the Concord!  So be AWARE and WARY of sellers saying "fits Concord and 80-88 Eagle" as that's a lot of BS. No way. It may bolt on, but you are in a pickle when it comes to finishing the car out! Other stuff oddly won't fit and you'll scratch your head wondering why... because they said "fits Eagle". A size 14 shoe will go onto my foot, too - but that doesn't mean I won't have some problems later in the day.

Different trim:  The aluminum arch shaped trim that attaches at the top edge of the fender flares on Eagles has to be different due to the different flare and wheel opening shape/size. 1980 is different from later years Eagle.

So besides the fenders for 1980 Eagle being the odd 1 year only fit for Eagle, you have to consider the fender liner, fender flare and bumper ends or corners and flare trim or edge. 
These would be different for 1980 Eagle vs. 1981 Eagle. AMC learned a few things from the 1980 model year and corrected some mistakes but in doing so, they made it so that sellers of fenders and certain other parts who say "fits Concord, Spirit and Eagle 1980-1988 are either liars or just trying to get you to look at their ad, or they honestly know too little of what they have.

1 year only for Eagle, 1980:  Fender, fender liner, fender flares, flare trim (bright aluminum, mounts at top edge of fender flare), bumper ends.
Buyer beware, seller wise up.



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Posted By: amcglass
Date Posted: Aug/04/2014 at 7:53am
Originally posted by kirkwood kirkwood wrote:

I've told this to people many times and no one ever believes it!


you must have been talking to a female...>LOL    just kidding

was nice to meet you over the weekend and the laughs and jokes were a lot of FUN

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Javmanpres

BBG Mark Donohue 401

74 Jav/AMX
71 Matador 2dr sedan delivery wagon
1902 Rambler Runabout   
70 T/A Javelin


Posted By: toolmanxiii
Date Posted: Dec/06/2014 at 10:50pm
Spirit fenders will fit an SX4 until you hit a corner on a hill as AMC found out in 81 ... same for Cammback and Eagle's .  2WD fenders will bolt up . and work fine .. just stay on 100% flat pavement and only go straight ahead .
I have put regular fenders on Customers cars as that's what the swore would work ... and then came back and asked what I did to make the tires grind .... some I had to actually take and Eagle fender and put it on top of theirs and show the difference . so if anyone wants a crumpled 2 wd fender I have a few ... 

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71 360 Hornet sst 83 2wd 360/727 Eagle wagon (crashed)


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Dec/08/2014 at 12:58pm
Ha - I bet you have!
They swear they'd work because that's what they have been told for years based on the fact that they WILL bolt into place (and the 1980 parts listing shows they fit)

We could also show them photos of my 100% stock (except for the engine being out so I can put a 4.0 under the hood) 1980 Eagle wagon that is a great example of how AMC probably found the error they made...
Both left and right are rolled/bent in behind the "fender flare" trim.
Looks fine from the outside, reach behind that trim and feel how the fender is folded in on both sides from turning corners.

I have to wonder-  didn't they find out when they tried to reinstall the fender liner or the flare? Even those are different. The fender flares of an 81 or later Eagle will not fit a Concord or Spirit fender. How could they have possibly put a 1981 or 82 or later fender flare on a Spirit fender? I'd love to see how they made THAT work out!


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Posted By: toolmanxiii
Date Posted: Dec/09/2014 at 9:15am
billd. the flares will fit .(rubber bends) but the 1" gap between the bumper end and the flare was caused by the tow company pulling the car by the bumper .. or they shrunk from impact... some customers just won't listen . " the Book said they fit" and as I have been told the customer is always right ...Ermm 

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71 360 Hornet sst 83 2wd 360/727 Eagle wagon (crashed)


Posted By: amcismeagain
Date Posted: Aug/01/2015 at 6:35pm
Gosh..............does this mean the Eagle parts car I just bought may be worth more than the $400.00 I just paid for it????

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The HERD includes:
1970 BBB Mark Donohue
1973 Gremlin
1974 Gremlin X Levi's edition
1972 Jeep J4800 Camper Special w/ 454 BBC
1967 Malibu Station Wagon


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Aug/01/2015 at 11:33pm
Don't count on it unless it's extremely rust-free and the fenders aren't dented at all. Almost all are, and many have filler in them. The shipping is a killer, otherwise nice fenders can be hand for 50 bucks or less when you find them. I paid $35 for one that was dent-free, and rust-free and included all emblems and the flare in Kenosha last year.
If you charge like folks do on eBay, yeah, you'll get more than 400 from the parts, but if you charge like vendors at shows and swaps, no. Eagle parts on eBay are typically very over-priced. 


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Posted By: 79redspiritgt
Date Posted: Aug/19/2017 at 9:15am
i have a part number on a nos fender 6544992 what does it fit?


Posted By: 1982AMCConcord
Date Posted: Dec/14/2017 at 10:48am
I have a driver's side un-used/unpainted raw Eagle Fender that I bought for my Concord... When the wheel well trim for my Concord didn't line up... I realized I had a problem. 

I am not able to verify if it is AMC OEM or an aftermarket re-pop but it is for sale if anyone needs it. I do not want to ship it.. so if someone local wants it or can drive to me... that would be best. I believe it will get damaged if it was shipped. If there is any interest... just IM me... thanks.... 


Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Dec/14/2017 at 11:29am
My tablet doesn't show your location........most interested in right side but left can't hurt to have, either.

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Posted By: 1982AMCConcord
Date Posted: Dec/14/2017 at 11:32am
Originally posted by billd billd wrote:

My tablet doesn't show your location........most interested in right side but left can't hurt to have, either.

I'm in Kenosha, WI. Home of AMC! 

I only have one fender though... I think I can contact the guy who MIGHT have the other though... I think he is in Reedsburg, WI.


Posted By: matty 401
Date Posted: Dec/18/2017 at 4:44pm
will the fenders from a 78 concord fit a 79 

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72 matador 401 the beast
79 concord 2 door
72 matador 304 grasshopper
68 Rogue 406
93 Cherokee 4.0 5 speed



Posted By: billd
Date Posted: Dec/18/2017 at 5:52pm
Yes they should be the same. In fact they were the same for Concord and Eagle in 1980.
In 1981 AMC made the change because, well, when turning corners with the Eagle, you ended up rolling the fender lip back and in because the Eagle front suspension sits wider and turns in a wider sweep.
But Concord should be the same in those years unless a Concord person can specific otherwise.

If there's a chance at both, especially right, fender for Eagle, let me know. 
I have decent used ones but my car is rust-free and I'd only want to put new back on it should anything happen. 


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Posted By: Ohio AMX
Date Posted: Dec/18/2017 at 7:02pm
Originally posted by matty 401 matty 401 wrote:

will the fenders from a 78 concord fit a 79 

I think you will need to remove the headlight mounting panels from the '78 fenders.


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1940 Hupmobile Skylark
1968 Javelin future Pro Street
1969 AMX 290/auto (first car)
1997 Dodge SS/T 5.9L
AMO# 983


Posted By: matty 401
Date Posted: Dec/19/2017 at 12:08pm
i know the 78 are a single headlamp and the 79 are dual 

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72 matador 401 the beast
79 concord 2 door
72 matador 304 grasshopper
68 Rogue 406
93 Cherokee 4.0 5 speed



Posted By: billd
Date Posted: May/25/2020 at 5:25pm
Editing and locking as this one was to be an example of the difference and what fits what, not what someone can do with enough time on their hands - or with cars other than the topic - "late model"...

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