Wasn't there a fairly major change in the suspension somewhere in the lifetime of the Rebel? And are there any parts available to make a Rebel handle a little?
Wasn't there a fairly major change in the suspension somewhere in the lifetime of the Rebel? And are there any parts available to make a Rebel handle a little?
Yes. 1970. Early cars had Trunnions...70's had ball joints. 71s were Matadors.
Look for Police parts (Ambassadors too), look for Rebel Machine parts...
So Ambassador parts swap with the Rebel?
As long as you stay 69 and back or 70 and forward for front end (for sure)...I think rear suspensions are (nearly) the same from like 67 on.
There were front brake changes at 71, I believe--70-older cars had Kelsey-Hays 4 pistons on solid rotors, later cars had Bendix 2 pistons on vented rotors. So...70s had new front suspension, buy carry-over brakes, 71s had new brakes and the ball-joint front. The new style front is very similar to a Ford in design (so maybe Ford shocks could be made to work).
Will Matador front suspension since to a Rebel?
93EXCivic wrote: Will Matador front suspension since to a Rebel?
Only if the Rebel is a 1970. The Rebel became the Matador in 1971.
ST_ZX2 wrote:93EXCivic wrote: Will Matador front suspension since to a Rebel?Only if the Rebel is a 1970. The Rebel became the Matador in 1971.
That should have said switch not since. I meant if I had an earlier model Rebel could I swap the whole suspension from a 70 Rebel or a Matador into it. Would it even be worth it?
93EXCivic wrote:ST_ZX2 wrote:That should have said switch not since. I meant if I had an earlier model Rebel could I swap the whole suspension from a 70 Rebel or a Matador into it. Would it even be worth it?93EXCivic wrote: Will Matador front suspension since to a Rebel?Only if the Rebel is a 1970. The Rebel became the Matador in 1971.
I got what you meant 
I think it would take some fabbing to do that. I know that there are trunnion rebuild kits out there...I'd try and just make that work.
maybe take this for a read too: http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/amc/trunnion.htm#intro
http://www.freakride.com/2011_amc_suspension.pdf
Cool. I really want a Rebel one day.
Yes, the AMC large cars had some changes in those days. The Rebel and Ambassador are basically the same car, so don't discount those. Through 69 they were a trunnion setup that is not the greatest, and it's really difficult to change over. In 70 they went to the much better suspension, the better dog-leg heads, and the same brakes. 71 on had the good brakes (that are still cheap and plentiful, all new parts are available at any local store). As mentioned, the Rebel became the Matador (although I am not sure if any of the Matador Coupe stuff rolls over underneath, I imagine it would). The rear suspensions are basically all the same.
Javelin wrote: Through 69 they were a trunnion setup that is not the greatest, and it's really difficult to change over.
Is more complicated then a subframe swap?
AMC's don't use subframes, so yes, way more complicated. Like cut out shock towers from the uni-body complicated.
Either get a 70+ or do the Control Freak suspension swap.
Javelin wrote: AMC's don't use subframes, so yes, way more complicated.
Forgot about that.
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