As a lover of old cars I would suggest that you contact some of your local car clubs. Yes they exist in your area! Google up Studebaker, Nash and Rambler clubs too.
Our club has pulled a few folks out of the hole their car is in with 4 guys showing up one day to put in a transmission, fix rat chewed wiring or other help. Someone may have just what you are looking for or offer some help. At worst you get a night out for dinner and meet some new folks.
Bruce
Glad to hear it doesn't look as bad as expected on a new day. Gon't give up on the Jav, Jav. 
Who are you kidding? You love this thing. Stay the course.
The model 20 was known for spinning keyed axle inside the hub. The two piece axle's are usually to blame and it's a quick fix from there.
"And this is why guys with a little cash in their pockets can swoop in and basically steal a car."
Hey, I KNOW one of those kinda guys . . . just scooped up a sunroof TR7 I think.
ncjay wrote: Maybe it's time to go on https://www.gofundme.com/ or https://www.kickstarter.com/ and raise some funds. If 50 or so GRM'ers kicked in $20, you're car would be fixed in no time flat.
I'd be willing to donate $20. The javelin is one of favorite builds, plus I've grown fond of anything AMC since I've got my AMC powered/influenced Grand Wagoneer
Javelin wrote: Well, that's not too bad! No fire damage that I can see besides the undercoating underneath. I still need to check the rubber lines underneath it. The complete rear axle is shot. It turns, but barely. At least I can pull it in and out of the garage. The brakes are gone as well and pedal on the floor, so the center hose probably leaked. So it's easily fixable. I just need to find two piles of money to afford it. This is how old cars end up sitting in garages for 30 years, isn't it?
tl;dr, so someone else has probably already said this … just put your pennies aside, fix one little thing at a time … eventually it'll be back as good as new
How much do you figure fitting the 8.8 you have is going to cost? Is it already the right width?
And yes, this is how cars sit in garages for 30 years, try not to lose momentum.
Where are you? If it's Michigan, a whole bunch of GRMers could show up after work one day...
In reply to Kenny_McCormic:
I already own the 8.8 which is a big bonus. The AMC Model 20 literally is not worth fixing. Even if it wasn't a 2.73 open, the 2-piece axles are a critical failure point (and likely what did mine in) and parts are getting really hard to find. Even if I found another one, I can't install it myself, so the labor cost is pretty much a wash.
I'm going to get some quotes tomorrow and try to figure out what my options are.
Javelin wrote: parts are getting really hard to find.
They they different length then the CJ models? I know you can find plenty of parts for them. This is academic anyways, the 8.8 is a better call.
Javelin wrote: Even if I found another one, I can't install it myself, so the labor cost is pretty much a wash.
Whats holding you up from it? can you not put something up on jackstands at your place?
I can totally relate though. The Mustang in my Av has been sitting in storage for the last 3-4years. Whats wrong with it? Needs a battery, would be nice to put in a working LSD, and new tires... (Well, I probably need to drain the gas by now) In reality, just waiting on having a house as it would be destroyed at my apartment.
Good news everyone! /ProffesorFarnsworthVoice
I have spread the word about my car, and a good friend has reminded me that he has swapped axles in Jeeps, Toyotas, and other leaf-sprung things for decades including his own Dart. He will install my 8.8 for a case of beer and me giving him a hand one weekend soon when the shop is slow! I will have to pay for the driveline resize and balance, and we will have to do the brakes and align the car as well, but it's all affordable. I can barely contain myself!
So here's the plan: dump the Dana 20 in the crap heap, install the Explorer 8.8 (31-spline axles, clutch-type LSD, 3.73 gears, drums), rebuild the brakes and get the parking brake hooked up and working, install Crown Vic P71 Police Interceptor aluminum driveshaft, install Summit driveshaft loop, and align the car. Once it's confirmed working we'll look at possibly fabbing in a panhard bar, and replacing the stock rear diff cover with a stronger one when doing the lube service. I will change the bad vacuum booster and spec a different master cylinder to keep everything working brake wise (front discs). Since the car can actually get fixed, I'm going to do whatever I can to raise funds and get it ready for SCCA CAM-T next season. The only major need after the rear end swap will be to change the Saginaw steering box to a quick-ratio unit.
That's not professor Farnsworth good news. Its fanberkeleyingtastic good news.
Maybe we'll have a race to see who can get their screenname car back on the road first. The duster only needs wiring, efi conversion, fluids changed, leaks fixed, interior put back together, and rear suspension levelled.
If I recall, this car ran 14.70 with a 2.71 rear gear. The 3.73 should be worth about a second.
Jerry From LA wrote: If I recall, this car ran 14.70 with a 2.71 rear gear. The 3.73 should be worth about a second.
Just wondering off the cuff.... not knowing all the other variables(wheel size, gear ratios, shift points, etc) any idea what this will do for top speed, mileage, and highway rpm.
fantastic!
Don't forget, I live just slightly north of you and would LOVE to lend a hand if needed. Parts hauling, wrench turning, or if you just need me to dispose of some of that beer you mentioned...
I'm in.
... and if you ever EVER scare me like that again. I'll... why I'll...
wellIdon'tknowwhatI'ddobutyouwouldn'tlikeitmister!
Whew, don't scare me Jav, that's the talk of nightmares
Good news all around!
Congrats.
oldeskewltoy wrote:Jerry From LA wrote: If I recall, this car ran 14.70 with a 2.71 rear gear. The 3.73 should be worth about a second.Just wondering off the cuff.... not knowing all the other variables(wheel size, gear ratios, shift points, etc) any idea what this will do for top speed, mileage, and highway rpm.
From what I can gather, the wheels and tires he drives on the street are 14's and it looks like there's a decent amount of width and sidewall. (Couldn't find a reference to exact size.) It has a Torque flight 727 that has a 1:1 high gear.
I'm going to take a wild guess and plug some numbers for a 245/60R14:
With the 2.71 gears, 55 mph = just under 2,000 rpm
With the 3.73 gears, 55 mph = just under 2,700 rpm
Theoretical top speed at 5,000 rpm :
2.71 gears = 140 mph
3.73 gears = 102 mph
I could be way off on my tire size estimate.
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