Brian's AMC Jeeps & Javelins

01/24/2026

01/24/2026

Swapped some old 14" Cragar wheels with 225/70/14 tires from a project to the front of my '73 Javelin AMX. Surprisingly, They bolted right up with good clearance despite disc brake calipers up front. I like the look over the factory rally sport wheels.

The front suspension was sagging very bad before the rebuild, hopefully, the tires won't rub.

New wheel hardware provided from Speedway Motors meets specifications.

06/11/2025

Update on the '73 Javelin AMX.

I got the manual dual master cylinder installed and brake lines oriented correctly after cutting one too short, ugh. I patched it with a union but could only find long inverted flare nuts. I'll run a new line later on.

The large reservoir serves the front disc brakes and the small reservoir serves the back, the power brake master cylinder had the large reservoir in the back so I had to reverse the lines. The threaded stud on the inner side of the master cylinder was too short even after grinding the fl**ge smooth and flat from a casting flaw. I had to tap it out with a hammer and a punch and will have to get a longer bolt.

I ordered a universal style adjustable pushrod from Amazon after taking some measurements and it might work out right. I removed the switch and hardware from the old assembly, cleaned, lubricated and transferred the bushing, sleeve, retainer rings, switch and pivot bolt to the new pushrod and mounted it to the pedal and master cylinder.

Next task will be bleeding the new master cylinder and brake lines. Hopefully I'll be driving it soon.

05/31/2025

Finally got all the suspension wear parts replaced, adjusting sleeves, tie rod ends, and set the camber, caster and toe in as best as I could without proper instrumentation. The Javelin is finally resting on it's front wheels now.

I'll be taking it to the alignment shop after I complete the power to manual brake master cylinder conversion. I had to rework the brake lines with a new double flaring tool I bought, but I incidentally cut the front brake line too short. I'll either have to install a union or replace the entire line to the proportioning valve port. Unlike the power master cylinder, the manual master cylinder has the large reservoir in the front so I had to reorient the lines.

05/16/2025

Getting back on the '73 Javelin after the wedding, birthday, honeymoon and return to work.

I replaced the crappy Monroe shocks with quality KYB shocks. They're certainly alot stiffer and got them for about the same price.

Had to replace an excessively worn pitman arm on the '73 Javelin, the stud ball joint was just about to come completely apart.

I've gotten most of the worn suspension parts replaced up front and decided to replace the tie rod ends and adjusting sleeves in the steering linkage. But the Moog adjusters are 4.5" length versus the OEM 4.25", and due to internal stops they won't permit enough internal adjustment to achieve 1/8" toe in. I've decided to clean up and reuse the original adjusting sleeves at this time. I probably should've just replaced the entire steering linkage but I'm on a very limited budget at the moment and trying to make do with what I've got.

Aftermarket parts support for classic cars right now is the absolute worst I've ever encountered. Hardly anything is built to correct specification anymore.

I still have to replace the sway bar bushings, tighten some fasteners, adjust for camber, caster and toe in and take it to an alignment shop when I'm all finished for fine tuning. Hope to be rolling in the '73 soon, meanwhile, the '69 Javelin is running fair right now.