NEW Argo owner with questions

[bearclaw46]

Hi, have a few questions here. I'm a new Argo owner. I just purchased a Frontier 6x6 with the 23 hp motor and the other top of the line options. Anyway, can anyone recommend a good lube for the chains?? I would imagine a good lube from a motorcycle shop would work but thought I'd get your thoughts.

I also don't see too many folks with 6x6's with outboard motors. Was thinking of purchasing a transom for it and running my small 4.5 HP Johnson with it on lakes for fishing, however, is the 6x6 safe to operate with an outboard and I see where 140 lbs is the limit in the back seat. Do I operate the motor from the drivers seat?? Anyone have a setup like this?? If so, any lessons learned the hard way so I can learn by listening?? Taking it out for the first time this weekend to a rec area with small lakes and want to at least take it in a small lake and putt around a bit and come right out to see how it handles.
Thanks
Dennis
aka bearclaw46

[Mike]

Hi Dennis, welcome to the site and congratulations on your purchase. For the chains most people recommend PJ1 black label. Here is a thread on that subject: best lube for chains

As for the outboard, several people on the board have ran them. Search the argo forum for more info but one post that stands out in my mind is from Silverbullet75. He did a comparison for water speed with and without the outboard and he really didn't gain that much speed. Here's the post:

Argo Open Water Speed With Outboard

Hope that helps and again, welcome to the site.

[bearclaw46]

Thanks Mike, this is a great forum. I'll be spending some time on this one. Already may have a potential Argo buddy for some trips. Argo's were made for Alaska muck.

Dennis

[m350]

Bearclaw,,Congrates on the Amphib purchase,,Those Frontier's sure look like they swim Good,,If it has the 24" Frontier tires,,,There is a Video on YouTube of a Frontier in the water, There's 2 guy's talking about How it is Making a "Wake " in the water,,and How things have changed in the Amphib world,,great Video !

[artist1018]

I bought a used Minn Kota Trolling motor to use on my Argo Conquest 8x8.
It is an "Endura 44 the 44 is for the pounds of thrust.
It works great & I can operate it from the "middle" of the 8x8, I stand up in the back & hold onto the hand-rail part of the back-rest on the front seat.
Or, I can have a rear passenger operate it as well.
I borrowed a small gas outboard from a friend & didn't see ANY extra speed with it & the cost would be about 4x as much as the Minn Kota, if it were brand new!!

[GREASEMONKEY]

UM!!!!!!!! 140lbs in the rear? I missed that memo!


My nephew (140lbs) is in the back in this pic, but I sit in the rear all the time. In fact I'm 250lbs, and my best friend is 265lbs, and we trade off seating the rear, when fishing! The test of stability was us inthe argo, and me leaning out as far as i possibly could, getting the duck decoys out of the water. We havent sank her yet!

[Silverbullet75]

Hi there! Congrats on the Frontier!
One word of caution on weight in the water... Be careful how much weight you have in the Argo with a heavy outboard on the back! We went out with my wife, her Mom, and I in the front (total about 500lbs in human weight), plus the 7.5 Honda outboard. The back wall kept sinking below the waterline. They were scared out of their minds... we didn't notice it coming in until on the way back! I had to turn on the bilge pump for a while.
BTW... where are you?

[salamander]

The dealer I bought my Argo from recommended using medium weight chainsaw chain bar oil for the chains; dispensed through a squeeze ketchup bottle. That is how he maintains all of his customers machines.

Whats the advantage of using PJ1 as chain lube?

Insofar as weight restrictions for the rear of the machine, I always assume they mean with a full tank of gas, low air pressure in tyres, bad weather conditions etc. In effect, they are only so restrictive to cover Argo's ass from potential lawsuits. The 6x6's can clearly carry more weight on water if the weight is well balanced and the weather is calm.

I am going the electric way for motoring on water. I am not interested in covering large distances with a loud outboard; just looking at a way to get around on water without making so much noise. The Loons and the Blue Herons on the pond let me drift within 30 feet of them, but as soon as the engine fires up they back off. The birds don't like the roar the Briggs so much, the fish are likely the same.

[Roger S]

You're better off using a chain lube on the transmission chains that soaks in and then 'drys' to the extent that it won't sling onto the brake rotors and pads. The other chains, it's not important.

[bearclaw46]

Thanks for all the great help here. I do appreciate it. I'm in Anchorage, Alaska btw. Just bought my Frontier from All Seasons Argo here in Anchorage. It was an 07 and the dealer told me the only diff was the 08's have a parking brake. The 07 Frontier was the top of the line model and had a free winch with it, so I'm pretty happy with it.

Grease Monkey, I saw your pic. Thanks for that pic, it actually looked like, with someone in the back, it evens the Argo out in that the front is heavier.

I think I'll end up going the trolling electric motor way also. Thx for that tip Artist1018 & Salamander. I don't have an outboard with a long shaft.

Silver Bullet, I've seen your pics, YOU my man, have made the word amphibious Argo a reality. Are you a test pilot for Argo's???

Roger S, thanks for that tip also. I think I'll take you and Salamanders words for it. Do you really do your own stunts?? I got a kick out of that one.

Anyway, I'm off to try this thing off at a rec area today. I'll try and post a pic or two Monday.
Have a nice weekend,
Dennis