Gotcha T20D let the build thread begin

[Rusty-Gunn]

Any progress?

[amphibious drew]

Any progress?

None lately. I get pretty busy during the winter months with other obligations. I promise to be back at work on this build soon.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thank you. The Gotcha is by far the coolest aatv ever made. I look forward to your build. Thanks for sharing.

BTW I remember seeing one of these or a similar aatv if one exists when I was a little kid. It was yellow, and if I remember correctly, it had larger tires than the ones shown in the 6x6 galleries. I could be wrong though. A lot of things seem big to a kid but are usually not.

[amphibious drew]

I got a little progress done to the frame. I removed some unnecessary pieces and fit 2 of the four pillow blocks for the inner axle bearings. I need to do some parts ordering pretty soon. If I get everything I need, it shouldn't take too much fabrication to get this thing on the trails. Pics are in the gallery.

[amphibious drew]

Got up to the shop last Sunday. I finished drilling the holes to mount the inner bearings. The frame is pretty much a roller, just need to get one axle back from HydroMike who was kind enough to turn the end down to spec for me. Thank again Mike!!! I also started with the engine mount fabrication, but was halted when I needed to deter main actual mounting positions. I still need to get the stub shaft for my engine to figure out where the clutch will align, and a few isolator mounts.

The body came home with me Sunday in typical Gotcha style (somewhat inside joke). With the good weather I was able to focus on patching the axle holes and some of the other small holes throughout the body. Its been a while since I have done any glass work, but following the directions for prepping, mixing, and applying has been easy enough. The compound I am using suggests an ambient temp of 60 - 70 degrees for best results, and I am trying to follow that closely.

Here are a few body pics:
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

I have done a bit of shopping as well. The glass has cost me about $20 and I need about $20 more of the compound, but I had the cloth laying around. A kubota radiator costs about $350 which seems ridiculous. I got a radiator and cover off a Honda CX500 for $40 that should work nicely. I may sell the cover to offset the cost a bit, but am undecided about it. I also got a comet duster 4-stroke 1-1/8" driven clutch for $110. Rumor has it that the stub shaft available for my engine is 1-1/8".

List of stuff I still need:

Kubota 1-1/8" Stub Shaft - I think they run around $160 new, any help locating the right one for a good price is appreciated.

4 Isolator mounts - McMaster Carr has type I 3" mounts for less than $2.50 each. I need to check Fastenal to possibly avoid shipping cost. Unsure if I should get neoprene or rubber.

Radiator hose - probably just use some universal flex hose

Kubota starter that will work on the z482 - If anyone has some part numbers or ebay suggestions it would be welcome

Wiring Harness - Hoping to make one. Sounds fun maybe???

Sprockets and a few more sprocket hubs. I have to double check chain alignment to figure out how many additional hubs I need and have to decide on gearing. I am thinking of using the same tooth count as on my Tomahawk.

A bit more glass compound, primer, and gel coat - I want to gel coat the bottom black as original, but I found a tangelo orange metal flake I was thinking of mixing with clear gelcoat instead of the gold. I have never gel coated or used flake, and am hoping for acceptable results.

Roll cage material - I have a good friend in New York that might help me build a cage. I want front and rear bumpers and a front winch mount. This thing needs to hold up to both my boys driving it!

Tires and Rims - Unless some unbelievable deal comes up, I am holding out for the ASX's on k-lock rims. If need be, I have plenty of options to roll or drive it around on until the ASX's can be had.

Floor pan, engine cover, and seats are yet to be determined. I was thinking diamond plate aluminum for the pan, expanded metal for the engine cover, and am contemplating a stock Max II seat or one of those quad back seats that has a bucket seat with a storage compartment on either side.

I am sure there is a bit more I am leaving out, but thats it for updates for now.

[George]

This looks like a pretty cool project Drew.

Would the rubber mounts off an Attex work?

[amphibious drew]

I thought about using them and just stacking them 2 tall. I have plenty of them laying around, but I need 3" to clear the bottom of the motor, and I think stacking will give too much flex.

[amphibious drew]

Well progress continues at a snails pace it seems. I called the company that stocked the metallic flake I was planning on using. I asked about their gelcoat products and priced out almost $500 worth of products to finish the body. I needed more if I were to go that route, but at $500, my wallet said "Find another way." With some research, I found some paint for the upper body that I really like the look of, and the system will only cost me about $100. I will still need to figure out what to use on the lower, but a good black paint that will work should not be hard to find. I got most of the outer body patched the way I want it, and got around to priming it tonight. There are a couple of spots that need a bit more attention, but nothing points it out like that first coat of primer.

[IMG][/IMG]

[amphibious drew]

A little more progress has been made on the body. I still have a bunch of little imperfections to fix, but with some primer on it, I at least now where to spend my time. I used self etching primer first, and then some filler primer which I ran out of.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[amphibious drew]

Well after a trip to Harbor Freight and Summit Racing, I have what I need to do the finish work to the body. I originally intended on using a gel coat system, but when the pricing for material surpassed $500 and I had not priced anything for the bottom, plans changed. I just used the cheapo Harbor Freight gravity feed gun and some rustoleum for the bottom after the self etching primer. For the top I bought Sublime Metallic Green and a prism clear coat to finish it off for less than $100. I want to cut the axle holes prior to painting the top, but I really wanted to use my new gun and see how the bottom was going to turn out. Well any way, here it is.

[IMG][/IMG]