Looking at upgrading from a bigfoot to a 2015 frontier.

[jnjmoonsfishing]

Hi guys I have not posted in long time but Im looking at upgrading from my bigfoot 6x6 to a new frontier EFI 8x8 my kids are getting to big to fit comfy in the 6 wheeler so It either getting a 8X8 or a crew cab side by side with tracks. Looks close to the same price once all is said and done for options. Im living in Fairbanks Ak now so Im leaning more to the 8X8 then a side by side.

For those of you that have used the next 8X8's how is the upkeep? reliability? and fuel usage?

Thanks for any input.

[msafi65]

Welcome to the cold country. I haven't been able to drive one of the EFI frontiers yet but the people I've talked to really like them. Possibly the best vehicle for the buck this year.

[mightymaxIV]

Hey moon, If you decide to go with the 2015 Frontier make sure you get the 750cc Kolher engine which is just about bullet proof. Also go for the 3.3 transmission which has the lower gears and will give you about a 15 mph top end. If you go for a set of Adair tracks I think that you will find that the Argo is much more reliable then a side by side and requires a lot less time for clean up and maintenance. The frontier is easy, grease your chains, grease your bearings, change your oil from time to time and enjoy your machine. I have found that the camo design costs more by is much easier to clean up and keep clean. My green Argo takes a lot more work to keep clean.

Side by sides break in extreme conditions and that Argo will breeze right though the same spots with Adair tracks and never breath hard. Kids and the wife will stay dry and you can spend your time puling out other machines instead of worrying about making that next stretch of extreme Alaskan terrain.

My best wishes what ever you decide, but having owned a quad with Tatou tracks and Argos I can tell you'll spend more time enjoying and less time fixing with an Argo.

[Noel Woods]

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with Dan. The Frontier 8x8 with the Kohler engine and Adair tracks is the best machine for the bucks out there. Powerful, reliable, bullet proof, comfortable, and easy to maintain.

I'm saving my coins for one myself.

[Buzz]

The frontier is an affordable option (for a new machine) that might get some people into the sport that otherwise might not..
Just a couple thoughts running through my mind...to consider if you're after all-out performance.
For the money, the frontier appears to be a fair deal (performance wise), but even an older argo with out-perform a side-by-side in the swamps, climbing/hauling (and it floats). It does require you to make sure a few options are included in the Frontier for the most durability (as compared to an Avenger).
I've considered getting a frontier for Alaska (still am daily...I am really on the fence), but- I do have a few concerns, and I go back and forth every day on whether or not to pull the trigger and save $5000? vs. an upgraded Avenger. Trying to upgrade later costs more.
First, an air-cooled motor is going to run hotter and see more stress, and they never seem to last as long as the liquid-cooled versions in enclosed-tub machines like the argos. There does not appear to be a recoil-starter provision on the new Kohler-engined Frontier either.... So the liquid-cooled motor of the Avenger gets the advantage here (my opinion). I've had both air-cooled and liquid cooled motors of different types here in Alaska..climbing and towing for extended periods.
I've been told there aren't too many of the 2015 models warranty- registered yet (that probably means sold I would think?), so there isn't a lot of feedback yet.
Weight-wise, the main difference in machine weight vs. the Avengers is in the 24" vs the 25" tire/wheel combination.. 100+ pounds at least...maybe more? The larger tires of the Avenger do have more bouyancy and a larger footprint, so that offsets the weight savings of the Frontier tires. The 25" tires are nice to have for the most bouyancy in the swamp if you want to get picky. Also, the published Frontier weight probably doesn't include rear bearing extensions or maybe even a skid-plate (don't know for sure), which come standard on the Avenger (and I would think published weight).
Avenger has admiral tranny vs. the standard tranny for the Frontier (this makes no difference to me), but resale considerations........is this going to be your last and only argo? A lot of guys want the admiral, and it's been going strong for 5+ years now. I was initially skeptical but not as much now

The Frontier (non-admiral transmission, shorter/narrower tires, air-cooled motor, less standard options) saves some bucks over the Avenger ...both machines being new purchases. This is the biggest consideration and definitely important.

You can give up a few things and still be okay...up to a point. I'm a little concerned about hard-use and the longevity of an air-cooled engine. I could be wrong, and it wouldn't be the first time. Track choices (especially in Alaska) are an entirely different subject. The 24" frontier tire is one of my favorite for an aggressive wide-track use. It gives a larger-tubbed machine like the frontier/avenger class increased clearances both above the tire and to the inside of the tire (towards the tub/skid-plate in the front/rear) for taller grouser use and wider track use....very safely....if the same size wheel spacer is used vs. an Avenger.

[mightymaxIV]

Buzz is correct on weights, by the time you add a skid plate, and rear wheel extensions the weight is close but the water cooled engine does weigh more then the air cooled engine. Pertaining to heat in the engine bay here are my thoughts and experience.

The Radiator on the water cooled engine heats up and keeps heat in the engine bay, if you have a hood mounted exhaust fan it still has to work against the heat of the engine and radiator. I got to believe that a hood fan would keep the air cooled engine bay cooler (I could be wrong).

I have not run an Argo with a lot of weight for extended periods so I can't go there but I do know that just running in the South East swamps on a hot day taxes my water cooled 31 horse Kohler engine and at times I have run with the hood off just to get the heat out of the engine bay.
This does not occur on cooler days so it might not be an issue in Alaska.

Pertaining to the Kohler engine-you will probably wear the machine out before you have an issue with a EFI Kohler industrial engine.

Since I have run Tatou tracks on a quad and Adair tracks on an Argo I can tell you the Tatou tracks require a lot more maintenance and are not as reliable as the Adair's.

[jnjmoonsfishing]

Thanks for the info everyone. Im 89% on getting it need to talk to the bank first then i will know if Im there. Loved the Bigfoot but kids are getting to big for it.