New 6x6 question/advise

[grit]

I'm looking at a new Arno frontier and also 6x6 scout . Had atvs and sxs for years but am wanting to get away from where they can get. I'm not concerned with speed so the Argo should be good. Is front and rear bearing extensions something that should be added? And how capable are the 6x6 with tracks in snow ? I want to use the machine for exploring in mountains and towing a trailer and hunting , and also want to use it for ice fishing and still getting I the back country in winter. We get 3-4'if snow at the most in winter . Lastly how are the new 6x6 for reliability if maintained properly as I can be many hours into the mountains with just 1 machine ... And sat phone of course . Thanks

[curtisbyrne]

the new scouts are great machines. the 23hp kohler command pro engines i heard are great to and lots of power for a six by six. it comes with the following.Front Hood Rack
• Rear Two Position Rack
• Bilge Pump Kit
• Brushguard
• Dual Entry Steps
• Front and Rear Bearing Extensions
• High Powered Fog Lights
• Skid Plate
• USB / 12 Volt Outlet
• Upgraded Seats and Trim
• Warn Provantage 3500 Cable Winch
• Custom Desert Tan Paint / Infinity Camo Laminate
and on the other hand the frontier is more affordable but with less goodies. comes with no bearing extensions,skid plate,brake fan all that stuff is optional. on an argo the things that are a must is front rear bearing extensions (for running tracks) skidplate deffinatley brake cooling fan. you can also get winshield and convertible top which make it nice and warm for winter but its up to you on how much you want to spend on an argo.p.s never cheap out on an argo you will regret it when your miles in the woods with bronken axle etc.

[radar]

A big difference between the scout and the 6x6 hdi is the admiral transmission. Just a little something to think about.

[philipatmaxfour]

A big difference between the scout and the 6x6 hdi is the admiral transmission. Just a little something to think about.

Good point radar. The difference in price, if you can find two directly comparable models, between the Admiral and older style trannys is about $1000. To avoid confusing people we should be clear that 6 wheel Frontiers with the standard trans. do not have "brake cooling fans" like all older machines did. However when Argo first offered the Admiral trans. they did have overheating problems in hot climates. The solution seemed to be a hood scoop on all machines and an optional fan mounted horizontally under the hood scoop for people with the Admiral trans. in hot climates. Here in southern Ontario most people like the hood fan on the hottest summer days. I agree that rear wheel axle extensions and skid plates are must have options on the Scout.

[ARGOJIM]

The brake fans are available for the Frontiers, even the earlier ones, both 6x6 and 8x8 both carb. and efi open diff. trans..

[grit]

so given the choice the 6x6 XDI would be preferable over the 6x6 scout?
Does anyone have experience with the 6x6 in snow with tracks?

[philipatmaxfour]

The brake fans are available for the Frontiers, even the earlier ones, both 6x6 and 8x8 both carb. and efi open diff. trans..

Thanks Jim, I guess I just haven't seen a 6 wheel Frontier that had the brake fans. I presumed they must not be needed because of the slotted brake disc.

[Supermag]

The 2008 frontier 8x8 owned by a friend of mine has the brake cooling fan. He did not add it as an option. He is not sure if it came standard or if the dealer up here ads it on to all his frontiers but he sure is glad the fan is on there. The parts manual for that machine has the cooling fan and duct work listed. His factory options were the rear bearing extensions, skid plate, axle extensions, and rubber tracks.

[mightymaxIV]

Pertaining to tracks and winter performance this video speaks louder then words: I would never go back into really bad winter conditions without another Argo with me. Transmissions and engine are a personal preference, I have owned a 6x6 HD with the Admiral transmission and currently own a tracked 8x8 Frontier EFI with the old style transmission-If it were my choice I would buy the 6x6 HDI with the Admiral transmission.

Pertaining to 6x6 snow performance, as long as the machine is properly set up with winter tracks your machine should be able to get back into country where other hunters wish they could be.

This link will give you some ideas about different track designs:


Adair 14.5" Pro Series Tracks | Adair Argo Sales - We Ship Worldwide!

[foxvalley]

2016 frontier efi 18hp..jpg2016 frontier 18 hp. efi.jpgHere is a 2016 frontier efi 18hp all set up to handle just about anything you can throw at it.
I also think that the optional skid plate and front and rear bearing extentions should be considered on all units, along with axle weed guards, and winch and brushguard.Also a hood fan on all air cooled units.
The most important thing, however, if you don't want to get stuck, is the right set of tracks for the conditions that you will be facing, especially on a 6x6 that has a tendency to get high centered a little more than its big brother, the 8x8.
I am a huge fan of the admiral tranny,and have tons of hours behind them in an 8x8,but I am a little hesitant in a 6x6 just for the extra cost factor, even the 23hp. option for an extra grand is getting the 6x6 close to the price of an 8x8 frontier....something to consider.
I have little run time on this unit,but I instantly became a huge fan of this setup from the instant I turned the key on the 18hp. kohler efi. Instant starting is huge with the efi,and the throttle response and handleing is awesome!!! We only had about a foot of fresh snow to play in, so I didnt get a good chance to really test it out, but from previous experience on an 18" tracked 6x6, its as bad as it looks!!

[grit]

I think the base 8x8 frontier is only about a $1000 more than the 6x6 XTI, is the base 8x8 that much more machine than the 6x6?Are the 8x8's as durable even though there are ore things to go wrong? I take it the base 8x8 frontier has enough power for tracks.I'm still leaning for the 6x6 as I like the maneuverability , will the 8x8 stomp the 6x6 in hill climbing and mud and extreme terrain?
thanks

[curtisbyrne]

Yes an 8*8 has more parts which means more care and love needed to keep it running. But don't let that foll you. Yes a 6 is more maneuverable than an 8 but an 8 has more cargo room and load capacity 6 passengers instead of 4. The 8 has longer wheel base for smoother ride and better in mud and up hils and is more stable. That's my opinion, I am sure there are many different opinions out there but there you have it !!

[JohnF]

..., is the base 8x8 that much more machine than the 6x6?...

For me, given the use you describe, I would only be happy with an 8x8 because the longer wheelbase lets me climb/descend slopes that quads will end-over and has more track surface area (float) in the snow.

Nice video.

[Supermag]

The 8x8 would elinminate the need to pull trailers allot of the time. When I pull a trailer behind my 8x8, I prefer to have some weight loaded in the back for extra traction. Keep in mind I have the 18" plastic tracks which lack traction in the first place. I enjoy the ride comfort of the 8x8.

[mightymaxIV]

I have owned two 6x6's (MAXIV-27 horse Kawasaki) (Argo HD 6x6-Admiral Transmission and 23 Horse Briggs) and two 8x8's (Argo HDI 31 horse Kohler engine) and (Argo 750 Frontier EFI 8x8). All my machines ran Adair tracks. A 6x6 has fewer axles to drive and always feels more powerful and has a better top end. My Argo HD would top out over 20 MPH with Adair tracks and always felt like it had more then enough power. My 8x8 HDI topped out about 19 mph with Adair Tracks and also felt powerful but took a lot longer to get to speed then my 6x6. My Frontier 8x8 has the low 3.3 transmission and tops out about 15 mph with Adair tracks and like the HDI takes a little time to get to top speed. My 6x6 Argo would go anywhere my 8x8's will go without issues.

The 8x8 gets a smoother ride but it doesn't have the power or top speed of a 6x6. The 8x8 is more stable going up and down hills but my 6x6 would climb any thing I dared to try. I liked the 6x6 because I could turn it around in mud lanes and the 8x8's are so long that once you start down a mud lane you are pretty much committed.

You can drive the 8x8's at a good clip going down the trails and still have a pretty good ride as long as you watch for dips and ruts.

Every machine I owned, had certain advantages and disadvantages over the other. I like the 6x6 for sport riding, if your main concern is hunting and carrying a load you might want to consider the 8x8 Frontier EFI with The LOW 3.3 transmission. As far as power with tracks, all the 8x8's have plenty of power just don't expect them to stay with a 6x6 and if you buy the old style transmission know in advance that it takes a lot of power to turn the 8x8.

Just to give you some ideas I have added two videos-Randy and I with Argo HDI's

2nd Several clips of Lee, Mudbug and I at several different mud parks with Argo 6x6's