2002 Argo Conquest 8x8

[Ruger2506]

Hello all. New member here. I picked up a 2002 Conquest 8x8 from a buddy for a steal. It has a couple issues that I will want to address next spring. All 8 shaft seals leak (quoted $600 to have that fixed) I also want to install a larger bilge pump, install an oil pump to change engine oil without draining it into tub and put a better electronics control panel in. I've also got a chain slap on the floor panel in the back (especially when the tracks are on). Anybody made these upgrades? Any other mods you suggest?

I'm running a fully enclosed cab. Can heater. Super tracks.

[curtisbyrne]

if your planning on doing seals yourself it wont be 600$ it will be more like 80-90$$.and since you need new chain you will need to take axles out anyways so you can change the seals while your at it! trust me do it yourself and you will save a lot unless you just want to get it done by Argo which i would rather burn my money then let them do it when its that easy. for the bilge pump go right ahead with that idea! you can modify a bottle to fit in there to hold the oil when draining or get a pump and suck it up through! for the chains as i said do them now or you will damage sprockets which equals more money so pay for the chains now take every axle out examine the bearings by moving the axle up,down,left,right for any play.any play equals bad bearings and with tracks wear has a tenancy to happen more.i just rebuilt my magnum similar to yours so any help needed and me and some other will gladly help you! send some pics of your ride!!

[Ruger2506]

Do I have to remove the engine to change the front seals/chain?

[Dan67]

No. You don't need to pull the power pack. Take out the firewall cover and reach inside. It is a lot of bending over and some arm reaching, but it is not to bad. You will need to remove the battery and battery tray from the right front corner. You get to it from the firewall too. 9/16" wrench and sockets.

If you need to replace bearing you can go ahead and upgrade them to the larger 72mm bearing with an adapter kit from Adair Argo.

[Ruger2506]

And what does one gain going to the HDI bearings? I watched the RockDoctor HDI conversion. How do the HDI seal out water? And what do I lose if I stay standard bearings?

[curtisbyrne]

bigger and tougher bearing,also the kits are cheaper! (they last longer)

[North Country Tough]

And what does one gain going to the HDI bearings? I watched the RockDoctor HDI conversion. How do the HDI seal out water? And what do I lose if I stay standard bearings?

Good question Ruger I have converted my early Avenger over to the new brg style and have not got a ton of hours on them yet probably 100 hrs so far no issue the new brgs seal to the hull the normal way with gaskets and are said to have very good sealing internally in the bearing themselves sealing to the axle is jus close tolerance and probably more that they get a combo of rust and dirt but they seal well,advantages we will see they are more expensive and suppose to last better no worries about grasses and weeds wrapping the axle and doing in the seals on the old style brg hub and no issues with the axles getting worn in the seal area but as far as how long they last will take time to sort out,I have went out on a limb before about how long my bearings(old stlye) lasted and got the limb cut off so I will only go as far as this in my particular circumstance I see very little deep mud/bog but do travel good distances and a pile of water use and with regular greasing had great service life again in my particular situation with the old style no way I will ever say how many hours they lasted got flamed about that once, too early to tell if I made the proper choice as moving to the new bearings required trimming the lower tub so going back not a option fingers crossed that they are as good as touted less parts but more expensive at least Canada side.Cheers NCT

[Ruger2506]

Good to know. Thanks. I use my Argo for tons of applications. Including long distance backwoods trips to lakes and then motor across the lake (into the lake) and fish out of the Argo.

[North Country Tough]

Good to know. Thanks. I use my Argo for tons of applications. Including long distance backwoods trips to lakes and then motor across the lake (into the lake) and fish out of the Argo.

Sounds very similar to my useage I cross a lake to access my camp and go from there back a few lakes to chase Bass every trip back and forth jus to the cabin is 30 minutes in the drink use a good quality Marine grade grease and enjoy your trips.NCT

[Ruger2506]

So Adair has all the parts list and knowledge for the upgrade? I can call them tomorrow and tell them what I'm doing and they'll put together a complete package?

[North Country Tough]

So Adair has all the parts list and knowledge for the upgrade? I can call them tomorrow and tell them what I'm doing and they'll put together a complete package?

As far as I know they would be the go to people for your location Iam Canada side but from what I have gleaned from this site Adair seems to be one of the best in the Bizz.NCT

[silvrbck]

just some very helpful advice, if your going to redo all seals, bearings, chains, it is soooo much easier to just split the shell and remove the top, it saves alot on the bending and crazy reaching positions to change the front axles, bearings and chains.... especially on older machines, because those front axles are almost always rusted together and very hard to remove... you can reseal the body with weather stripping from home depot or lowes, i personally buy all my bearings, chains and cork from tractor supply, they even have the inner bearing housings, and check all of yr aluminum bearing housings for cracks... you can also make an oil changer from an old external fuel pump, some rubber tubing and a piece of 3/16 break line, you just suck the old oil out from the fill tube...no mess and no draining into the tub...

[Ruger2506]

So we are looking at $100ish per axle (8 axles) plus time

[North Country Tough]

Yea likelyish here in Kanada where these things are built we probably get hosed more than on the US side that's the way it is in the true north strong and free (get out the knee pads) and silvrbcks advice is for those of us that are well seasoned and arthritic(ME) its good stretching exercise and a test of patients at best but very doable with the top in place but as he stated the front axles are a challenge i have a alternator kit on my Avenger that needs the belt adjusted and I dread the job.LOL NCT