Bought 2002 Argo Bigfoot

[Bw6]

I recently purchased a 2002 Argo Bigfoot, it looks like a decent ride. It appears the Maximus (Max II Custom Build) is well on its way so I need a new project. All you Bigfoot owners: What would you suggest for improvements or design changes that would make for an interesting build?

Here are a few of mine, but please add to the list:

1. Hydrostatic Drive (zero turn radius)
2. Dual Prop
3. Adjustable Suspension
4. More HP.
5. Frontier Tires
6. T-20
7. More ground clearance
8 More Speed
9. Shaft Drive (no chains)
10. Leave it alone

If you were designing a new AATV using the Argo Bigfoot as a donor vehicle what would your approach be?

[Roger S]

A t20 would be interesting, don't know where you will put it. A set of Matt's wheels if you stay with 9" wheels, so you can air down. Have the 18hp built to 30, or stick a 23 in it. If you have an engine that will run 5 or 6000 rpm, that takes care of the speed increase. Lighten each of the lead weights in the drive clutch by a 1/3 of an ounce to let the modified engine work at a litle higher rpm.

Connect the rear axles together with a differential, output it through the round frame tube> through the hitch receiver, make a lower unit drive that plugs into the hitch receiver w/ quick disconnect/ removable.

If you can make that differential lock with a momentary switch on the handlebar, that will solve the open diff issue. (if you keep the argo trans)

[Bw6]

Great Suggestions

Thanks Roger, thats exactly the response I was hoping for. All good suggestions.
I often wondered about the Argo Tranny open diff, and wondered why they didn't incorporate a diff lock, like the Tuff-Torq KT-35. I installed an electric actuator on the Bushwacker I built to get 6 wheel lock with a push of a button.

Roger how would you rank the following AATV attributes: 1-5, Five being the most desirable?

Ground Clearance
HP
Water Speed
Speed
Full Time (6x6) or (8x8) wheel drive
Light Weight
Payload

[Roger S]

That's all subjective, there's so many uses for aatv's. Farmers/ranchers mount 5th wheel mounts in avengers and move gooseneck trailers. Others want a one person ultralight for various reasons. The group rides, watching all the machines and drivers do unexpected things, gives me a lot of insight. Confirms a lot of pre conceived ideas, and shatters just as many.

[Bookm]

Here's a real challenge for you (perhaps marketable!)...

Create a dual "jet-drive" instead of props. Perhaps screened intake ports from the sidewalls of the tub to direct water to internal impellers with discharge ports on the stern. All ports flush, no protrusions from the original body lines. Perhaps jets aimed upwards a tad to raise bow when in motion.

Personally, I can't think of a way to get the necessary RPM's out of the impellers, but you're not me!

Sean
Stratford

[mudbug3]

Bw6 ,

Since the Argo is limited for space in the engine compartment , why could,nt you place a motor and a T-20 in the rear tub area , and power all the wheels like a Max does ?

[Roger S]

Not enough room unless the under seat gas tank was moved.. Now, an eight wheeler has enough room. I grinningly considered dropping my harley sportster engine into the back of my Response with pipes up in the air like a drag boat.

[Bw6]

Keep'em Coming

Good Ideas, nothing like a brain-storming session. Wouldn't it be nice to pick a technical 6x6 world design team, collaborate via video conferencing and end up with an innovative new AATV!

I always liked the "jet-pump option", at one time I was going to take a "jet-ski" and make it into a 6x6. However if a person picks an engine with dual crankshafts and a 12v clutch you can get around 4,000 rpm to drive a single jet-pump with a steerable nozzle, and reverse. As suggested a side entry grate with a remote operated door would be needed. You close it for the swamps and open for clean water.

The t-20 idea would need to occupy the under-seat area and extend into the rear passenger area. You then could open up the front engine compartment area and make a "bow-rider" seating area with a walk through. Probably could seat 2 with comfort, and of course 2 in the bench seat. Isn't brain-storming fun!

[6X6]

AATV Bow-rider?

The t-20 idea would need to occupy the under-seat area and extend into the rear passenger area. You then could open up the front engine compartment area and make a "bow-rider" seating area with a walk through. Probably could seat 2 with comfort, and of course 2 in the bench seat. Isn't brain-storming fun!

As a boater, I see a bunch of bow-riders. Now if the engine and tranny go into the back, and you vent the sides, maybe you could cushion and cover the back for sitting/fishing, laying down on, tanning etc?? I have this same setup on the engine hatch for my boat, although it's not a bow-rider, and use the back a lot. Best spot on the boat!

Ohhh, why don't the AATV Manufacturers out there seem to do this type of stuff (Thinking of new ideas)

[doccerny]

Roger, heres your motorcycle engine in a Argo.

[Bw6]

Why?

6x6, I think the reason why AATV manufacturers are not so innovative is because the market is not large enough to support extensive R&D. So until someone does, it will be a niche market.

I'm old enough to remember when Bombardier came out with the "Sea Doo", people were saying, "What is it, a little boat"? It had low hp., had safety issues, and no market. It only lasted a couple of years Seadoo History on Parker Yamaha Online

But look at the market now, all the majors are in it. I can see the same thing happening in our market, but it needs someone with guts and $$$, to get it done.

The ATV market is saturated, growth has slowed dramatically, some of their market has shifted to the "side-by-side". They took the styling of the ATV, combined it with "side by side" seating, and added some utility. They are only one big step away, make it amphibious with decent water speed and I feel we would see the numbers grow, with low pricing compared to the $20,000 Argo.

[Bw6]

Conclusion

Well, after considering all the above ideas and suggestions I have concluded that the Argo Bigfoot is just too good of a ride to "chop-up". I have dis-assembled it right down to the frame and I like what I see. It's a well designed product. However I will make a few minor changes.

1. Change bearings from set screws to eccentric locking collars.
2. Install grease manifolds for remote manual greasing.
3. Install engine drain piping for remote oil changing.
4. Weld heads of engine mount bolts for easy engine removal.
5. Change axle seals to rubber coated, dual lip/with garter spring.

Bad Points:

1. Very, Very difficult to remove connecting link on duplex #50 drive chain on left side, because there is basically no access to connecting link (no room).
If they had designed the brake rotor/top sprocket into 2 separate parts, then you could have slid the top and bottom sprockets out to give you some more room.

2. Very difficult to remove just the engine, again no room for 2 wrenches to remove the 4 mount bolts.

[Bookm]

What is the deal with "concentric collars"? I did a quick Google but found no layman's description.

[Bw6]

Eccentric Locking Collars

Bookm, it's "Eccentric Locking Collars", not Concentric. What it means is instead of using 2 set screws to lock the bearing to the shaft, the bearing has an eccentric locking collar. It has a recessed hole in which you insert any kind of a punch and tap the eccentric collar so that it rotates, thus locking the axle to the bearing. It also has 1 set screw to hold it in place, but it isn't really necessary. But if you wanted to use a set screw use the ones with the brass ends so they do not dimple the axle. Then when you want to replace the bearing or axle you can remove it without the dimpled axle/set screw removal hassle. Most bearings supply houses have them.

[jerseybigfoot]

If you want to increase the water speed, Mod the engine for more rpm. on my buddies 2003 bigfoot I installed a spring kit and removed the governor. The water/ground speed and throttle response speed have improved significantly.