etting serious about a 1995 vanguard 2 6x6

[deer dad]

Well I'm back 8 hrs later with a new to me 2001 bigfoot sitting in the lane way. Too late to get it off of the trailer and into the garage tonight. You can bet I'll be up with the sun tomorrow to take care of those details.

So I ended up with the H transmission as Argojim predicted. I has the plastic tracks, canvas top in good shape, decent argo swim tires, a new winch, and the drive line checked out both visually and test drive.

The to check list on this site was a great tool to have along to make sure I didn't over look something. I did find that the back right bearing needs to be replaced and the oil is due for a change.

I'll be looking the site over for ideas and guidance on both the oil and bearing changes.

I'm glad now that the vanguard 2 was a miss as I have a more useful machine with the options I was looking for and a few years newer to boot.

Thanks everyone with the help either on this thread or from the site in general. Deer dad.

[Paulgo]

Mine is also the HU trans, so low gear with tracks. High gear okay with tracks on smooth straightaway?

Site list?

[ARGOJIM]

I'll have to change my title to Getting serious about a 2001 bigfoot.

I let the vanguard 2 get away. Tomorrow I'm going to drive an hour and a half to look at a 2001 bigfoot with 500 hrs, plastic tracks, axle extension, 18 hp b&s, soft top and new winch.

Any comments?

Enjoy your evenings. Deer dad.

Just check everything on the site list, the transmission should be an H so you will probably have to run low gear with the tracks on.

[ARGOJIM]

Hello Folks! New member here from the Michigan side of Sault Ste. Marie. I'd also be curious to know the answer to deer dad's question ^^^ about the transmissions. I recently bought a 1995 Vanguard II, for $4000 USD, and really love it. Runs and drives awesome! Will have many questions for the group as I get to tinkering with it. Paul

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Though I don't do business on the site as per Mike, many servicing dealers recently made a large purchase of transmission parts and/or transmissions after the announcement of the discontinuation, I for example have a new G and an M and 3000 or so in parts. So parts should not be an issue yet.

[deer dad]

I'll have to change my title to Getting serious about a 2001 bigfoot.

I let the vanguard 2 get away. Tomorrow I'm going to drive an hour and a half to look at a 2001 bigfoot with 500 hrs, plastic tracks, axle extension, 18 hp b&s, soft top and new winch.

Any comments?

Enjoy your evenings. Deer dad.

[Paulgo]

Hello Folks! New member here from the Michigan side of Sault Ste. Marie. I'd also be curious to know the answer to deer dad's question ^^^ about the transmissions. I recently bought a 1995 Vanguard II, for $4000 USD, and really love it. Runs and drives awesome! Will have many questions for the group as I get to tinkering with it. Paul

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[deer dad]

Argo Jim

Thanks for the info on the Vanguard 2 extensions. It’s been 3 days since I looked at the V2 and I find myself still considering it even though some members thought it was too pricey. I’m assuming you are talking US$ when you mention that “$4500 might do it.”

I might go back and see if there is any wiggle room on his part. He came across as a reasonable fellow and as a licensed mechanic he knows that his machine is sound for its age. I’m not interested in trying to get his hackles up as if I was dealing with a “used car lot”. I’ve bought over 25 used cars in my day and sometimes dickering just isn’t worth it.

I read on the forum some time ago that the gen 1 transmissions are not being “supported” any more by Argo. I’m assuming this would be one, and wonder if I should be concerned about the trany and parts issues.

Lots of questions. Thanks everyone for reading my posts.

[ARGOJIM]

Thanks Bigfootbob. Your experience with tracks on a big foot is good to know. If I end up finding a machine without extensions I would probably try adding them to the front axles only. I'm assuming you were talking about snow use as opposed to mud. When retrofitting with axle extensions do you need a special kit or just buy the extensions and install with new seals?

The bearing extensions only fit on the front, I put them on my Vanguard 2, a Vanguard has a different (older style) frame and won't accept them as there is no front tube.
Many older machines ran plastic tracks with no bearing extensions, track tension becomes more important. In any of the older machines with the H trans you will probably be stuck in low most of the time. A Vanguard 2 will also accept 25" tires no problem.
I would not sell my V2 for 2500.00 and as reliable as it is 4500.00 may do it.

[bigfootbob]

dont know if you can add axle extensions to a vanguard. The bigfoot came with front axle extensions. However you can upgrade the middle and rear axles to the heavy duty bigger bearing which is stronger. I ran the plastic tracks in mud and swamp and they are great for that too. You will find the plastic tracks wear quicker in that enviroment.

[deer dad]

Thanks Bigfootbob. Your experience with tracks on a big foot is good to know. If I end up finding a machine without extensions I would probably try adding them to the front axles only. I'm assuming you were talking about snow use as opposed to mud. When retrofitting with axle extensions do you need a special kit or just buy the extensions and install with new seals?

[bigfootbob]

I ran supertracks with ice cleats (plastic track 18inch wide) with my bigfoot. I used the 22 inch runamuks if the tire you buy is the same width i dont see a problem
with it working on the tracks. Bigfoot had axle extensions up front , none at back. I never bent an axle because of track use. My peeve was machine leaking water because of the seal system used at the time. never had a problem with tracks coming off. If your tire pressure is low the tires can spin inside the track. overall very happy with the tracks.

[deer dad]

Thanks for the help. It sounds like the price is a bit high. It was really nice to see an older machine that hadn't been run into the ground and some recent maintenance items already done.

If any one had more feed back on the tracks and winter use without axle extensions (or experience) I would be interested. I'll post whatever come of my quest for an Argo. Thanks again.

[philipatmaxfour]

I'm in Ontario too. $5000 is WAY too much for a 1995 Vanguard with the wrong tires. Argo is made here....they are everywhere. I sold my 1996 Vanguard for $2500 and felt I did well. I see Vanguards online for that and less every week. Keep looking. A 23 year old machine for $5000 better have all the bells and whistles, cab, tracks, correct tires, perfect chains and bearings, etc..

[Canadian_Zuk]

I'm in Ontario too. $5000 is WAY too much for a 1995 Vanguard with the wrong tires. Argo is made here....they are everywhere. I sold my 1996 Vanguard for $2500 and felt I did well. I see Vanguards online for that and less every week. Keep looking. A 23 year old machine for $5000 better have all the bells and whistles, cab, tracks, correct tires, perfect chains and bearings, etc..

[bigfootbob]

sold my 2000 bigfoot with upgraded bearings for 4000.00 . I am from ontario.
Take a jack and lift up the vehicle grab each tire and feel for any bearing play. there shouldnt be any.