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I am not an AATV enthusiast, I am a paintballer that is getting too old to keep running around on foot. I picked up a 1980 Argo 8x8 that someone had started to convert to a paintball tank. While it looks cool it s not very functional.
The unit I have has an Arctic Cat Spirit engine out of a 1981 Pantera 500. Has plenty of power but it is loud. To make it even louder the exhaust is current an open pipe down the drivers side. The factory exhaust is gone. He airbox is missing as well so I have some noise from there and the missing firewall just makes sure I need hearing protection.
My initial plan was to redo the exhaust and fabricate a firewall and airbox/ filter assembly to try to quiet it down as well as add an electric start. I also wanted to pull the existing transmission and drop in a T20 if I can find one a reasonable price
The T20 search ended last week when I picked up a TrailBoss 6x6 off of letgo for a song. The trail boss was in pretty rough shape but the tranny appeared to be in good working order. The seller also tossed in an extra motor, another Arctic Cat Spirit.
Earlier this week I was thinking about ways to quiet this down and the idea of electric drive came to mind. I know there are a few people who have done this as well as a manufacturer that released them in limited numbers. I know one major drawback is range but for my application that is not a major concern. Most of my movement will be under 5 mph and a lot of stop and go driving during the game.
So now I am looking for a golf cart or fork lift motor and a way to adapt it to the T20. I already have the controller and relays for the motor is I stick with a series wound DC motor.
I will be starting the tear down of the Argo this week if all goes according to plan. In addition to the drive train work I will also need to rebuild part of the “tank” o make is useable for larger individuals.
I hope to have pictures posted as I move forward. I am also open to any suggestions you have. I am new to this sort of work so I expect I will make a number of errors that one of you will find entertaining.
Down the road I may turn the Trail Boss into a 6x6 ration controlled brush mower and snow plow but it is going to site for awhile before that project picks up speed.
The unit I have has an Arctic Cat Spirit engine out of a 1981 Pantera 500. Has plenty of power but it is loud. To make it even louder the exhaust is current an open pipe down the drivers side. The factory exhaust is gone. He airbox is missing as well so I have some noise from there and the missing firewall just makes sure I need hearing protection.
My initial plan was to redo the exhaust and fabricate a firewall and airbox/ filter assembly to try to quiet it down as well as add an electric start. I also wanted to pull the existing transmission and drop in a T20 if I can find one a reasonable price
The T20 search ended last week when I picked up a TrailBoss 6x6 off of letgo for a song. The trail boss was in pretty rough shape but the tranny appeared to be in good working order. The seller also tossed in an extra motor, another Arctic Cat Spirit.
Earlier this week I was thinking about ways to quiet this down and the idea of electric drive came to mind. I know there are a few people who have done this as well as a manufacturer that released them in limited numbers. I know one major drawback is range but for my application that is not a major concern. Most of my movement will be under 5 mph and a lot of stop and go driving during the game.
So now I am looking for a golf cart or fork lift motor and a way to adapt it to the T20. I already have the controller and relays for the motor is I stick with a series wound DC motor.
I will be starting the tear down of the Argo this week if all goes according to plan. In addition to the drive train work I will also need to rebuild part of the “tank” o make is useable for larger individuals.
I hope to have pictures posted as I move forward. I am also open to any suggestions you have. I am new to this sort of work so I expect I will make a number of errors that one of you will find entertaining.
Down the road I may turn the Trail Boss into a 6x6 ration controlled brush mower and snow plow but it is going to site for awhile before that project picks up speed.
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