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Just found this forum. We bought a used 8x8 Response last summer and I was curious if someone could tell me the year built and offer any advise about what we have found. The guy we bought it from said it was from the mid to late 90's (I read where someone on this forum was able to tell the build date and date sold from the serial number). Anyone know an approximate cost when it was new?
S/N: RB13578
Model: V896-65
Upon inspection it looks like someone has added a bunch of extra wiring and rigged up some sort of kill switch for all accessory power. The winch and brake blower will only work if the key is in the ignition and turned to the right (though engine doesn't need to be started) and this switch in on. This seems to be hooked to a separate fuse than what I assume was the original way to turn these accessories on and off. I've got what I assume are the factory knob like on off switches that don't seem to do anything now. Should the brake blower always be running when the Argo is started? I think yes. Before we noticed this extra switch the guys were driving it here with no brake fan. How do I figure out what all the original pull knobs were supposed to do, as any markings seem to be worn off (obviously I have figured out the choke and headlights). I believe the accessory switch was installed to keep the accessories from running down the battery when the argo was idle or the engine was off. The alternator doesn't appear to charge the battery unless you are moving, is this correct? Seems like you would want power from an alternator when using the winch, not just the battery alone...
We had the Argo tuned up and some brake issue fixed when we bought it. It was grinding when changing from forward/neutral/reverse and stalling while idle, and had a brake problem that I am not exactly sure about (wasn't present myself for this). Looks like they replaced one of the calipers and a brake cylinder (found the parts). This was working great, but sometime this spring I believe the other brake cylinder failed. We now have to pull one of the brake levers down nearly to the seat to turn, where the other only moves a few inches before the brake engages. Is it common to have brake issues? The engine has 84.4 hrs on it, probably 1/3 we put on since we bought it last summer. I have no idea on the maintenance history on this thing, other than I know it had some basic repairs and an oil change after we bought it. Is there anything I should look for? I was able to find the owners manual on the Argo website and a ODG parts manual off of google. We seem to get a bit of water (sometimes ankle deep) after a short while crossing rivers and ponds. It is not clear where this is coming from exactly. Is this normal or should the Argo be more or less water tight?
There is a bunch of threads on this forum about chain problems and ripping Argos apart for repairs and rebuilds. How many hours or how harsh of an environment are we talking here for these type of repairs? We mostly use the Argo to move equipment through swamps and to cross ponds and small rivers.
S/N: RB13578
Model: V896-65
Upon inspection it looks like someone has added a bunch of extra wiring and rigged up some sort of kill switch for all accessory power. The winch and brake blower will only work if the key is in the ignition and turned to the right (though engine doesn't need to be started) and this switch in on. This seems to be hooked to a separate fuse than what I assume was the original way to turn these accessories on and off. I've got what I assume are the factory knob like on off switches that don't seem to do anything now. Should the brake blower always be running when the Argo is started? I think yes. Before we noticed this extra switch the guys were driving it here with no brake fan. How do I figure out what all the original pull knobs were supposed to do, as any markings seem to be worn off (obviously I have figured out the choke and headlights). I believe the accessory switch was installed to keep the accessories from running down the battery when the argo was idle or the engine was off. The alternator doesn't appear to charge the battery unless you are moving, is this correct? Seems like you would want power from an alternator when using the winch, not just the battery alone...
We had the Argo tuned up and some brake issue fixed when we bought it. It was grinding when changing from forward/neutral/reverse and stalling while idle, and had a brake problem that I am not exactly sure about (wasn't present myself for this). Looks like they replaced one of the calipers and a brake cylinder (found the parts). This was working great, but sometime this spring I believe the other brake cylinder failed. We now have to pull one of the brake levers down nearly to the seat to turn, where the other only moves a few inches before the brake engages. Is it common to have brake issues? The engine has 84.4 hrs on it, probably 1/3 we put on since we bought it last summer. I have no idea on the maintenance history on this thing, other than I know it had some basic repairs and an oil change after we bought it. Is there anything I should look for? I was able to find the owners manual on the Argo website and a ODG parts manual off of google. We seem to get a bit of water (sometimes ankle deep) after a short while crossing rivers and ponds. It is not clear where this is coming from exactly. Is this normal or should the Argo be more or less water tight?
There is a bunch of threads on this forum about chain problems and ripping Argos apart for repairs and rebuilds. How many hours or how harsh of an environment are we talking here for these type of repairs? We mostly use the Argo to move equipment through swamps and to cross ponds and small rivers.
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