FIRST TEST DRIVE TODAY 80s magnum 8x8

[ROTTONJOHN]

finally took the magnum out today despite not fixing the left brake yet."needs master cyl" ran it around and floated it in the pond. it did ok but leaked pretty bad got back in barn and found i or previous owner cut a 3 to 4" slice in hull right under second left axel sproket whats best way to patch it was thinking when i fixed it i would aluminium plate whole bottom of tub. is this feasible or not shure needs to be tougher. any ideas

[Mike]

You can plastic weld it back together. Search the site here and you will find a lot of threads on the topic. Good luck.

[Castro]

I would avoid alum for this application. Aside from the weight in my experience it "grabs" a lot. While it will ensure smooth slides down fallen trees I would think there might be better options for increasing the hull integrity. Might be possible to get a Bigfoot skid plate and fab it up to fit? I don't know maybe another member could sound in here but the factory skid plat on my Bigfoot has taken some abuse and barely shows it.

[ROTTONJOHN]

I just thought alum. cause i have some thin diamond plate .i thought running it smooth side down. i just cant resist a good rock pile or maby it was the broken concrete some one dumped in the swamp it just seems plastic isint enough?? not many old ones for parts around here or i would try to double bottom it.

[Rock Doctor]

I'm with Castro on this one, Aluminiun is VERY sticky on rocks, ect. I would look into getting some UHMW Plastic if you can't find a skidplate or another body you could scavange the bottom off of. It's very tough and will slide much better on any surface. 1/4" would be lots thick enough in my experience (It's what I had on my Jetboat for many years, and you will have to trust me when I say it has slid over lots of gravel bars in it's time). Not sure how well you will be able to mold it to the bottom of your machine though. It could be a challenge.


RD

[Obsessed]

There is a dealer..Gene's Argo Sales, in Crawfordsville Iowa....that still has an oem front skid plate for a Magnum...you might be able to find just what you need if you check with some of the guys who have been dealers for decades.

Hope this helps :-)

[ROTTONJOHN]

Thanks guys and mike! I welded it up today should be good now. Might run strips of uhmw along bottom under sprokets or anything that could back the tub and cause a tear kinda like sponsons? On a boat but wider. Ill probley weld a few more holes before i do it though. Waitin on the left master cyl to roll again. I know three rights is a left but im getin dizzy!! Thanks for help!!

[eightwheeler]

Hey John, just so you know you can still buy just the master cyl seals if that helps ya out at all?

[ROTTONJOHN]

Wish it was just seals the little check ball in the master cyl rusted and wouldent sea. pushes fluid back into reservor insted of calipar!! got one coming and seal kit for right side figured i better do them both! thanks for the info!! working out my roll cage/monkey bars now. cant wait to stick it in the mud. wish i had wider tires last owner put 22/11/8 on it and they look narrow seem to work ok though. will post pics. when done. thanks!