new to the site and new owner to a 2002 Conquest 8x8

[IslandRunner]

Hey guys i just bought a 02 conquest 8x8 and i have a few questions.
It needs new chains, which is the best way to go , ordering from the argo dealer here in my town or buying the chain in boxes and cutting it size. How many single 60 chains can i get out of 10' of chain?

[Mike]

Hi IslandRunner, welcome to the site. You can purchase chain anywhere you like, typically from your local bearing supply house, but it is sometimes cheaper to purchase in rolls. Plus, that way, you don't have to piece it together with 10 foot sections. Either way is fine but just be sure you purchase a quality chain. It will be more expensive up front but it will save you money in the long run. A lot of members here will recommend the US made Diamond brand chain (there is a cheaper chinese made version that doesn't hold up as well).

[IslandRunner]

Thanks Mike, chains now r the least of my worries, looks like am going to have to change out bearing, thinking i may have gottin the shaft on the sell. how many feet do u get on the roll.

[Rock Doctor]

Hello IR
Typically 10ft per roll, but it's cheaper if you can find it in 100ft rolls.
I just did my chains this fall, also changed the nylon slider blocks on the tensioners. ODG has discontinued the stock nylon blocks and decided to cross them with the new, thicker ones designed for the Avengers. Now, I could be wrong here, but I think I had to make my Single 60 back chains an extra link over 5ft to get them to fit.

Would you mind confirming that if you change one or more of your tensioner blocks when you do your chains?

Welcome to the club

RD

[IslandRunner]

Thanks RD, I have be watching your videos on you tube and have not been able to stop watching, how far do u have to travel on ur conquest to get to that lake in the videos. also in the video of u changing ur bearing and seals u used some kind of punch to hit the seals in, where could i get one of those, looks like am going to have to change all my bearings and seals. just bought the argo, and the guy told me he had them change last year, but there is no way, wheels have to much play to them. just hoping i dont have to change any axles.

[Rock Doctor]

Thanks, glad to hear it
The trip in is about 8 miles, depending on which of the 6 trails you take. 2hrs is a good time, but it can take up to 6hrs, depending on conditions. My cabins are on the South side of the lake, most of the trails head in that way and join together along the way. 1 trail goes in on the North side ( only went that way once, when the creeks were too high to get across one yr. Made a vid of that trip, it was a nasty trail )
You should be able to get a Seal Driver Set at any Automotive Parts Store, I think mine is Westward brand.
You might consider trying the upgraded HDI outer bearing assemblies on your axles. With a little digging, you can find a few threads about them in the forum. I have one of my Conquests converted over and am happy with the results so far. I just bought the parts and switched over, but ODG has a complete conversion kit available, including new axles. I have also heard that Adair Argo has a conversion kit available, with Custom Adapter Plates

[IslandRunner]

Thanks RD one more question for now what is ODG ? Sorry am new to this world!

[guyfox]

Hi IR,

ODG means Ontario Drive Gear. You can check them out on the net. Just google them.

[IslandRunner]

well got my bearing kits for Richard's relics for $63 a set (inner and outer bearing, 2 seals and cork gaskets), and after pulling out my axles on one side they not looking good at all ! man when will this nightmare stop. guess i should have passed on this argo.

[micmac]

Islandrunner,

Unfortunately that's the nature of the beast when it comes to used Amphibs. If I were you I'd source the bearings from a bearing house like Buffalo Bearings (their # is here on the forum). Cork gaskets can be had from online Argo parts dealers or check with Adair Argo they're nice people. Or some people use silicone only or 3m weatherstriping. Taking lemons and making lemonade... You'll have new bearings and new chains and you should be good to go

[BARE]

I am in the finishing stages of changing all 16 axle bearings and 2 idler shaft bearings. I purchased all my gear from adair and he has some nice adapters for older conquest so the new HD bearings will bolt right up. It's not cheap to do but I hope to not have any bearing issues for a while. Adair is awesome to work with as well.

[Rock Doctor]

I am in the finishing stages of changing all 16 axle bearings and 2 idler shaft bearings. I purchased all my gear from adair and he has some nice adapters for older conquest so the new HD bearings will bolt right up. It's not cheap to do but I hope to not have any bearing issues for a while. Adair is awesome to work with as well.

Hey BARE,
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but, Why are you changing ALL those bearings and then NOT changing the last 2 IS bearings? Were they just done reciently?


Island Runner, Hang in there, once you have it done, you'll love it.

RD

[BARE]

Hey BARE,
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but, Why are you changing ALL those bearings and then NOT changing the last 2 IS bearings? Were they just done reciently?


Island Runner, Hang in there, once you have it done, you'll love it.

RD

I was kind of thinking that same thing today. I wasn't planning on changing the right side either but one of them had some play in it. The left side is tight but I may go ahead and change them that way every bearing in the thing is new. I am a little OCD so may not be able not to change them. I am tired of spending money is one reason.