Conquest 8x8 re-build

[mitchamus]

I'm looking at forklift parts suppliers now....

last price I got was for $343 for a 10' length :O

[plott hound]

theres got to be a farm supply place in OZ that sells it at a decent price????????????????????

[mitchamus]

I just went through a rebuild on my 98 Conquest. I ended up buying all quality chain (Diamond, Tubiki (sp?) on e bay, in small lots I got about 50' for less than $200. Some of the packaging was beat up and soiled, but the chain was all brand new.

Unfortunately eBay in australia is slim pickings for things like that.... and the post formt he US is getting more and more expensive... especially since the Ozzy dollar has dropped against the USD.

[mitchamus]

Can anyone tell me how I work out If I have D60 chains on the back?
All the sprockets seem to be for doubles... I guess that means no single D60 right?


I have also discovered that it seems like I have a mix of axles.
I ordered 8 new axle bolts, but they only fit in 3 of the axles
they are to big to fit in the others.

I guess I'll have to take one of the ones that take a smaller bolt to my local bolt place and get some that fit.

[shot410ga]

I just went through a rebuild on my 98 Conquest. I ended up buying all quality chain (Diamond, Tubiki (sp?) on e bay, in small lots I got about 50' for less than $200. Some of the packaging was beat up and soiled, but the chain was all brand new.

[mitchamus]

Thanks!
I got a quote on the chains again... and the price has gone up 31% since I last got a quote. I could handle 15% ... but not 30%!!
and when you're buying 40ft or chain... it all adds up.

[northern8x8]

great thread mitchamus looks like your having a good time rebuilding the machine of a life time. I myself am just finishing my 84 8x8 rebuild the tranny and redoing all the chains and bearings as well as thinking up ideas to add on to the design. they are time consuming and can run a bit high cash wise but for such a simple machine really rewarding to rebuild with really the simplest and minimalist of tools.

keep up the good work!

[mitchamus]

Hi guys... still inching along on this.

Got the battery & tray all buttoned up, had to mess with the wiring a bit - But she started!

Aside from a initial cough and lots of blue smoke... she now runs sweet as a nut and I didn't even have to touch the carb or anything!

gearbox sounds a bit clunky - but this is the first time I have actually sat in any argo - so it could be just normal for all I know.

It shifts into each gear properly, and runs ok in each with no load. Once the chains are on - then we'll see how it really is.

[Paul219]

I have a Conquest and It's amazing what they can do. I think you'll be happy with the end product. I live in a area where people have been know to sink in the mud, (Quick sand) never to be seen again, miles of swamp. No trails and thick brush. I just point it and go, I make my own trail. Some where out in the swamp, on one of the many small islands is the lost fortress of Metacomet, the youngest son of Massasoit. His winter fortress has never been found, history says it's their, but where is unknown, it's my hobby and my goal to find it.

I want to say, it looks like your doing a real quailty restore too. Did your engine start?

[mitchamus]

Thanks Paul,
Next purchase on the list is to get a battery, I've also managed to source two s/h rims, one of which has a new runamuk on it which was a great find.
- so that sorts the problems of the two damaged rims, and it turned out that the front left wheel (where the damaged was) the tyre had a blown out side wall - so that problem also fixed.

I would really like to put new sprockets through the whole thing, but I need to get this girl earning her keep asap.

[Paul219]

Great thread so far. It's really come along, I'm sure it's costing you too. I'm sure your engine will start, it seems to me they beat the crap out of the unit, but it wasnt the engine that stopped the carnage, it was the axles. Keep us posted, Post some picks.

[mitchamus]

ok - so made some more slow steps on the weekend.

I finally replaced the bent front axle. a new axle in Australia costs $207 AUD ($193 US/$199 CAD)
It was nice to have a new part that just slid into the bearings without having to be polished up with the die grinder!

Also had some 'fun' messing about with the brake cooler ductwork.
This thing must have a captive nut on the inside of it.... I put in a bolt that I thought was the correct thread, only to find once it went in, it would not come back out.
I can only assume that the captive nut is now turning on the inside of the duct and it simply refuses to let the bolt turn inside it.

If only swearing loosened stuck threads.

It looks as if the duct work has not been aligned properly for a while, and that the machine has been used without the blower on,
as the bottom part of the ducting appears to have been melted, and the top of it bears the marks of where it has been rubbing on the brake discs.

The new duct is about $56US (duct part 126-36 discontinued - 668-04 is the new one) - so it's probably over $120 in aus, so I'm not sure I will be replacing it any time soon. I'll just have to dodge up something to keep the existing one in place.

I trial fitted the top tub on, just to get a look at the fitment, and i think some straightening/replacement of the steering levers is in order.


I'm hoping to start the engine to see if/how it runs. judging by the state of the crud I've cleaned off the engine, I think it will have more that it's fair share of leaks!
next purchase will be a new battery!

onwards & upwards!

check the angle on the levers
top_on.jpg

[mitchamus]

some more progress on this made over the weekend...
(yes it has been going on faaaaaaar to long)

engine.jpg

[mitchamus]

Well the frame was bent as well (was professionally straightened) so I think it was a bit bigger impact than rocks

the tub was a bit messed up around where axle went in too...

maybe I should search youtube for argo jump

[ARGOJIM]

Those rims look like rock or impact bends, could've been a jump but looks like rock to me. Guessing the 8th axle was attached to the larger bent of the 2 rims.