Attex 8x8 Military Tank Trainer

[jimg]

Hello members my name is Jim I am a new member to your site. I was recently searching the web for information on an Attex 8x8 Military Tank Trainer and 6x6 world stood out as the most informative. I have an opportunity to purchase one of these vehicles and was wondering if anyone had more information on it. The vehicle I am considering has a Rockwell engine that runs but has carburator issues, the plastic is cracked and trashed. If anyone could give me information on a new body and how much this vehicle could be worth restored I would greatly appreciate it. This is a great site and I am glad to be a part of it. Thanks for reading Jim

[rdr]

pm hydomike and don mike has one and don knows everything . robbie.

[jpswift1]

Robbie is right. 6x6World members Don and Hydromike know a lot of info on these machines. I actually owned the one that Don had at one point, and then I passed it along to Mike.

The Attex 8x8 tank trainer was built on a ST/400 frame that was stretched to fit two more front axles. It was powered by a 400 JLO two cylinder 2 stroke engine and it had a Borg Warner T-20 transmission. There were a total of 274 of these machines built. If you have a chance to get it, grab it! The body on Mike's machine was in rough shape too, but he was able to put it back together and make it look just as good as new. He'll be able to chime in and help shed some light on this for you. Welcome to the site! Take a look at some of the pics too.

http://www.6x6world.com/gallery/g632-big-five.html

[hydromike]

Hey Jim,

It seems that most of the 'tanks suffered through a rough life, and most of the machines I've seen pictures of were jumped, run into things and basically beat on until there was nothing left. I've been over every square inch of mine a few times, and can lend any advice if you have any particular questions. They're not making new bodies for any Attexes, and I doubt you'd be able to find an unused 'tank body anywhere. As far as a "restored" machine's worth, that's really a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't sell my machine for 3 or 4 times what I have invested. Not that it's worth that to ANYBODY out there, but it's irreplacable to me. Mine has been brought back to life and is quickly becoming a very reliable machine as I push it to its' limits and fix what breaks. The 'tanks suffered from a lot of downfalls which are fixable and update-able, but it's a lot of capital investment and hard work to get them to be a hardy trail machine. They're few and far between, and I think that anybody with the opportunity to bring one back should try to do it.

Good luck with picking it up!
~m

[jimg]

Thanks for the info. I can trade my old Yamaha 350 Warrior which has seen its better days even up for the Attex. After reading your reply I am going to make the deal happen. I will post pictures once I have the vehicle. Thanks again Jim

[jpswift1]

Good call on making the trade! 8 wheels are certainly better than 4! Plus it'll float.......4 wheelers don't!

[jimg]

Attex 8x8 Military Tank Trainer

I just traded my old four wheeler for the Attex tank trainer. Man it is really beat up. The man I made the swap with swears it runs. I will have to tinker with it later to find out. I did take pictures, here they are:

[Stryker]

wow i bet that is worth a bunch fixed up

[jimg]

I havent a clue. I was hoping someone could give me an approximate value.

[Mike]

That should be a fun project. Keep us updated with some pictures as you go. The 8x8 Attex crew is growing.

[jimg]

Yeah I cant wait to tear into it. Although its always easier to tear something up than to fix it.

[jimg]

c All cracked up

It rained here all day I didnt get much time to work on the 8x8. I need to clean out the garage to make room for this project. I did have a small break in the rain long enough to chip away at the oppoxy patches someone applied to the body as a bandaid. Wow alot of cracks this would make a crackhead very happy. Been looking at Mikes pictures of his rebuild and it appears that my machine has cracks in the very same places as Mikes machine. Must be stress points on these vehicles. Here are some pics of what I uncovered. Check out pic 2nd from right notice screwdriver stuck thru crack.

[hydromike]

You have chosen.....
WISELY!
Welcome to the fold, JimG. Yeah, she's pretty beat up; reminds me of Big5 about this time last year. I bet you'll be tremendously happy with how well the bodies take to reinforcements and patches. I used a substantial amount of fiberglass matting and plastic welding on the upper body of mine, and did the old skid-plate method to the bottom half. She's rigid now, even with a couple of the cracks in the ABS coming back through. Yours isn't that bad; I think that ours are about equal from the overall damage standpoint. You have an engine and transmission, and what looks to be a complete set of running gear. You'll feel great after you take the upper body off and get an idea of what you're looking at. If I remember, there are something like 52 buttonhead allen bolts holding the belly band on. You'll probably want to keep the steel belly band for when you're ramming through the German defenses during our annual reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge. Like Whipper asked; "where's the mount for the 60cal?"


~m

[jimg]

Hey Mike I tried starting the Attex today. I am in need of a starter and possibly a carburetor. I might be able to get the starter repaired at a local shop but not sure they are now closed for the day. As far as the carburetor goes it has an adjustment needle missing. I don't know if there is a possible replacement for either part. Do you have any ideas? Thanks Jim G.

[LarryW]

Very cool project Jim!!! Cant wait to watch the improvements get together!!