New to me 8X8

[Craig_B]

The introduction thread appears to be Closed so I will just post here instead.
I have been a memeber here for a while. I have a Pengor Penquin that I am still working on refurbishing.

I just purchased a 1983 Argo TB 8X8.
So I figure since the Penquin is only 4 wheels and the Argo is 8 they average out to a 6X6.

The new to me Argo came with a set of tracks.
Looks like 4 of the 8 tires will need to be replaced.
Otherwise other than a good clean up and some minor repairs it seems ready to go.

The steering method is going to take some time to get used to.

[philipatmaxfour]

The introduction thread appears to be Closed so I will just post here instead.
I have been a memeber here for a while. I have a Pengor Penquin that I am still working on refurbishing.

I just purchased a 1983 Argo 8X8.
So I figure since the Penquin is only 4 wheels and the Argo is 8 they average out to a 6X6.

The new to me Argo came with a set of tracks.
Looks like 4 of the 8 tires will need to be replaced.
Otherwise other than a good clean up and some minor repairs it seems ready to go.

The steering method is going to take some time to get used to.

Yes. That looks like a nice old machine. I never saw one with a third stick before. Got any more pics? The rear seat and the big bag behind the front seats were an option. The seat covers on the seats are another story. Congratulations.

[ARGOJIM]

Quite interesting machine there with all the custom previous owner friendly things there. Those sticks are way high, the rear seat is homemade. I assume the gauge clusters are add ons?

Good luck with it.

Oh, is that a mailbox door behind the winch?

[Craig_B]

The levers look like a factory install to me but I certainly wouldnt know for sure.
As for the guages the mounts for them look original to me too.
That third lever is a grab bar.
Here is a better pic.

[Canadian_Zuk]

AHH! Part of the grab bar blended in with the windshield frame making it look like a 3rd pull handle lol.

[Andyman]

Cool looking machine

Score!

[philipatmaxfour]

new to me 8x8

Thanks for the extra pictures. You could look at them for a long time to figure out what all the addons were for.I think maybe the mailbox door with the Argo sticker was a deflector in case the winch cable broke? My wife would love the grab handle.

[ARGOJIM]

Some interesting stuff for sure, extended seat bottoms, rear handrails shortened and cut to accommodate rear backrest and make front hand rail. The leverage of the longer sticks should aid in turning with the super tracks.

[curtisbyrne]

you can see how to cavity that the guages are on were cut out of either a response or conquest,very interesting machine

[Craig_B]

Ok fellas here is my first of probably many questions.
My first time out on it yesterday for a test drive I hear a horrible snapping sound whenever turning either direction.
This was followed by the chain under the seat on the right hand side breaking. Luckily the Argo came with a few spare parts. I reassembled the chain and got it back to the cottage.
Is there a way to increase the tension on the chains? Looks like all it has are two nylon blocks on a spring to hold tension.
I assume a slack chain is what caused the breakage.

Second not as important a question is what is the best terrain to use the tracks and what is the worst? Will they work in water?

Thanks

[allwheeldrive]

The terrible popping sound is likely the chain slipping (popping over the sprocket teeth) good way to break a chain and wear out a sprocket. This happens because the chain is too lose as you assumed or two sprockets are not perfectly aligned lastly the teeth on said sprockets are already worn they may just keep slipping even when the chains are aligned and tight as on my Scrambler. Chain angle comes into play as well but should be fine as long as the chains are set up the same as from the manufacture.
Argo owners will be more knowledgeable about adjusting the chains.

With the plastic tracks they should work best in mud and snow. But will slip on any sort of ice unless you add some steel teeth / studs. The plastic tracks are pretty slippery so I’d think they’d work ok for quick bouts on pavement. No they will not swim in water you’d need an oar or trolling motor.

I wouldn’t want to drive them over big rocks or through a rock garden but they should hold up and survive most terrain. Plastic tracks are probably the least effective tracks for traction but they are also likely the least abusive to the machine and on themselves so you have the option of leaving them on all the time if you want which is nice since you will get better performance over tires.

[Craig_B]

Thanks for the reply.

This machine and AATV's are completely new to me.
Can you or anyone tell me me how you tell if the sprockets are worn out?
I cannot seem to see how the two nylon blocks can be adjusted so I am assuming the spring is supposed to keep a constant tension on them? If so could I put a stronger/shorter spring in place to keep more tension?

[allwheeldrive]

You might get more attention in the Argo forum section

[Craig_B]

You might get more attention in the Argo forum section

Good point. Didn't realize where I had posted.

Thanks