Less Popular 6x6s vs the Big Two

[dzg]

Are some of the less popular brands of 6x6's, like the attexs and things as capable as the big two? (argo and max)? I was looking at the attexs and things seem to be cheaper on average, but i havent seen one in action....

[mustangwagz]

I'm an attex owner, and sometimes you have to search a little while longer to find certain parts, Or pay a little more, OR make parts, but deff worth it in my opinion. bout the biggest downfall to the early ones is the ABS body in my opinion, however, their easy enough to repair so heck with it, Just run it like ya stole it! lol i also just finished up a 4 stroke swap in it, so now its even better than original. pretty much just like the rest of the big boys. and in my opinions (and amphibious drews opinion) we prefer the styling of the attexs alot better.

Another thing to consider, if you got something old that most ppl aint got, its also kinda cool, cuz your cruising in some vintage machine thats been outta productions for 20+ years and its still just as capable as the new stuff. (all my cool toys are from late 70's and older..lol)

[thebuggyman1]

And you would think there would be a simple answer to a simple question.....Best answer I can give you is YES and NO.
Every machine has it's good and it's bad. A large wheel base 8x8 will tend to ride better than Than a short WB 6x6 yet won't manuver thru the trees as easily.
If you are looking for going through the rough stuff....Look for larger tires

[dzg]

I was just curious, i like the way the attex and there was another one i seen on ebay that looked seriously cool but i dont remeber the name, but anyways, i think ill stick to finding a max, im sure ill need replacement parts :P)

[amphibious drew]

Oh man wait a minute. Dont thin you cant find replacement parts for an attex. As hydromike once said they still make metal. Most parts for an attex can be purchased relatively cheap and easily online, in tractor supply, or wherever. Its simple nuts and bolts. The most expensive parts and hardest to source without going to the manufacturer are the t-20 parts. And the max uses it too!!! Yeah, the max has splined axles in the new machines, but thats a relatively easy upgrade, yeah, most attex's have a fast little 2stroke in them, and a 4 stroke makes a better trail machine, but hey mine was stock 4 stroke and many attex's out there have been converted. Dont get me wrong, the max is a very capable machine too, but the max II and attex both fit the same size tires factory. If you wat new, you have 2 choices, but in my opinion, any machine with a t-20 tranny would be a very capable, relatively easy to source parts for, and reliable machine. Every ,ahine out there can be upgraded to fit the users needs. Heck a member at busco had a brand new argo hdi 650 that was modified and customized already.

[dzg]

I would personally rather have one with a Briggs engine, or a kohler if possible, but i wouldnt be to opposed to a 2 stroke if the price was right.

[amphibious drew]

Mustangwagz, George and I all have Briggs in ATTEX'S. I just got mine on eBay for about $650 brand new. an 18 at that. its a relatively easy conversion. I sell stuff for a living an I did it. I am by no means a mechanic. get what you like, just ask fist. maybe someone can go look at it with you.

[Mike]

I don't think they are any less capable if you are comparing them with similar machines like a Max II with 21" or 22" tires but to me, the biggest advantage that Argo and Max have are being able to run much larger tires and gain additional ground clearance. 25" or 26" tires make a big difference over 21" or 22".

[mustangwagz]

Mustangwagz, George and I all have Briggs in ATTEX'S. I just got mine on eBay for about $650 brand new. an 18 at that. its a relatively easy conversion. I sell stuff for a living an I did it. I am by no means a mechanic. get what you like, just ask fist. maybe someone can go look at it with you.

Yup, briggs made the machine a beast. at first my 2 stroke was ok..but it got old QUICK! lol so i saved and rouned up cash, got me a used 300 dollar briggs vtwin 16, and modded the body and frame to work. and i did it with very litlte modding and spending. most money i have into it is in the engine, and exhaust manifold. I also upgraded my wheels and tires to newer 5 lug wheels. I got almost as much into that setup as i do the engine upgrade.

I do have a thread started about my upgrade/moddification. if you go into the "Attex" section and look for it, its called " Converting my chief to a modern machine" i got some pictures N such, but nothing spectacular. Just some info for others to look at. however, i did do alot of time and research into it. I was real picky, and things worked out great. And i got tons of information stored in my brain now about it to help others. lol (wait..uhh...what?..haha)

[Groundhog]

If at all possible, you should try to go to the meet at ashtabula in the early summer. You can see a variety of machines in action. The only trouble is it may make you want to have a couple different ones!

[jpswift1]

If at all possible, you should try to go to the meet at ashtabula in the early summer. You can see a variety of machines in action. The only trouble is it may make you want to have a couple different ones!

Well put, Groundhog! I have a Hustler, Attex, Super Swamp Fox, and Max 6x6's and they're all fun, but I have to say, my favorite ones are the old machines that I rebuilt. Hustler and Attex were some of the biggest brands in their day actually. Max and Argo are the only ones being produced today, so if you went back to the 70's and 80's they certainly wouldn't be deemed the less popular AATVs. I personally would take my Hustler 980 BIGFOOT over ANY 6x6 or 8x8 machine ever made. I just upgraded the wheels and tires and put a 23HP Vanguard and it does everything as good, or often better than a new machine. Ask the folks that were at Busco Beach this month. My Hustler proved itself over and over again, and never broke down once. If you build a machine right, you can often do it cheaper than buying a new one, and it's unique and as reliable and capable as a new one. Now if you're into going fast, an Attex 440 Thunderchief or 500 Superchief will run circles around ANY new machine out there, all day long at nearly twice the speed. I also have a green Attex Superchief (still being finished up) that I upgraded with Max splined axles, wheels, tires, and a big V twin 4 stroke, and it will be as good as a new Max II, but 10 times more unique. I like my Maxes and they're great at what they do, but I really like building something that is different........."built, not bought" is the motto I go by. Unique and anti mainstream is good in my eyes.

[dzg]

Hopefully by early summer when ashtabulia (sp?) rolls around il have a machine of my own, im shooting for late winter early spring (Feb into march), and depending on where it is ill be more then happy to come on out, as long as it aint 800 miles away or something

Secondly, Im not looking for fast, 20-25mph is plenty for me, if i wanted fast id be looking for a quad , i just want something versatile, and can go anywhere, and is safe, and is different then everyone else, i can name off 10 people just off the top of my head that has quads, but no one with a 6x6.

So basically any 6x6 is super capable, and it sounds like there relitivly simple to work on, which is good....this is bad...ive caught the bug and i dont even own one yet!

One more question....Will somehting like a Max II sized 6x6 fit in the back of a pickup? Or does it need to be put on a trailer? I doubt it will fit in my Colorados 6ft bed but in my F250's 8ft bed will it fit?

thanks.

[amphibious drew]

The width is a little much to go between the wheel wells, but it can be made to work. I use a trailer, but I have seen people with ramps in the truck to go over the wheels and I have seen people just park it on the wheel wells.

[thebuggyman1]

Dustin, When you come over to look at my machines, take a look at my trailer too. It's a modified car tow dolly, no ramps. At 6" high, you dont need them. Just drive it on and strap it down.

[hydromike]

As hydromike once said they still make metal. Most parts for an attex can be purchased relatively cheap and easily online, in tractor supply, or wherever. Its simple nuts and bolts.

You know, it really IS just nuts and bolts, for the most part. If you're at all mechanically inclined or genuinely enjoy the process of building/working on things, an older machine outside of Argo and Max might be just the ticket for you. When it comes down to it, (and like Drew said) a Max II and and Attex (and maybe a 950 Hustler and other T-20 machines comparably sized) all have just about the same overall capability. I don't get to ride nearly as much as I'd like to, so about 60% of the hobby for me is actually acquiring, cleaning, fixing and building machines to my liking. Bearings, chain, axles, sprockets, sprocket tubes, heck, even FRAMES can be purchased or built. Bodies can be fixed, engine covers and footwells can be made. Many folks have taken older machines and upgraded them with large 4-stroke engines, larger splined axles, beefed up frames, etc. to bring them into the more modern era. If you do your research and spend more effort than money, you may be able to have an older machine that's equally as capable for far less money.

A quick example of do-it-your-selfedness. I traded a member a couple of Attex body parts/frames for a Super Swamp Fox body. The frame was about toasted (rusted, bent, needing updates) so I just went out and bought steel for a frame. No high end tooling or fab shop costs incurred. Just about $120 in steel, a hole saw, a chop saw a welder and a bucket of IPAs. Ta-da!



Resourcefullness and the desire to build something are key if you want to do things on the ultra-cheap. On the other hand, I can fully appreciate spending money on a newer machine in better shape so you don't HAVE to spend the time (I seem to spend a lot of time) working/building.

Good luck on your hunt, and let us know what you find.....