sidewinder with 26 12 12 terras and external frame

[whistlepig1]

just wondering if anybody had ever seen one.I've had this machine for awhile . It has what appears to be a factory external frame with long axles and extra bearings. There's room for even bigger tires.No pics,but member Snipe lee posted two short video's in the its video time thread a few days ago. I have hunted for pictures on this site and all over the net for years but never saw one like it.

[Mike]

It's hard to tell from your video but it may be similar to this Hustler with the external frame:


Thread is here: http://www.6x6world.com/forums/hustl...ler-owner.html

[whistlepig1]

Mike ,Thanks for the link. I checked out the pics , hard to tell but that hustler seems to have some kind of drop or portal style axle thing going on. Mine are just longer axles with one extra bearing.I know ratcliff probably didn't make many machines. But I'd like to know if there are more like mine.

[jpswift1]

I've seen a few Hustlers and Sidewinders (950 shorter body machines, not 980 tall body ones) that were set up with the external framework, extended axles and 26x12x12 tires. Here's one for sale right now on Craigslist:

Lot of six-wheelers

[whistlepig1]

Thanks jpswift,That one is almost identical. The roll cage has an extra vertical support in the middle. Do you know of any member of this site that runs this setup?Thanks again for the link. Now I've seen a total of 2.

[jpswift1]

Thanks jpswift,That one is almost identical. The roll cage has an extra vertical support in the middle. Do you know of any member of this site that runs this setup?Thanks again for the link. Now I've seen a total of 2.

I don't know of anyone offhand, but these machines are out there. They're not common, but they aren't super rare I don't believe. The Sidewinder was made just outside of Denver, CO so there are quite a few that pop up out that way.

[Stonewall]

Out of curiosity, what do y'all think would be the intended gain from this design? It might be more stable in the water maybe? Being that these tubs will clear 25" tires in the factory position, these machines were widened 2 feet to gain 1/2 an inch of ground clearance? I would think that being wider like that would make them easier to high-center, and more difficult to maneuver, not to mention the added drivetrain stress...

[jpswift1]

Out of curiosity, what do y'all think would be the intended gain from this design? It might be more stable in the water maybe? Being that these tubs will clear 25" tires in the factory position, these machines were widened 2 feet to gain 1/2 an inch of ground clearance? I would think that being wider like that would make them easier to high-center, and more difficult to maneuver, not to mention the added drivetrain stress...

I really have no clue. I'd love to track down Mr. Clay Ratcliffe, the man who built these and find out. I bet he'd have some really great stories to tell about the history of these machines.

[whistlepig1]

Stonewall, my wide sidewinder is way,way more stable while swimming than my 945hk. One could also fit even larger tires to gain ground clearance. High centering has not really been a problem,but you do have to take a different line sometimes. I do have to stay off of certain trails in my area because of the width. The extra bearing on each axle combined with the external frame should actually put less stress on everything. I've warped axles on my 945hk on the same obstacle that did not affect the sidewinder. One good thing is the sidewinder is just as stable sideways on a hill as facing any other way. jpswift, I to would like to talk with Clay Ratcliffe

[mudbug3]

When I first watched the video of the Sidewinder with the 26" inch tires and the out side axle supports , I thought this was a custom ,one off job, and didn't know this was done at the Sidewinder factory.

[kghills]

When I first watched the video of the Sidewinder with the 26" inch tires and the out side axle supports , I thought this was a custom ,one off job, and didn't know this was done at the Sidewinder factory.

I thought the same thing but I do not know much about Sidewinders. I thought at first they were like Scramblers but the later ones seem like Hustlers. The one with the extensions is like a springer without the springer or a lowered 980 Bigfoot.

Keith.

[ganding]

man where can I find the schematics for the external frame I could make my 945 a monster with that