Hustler 980 BIGFOOT

[jpswift1]

I just got home late last night with my Hustler 980 BIGFOOT. I drove down to just outside of Montgomery, Alabama to get it and I am very happy with it. Only one tire is in rough shape with cracks, all others are really nice, one is brand new. The lower body is in great shape and water tight, the frame is really nice, the engine is excellent and the oil is very nice in it and not burnt. The T-20 works as it should and the fluid when drained was nice and red without any junk in it. I am going to do plunger seals and case gaskets because it does leak a little bit. Someone replaced the back four inner and outter bearings, but didnt get to the front two. It has an Optima red top battery in it. The vinyl seats were not there, probably because they were rotted. Other than 4 bearings, chains, and seats, and maybe a new tire down the road, the machine is much better than I expected and it will be ready to go very soon. The thing is a monster and it barely fit in the back of my Dodge Dakota with all the tires off. It stuck out the back about a foot past the tailgate, and it made the truck squat down in the back a good bit even with helper leaf springs installed. I would guess that it weighs nearly 1000 lbs. The frame is super thick reinforced steel and each 26" tire and wheel weight about 50lbs. It hasnt been messed with and "modified" by a townie mechanic such as Tard Hand. Some machines people really hack up, for example, installing 8 track players in the dash, making a roll bar out of shopping cart tubing, putting the completely wrong engine in it and then cutting up the body to make it fit, etc etc. Pics will be up soon!

[Mike]

I'm glad it turned out to be even better than expected. Sounds like it was worth the trip and at least Tard Hand didn't get ahold of it before you. I can't wait to see some pictures of it.

[jpswift1]

No Tard Hands got a hold of it fortunately, but I guess someone tried to buy it after I paid the guy via Paypal for it. Im glad the guy I bought it from was honest and didnt take that other offer. Its nice to deal with honest folks.

[jpswift1]

Here are some pictures of the beast.....more to come.

[Bogger333333]

Looking good.

[tanker]

good thing tard hand wasn't around He would have put a blown 454 in it but cut holes in the hull to let the air flow in.

[Don]

JP, that thing is a monster! It's a very imposing machine when you see it next to the normal-sized Max II. What engine's in it now, and are you going to keep the stocker in it?

BTW, You makin' funna my eight-track?

[Mike]

Jeff, that thing IS huge! It looks mean.

[gotmuddy]

That thing looks saweet.

[whipper-ag]

Looks Great, I've always liked the hustler bodies, it reminds me of a corvette,it looks fast.

[jpswift1]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. It is a beast. I had a tough time trying to move it around by myself. It does resemble an older Corvette a lot......it is also similar to the shape of the Scrambler too. It has a Briggs Industrial/Commercial opposed twin 694cc 18HP engine. It is the stock engine. I am very glad that Tard Hand didnt hack that body up to try to fit a big block Chevy in there! I am actually very surprised as to how stock it is. I got the transmission, engine, and 4 out of the 6 axles out already and I must say that Hustlers are the are one of the easiest machines that I have ever worked on. All the parts just unbolted just as if they were put together last week. Everything is very accessable and it is built strong. Tomorrow the frame is coming out and then getting sandblasted sometime next week. I am going to put new seals in the transmission, paint the frame and rims, and then put the new chains and bearings in it and it should be all set to go. I will have many more pictures up soon.

[micmac]

Nice Brit JP I have 2 but they are getting really old. Yours looks like its ready to hop in that hustler and find some birds.

Mike

[jpswift1]

Thanks, I appreciate that. He's my helper when it comes to working on my 6 wheelers and he comes out riding with me, although he much prefers to run and explore rather than ride. He is actually 11 now and he still has the energy of a pup. Brits are good dogs, very smart, very fast, and they love the water.

I made a lot of progress on the BIGFOOT restoration today. All of the axles are out, the frame is out and ready to be sandblasted, the engine and transmission are removed, and my friend and I are using his pressure washer to clean the tub out tonight. Here are some pics of the progress.

[Mike]

Jeff, you don't mess around man! I'm glad that everything came apart so easily for you.

[jpswift1]

Thanks Mike. It doesnt always work out that way, but Hustler must have used some sort of never-seize type coating on all of their axles and sprockets. It is now downpouring here and I cant do too much else until tomorrow on the machine.