Hustler 980 BIGFOOT

[jpswift1]

I made some more progress on the Hustler again today. The tub has been pressure washed and its super clean inside. Before it was filled with black sludge that I thought would have stained the tub, but it didnt luckily. Every little piece on the frame was stripped off to prepare it for sandblasting next week. I might have to put this little project on hold until after Ledges. This week I am going to try and finish up the little stuff thats left to do on my Attex racer. I will have videos of the testing of both machines as soon as they are done.

[jpswift1]

The Hustler restoration is moving along very quickly. I am also working on rebuilding 2 Max II's right now so I have been very busy with 6 wheelers. got very lucky today. The last part that I was missing on my Hustler was located at Recreatives Industries. It was the disc parking brake that goes onto the right hand side of the T-20. There were two old T-20 case halves on the shelf near RI's transmission section of the factory and while walking through to purchase parts with Don and Hydromike, Don said to me, "Don't you need that." And I looked up and there it was. I didnt even see it there. At one point someone must have sent their T-20 out of their Hustler there for new T-20 case halves and they didnt want their old ones. WHAT LUCK THAT WAS! Anyways, all my metal parts have been grinded down sanded and painted, the T-20 has been rebuilt, although I am going to go back in it and do main input shaft bearings just to be safe. The engine runs like a champ and the tin work on it has been painted. The brushes in the starter were no good so I ordered a new one on ebay, dirt cheap and it should arrive tomorrow. I have all my inner bearings ready to bolt on, and my outter bearings are arriving in at Buffalo Bearing on Friday. Next on the list will be getting the frame all set and dropping it in the tub when I get it sometime this week from the place doing the sandblasting, running fuel lines, building some seats with nice cushy foam and marine vinyl, installing axles, sprockets, and chains, and then it should be set! So far so good

Hustler engine.jpg

Hustler t20.jpg

hustler bearings.jpg

hustler metal parts.jpg

[hydromike]

It's lookin' good JP. I thought the RIM was big, but the BIGFOOT is in a different league. If it turns out that the flat briggs doesn't provide enough power to accommodate your driving style, I've been looking at some of the liquid cooled Kohlers V-twins around. If that darn G50B in the RIM didn't run so well I'd consider throwing one in there. As soon as you get the pig finished, we'll have to take the fat kids out for a test ride. I think that the gas line trails would be a fun test of them both.

~M

[Mike]

Jeff, you are moving fast man! It won't be long and we will be seeing video of that thing in action. I can't wait to hear how it performs.

[jpswift1]

I just got my Hustler frame back from the place that did the sandblasting today, and it turned out great. Its like new, and they painted it with some brown industrial primer like stuff they use to prime heavy equipment or bridges. It looks like pretty tough paint/sealer. I just finished painting the frame with semi gloss Rustoleum and I am now waiting for it to dry so I can put on my inner bearings, T-20, engine, etc. It took a very long time to paint that frame especially compared to Max II, Max IV, and Attex frames that I have done in the past. It is probably because as you can see, the Hustler frame has lots of cross members and other pieces of metal on it to reinforce it. So far so good!

hustler frame painted.jpg

[jpswift1]

I just got done test fitting the engine/transmission/shift linkage/steering levers on the frame and its going very well. Tomorrow its going back in the tub and then the wiring, fuel lines, seat supports, etc will be getting installed. Hopefully next week she should be going. A week from today I plan on taking it in Lake Erie at a place called Sunset Bay (which is packed with people and boats so there will be some good exposure for 6x6world.com there)......I will have lots of pics and videos. Here's a little before and after shot too.

hustler 3.jpg

[Mike]

That looks so good Jeff. What did you end up painting it with?

[jpswift1]

Mike, I just ended up used semi gloss Rustoleum brush on. When you pull your frame and repaint it in the Max I would definetly recomend having it sprayed with this brown industrial primer paint/sealer first like my Hustler frame was. The place that did the sandblasting sprayed my entire frame with it for a mere $25. Since the Max frame is smaller I'd imagine that you'd probably pay around $20 or so. All you do is brush on whatever paint you want over this industrial primer, and it sticks very well.

[whipper-ag]

Your doing a great job, It looks nice. It's good to have a picture like that cause I'm sure we'll never see it that clean again. I hope we get to see the bottom of that hustler in action. Got a game plan for that roll cage yet? O yea , love that tractor.

[jpswift1]

Thanks! Its in need of a washing right now, but theres a picture of it moving a Max II around in the gallery all cleaned up.

http://www.6x6world.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/409

The game plan on the cage was to pick up a Max IV cage if it will fit. I am thinking about a custom cage though. Did you have any ideas in mind as to how you're going to build the cage on Robert's Hustler? I am excited to see/hear what you have thought up because you sure do good work Whipper.

[jpswift1]

Tonight I got most of my Hustler loosely bolted back together. The camera doesnt take too good of pictures at night but it gives you an idea of what the machine looks like. I am still waiting on my drive chain that Motion Industries has been giving me the run-around with, but once that is in I will start alligning all of my axles and sprockets, tightening down the set screws, and tightening and other loose nuts and bolts down on the machine. Next week I should have some video of the BIGFOOT on my "6x6 test track" in my backyard.

[Mike]

OMG!

Jeff, you are the man! That Hustler looks so mean. I can not wait to see video of it and hear how well it does. I know you have got to be getting really excited now.

[jpswift1]

Thanks Mike! I am sooooo anxious to take this thing for a test drive. This coming weekend it will be swimming in Lake Erie. I will have lots of pics and video soon. The drive down to Alabama was well worth it. It is such an excellent feeling when you put all that effort into locating the machine and then restoring it back to its former glory.

[boncrshr]

Really nice work.....and I am really jealous of those big tires!

[micmac]

Jeff,

You did a great job on the machine so far! I really like to see these older machines restored. The Hustlers look like they are built the way these machines should be. Did the hustlers come with solid axles?

Mike