newbie needs help

[kestianj]

Hi all, I know nothing about these ,except that I always wanted one and found one that I can trade my quad for. does anyone know what kind this is ?(model) ?or motor size ? by looking at my pics does it look like junk? the current owner says it needs new rubber ,a couple of cables and its getting no spark but engine does turn over ,sounds like simple fixes to me ,anything I should look out for ? thanks for the help.......Josh

[racerone3]

looks like a hustler 950 with a 2 stroke kohler engine. not sure on the engine size. jack the machine up so all 6 are off the ground and check the play in the chains and axle bearings. then look it over real well inside. it looks like one of the shifters is missing from the trany. do lots of reading on here and look at pics of other hustlers to get a feel for what things should look like
good luck

[micmac]

Josh,

First welcome to the board. Things you should consider about this swap. This will be a mid 1970's machine with 30 year old technology and most likely a lot of 30 year old parts. I'm going out on a limb here (taking a guess on just the two pictures) you will most likely have to replace the chains and most if not all the bearings. The sprockets may need replacing if worn and the transmission (it's a T - 20 and that's good!) may need work and the cost of parts add up very quickly for it. At that point your almost down to a total frame out restoration not including the engine.

My point being if you're looking for a turn-key machine to swap a good quad for keep looking. Especially it being your first amphib. If you don't want to wrench on it find another newer machine.

However if you would like a rewarding restoration project over the winter and you're quad is in comparable shape go for it. The Hustlers are great machines and I recently purchased one and it's quickly become my favorite machine and I'm not even done restoring it yet!

I'm not trying to be doom and gloom just trying to let you make an informed decision.

Good luck and if you do buy it there are tons of people here that can help with any aspect of the machine

Mike

[kestianj]

re

thanks for the help ,but I have another ? or 2 , racerone said it looked like a shifter was missing ,is that the little plate bracket looking thing on the side of the tranny ?with the cable end hanging next to it ?and also in this second picture I have here ,what is that red thing that looks like it should be conected to something on the right side of the picture ? what is the difference between the hustler 950 and 980 ? are they both bigfoots? thanks again for anyone that can help.......and mike, Im ready for a good winter project, my quads a older kawasaki bayou its a nice bike but this could be nicer with a little $$$or alot

[racerone3]

ok, i see in the second set of pics that the shift linkage is just unhooked. probably just a clip missing. not sure on the "red thing" the 980 bigfoot has a deeper tub thus can take much larger tires, and is geared lower (slower, but could probably pull a house off it's foundation) the 980's are huge! i got to drive Don's a few weeks ago. i'm 6'6" and it was still a climb up into the thing.
welcome to the site, and good luck with the machine

[kestianj]

re

thanks for the help!

[kunzmm137]

some more thoughts

I am also new to the 6x6 world, but already we have a lot in common, I used to own a kawasaki bayou 220, and I am just finishing the mechanical restoration of a hustler 950. Some more things to look for that I found with my hustler are: if you are planning on going in water, check the bottom of the tub for holes especially underneath the sprockets, check all six axles to make sure they are not bent, these can get expensive, check the wear on the sprockets as these are also expensive, if you plan on replacing the chain it will run about $100 for all of it. My hustler was the four stroke model, so I can't help much with the two stroke engine, but electrical problems can be a nightmare, so be prepared for it. As for your quad, if it runs good and is in good condition, it is probably worth a little bit more than this hustler, just based on the pics. Also based on the pics, you would have to be prepared to put a few hundred dollars or more into the hustler, in worn and missing parts just to get it working mechanically. I do not want to discourage you, when these 6x6's are running, they are a blast to drive, I just want you to be prepared for the time and money it will require.

[kestianj]

parts

where do you buy parts? ,like chains and stuff,the only website I found doesnt really have prices on anything

[kunzmm137]

parts

My hustler has #50 chain, I believe that this is common, but some do have #40. You can buy this at farm supply stores. As for the other parts, richards relics does seem to carry all the parts, but at a price. He quoted me around $90-$95 for each axle, and the sprockets will depend a lot on the year and model of the vehicle. Your best place to get parts at a reasonable price is posting what you need in the wanted section of this site. There are a lot of members of this site who can sell you used parts, but you may have to be patient as parts are getting harder to find. Should you choose to make the trade, this site is full of people that are more than willing to help guide you through the restoration when questions come up.

[kestianj]

re

Its a done deal ,Im picking it up sunday !!!!!!!!!cant wait to get started on it !

[kunzmm137]

congrats

congratulations on your decision, welcome to the 6x6 community. I don't know what kind of time frame or budget you have for your hustler, but keep at it and don't give up. I took my just completed hustler out for it's first ride this evening. I went on a couple miles of trails, and even took it for a swim in a small creek, and what a blast, there is nothing like feeling the wheels leave the ground as you start floating. Good luck with your project, and don't be afraid to ask any questions.

[kestianj]

its home

ok just got it unloaded and I have about 10000 ??? first what do the five levers operate ? I know you drive with the two tall ones and Im guessing the one in the middle that has a bend in it is the brake but what are the two short ones for ?

[ES-hustler]

ok just got it unloaded and I have about 10000 ??? first what do the five levers operate ? I know you drive with the two tall ones and Im guessing the one in the middle that has a bend in it is the brake but what are the two short ones for ?

The two tall ones drive it, then I believe there should be a brake lever, a shift lever to change between forward neutral and reverse..I'm not sure about the 5th lever though, my hustler only has four.

Mike

[kestianj]

re

the two short ones seem to be turning the diamond shaped things on the tranny one for each side ,it has old dryrotted 20'' runamucks on it ,a cig lighter,pull out choke thing near the keys and a two stroke engine can anyone narrow down the possible year? model?

[6X6]

OK, then those are your shifters. With 2 you can put only 1 side into reverse (or forward) if you need to make a REALLY sharp turn. Most machines have both of the T-20's shifters (The diamond shaped plates) on one lever.