My new Hustler project..

[Kevin31]

good idea

Jp, i will use the article in the next week or so. i broke a shifting pin, and did not want to leave the old broken part in the tranny just waiting to get jammed into a gear.

the picture of the Hustler sticker would be there because sidewinders where originally Hustlers, so if they did not remove the sticker, obviously it would still be there. (i think that statement is correct- am i wrong?)

[jpswift1]

Kevin, dont feel too bad about busting the shifting pin, Hydromike did the same thing the last time we were out on a trail ride, but someone happened to have a entire shifting mechanism. Those pins do break sometimes.
As far as the Hustler sticker goes, Im not sure why Hustler would leave them on there when they sent them to Sidewinder. Unless Clay Ratcliffe just showed up with an 18 wheeler at the Hustler factory and said "give me that pile of frames, motors, etc. and they already had all the Hustler badging, stickers, etc. on them. Its a mystery that I hope someone that might have worked at either of the factories at one time might be able to solve for us.

Jp, i will use the article in the next week or so. i broke a shifting pin, and did not want to leave the old broken part in the tranny just waiting to get jammed into a gear.

the picture of the Hustler sticker would be there because sidewinders where originally Hustlers, so if they did not remove the sticker, obviously it would still be there. (i think that statement is correct- am i wrong?)

[Kevin31]

Kevin, dont feel too bad about busting the shifting pin, Hydromike did the same thing the last time we were out on a trail ride, but someone happened to have a entire shifting mechanism. Those pins do break sometimes.

Again off topic, but can i just use a piece of the right size steel rod for a replacement and forget about the piece of the pin that fell into the transmission? Or will i have to take apart the trans, and find the broken part of the pin? I have the transmission hanging with 2 ratchet straps from my roll bar right now, so it is really easy to get to.

If i get up into that neck of the woods, i will try and find there factory, and do a little research.

[jpswift1]

If it were me I would use the pins from Recreatives, just to be safe. I think they are a chromoly. They are pretty inexpensive as well. And if your transmission is out, I would open it up and get the busted piece out and replace the seals and gaskets while your at it. I have found out it is always better to spend a little more time to fix something correctly.

[Blacklight_skid]

[QUOTE=jpswift1;5229]I saw that machine for sale on Craigslist for a while. I think the last time it was on, it was down to $1100 or so. I love that roll cage on there too. I've seen that before on some other Hustlers and Sidewinders, is that aluminum?
QUOTE]

This is the same one.
The roll bars are pretty neat and are aluminium.

[jpswift1]

Hey Blacklight Skid, Im glad you were able to get the machine and Im glad that you will be giving it a good home. It really kills me when a nice old 6x6 is bought by someone that just ruins it and doesnt appreciate how nice these machines really are. Good luck with it, and congrats on a great purchase! How do you like that 16HP Kohler single in it? My friend is restoring a Hustler with the same motor and he was wondering how it will do......I would imagine that it has lots of low end torque.

[Blacklight_skid]

The engine seems to run pretty strong on it. My major concern is how it will run when it is 80-90 degrees outside with 800 pounds in it.
I am going to call Richard at Route and see what a T-20 rebuild will cost. I might just try it myself but am not a mechanic and time is short.

[jpswift1]

Call Recreatives Amphibious Six-Wheel Drive All-Terrain Vehicles: MaxATVs - Call 1-800-255-2511 They have the transmission rebuild parts since the Max uses the same ones still. They will give you any literature you need and lots of helpful support.

[Blacklight_skid]

So I finally got around to calling these guys.
They think it is my shifting plunger. I guess its because I can turn fine in forward.

How hard is this repair? Can it be done without disassembling the t-20?

[jpswift1]

The plungers just pop right out with the removal of two bolts that hold the small steel retaining plate on. It is a very easy fix. Im glad it isnt anything major.

[Kevin31]

Heat

Have you found a way that will make putting a full cover on the machine possiable without the engine over heating? I thought about it more, and it might work (never been tested) to make a air duct that pulls air from out side the rig, via a fan, and with the fan blowing it through the duct down into the engine compartment it would get cool air into the engine. The fan would be one of the ones that you can buy at Auto Zone. Here is a link to one AutoZone.com | Shopping | Accessories | Product Detail - Mr. Gasket 10" Diameter. High Performance Electric Cooling Fan. CFM 2600 RPM 8.3 AMP Draw In my mind it would mount on one side of the body that you build, then the duct would be built on the inside of the body down through the floor and into the engine compartment. Again, i have never tested this idea, but it just might work.

[Blacklight_skid]

Kevin,
That is exactly what we are doing. We are having a gap in the front, rear and both sides for some ventilation. This model certainly vest under the seats already. Does yours keep your feet warm?
This fan is a good find. Thanks.

[Kevin31]

No problem. We have used those fans in several cars that we have owned, and they work great. (although pricey) My feet do stay warm. Before i installed my new exhaust system (still not finished) the exhaust would leak all over the place. If i stayed put for to long, the whole body would fill with fumes. It is better now. Maybe we could meet some time. I am extremely interested in how your rig looks with the new cover. Did you get your tranny. fixed yet?

[Blacklight_skid]

I have not gotten to do much on it. We are taking the old top off this weekend. Then we are going to do some work on frame layout etc.
It is going to be a slow go. Plus, the buggy is up in Boulder and I live in Denver.

[jpswift1]

Hey Blacklight skid, if you dont plan on using the rollcage for your build I would be interested in buying it.