My New Hustler!!!

[Fatdog]

Hey guy's! I'm new to the sight and also new to the 6x6 community. I'm 43 years old and have always wanted a hustler 6x6 . Well...I found one and I pick it up Friday. It seems to be in great shape. It has a 16hp engine. My plans are to restore it completely with up to date modification. I'm sure there are tons of mod's for the Hustler out there. If you don't mind point me to the most common modification post please.

[Mike]

Hi fatdog, welcome to the site and congratulations on your Hustler. Larger tires and more power are common modifications that can improve the performance of your Hustler.

[racerone3]

The Hustlers are great machines, But they certainly have their faults. Mike already touched on the 2 most common upgrades (pretty much universal to all machines). To his list, I would add a skit plate formed from a 4x8 sheet of poly. I've done this on my last couple builds and it gives a really nice added level of comfort knowing I'm a lot less like likely to punch a hole on the tub ramming some unseen obstacle at speed.

For some Hustler specific mods, #1 on the list would have to be the chain adjusters. I Designed my own, as did member Boncrshr. 2 totally different approaches, but we have each had good success with our designs.

#2 on the Hustler list would be beefing up the transmission mounting. Every Hustler I've had first hand experience with has twisted the T-20 out of the frame (2-950's and a 980).

#3 Rebuild the Engine mount to allow for adjustment of the belt.

A few additional items to look at:

Moving the laterals to the center of the machine makes a huge difference in driver comfort if you are a big and or tall guy. I found that with the sticks in the stock location there was no good place for my left foot/ knee. If I'm in the machine solo (usually) I sit in the center of the seat, but it is still ok to drive from one side.

also, If your doing a frame out resto, I would beef up the internal structure of the trailer hitch. I haven't done it on either of my Hustler builds, and have kicked myself both times after the fact.

A couple other universal type things, Use GOOD QUALITY chain, bearings, and hardware. Diamond, or Us Tsubacki are my chain choices. The outer bearings for the hustler are 1 3/16 ID which is an oddball size, and therefore pretty pricey. Call one of the Greg's(Jr or Sr) at Buffalo Bearing, and they will hook you up. (I think my outers were in the $15-$18 rand (each)

good luck with the build and keep us posted

[Fatdog]

Thanks a lot guy's the info is well needed! I pick it up Friday and I'm sure I'll start the tear down Saturday and Sunday. The Hustler run fine and is very drivable. I'm a gear hear so HP and durability is everything. O yea...I only paid $800...I think that is was a good deal. Thanks again guy's I will post more pics when I get it home and start the rebuild.

[Fatdog]

Guys what do you think about having the bottom tub Rhino Lined or LineX? That would make a very tough lower tub.

[racerone3]

Guys what do you think about having the bottom tub Rhino Lined or LineX? That would make a very tough lower tub.

The tub is made from HDPE, which is a petrolium based plastic. Therefore paint and coatings won't stick to it. At least not well enough to yield the type of results your looking for.

another tip: All poly bodies fade/ oxidize over time, but the Brown Hustler bodies turn silver when this happens. It takes a ton of time, but a heat gun will restore the brown color. even if most of the body looks fine, you may have a silver ring around the gas fill hole to deal with. video of the process here: Heatgun body repair video by reb181 - Photobucket

[Fatdog]

One of the mods y'all talked about was tires. That is on the top of my list of things to do. What is the biggest tire and wheels I can put on my Hustler?

[jpswift1]

25'" tires are the biggest you can go on a Hustler 950.

[Fatdog]

Thanks. How bout wheel size? Will a 25x12x12 work or a 25x12x10 etc.?

[6 WHEELS OR BUST]

If you go with a 10" wheel you will have alot more tire options. 22x11x10, 23x11x10,24x11x10 & 25x11x10.

[mudbug3]

Brushcutter had 25x12x9 mud bug tires on his Hustler 950 and Boncshr had 25x13x9 Vampire TSL's on his Hustler 950 and the tires on both of these Hustlers had about 1/4" of an inch of clearance between the front tire and the front edge of the lower tub, and the same clearance between the rear tires and the lower tub.

[Fatdog]

I got my Hustler home today!

It looks really good! Better than the pictures the guy sent me. The one I posted in my first post. It needs some TLC for sure but nothing I cant handle. One thing I noticed right away...It needs a newer engine compartment/back seat lid. The original one got really hot and melted. Does any one have a brown lid they want to let go of?
I'm post new pics in a few days. Thanks guy's!

[jpswift1]

Glad to hear about the Hustler.....they're great machines! Unfortunately the seat/engine cover assembly are commonly lost parts and aren't that easy to come by. Try posting an ad in the "Wanted" section of the site.