I've been working on my Hustler 980 tall for nearly three years. Sounds crazy but switch jobs, new baby, and all the other "priority" projects and that's what happened. I believe it to be an 84 model. I bought it about nine to ten years ago with many issues, played with it off and on for a few years until it became more trouble than fun, and then it sat for a few years. Today it was finally on the prowl again.
So all new 1-1/4" axles with keyed taper lock sprockets front and rear and original tube style sprockets in the middle. Tried taper lock sprockets in the middle but just couldn't get everything to fit up right. Repaired and reinforced a few portions of the frame, POR-15 coated frame, all new bearings, new driven clutch, refreshed T-20 with mounts using all eight threaded holes now, new motor mount bushings, bilge pump, winch, rebuilt carb, decarboned heads of stock opposed twin 18hp Briggs, belt, repaired a few small tub cracks, used 25-12-9 Rawhide IIIs installed, I'm sure some other stuff.....and away I went.
It did pretty well. Starts, runs, and idles better than it ever did. T-20 seemed to work way better with smoother transitions from power to braking. Spent probably 5 to 10 minutes in the water and only took on approximately two tablespoons of water. I could see where some of that came in around the headlights and a couple mounting bolts for fuel filter and back seat support/trans guard. Kindda wild as we were breaking about 3/8" ice while on the pond. We took a pretty nice ride over all, climbing some decent hills on a few trails, crossing ditches, got into a few rocks, and twisted and turned through some tight timber. Heck of a good time! Wanted to thank you guys for all the help. I've been a 6x6World junkie all the way through this project. Of course it's never really done, but at least I can get out and ride it now.
So all new 1-1/4" axles with keyed taper lock sprockets front and rear and original tube style sprockets in the middle. Tried taper lock sprockets in the middle but just couldn't get everything to fit up right. Repaired and reinforced a few portions of the frame, POR-15 coated frame, all new bearings, new driven clutch, refreshed T-20 with mounts using all eight threaded holes now, new motor mount bushings, bilge pump, winch, rebuilt carb, decarboned heads of stock opposed twin 18hp Briggs, belt, repaired a few small tub cracks, used 25-12-9 Rawhide IIIs installed, I'm sure some other stuff.....and away I went.
It did pretty well. Starts, runs, and idles better than it ever did. T-20 seemed to work way better with smoother transitions from power to braking. Spent probably 5 to 10 minutes in the water and only took on approximately two tablespoons of water. I could see where some of that came in around the headlights and a couple mounting bolts for fuel filter and back seat support/trans guard. Kindda wild as we were breaking about 3/8" ice while on the pond. We took a pretty nice ride over all, climbing some decent hills on a few trails, crossing ditches, got into a few rocks, and twisted and turned through some tight timber. Heck of a good time! Wanted to thank you guys for all the help. I've been a 6x6World junkie all the way through this project. Of course it's never really done, but at least I can get out and ride it now.
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