My New to me Hustler!

[ragman88]

Hey all,

First of all, thanks for all the help in the engine section regarding my magneto. Have a new one on order, be here this week (me and kids excited!).

Here are some pics of it. Can anyone tell me what model it is? It has 26x12x12 tires. Im guess the 980 model maybe, since, the 26" tires with the room above the tire/plastic still about 6" or so.

I do have a question, at the front bumper, does anyone have an idea as to what the "C" things would be for (on top of the light bracket).

In the middle of going thru the wiring and going to paint the rims, etc. DSC_0276.jpgDSC_0278.jpgDSC_0274.jpgDSC_0275.jpgDSC_0277.jpg

Phi

[hydromike]

Cool looking Hustler, Rag'. You have a 980, what we colloquially call the "Tall Tub" version. There's also a 980 "Short Tub" version that has about 3" or so less clearance above the 26" tires. With the tall version, you can run tracks over the 26" tires with plenty of clearance. I think the largest tire you can run with tracks on teh short tub is a 22" tire, or so.

I haven't a clue what your "C' things are for. Perhaps an add on to deflect branches, or something. It seems there are a LOT of 980s coming out of the woodwork lately. Nice to see. I'd double check the transmission mount, if you haven't gotten to that point already. A lot of these machines have T-20 mounting bolt issues, and cracked T-20 mounts on the frame. I had dozens of small and large cracks on my frame, and spent quite a bit of time reinforcing it to bring it back to useable shape.

good luck!

[jpswift1]

Very nice Hustler BIGFOOT you have there! Like Mike said, it's great to see all these coming out of the woodwork lately. The Hustler 980 BIGFOOT is one of my all time favorite machines and it can be made to be just as good, if not better than some of the new rigs on the market today. Here's a little video of mine (shorter tub 980 BIGFOOT) demonstrating it's abilities and flexing its muscle......

Hustler 980 BIGFOOT 6x6 amphibious ATV in action - YouTube

And here's 6x6World member Meinfeld's big bad, SERIOUSLY built up Hustler BIGFOOT......

Hustler 980 6 Wheeler - YouTube

And 6x6World member Don's Hustler BIGFOOT showing it's brute low end torque and climbing ability, and another video of it cruising around on tracks........

Hustler 980 BIGFOOT 6 Wheeler - YouTube

The boys out Bigfoot trackin' - YouTube

These should all be some good motivation for you. Be sure to ask if you need any help at all, that's what we're all here for.

[highrollinmopars]

Welcome to the club. What are you plans for it? get it running and driving or full rebuild?

[6 WHEELS OR BUST]

The c-rings on top of the lights may have been used to wrap the winch cable around. It's alot faster to wrap the cable around hooks than to spool it back up everytime.

[ragman88]

Thanks guys. My plans are just to drive it. My son and I put some camo on it, looks pretty good. I bought it for 250.00. The guy I bought it from has had it for approx. 15 years. About 10 years ago, he had it bascially rebuilt. About 4 years ago, he had a new (used) engine put in it (18 hp briggs). Said it has been in his garage for 3 years just sitting. Said he has approx. 3 hours on the newer engine. Im a home inspector and did a HUGE house for a client, the house was a doctors home. I inquired about the hustler thru the agent and he called and said he just wanted it out of his garage, taking up space. For 250 I said heck yea! Except for the magento, it seems to be in good shape, although I know nothing about them. Hopefully, the new magneto will be here thursday in the mail. Can't wait to see if it runs!!!!!

Looks like you got wet the second go round in the water, LOL.

I sure hope I have the wiring correct so I don't fry the magneto again (see the engine section for further comments, LOL).

All those videos have the hustler sounding sweet. Thats from a lawnmower engine? Cant wait to here ours run!

Will let ya'll know if ours gets running thursday!

Phil

[hydromike]

My son and I put some camo on it, looks pretty good.

Well, the bad thing is, you painted it camo. The good thing, is that paint won't stick to polyethylene very long. Why not just clean up the polyethylene and bring it back to its original shape? I know spray cans are the easy way out, but these machines are pretty sought after. There are lots of threads on restoring the polyethylene and bringing the bodies back to their original, or close to original condition.

[jpswift1]

Well, the bad thing is, you painted it camo. The good thing, is that paint won't stick to polyethylene very long. Why not just clean up the polyethylene and bring it back to its original shape? I know spray cans are the easy way out, but these machines are pretty sought after. There are lots of threads on restoring the polyethylene and bringing the bodies back to their original, or close to original condition.

Totally agree. The camo paint will flake off.......it just doesn't stick to polyethylene like Mike said and it kills the resale value of it. Going over the body with a heat gun on the low setting will make the plastic look great. Here's a link on how I did it with my Hustler:

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/content/252-remove-oxidation-hdpe-body.html

[ragman88]

Well shoot. I was hoping the fusion paint would stick to it. Project down the road, I just wanna drive it right now, LOL.

[Dan67]

Well shoot. I was hoping the fusion paint would stick to it. Project down the road, I just wanna drive it right now, LOL.

Paint will not stick to HDPE w/o doing some serious prep and the correct automotive paint and a paint oven to dry it. And even then it will get scratched up and eventually peal away if you go out trail riding.