1983 Hustler 950 V-twin transplant

[Stonewall]

Not much progress in the past couple of days. I did order a belt, I believe it was 48.5" or something like that, what I mainly remember is that it was $50!!! Tomorrow I plan to build the new rear floor, and make a mount for an oil cooler and the filter. I believe all that's left after that are my hub conversions and building the exhaust.

Thinking about an exhaust, I am getting some 1.25" mandrel bent U's, a two 1.25" to one 2" collector, and it will be topped off with a glasspack. I need some advice on building the header. Do both 1.25" pipes need to be the same length? Should they be a certain length? Anything else I should know before I dive into this?

On a completely unrelated and somewhat sad note, I went to Jonesboro yesterday to swap out some empty gas bottles for the welder. While I was up there, I decided to go and see the spot where the Hustler factory origionally was (2924 E. Nettleton Ave., according to a late brochure on route6x6). Well the factory building is long since demolished, and the location is currently occupied by a First Security Bank.

[jpswift1]

Not much progress in the past couple of days. I did order a belt, I believe it was 48.5" or something like that, what I mainly remember is that it was $50!!! Tomorrow I plan to build the new rear floor, and make a mount for an oil cooler and the filter. I believe all that's left after that are my hub conversions and building the exhaust.

Thinking about an exhaust, I am getting some 1.25" mandrel bent U's, a two 1.25" to one 2" collector, and it will be topped off with a glasspack. I need some advice on building the header. Do both 1.25" pipes need to be the same length? Should they be a certain length? Anything else I should know before I dive into this?

On a completely unrelated and somewhat sad note, I went to Jonesboro yesterday to swap out some empty gas bottles for the welder. While I was up there, I decided to go and see the spot where the Hustler factory origionally was (2924 E. Nettleton Ave., according to a late brochure on route6x6). Well the factory building is long since demolished, and the location is currently occupied by a First Security Bank.

That's unfortunate that the factory has been demolished. I heard they knocked it down shortly after the remaining inventory was sold off. Such a shame to think about. I heard stories that the factory had all the inventory, parts, and equipment and with a little bit of dusting off and flipping of a few switches, production could have started back up.

As far as the header goes, you should make both pipes the same length. I bought two RLV silencers for the end of mine and they sound very nice IMO. I think I might need to jet my carb a little richer though to compensate for the much more free flowing exhaust. That factory Briggs exhaust is VERY restrictive. Here's some advice from 6X6World member Micmac on his custom exhaust for his Briggs in his Max IV......Mike did a very nice job on it by the way.

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/content/237-briggs-vanguard-custom-exhaust.html

[Bazooo guy]

Check out this article on exhaust tuning
Exhaust and Intake Tuning

[Stonewall]

Wow, its been longer than I thought since my last update!

All fabrication on the frame has been completed, and it's now looking very handsome in a coat of Valspar Anti-Rust Armor. I built the new rear floor out of a sheet of 16 gauge steel, and it's coated in Plasti-kote truck bed liner. All of the shifter linkage has been painted and installed, and the T-20 is filled with Royal Purple and bolted down. Once I get some strip caulk, the frame can go back in the tub for the last time, and four of my axles can go in. I have a nice large oil cooler to replace the dinky stock one, and the oil filter will be mounted in a much more accessable place to right of the engine. I believe this will be the first Hustler with full instrumentation, as I will be installing 6 Equus gauges: Temperature, Oil Pressure, Voltmeter, FUEL GAUGE, Tachometer, and Hour Meter. All matching. When I get the frame in the tub, I will build the exhaust and rear grille/engine cover hinge and other than that, I just like finishing up!!














Note that the paint is actully red, not orange like it look in the pictures.

[LarryW]

Wow, that looks nice. The t-20 angle support turned out good. Thanks for the update.

[fmints]

What haven't you touched? Your Hustler is really coming along well! Great welding also. Can't wait to see pics of it when your finished.

[Stonewall]

What haven't you touched? Your Hustler is really coming along well! Great welding also. Can't wait to see pics of it when your finished.

Thanks! Lol ummm, I'm still using the factory T-20 chain adjusters...I think that's about the only thing I havn't modified...

[turtlecrawler]

Stonewall...............Your Hustler looks awsome......Great job..

[Stonewall]

Made a little progress today. The frame is now *officially* mated to the lower tub, all the bearings are bolted in, caulked and greased. It's now sitting on 4 wheels. I still have to finish converting 2 axles to the 4 bolt pattern, so that I can put all the chains in and everything else will follow suit. Tomorrow I plan to drop in the engine and start building my exhaust.

Pictures:

[jpswift1]

Oh man, that looks sooooooooooo good! Now that's the definition of a quality build right there. Nice work!

[Stonewall]

Oh man, that looks sooooooooooo good! Now that's the definition of a quality build right there. Nice work!

Thanks JP! I want this machine to be the best I can possibly make it, and so far it's turning out great!

[Noel Woods]

"On a completely unrelated and somewhat sad note, I went to Jonesboro yesterday to swap out some empty gas bottles for the welder. While I was up there, I decided to go and see the spot where the Hustler factory origionally was (2924 E. Nettleton Ave., according to a late brochure on route6x6). Well the factory building is long since demolished, and the location is currently occupied by a First Security Bank."

I remember the factory in Jonesboro. I took some summer classes as A.S.U. back in the 1980's, and the factory was still there then. They occasinally did tours, and it was an impressive sight for back then. In East Arkansas, there were a bunch of Hustler owners there. I remember speaking with two guys that worked at the factory, and they mentioned that the Honda three wheelers had taken a big bite out of their business. Too bad, as it has worked out the Hustlers are still popular today, and if they were still produced, just think how advanced they would be. If only they would come back.

[swamp donkey]

I cut my teeth on a 950 hustler of my grandfathers which I still have but it hasn't run in about three years. My dad has pictures of me riding in it when I couldn't even walk yet. It was a great machine and saved a many a mile of walking hauled numerous deer out of the ms river swamps. The last time I got it running was the 08 flood and with the old worn chains and sprockets and a smoking 20+ year old 18 hp Briggs she made her last season. Just got to where u where working on her more than riding. That's when I broke down and bought the max2 but I still have that ole jewel and will hopefully make a project out of her one day. Sure brings back memories.

[Stonewall]

Well, I'd planned to build the whole exhaust today, but I got started late. I did manage to make my flanges and work on the muffler. I welded a 90 degree elbow to the bottom, and it is mounted to the body band. I did have to cut a small notch in the upper body to allow the pipe to be low enough, but once I build the grille, it won't be noticable. I plan to have a sort of sliding joint on attached to the header, which will allow for belt tensioning with my sliding engine mount. My plan is somewhat difficult to explain, so I'll just show it in the pictures I post as I build it....

I could have mounted the muffler horizantally for a lower profile, but having it vertical with a raincap on top is way cooler....

[Bazooo guy]

I could have mounted the muffler horizantally for a lower profile, but having it vertical with a raincap on top is way cooler...

Till it hits a tree branch.lol
Then it will be on a 45.