New to me Max IV

[blown84gt]

I picked up this jewel on Thursday for $1700, cranked it up and blasted around his yard, then I went to get the cash and a trailer. Never driven one myself but I got loaded for the cross town trip and got it off loaded and into the front yard, leaving a few divits in the process - ha!

Engine runs good but is "hunting" at idle, all the chains and sprockets appear to be solid but a few axle bearings look suspect. I'll get down in there for a closer look. I have a pair of mismatched tires, hoping to find two more rawhides used to complete the set but may buy a new pair.

I dropped the fuel tank today and cleaned it out and replacd the whole fuel line front to back, Popped the carb off, had to remove the shrouding and the manifold to get the carb off. I cleaned and cleaned, blew everything out multiple times with air and a bread tye wire. It's running much better but there is still something that is not quite right.

Future plans include an angle iron perimiter frame with winch mount and roll bar hoops tied together, and slide the front seat assy back about 6" for front room and still leave cooler and gear room in the back seat, want to adapt in a full size battery as well for sound system and winching.

Here she sits as she arrived home yesterday...

[coosaridgerider]

Congrats on the max lv,It looks like you got it at a good price. Nice looking old chevy.

[blown84gt]

Ordered a few parts from MAX today and found out it's a 94 not a 97 but it is what it is.

I've cleaned the carb fifty eleven times and it's still not just right. It now starts and idles great and it runs good when on choke but won't take the gas if I take the choke off, something is still clogged in there.

I need a couple of rawhides, there were some on ebay last week that I should have picked up but I didn't realize they were no longer made so I didn't jump on them, lessons learned!

Been reading and reading on here, an incredible resource this is!

[jpswift1]

Hi Thomas,

Nice Max IV, and a good deal you got there. There are two versions of the 25" Rawhide III. The 25x11.5x9 (which I believe are the ones commonly seen on ebay) and the 25x12x9 which Argos and Max used. Make sure you get the correct ones, because the 25x11.5x9 run a little taller than the 25x12x9. You could put a wanted ad here on the site because they pop up for sale every now and then. Next, my friend and I rebuilt his Max IV and it had the same issue with only running good with the choke on. It turned out the gas line had a slight rip in it and it was sucking too much air and not enough fuel. New fuel lines and a new fuel filter might fix your issue. If you need bearings, call the guys up at Buffalo Bearings (716-874-1720) and let them know you have a Max 6 wheeler and you're with 6X6World and they'll take very good care of you. They do lots of business with us 6x6 folks and they're really great people. One last thing, whatever you do DON'T EVER DEAL WITH RICHARD CLARK/ROUTE6X6. He sells inferior quality parts at super high prices and his customer service is horrible. He doesn't promote the hobby to help people or help the 6x6 scene grow, he just does it to make as much money as he can. Good luck with everything and keep us updated on how it goes. Welcome to the site!

[blown84gt]

Thanks for the welcome and advice!

Yes, I see there are two sizes of Rawhides and I want/need the 25x12x9's.

I have taken the fuel tank off and cleaned it out and replaced every inch of fuel line and the filter, I have removed the carb and cleaned and blown out every passage I can see, removed and cleaned the jets, etc. Maybe the fuel pump is not up to par? I'll get it eventually. I've also checked the compression (130 - 140) adjusted the valves, changed the oil and filter, still need to change the T-20 fluid.

I need to post in the wanted section for a few things, couple of tires, a headlight mounting ring, etc.

[blown84gt]

A few updates, guess I really should start a build thread with pictures of the progress (when I start making some).

I have been digging through photos here and studying rigs and their build threads and have gleaned a wealth of ideas!

I have the carb soaking in chem dip until the rebuild kit comes in, a few days soak should get it as clean as it's gonna get.

I'm working a deal with a fellow board member for a pair of Rawhides so I can get the two mismatched tires out of the picture.

I have angle iron for a perimiter frame and have started cutting and bending and also I am in negotiations with an off road shop for bending some tube for a cage and fabbing a winch mount. I plan to incorporate a center body support behind the front seat with a grab bar and a bar across the front at windshield height for a grab bar. I'm going to move the front seat back a few inches for some room and removing the back seat altogether for a storage area is being considered as it will hardly ever be but two people riding (and hopefully a stretched out white tail). A quick removable or fold up basket rack for over the engine cover is being thought up as well.

One thing is leading to another and I'm pretty anal about stuff so I see me removing the frame from the tub for a refurbish, coating it with POR 15, new bearings and chains, etc. Must the upper body be separated to remove the frame from the tub? Looks to me as if it should come out?

Engine performance time. I know my 16 is 479cc (68x66) and the 18 is a bigger engine internally at 570cc (70x72), can my block be sleeved to 18 specs and an 18 crank be dropped in with a cam and a bit of porting, tuning, timing? The 21-23 engine is even bigger still internally at 627cc (75x70), and they have a two barrel carb, would I be better off to hunt one of them up for a performance build base or even buy new? Anyone have a buidable core they want to part with? I tend to like building my own stuff for the satisfaction. The 21-23 will have a larger charging system (15 amp?), specs show my old 16 at 8-9amps and just some halogen headlights are taking all it's got to break even on the ammeter so that's a consideration toward upgrade as well.

Y'all discuss, lead me down the path to success!


EDIT: WTF is this advertisement picture in my post???

[blown84gt]

As an update, I reassembled my carb with new parts and she's running like a top, purrs like the proverbial kitten!

Now that she's running good I'll pursue my upgrades with renewed vigor - ha!

[coosaridgerider]

Glad to hear you got it running good.

[Noel Woods]

Hello: Nice find on the Max4. As I recall a '94 with a 16hp engine will have hollow axles. If you are going to go to the trouble of pulling the frame, I would upgrade to solid splined axles, and take a good look at your sprockets, they may need to go as well. Bearings are a perpetual issue on older machines, especially if not greased very often, I would switch those out as well for new ones just as cheap insurance. There are several forum members that may be able to assist you with a spare motor. I've driven Max4's with 14, 16,18, 20, 22, 25, 27, and 29hp engines. I would say the minimum would be an 18hp as long as you don't run anything more aggressive than Rawhide tires. The more HP the better however. Of course the more power you apply, the sooner the weak links in your drivetrain will appear. Don't forget to check your chains out too.
The Max4 has alot of potential, if you look at the forum administrator, Mike's machine, or KGHills machine, they can be highly modified into very capable machines.

[blown84gt]

Thanks Noel!

I was thinking it would have hollow axles as well but I can't stick my finger in the ends, maybe they upgraded axles when they upgraded to the 25" tires? I really can't see down in there but I have seen pictures of hollow axles and they don't "feel" hollow but with my luck I'm sure they are.

Will the members with "spare" motors please speak up! I'd be interested in one of the larger 21-23 Vanguards, especially a complete but buildable core.

[blown84gt]

update

Not a whole lot has been done on the MAX, just some tinkering and whatnot, got it running good, replaced the headlights, did some cleaning and lubing, etc. I built it a nice storage shed off the side of my storage building, she's right at home and cozy now. Some of you may have read of my "adventures" in searching for tires in the wanted section, I've gotten frustrated with all that and have bit the bullet for new tires, Aqua Torques! Being a poor man I'm ordering them in pairs as I work some overtime, ordered my first pair today, I should be rollin on new rubber in a month or so.

[blown84gt]

Took the rear seat and all the floor boards out and liberally soaked it in Super Clean, loaded it on the trailer and took it to the car wash. There are no words to describe how much crud, grease, old bolts, chain links, leaves, gravel and grit came out of it, plus two pair of eyeglasses!

It does have solid axles - yay! The sprockets look good - yay! The bearings are tight - yay! The chains look good - yay!

Tomorrow I'll get to greasing and chain lubing. I have carefully removed the seat cover from the rear seat bottom cushion and my wife is going to use it as a pattern to recover the seats with gray marine vinyl.

Still looking for a bigger Vanguard engine, preferably a core for a 21-23.

[Dirty Harry]

You've been making some excellent progress! What is your primary use for this Max IV? Hunting/fishing/remote access? Putting around in the woods? Mudding? Keep up the good work and soon you'll have a machine every bit as nice as a new unit - for a fraction of the price. Keep us posted as you continue your restortion & upgrades... and keep them pics comin' too!