Super swamp fox year id

[carguy]

I HAVE NO VIN PLATE OR NUMBER ON MY MACHINE
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY THE YEAR AND WHERE
THE VIN # SHOULD BE . THANKS STEVE

[hydromike]

Hey Steve,

My 'Fox only had a small aluminum tag (about 3/8" tall by a few inches long) that was glued to the right hand side of the dash. I've seen a couple different variations of the tag; some where a little bit larger. Mine only has "SSF# 321" or something to that effect. There's nothing on the tag to conclusively identify the year, as far as I can tell. If your tag isn't glued to the dash, I don't know if there were any other identifying numbers on the machines. Are you interested in the number because you're going to try to register it, or do you want it just for your own information?

I really don't have a clue when my machine was built. I know it's one of the later machines, but I don't really have reliable information to pin it down within a 5 year time frame. When people ask, I say "during the Reagan Administration".

[Noel Woods]

I HAVE NO VIN PLATE OR NUMBER ON MY MACHINE
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY THE YEAR AND WHERE
THE VIN # SHOULD BE . THANKS STEVE

Post a photo and we can peg it fairly close. Mine is a 1978 model. I believe Hydromike's is a 1982-1984 model.

[hydromike]

[Noel Woods]

The black one looks to be up to a 1978.

[Tomo]

Post a photo and we can peg it fairly close. Mine is a 1978 model. I believe Hydromike's is a 1982-1984 model.

hi Noel
How do u pick the year differences ??

I can only assume are either early or late models by the mechanical differences .

1/ different transmission mount a/tilting b/ sliding
2/vent holes in upper body were either left or right side
3/ transmission control levers ,position adjustment a/ turn buckle b/ multi holes
4/ different axle sprocket location a/pin or bolt b/ keyway
5/ 2x different factory fuel tank materials and shapes
6/ Most likely the larger onan 23hp opposed twin was a later development .Why ,it reduces rear storage seat area . It would appear as if the ""original design" was a single cylinder as per the units fitted with the 16hp Techumse

cheers
tomo

[hydromike]

Tomo, Noel...

Do either of your machines have the ID tags? I can't remember where I saw the large tag, but I think it was more ornate than the one I have. If I remember right, it actually said "Swamp Fox" on it.

[Tomo]

Tomo, Noel...

Do either of your machines have the ID tags? I can't remember where I saw the large tag, but I think it was more ornate than the one I have. If I remember right, it actually said "Swamp Fox" on it.

hydromike
I had no ID tags on my machine
The pictures I have collected off the net do show a 1/ serial no tag only and a then 2/a tag with swampfox and serial number

tomo

[carguy]

vent holes are on left side
slidding adjutment on transmission
multi holes shifter adjuters
and pin axle retainers
i am trying to register this machine

[Noel Woods]

The main visual difference between early/late models is the revised upper body that encompasses an additional body line or splash shield. The problem with the earlier model bodies which I have is that there is a tendency for water to go across the lower design, flat body, whereas the later design channels water away.

Every Swamp Fox I've seen had multiple mounting positions for the engine, t20, and shift levers. The fuel tanks were all oblong and mounted in the rear. The original engine cover was a neat looking design and covered the 16hp Tech well. The later engine covers were bigger to cover the V twin of later design and took up much more cargo space. I've seen several patterns for the vent holes and my theory is that later models benefitted from better air flow than the originals.

I've seen solid axels on all machines, The Super Swamp Foxes had a different axle placement than the regular machine. The Super version had a slightly revised body to accommodate bigger tires and wheels. I don't recall any differences in gearing between the versions.

I do recall the Identification plate being pretty fancy for the time and the one on the dashboard did say "SWAMP FOX" and had the serial#. Mine also has a tag on the frame that repeats the serial#, both are riveted on, aluminum stampings and they did tend to wash out with time.

[Tomo]

Hi ,
The raised section on the front which some units have is the ""mount for the screen " although this as noel mentioned is a must have as going into a river etc water does come close to going over this area . If your machine has had a screen there will be stabilizer rod bolt holes in the front flat area .Can also have nut inserts fixed into f/glass .
The fuel tanks appear to be made out of steel or plastic ,both mounted at rear .
The body vents are typically on the left . There are few with both sides and even less with the right side .
In some pictures of posted pics on net there is a right side exhaust also .
There are 2 different 16hp engine covers ,1 is larger to allow exhaust exit rhside . Therefor lower body has an exhaust exit on the rhside also .The other exit out the LHside is far more common and saves cabin space by having a smaller shapped cover .Exhaust exit on the Lhs I would consider a later machine .

Even though there are slightly different front seat for different engines Some seat frames are slightly different ,this refers to the seat height .
An option is the split shifter for the T20 but in all the pics I have there seems to be many other arrangements also

cheers tomo

[carguy]

i have finally regesterd it in pa.got id plate and atv tag
not a very hard process. i guessed on the year and used 1977. whitch i think is about the correct year
if anyone needs help in the process of getting there untitle machine registered. contact me
i will try to help . steve 215-262-1882

[jpswift1]

Steve, I didn't have a dash plate on my Super Swamp Fox so I guess the only other way that it could be identified is by looking at the numbers on the T-20 or on the engine......that should give an approximate year.

PS-I still want your seat/engine and I'm going to see if I can get someone to pick it up from you and get it to Busco or Ashtabula. Thanks!