Cunneenio's 8x8 BONI,

[cunneenio]

Hi All,
As I mentioned in my introduction, I purchased a Bonai cheap. There isn't a lot of info around on them that I can find so I decided to start a thread based on my experience with it as I go. If any one else has any info about them I'd be interested to hear about it
All I know about it so far is that it is running a 3 cylinder front wheel drive fuel injected 1000 cc engine out of one of them 3 wheel rickshaw. It seems to go well though time will tell I guess ☺
So far I haven't done much with it except replace the fuel pump that was stuck with gum from not being used . turns out was exactly the same as the one I had in a Mitsubishi magna haha. And I mounted some spotties 👍

[Mike]

How many hours did it have on it when you bought it? Upload some photos of the your Bonai to the gallery if you get a chance. We'd love to see it and ultimately hear how reliable it is for you.

[cunneenio]

[IMG][/IMG]

I manage to upload a pic and I'll put some more up later .

I think its a 2010 model and only has 30 hrs on the clock. It has the wrong tyres on it I think these ones are for snow so the guy that owned it never really used it because he couldn't get through 2" of mud

[thebuggyman1]

The tires look like "excavators". I had a set once, they went through mud well, but swam poorly.

I suspect his problem was more likely inexperience. I think your machine has an open diff transmission like Argo uses. They take a little more driver skill than a t-20.

[cunneenio]

Hi Buggyman . your dead right about not being able to swim. I drove it in my dam and couldn't get back out haha.
These are the current tires but I'm thinking about tracks . the creek beds around here are silted slop in some places so some form of tracks are probably my best option. What do you think? [IMG][/IMG]

[thebuggyman1]

I think all machines go through the tough stuff better with tracks...but tracks have their drawbacks too.
The Adair tracks seem to be the best all around, but make sure you do some research on your conditions and machine before buying....they are too expensive to be having buyers remorse afterwards.

I'm curious what the internals of your machine are. Standard size bearings, axle size and material, std. chains and sprockets? Tracks are harder on these, but even without tracks, they all need to be replaced sooner or later

[cunneenio]

The chains and hubs look quite large. But hevrims are only 4 stud so not sure how strong they will be. I'll probably pull the wheels of this weekend to check out the bearings and seals anyway I'll post some picks for comparison . I'll also need to find out if the Adair tracks will fit . the axle centers are at 650 mm centers but dont know If they are the same as the Argo?

[Noel Woods]

4 stud rims are actually very heavy duty, and many are found in the auto and machinery industry. Bearings are no doubt auto grade bearings as well, and I bet the axles are bigger than 1.25" in the aatv industry.

Post up some detailed pics and I think we can help you figure out things.

[msafi65]

That looks like one I have left in my yard. Does it have the 2 speed transmission with reverse. Iv had a lot of it apart because it came to Alaska frozen and not running. I've driven it and it flies in high range. This one has a jet unit powered by electric motor but controls were all under water when it arrived. Haven't been able to operate it. The axles all have a sealed tube with the bearings mounted right behind the axle flange. The one I have dosent have any adjustments on front chains only axle chains. No grease seeks on anything I've found. I'll post pics from inside tub with top off when I find the camera I used when it was apart.

[cunneenio]

Hi msafi65, yeah that's the one . Hi, Low, Reverse and jet. Thus one has the jet removed apparently there was something wrong with the electric from day 1. I've thought about running it of the drive chain instead of of the electric motor with one of them step up gearbox's and a clutch from a slasher. The guy that owned it before me has put nylon chain guides on the front that seem to do the job. and yeah its pretty quick . would love to see some photos of yours too

[cunneenio]

So I found some hdpe plastic

Thinking about making some tracks. The price + shipping to buy them makes it a bit out of my reach moment but... Then I had an idea



It's 40mm thick wall and got a trailer load for 10 bucks . the internal diamater is almost exactly the same as my tires.

I have cut it up and I have been thinking about the idea of drilling a hole and threading a steel cable through and securing it into position with a large battern screw through the cable . I can't guarantee that it will work but for $10 as compared to over $2000 for flat sheets of hdpe I think it's worth a try .





I'll laminate a 12mm thick piece inside to make the tyre fit giving the grouser aprox 50mm x 40mm profile.

I wanted to use conveyer belt rubber but can't because of the curve