Super Swamp Fox Build

[mudbug3]

jpswift1

Sounds great. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

[Noel Woods]

Time is all it takes. If it doesn't happen this year, next year sounds even better. I can't wait to see the progress on the SSF as well as the Max 4.

[thebuggyman1]

The updates won't be as frequent until I complete the Max IV project, but I'll be sure to keep everyone posted.

Max IV project???? Would that be the one you missed Ashtabula for? Traitor. OK, maybe you are the smart one, I was there Wed. night and nearly drowned in the rain.
Why does 30% chance mean 4 days straight of rain?

[jpswift1]

Max IV project???? Would that be the one you missed Ashtabula for? Traitor. OK, maybe you are the smart one, I was there Wed. night and nearly drowned in the rain.
Why does 30% chance mean 4 days straight of rain?

That's the one! I picked it up down in Orlando and stored it at my friend's place there.....then I went down to Miami Beach for a week. I probably can't say what I was doing down there, but I have some pretty good pictures of the action, wink wink

[jpswift1]

I was continuing to make an inventory of what I needed for the build. You'll notice that all the Swamp Foxes have the L shaped laterals where they come up and curve at a 90 degree angle, almost giving you that "handlebar" feel when driving......like an Argo. I'm used to the straight up and down laterals like on my Maxes, Attexes, and Hustler so since my Super Swamp Fox was missing one of the laterals, I'm going to just make new ones that are straight up and down and don't have that 90 degree bend at the top. This way I don't have to use the motorcycle style "twist grip" throttle that originally came on the Swamp Fox......these also seem to be expensive so I'll be able to save a few bucks this way. It will also make it easy to just use the factory Max style throttle lever and throttle cable and have the ability to add a heated throttle cable. The laterals are the standard 7/8" OD size and they pivot on a 5/8" rod so coming up with the steel to make this will be very easy to do.

The inner and outer bearings are standard Max 62mm OD 1.25" ID bearings so those will be easy to source, and the outer bearing flanges are the same 3 bolt ones as the Max II and early Max IV. The inner bearing flanges are the same except they're triangle shaped instead of round like the outers (to fit on the frame and not hit on the bottom of the body)....a call to the good folks at Buffalo Bearing will have that all taken care of. Overall this project seems to be going very smooth with parts being very easy to source and no major hangups expected. Pictures and more updates to come this weekend.

[jpswift1]

This weekend Mark helped me out with the rest of the prep work on the frame for the Super Swamp Fox. We ground any surface rust off, welded a couple places where the pits of rust were deep (there weren't too many because the frame was in really nice shape as seen in the pictures), and we added a fresh coat of gloss black paint. We also cut the Chromoly to size for the axles. Next up will be installing all the new bearings, flanges, and hardware to ensure the axles are will be aligned properly. It's coming along slowly, but I'm very happy with the rebuild so far......I think this will be a really nice machine.

[mustangwagz]

nice!! Whats the strap of metal up front/rear for? winch mount tie in?

[LarryW]

......I think this will be a really nice machine.

Im sure it will Jeff!

Thanks for updates!

[jpswift1]

nice!! Whats the strap of metal up front/rear for? winch mount tie in?

That's exactly what it's for. I'm pretty sure it was made this way from the factory. It's a pretty good idea to have that on there so when you're winching you don't crack the fiberglass body.

Im sure it will Jeff!

Thanks for updates!

And thank you for the kind words and motivation. That's a big part of what helps me keep pushing ahead to get these projects done

[mudbug3]

jpswift1

I have seen two Super Swamp Fox's with cracks in the fiberglass right behind where the winch mounts. In my opinion you,ll need more winch support than what the factory frame set up offers.

[lewis]

Nice looking machine JP. Boy those are big. I saw Don's Swamp Fox last time i was up at his house and wow!. Good luck with your build and can't wait to see her on the trails.

[jpswift1]

Thanks guys! This thing sure is a monster. I hope to have it ready for Busco in April. I just picked up all new bearings and flanges for it from the good people at Buffalo Bearing. I'll get these on the frame this weekend for a test fit and hopefully get the new Kohler and T-20 lined up and mounted.

[jpswift1]

I've been bouncing back and forth between this and my green Attex Superchief project, but here's another update on something that should make this machine a whole new monster. A set of 6 26x12x12 Super Swamper Vampires. These are going to be used instead of the 26x12x12 Titan Tru Power tires (which are a factory Max IV tire) on a set of Recreatives K lock rims. The ride quality and HUGE improvement in traction will certainly out weight the slightly slower water speed.....plus they look so cool and will give the 'Fox that intimidating look.

[Stonewall]

Awesome. IMHO, the Vampire is the best ATV tire ever. Period. I can't wait to see 'em on that Super Swamp Fox!!

[jpswift1]

Awesome. IMHO, the Vampire is the best ATV tire ever. Period. I can't wait to see 'em on that Super Swamp Fox!!

Thanks Stonewall. I think the only tire better than the Vampire is the Vampire ASX because it's an inch wider and it has those awesome side lugs. I hope Interco makes that tire again soon. I'll certainly be happy with the regular Vampires though.