Super Swamp Fox Build

[jpswift1]

Thanks to 6x6World member 6WHHEELSORBUST I finally got a Super Swamp Fox for my collection. First of all, this thing is WIIIIIIIDE! I started tearing everything apart and making a list of what I'll need. First off, I just learned that there was particle board sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass on the floor on of the SSF just like a Terra Tiger. This makes it strong and heavy, this one especially since it was soaked with water and rotted. I had to cut the first layer of fiberglass off and remove the particle board which was nothing but water saturated wood fibers.


I'll be putting in new marine plywood and fiberglassing over it. Besides a few minor chips and scratches in the body, this is the only major flaw I can see now.

The frame is really nice. It is straight and rust free. I'll just paint that and it'll be ready to go. There were no axles or sprockets so I'll be making some new ones with 1.25" 4140 Chromoly. It needs bearings and flanges and they are 72mm Max bearings and 3 hole flanges so I'll be able to get those directly from Recreatives or Buffalo Bearing. I need to make a steering lateral, chains, sprockets (I might be able to use Max IV sprockets), seats and seat frame, a front floor pan, clean the gas tank out, do some paint work, and a bunch of other little things, but all in all it's a very good starting point for a project.

I have a brand new Kohler 23HP Command engine with a Max wiring harness and Comet Duster clutch that I'll be using for power, and I have a T-20 for it all set to drop in. Here are a few pictures of the progress so far.

And the dogs are curious and ambitious to help out.

[Don]

Sounds like it's going to be a real keeper, JP. 'Gonna have it ready for Busco in three weeks?

[thebuggyman1]

Looking good Jeff, Definately bring it to Ash. in June, I wanna ride

[amphibious drew]

Nice to finally see the pics of your new toy Jeff. Hurry up and bring it to Busco.

[Noel Woods]

That's a clean looking body and frame. Good find Jeff. 23HP is about perfect. You'll be happy that you got what you did, making room for new axles, sprockets and chains. I got a sheet of UHMW 4'x10' in size, and will make myself a dandy skid plate with coverage even for the front and back slopes. You ought to think about something like that while everything is apart.

[LarryW]

Cool Jeff!!! Sounds like it will be an awesome machine once again when your done! Good luck with it!

[jerbear]

Those things are huge! The guy I got my superchiefs from had one. It's hard to tell the size of them in stand alone pics, but when you see it next to like an Attex, WOW! Cool machine, can't wait to see what you do with it Jeff.

[LarryW]

Those things are huge! The guy I got my superchiefs from had one. It's hard to tell the size of them in stand alone pics, but when you see it next to like an Attex, WOW! Cool machine, can't wait to see what you do with it Jeff.

Your not kidding. The first one I saw I was like holy honkin hay bales, lol.

[Mike]

...holy honkin hay bales...

Woah Larry, this is a family site.

Jeff, this is going to be a fun build to watch.

[LarryW]

Woah Larry, this is a family site.

Yea I know, I used to say it all the time but when I got older, people started looking at me funny?

[jpswift1]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I know it won't be ready for Busco, and probably not for Ashtabula either, but sometime over this Summer I hope to have it on the trails along with Hydromike's SSF. It has tons of potential and it shouldn't be a very difficult build I'm hoping.

[hydromike]

Thank goodness "summer" lasts until late September as far as the calandar's concerned. Your 'Fox looks great! You're way ahead of me already, and it seems that you're on a Scanlon time-line. If you have it up here and running over the summer, and if I miraculously find the time, energy and money to finish mine that quickly, we'll hit the trails. We'll find some nice, W I I I I I D E trails.

[Noel Woods]

I may have to load up my SSF and head North to join you guys for a ride late Summer-early Fall.

Noel

[jpswift1]

Sounds like a good idea, Noel. The number of them in the northeast sure seems to be growing lately.

[jpswift1]

The Super Swamp Fox build was put on hold for a while, but as I finish up rebuilding my latest project (a late model Max IV), I've began gathering parts for the 'Fox project again. I just ordered all the axle material, 1.25" 4140 Chromoly rod, I got a Max II wiring harness from Recreatives for the 23HP Kohler Command, and I got a great deal on some new 26 tooth sprockets. The frame will be getting sprayed down with Rustoleum this weekend and then it'll be time to get some bearings and flanges. The updates won't be as frequent until I complete the Max IV project, but I'll be sure to keep everyone posted.