Chaparral 6x6 Restoration Project Questions

[jpswift1]

and to your point. It can get expensive, especially if you try to buy all your parts on a certain website.

That's right, Drew. Avoid Richard's Relics and you won't break the bank and you'll have a good, reliable AATV.

[amphibious drew]

I can see your point also drew, mike

and to your point. It can get expensive, especially if you try to buy all your parts on a certain website.

[kadookid]

I can see your point also drew, mike

[amphibious drew]

Hello after looking at your pix I honestly think you would have more money in it, than just buying one ready to go. unfortunatly its easy to get a pile of money in a machine and then get burnt out working on the thing.

Respectfully disagree. With help here you can get her going and cheap. I started my racer with a far worse condition machine, well at least as bad but no frame or sprockets. People on this site helped me out and found me what I needed. My build is almost done with frame painting and final assembly left, and thanks to some good people and great friends, I probably only have $700 or so into it, and I bought all new chains, bearings, and fuel line as well as a very nice looking roll cage.

[kadookid]

Hello after looking at your pix I honestly think you would have more money in it, than just buying one ready to go. unfortunatly its easy to get a pile of money in a machine and then get burnt out working on the thing.

[amphibious drew]

1. Where are you located. Buying tires is the most expensive part of a build and getting some used rubbers from a member can be a good way to go.

2. Melt some white lego's or other ABS plastic like your body is made out of with acetone. It makes ABS GOO, look it up using the search tool for more details, but essentially you can use it as an extreme body filler and it dry's back to abs. Just make sure the surface is nice and clean before you start patching. Also, member Racerone3 made some thin GOO and soaked fiberglass in it to put reinforcement layers on the inside of a tub or 2.

3. Absolutely its worth it. The joy you will get the first time you do a doughnut and the first time you drive right into the water is priceless. Those machines were made of thin ABS so it could use the reinforcement and they are very cool looking. The tranny and engine could also be switched over to any number of machines if at some time you decide to go another route.

[RancherX]

I recently purchased this Chaparral 6x6 I am planning on restoring. The motor is missing, but the T-20 appears to be in good shape. It had been sitting in a field for years, so I don't know how the bearings will hold up, but they un-seized pretty easily. The chains were rusted in place, but un-seized also, and the drivetrain seems to be in good condition. I have a few questions:

1. The tires are all far gone. What's my cheapest route route to go as far as tires?

2. The body is cracked up pretty badly in the back, (see pictures), how should I repair that? It seems brittle also.

3. Do you think this is worth putting more money in, or is it too far gone?