Picked up a Hustler not sure what model?

[Nortonscustoms]

This my new to me Hustler. Not sure the year or model. Has 26x12-12 tires and an 18hp Briggs IC opposed twin. Anyone familiar with these have any ideas? Overall seems to be in good shape. Starts runs and drives well. Going to be this winters restoration project.

Thanks










Sorry, still trying to figure out how you post pictures on this site.

[Noel Woods]

That's a 980. Nice find. One of the best machines ever produced.

If you are restoring, I would upgrade to 1.25" axles. New bearings, chain, etc. Sprockets tend to wear pretty quickly on the original machines as metals back in the day aren't what they are today.

[john swenson]

nice machine alright . big tires and a even bigger winch ! where you guys find these things ? never see any aatv's for sale in no. va . have fun , johnboy va

[Nortonscustoms]

Spent the day going through it. Motor and clutch are both date stamped 1984 and appear to be original. So I think its safe to assume its an 1984 980. Strangely 5 tires are in great shape and one is badly dry rotted.

Noel Woods do you know if they ever used metric axles? Mine measured (the 2 front at least) around 1.22" which is 31mm on the dot.

John, yeah the winch is huge and it weights a ton. The gearbox on it is a solid block of rust, it got tossed in the scrap bin. As far as how I found it, that was completely dumb luck! Looked for years and never could find any aatv. Then the other day took a different route home from work and saw it sitting in a yard for sale. I about drove my truck in the ditch! Next day was explaining to the wife how we are now the proud owners of a 6x6.

[john swenson]

awesome ... that's how when i got started in these someone's dad had one on his farm and they gave it to me . early argo , 2cycle i believe . after that i found 2 different one's in different fields and aquired them . they all needed work but were lot's of fun . decided to build my own . i had no t 20 trans so i used 2 engines . one drove one side ..the other the other side . 2 brakes and 2 throttles !! i geared it too high so it was way too fast . my wife told me to get our 5 yr. old daughter off that thing . finally saved enough money to buy a new max 2 . boy was it smooth and quiet and drove like a royles royce . those were great days . johnboy va.

[racerone3]

That is the tall tub version of the 980. they are a little tippy in water but very capable. Those tires swim great but ride like manhole covers. axles should be 1 3/16" from the factory.

[Noel Woods]

Racerone3 is correct. 1 3/16th axles stock. Most folks don't have issues with them but if you are restoring I would switch to the current standard 1 1/4 axles which are common these days. I have a Hustler 950 with the smaller axles, and used to have a 980 too, I never had any issues with the smaller axles though but I know some folks did. Could have just been metal fatigue. The smaller axles are getting harder to find. Sprockets and bearings are more plentiful in the larger size too.

FYI there are plenty of T20 transmissions out there. Common item and they are pretty bullet proof. Look out for the ones in machines that were holding water though, usually basket cases.

[Nortonscustoms]

Great information guys thank you!

Racerone3, funny you say that. Was looking at it today and did a little metal figuring as to where the CG is at. First thought was "this thing is going to bob around like an egg"

Noel Woods, I really like the idea of upgrading the axles and driveline. Buy once cry once. I'm assuming Richards 6x6 is the only game in town for axles and sprockets?

Finished the seat backs and bottoms today and got them dropped off at the upholstery shop. The wiring was a mess, stripped all that out and ordered everything needed to put a nice harness together with modern fuse box and relays. Hopefully next week I'll get the upper half off and start digging into the mechanicals.

Last winter I restored a little Clark forklift. The wife referred to it as my mistress. She told me today this winter I'll be spending all my free time with my Hussy

[Nortonscustoms]

Remembered one more thing! Was talking to my ag tire guy about the BKT TR315 trencher tire which looks nearly identical to the stock Goodyear's and he suggested I might think about Tracgard N686. I've never heard of them before but they have a sort of similar vee tread design and are low psi ATV tires. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with them?

[Noel Woods]

Richard's is an option, forum member on this site Whipper has a machine shop in Arizona and has fabricated me some awesome axles for two custom machines over the years. Business name Apache Gear. Lucky for you the older machines didn't have much for wiring. In terms of tires, Muddox sells some great tires that swim in 26x12x12.

[ARGOJIM]

Remembered one more thing! Was talking to my ag tire guy about the BKT TR315 trencher tire which looks nearly identical to the stock Goodyear's and he suggested I might think about Tracgard N686. I've never heard of them before but they have a sort of similar vee tread design and are low psi ATV tires. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with them?

Not sure that tire will swim if you plan to, open bars tend to cavitate.
Try to find a used tire off a super garden tractor.

[racerone3]

Richard's is an option, forum member on this site Whipper has a machine shop in Arizona and has fabricated me some awesome axles for two custom machines over the years. Business name Apache Gear. Lucky for you the older machines didn't have much for wiring. In terms of tires, Muddox sells some great tires that swim in 26x12x12.

Whipper is no longer a member here and seems to be pretty much out of the AATV game but would still probably do axles and sprockets. He did mine for my 980 and does amazing work. Apache Gear in Glendal AZ is his maching shop

[Nortonscustoms]

Well still waiting on parts. But in the meantime been keeping busy with other bits.

Made new front and rear bumpers.




Made a new cargo rack for the back.






The seat back and bottoms were rotted so made new and had them upholstered.






Started the main teardown and hope to have the frame out next week. Overall it's in pretty good shape but definitely in need of an overhaul.

[Bennett20200]

Looking good! I seem to remember you earlier saying that you had removed the old T20 because it was rusty. Did you find a replacement for it yet, or are you going another route?

[Nortonscustoms]

Actually that was the original winch that was rusted solid. I bought a new Badlands that should work well. The transmission seemed to work fine but since I'll have it out figure might as well go through it. Talked to Richards and ordered new bands, seals and shims. Hopefully I don't find any surprises in inside.