Amphibious Vehicle, Modifying an Old Coot and Driving it into the Water!

[@trevorpom]

I worked on amphibious vehicles for years. The worst thing about them is that they fill with water and hold it. If you have an oil/fuel leak it mixes with the water along with leaves/dirt/insects etc etc and this feeds the BILGE MONSTER and starts to stink like satans' armpit. You also have to be extremely careful of fuel as the vapors can accumulate in the hull and can ignite and explode if not properly ventilated. You also need a good reliable bilge pump if you don't want to sink. It's absolutely no fun at all when you suddenly discover, in the middle of the lake, that your feet are wet and you don't have the speed to get to shore before it sinks.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

Sounds like a GREAT vehicle to own and maintain!!!

[@ncjohn3429]

Yes . The stench of arm pit body odor , gear oil and burning leg hair reminds me of nam. You young punks never heard of the puss blister of this world's stench. Vietnam dang viet damn nam . This buggy would last 12 minutes in the humid jungle filled with stench .

[@quigleyclampett6132]

Just love the amphibious vehicle you just built! You can build anything. I got a 933f caterpillar traxcavator made in 1963 that has been sitting in a fence row for 20 plus years! After watching your videos gave me the gumption to get it running. Took me about a month but I got it running and and built a crawfish pond! Keep up the good work!

[@LowBuckGarage]

That's awesome, sounds like a really cool machine!

[@FJB8885]

👍

[@goatee21]

Heck yah!

[@lunchbox2784]

Brilliant repurposing and repowering! I gotta say, you keep some interesting content and it’s nice seeing someone use their brains instead of their wallet. Makes it more relatable to us common-folk. I can’t wait for the next project!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you very much! You'll see another one coming up pretty soon.

[@matthewmann8951]

Thanks L.B.G. love your stuff. Very entertaining. Peace my freind.

[@fredwhitmore3737]

The trolling motors are what Coots needed from the factory. Rode in one once and thought it would never make it back to shore. Excellent work Sir.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! I tried driving it with the motors turned off, then I was really glad I added them.

[@jlucasound]

@@LowBuckGarage Yep. You end up going nowhere with the wheels spinnin' in the "brine". L-B There are simple circuits that can be used to control the trollers with the steering wheel. I know you are like me and can make the switches work. (More reliable, too). But, a simple Hall sensor and an arduino based motor controller setup would make a "hard left" with the steering wheel, become a signal to the arduino to apply reverse thrust (ramped) to the left troller. Motor controllers can make any DC motor run forward and then back down to zero and then run in reverse, with no strain, no bucking, just a smooth transition. Just a thought! Awesome build, Sir!!

[@NoNo-zl1ds]

There was a propeller kit/option that drove off the stub shaft sticking out the back of the rear axle gearbox... I think it doubled or tripled the speed on water (still fairly slow). There were also tire chains that hooked on the rims that had angle-iron "paddles".

[@blockeighteen1059]

Brilliant. Love that you built this for your dad. Hope he’ll have a ton of fun with it.

[@ncjohn3429]

I think we all want / need you to see how she does in the ocean . The gulf of mexico when the seas are angry . Thats KZbin gold my friend. Bring a few cats and such , itll add to the drama of your open ocean adventures.

[@adddava]

This channel does not get the press it deserves. What a hoot!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

[@robertallen5890]

You are a good man who has shown by your works you have honored your dad and hopefully your father in heaven. Keep up the good work and thanks for your clear step by step project you decided to tackle from beginning to end keeping it simple and quick plus functional. Simply inspirational in a world of knuckle heads.

[@bobbell5928]

Well said Robert

[@FJB8885]

👍

[@robertallen5890]

@@bobbell5928 ty

[@albatrosnh]

The camera scan rate vs the wiggling fender during cutting is amazing!! Great video as always!!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! When I first played that back I knew it had to make it to the final cut, it was totally unexpected!

[@FJB8885]

Your a good son, your folks raised you right. Great rebuild. That looks like a very fun machine. 👍

[@robertburns3014]

Cool little amphibious vehicle! I'm sure that your Dad will have hours of fun with it.

[@david929190]

Your execution of this build was beautiful in its simplicity and efficiency but so well thought out it worked straight away.

[@EasyThereBigFella]

With your dry humor and mentoring style, even for the novice on how parts and components fit and function together as a whole, you will absolutely reach 1 million subscribers before long.

[@krafty65]

You've got a great set of skills, a cool workshop, some awesome tools like that CNC plasma cutting table - wow! Fun channel, thanks for sharing your unique builds!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@gregorybarth930]

all he needs is a good pressure washer, new used or homemde.

[@HateMerchant]

​@@gregorybarth930he has one. it was in the background.

[@cmac956]

Hi , you do very good work , also good to watch, thank you for the education .

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@Watson1]

Really enjoyed your video. You remind me of a neighbour we had who could build anything out of scrap. A real bush mechanic. Thank you Wiz

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

very cool , You saved it from the scrap and Dad will love it !! ENJOYED..

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@chasworkout]

I love watching your videos. I used to tinker around and build things just like you untill my divorce and lost most of my stiff, but you give me inspiration to move on and keep, keeping on. Thx bro

[@brianhaygood183]

There is more than one crazy old coot in this video. Nice work.

[@huskyflylangley6053]

A Schwimmwagen on a budget. Good on you for taking care of your Dad!!💪🏻

[@2artactical55]

Awesome build and great work. I'm currently rebuilding a 2015 Argo 750HDi 8x8 Extreme Terrain Amphibious Vehicle.

[@shirishhirekodi6913]

Man is a genius with machines

[@backachershomestead]

Awesome! You bought a steering mechanism and going to build a coot around it. I passed up one in very good original condition several years ago. Probably should've bought it.

[@jlucasound]

I didn't even think of that with the two trollers, one on each corner. Hook up the (indpendent) forward and reverse controls and you have...well, total control! Full steam ahead or turn on a dime. Brilliant!

[@larryalexander4833]

Watching whole video after work. The pond area looks like here in SC.

[@dhlshovel]

I have just really enjoyed this beautiful , fun video. Your skills are tremendous. Great Channel!

[@jackrichards1863]

Back again. That little machine car boat is so great. I have considered building from scratch since it is so versatile . A little cost prohibitive for a fifty sixth project being worked by myself alone. Can't get the quiet efficient little floater and driver off my mind completely.👍

[@danielson101]

Nice Job on steering quickener!

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

fantastic work and one suggestion if you find that that brake wears out quickly or isn’t strong enough, you can get a disc brake and a hydraulic caliper for a go kart or minibike application cheaply that you will be able to make work

[@landontesar3070]

I think the Briggs is an 'OutBoard' motor. Thanks for the tip on the pipe and conduit threads.

[@highway445]

I am totally amazed at your knowledge of all this stuff I guarantee.

[@davidhakes3884]

I actually met the Original inventor of the coot in Paradise California, interesting guy, did some motorcycle frame work for him. Cudos on your remake of the machine, I had one with 10hp Briggs engine and the seperate bolt on oil sump/pan the darn thing would vibrate loose and lose engine oil. I know what they are and are not,,,, your work is making the Original better.

[@bobbell5928]

I take used outboards and take them apart. Put them together like new. Fun satisfying hobby. You now have another subscriber

[@LowBuckGarage]

Awesome, thank you! I like working with outboards, too, got a 35hp Gale up and running not too long ago...

[@bobwoods5017]

We were at Whiskey Town Lake in Northern California A long time ago. Watched this car with 4 people in it. They just drove down the ramp and headed off around the lake. If you never did anything illegal in any federal recreation area, never know how many rangers all packing come out of the wood work! They were everywhere, binoculars and talking to HQ about the amphibious car on their lake without the boat stickers and vessel number on the hull! Bet it cost them some bucks!

[@thomasmarcelli4511]

Thanks for the informative entertainment!!! Learn some well needed tricks while being entertained. Great video!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jlucasound]

Oh, I so want one!! That's it. I'm going to build one as soon as I retire! Which will be soon and if I live long enough. Thank You for the tips! A few I would not have thought of.

[@danburch9989]

You resurrected that old Coot from the dead. Great job!

[@theverminguy7598]

Interesting build. I've had a couple of coots and still have one now and the one thing you need to know is that you have to use a special gear oil in those worm gears or you will eat the bronze worm up. The original is almost impossible to find but the one stuff you can use is mobile SHC 634 ISO VG 460. This stuff is made to be used with bronze gears. Have fun with your coot they are a blast.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks for the tip, I appreciate it!

[@RingingResonance]

Needs a sun shade and you got a nice little fishing boat! Put a little solar panel on top of that and you got power for radio, pumps, trolling motors, etc for the whole day!

[@daviddaw999]

James, I have just discovered your channel and am so glad I did. I love your clever, inexpensive solutions to problems and am looking forward to watching much more of your output.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks and welcome!

[@patrickshaw8595]

This was like watching myself work. That's my highest compliment. The only thing I saw wrong was that the hot air from the little engine will likely get sucked back into the cooling fan air inlet. You might want to consider a duct for the inlet side that allows it to pick up cold air only. You would still have the distant possibility that it gets runs for a long enough time for the hot air in the box to melt the plastic gas tank, boil the gas in the carburetor, fry the electrical stuff, etc. It would be far more difficult to fab ducting to take your hot air coming off the cylinder and make it go over the muffler (taking IT'S heat with it) and direct it away from the cooling air inlet. But at least then you wouldn't need a cooling air inlet duct. Anyway I got 60 years of doing exactly what you filmed yourself doing - and you solve problems and fab stuff the Good Enough Way - and that is perfection. You are welcome for the free advice. Totally enjoyed watching the free video.

[@danielson101]

that old coot is mint!,i see you put tires on to paddle water

[@jaylitalien4041]

New follower here. What a nice little project with lots of great tips and cheats. The trolling motors are a wonderful add on idea. I would have used a joystick (one i had from a previous build) that has 4 directions to control the trolling motors but the two dual position switches are a great way to keep cost low. Keep up the great work 👍

[@billyhaddock5540]

Congrats LBG on building ur DAD that great looking COOT. runs great.. lv the build..

[@Ashley_Schaeffer]

This is awesome! Your ingenuity is incredible!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@gregdrmax]

I would change the sprockets around to get more speed. Doubt pulling power necessary. Nice video!

[@bellofbelmont]

Good fun project. Thanks. Jim Bell (Australia)

[@LowBuckGarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@wmden1]

With the articulation, they are fantastic ATVs, for rough, dry terrain. Probably pretty good in mud. I would bet they ride rough with regular hard tires on them, though.

[@allanwagner4570]

What a fantastic build ! Your a great son to do this for your father ..my guess is that he will love it

[@smittysmat7826]

As a kid in the early 70s, I was fascinated by a Nylint “Twister” toy vehicle. I had 2 of them. In fact, I’m now 61 and recently bought one off of eBay. Lol. Anyway, amazingly, it wasn’t until very recently that I learned that the Twister was based on a real thing..the Coot! Albeit, it(Coot) is much smaller than I would’ve imagined…still super cool. Then, imagine my surprise, when after watching your channel for a few months, I went back and found this video! On more than one occasion I’ve foolishly pondered the feasibility of making a larger..not necessarily amphibious, front wheel drive version by repurposing an old minivan. So, since I’ll never do it, can you please make that happen. Lol! Love your channel! Also, if you weren’t aware of the Nylint toy version, look up Nylint Twister on EBay. Peach out..from Georgia.

[@Junkboy888]

This video just showed up in a recommendation. Great video, good project, no super loud music blasting in cut scene. I'll have to check out more if your videos.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@rhiantaylor3446]

That is such a good project. Only concern I would have would be about hand starting the gas engine if you manage to flatten the start battery with the trolling motors !

[@LowBuckGarage]

I tried it just to see how that would work. Its a bit awkward leaning over the back, but it can be pull started while floating. Luckily, the electric starter doesn't take a whole lot of juice, so it hasn't been necessary yet.

[@ronnythompson9115]

@Low-Buck Garage - When I was stationed in Panama we had these relatively cramped cab amphibious vehicles for hauling supplies across the canal. Was Called a Gama Goat. They were slow and noisy but would go like hell anywhere. Very fun to drive

[@LowBuckGarage]

I've heard of those, they sound like a lot of fun. I just need to find a cheap one...

[@kentonseydellaolcp4785]

May want a small winch and anchor to help getting back up on dry land.

[@lawnmowerdude]

Really enjoyed this build.

[@delwhylie4748]

Nice work! When I was a kid ,I would actually dream about having an amphibious machine for hunting ducks in my uncles pasture in SD. Closest I came was an 8 ft plywood duck boat. We drug that thing about 1/2 mile into the slew in 6 ft rush's and never drug it back. That was about 50 years ago so I reckon it's waisted away by now. lol.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! I added a set of lifting wheels to an aluminum boat to make it easier to drag...

[@bannedbycommieyoutube5time920]

You have the most fun per $1 spent that I’ve ever seen on KZbin.

[@maniachill3069]

Great job! And even better that you did it for your dad!

[@markvisconti4507]

Fantastic. I am really enjoying your content over the past few weeks. You have more creativity and energy than 99.99% of us. Thank you for sharing.

[@VictorHarrys]

The pumps were an excellent forethought.

[@georgemiller6796]

You do great work!was not bored once watching your video.

[@danielpaulson786]

Heck yeah my friend.but you should have put a cage around the trolley motor props though.weeds man weeds!

[@stevenvanes2928]

Great build, but I did notice that you have your tyres on backwards. Swap the wheels from side to side and it will be right.

[@mastifflvr32]

Seen that also lol

[@dumbbo1]

Your dad can play GI Joe Adventure Team for real.

[@alangordon3283]

Brilliant I’m glad I’ve found your channel .

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@danielfield3580]

Loved your comment about when looking for plumbing go to the electrical dept. I worked in the Orange store's plumbing and electrical dept and used combinations for solving plumbing problems for people. Not for potable water just so the naysayers don't have a reason for nasty comments.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Amazed as always the skills this guy has

[@padraicsteininger9920]

Great job Man!!

[@shannonwatson5473]

Really enjoyed your video! I've always loved taken old odd item and redoing or modifying them. I love mechanicing on that type of work. I would love to have a buddy that had the knowledge and experience that you have and work jobs or hobbies together!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcfechtner1074]

Nice work!! That came out awesome!!!

[@kevineleven5610]

Excellent work 👍

[@danielson101]

bushing through tank,that is amazing!

[@craigbowley6783]

Awesome project. Love it!

[@heidiayers2124]

Cool project 👍

[@jimsworthow531]

really clever friend.

[@randymagnum143]

Electrical thread is straight, pipe thread is tapered. Same size and tpi tho.

[@CasperRc81]

Amazing build. I would think it would be cool to run jack shaft for example of your engine to an alternator for your batteries. Love your videos thank you.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! You're exactly right, more charging may be needed. I left some room on the left side of the motor to fit a car alternator that could be driven off a pulley bolted to the outside of the CVT drive clutch. That way it would charge even with the transmission in neutral. However, so far the battery lasts long enough, and the drive back to the house charges it back up.

[@sunilphalakdhari3869]

Awesome. No other word for it.

[@stevegleichauf1027]

Great work. Great video

[@barthanes1]

I know you did this three years ago, but I had an idea. You hook up an alternator so that the engine powers the alternator while it's in the water. Something like a lever actuated belt drive on a snow blower auger. It might extend your range on the trolling motors.

[@robertholcomb6200]

How do you not have a million plus subscribers?!? One of my favorite channels! I wish I could come help you build fun stuff! Awesome!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you, I sure appreciate that!

[@mixedboi]

Love this guy, so awesome.

[@BLUEZz73]

Too cool Mate turned out nice. I dig this channel👍🇦🇺👍

[@BRI33NOR]

That whole thing looked to be a lot of fun.

[@bigsid1984]

You build cool stuff.

[@kenuber4766]

Hope your Dad has fun with it!

[@sg1fan75]

very cool video sir.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Weren't you on Sat. morning car shows ? Super Cool & I'd add tiny winch but it's slicker than snot on a brass door knob. Love the add-ons

[@immewhou1755]

Amazing build quality video skills great job 👏 you definitely earned my subscription 👏 👍 🙌 😀 👌

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you very much!

[@FranklinsteinsGarage]

Awesome video man I now want to build something like this!!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun, particularly the moment when I drove it into the pond and it actually started floating.

[@arthurmandel6541]

Great project, great video enjoyed it!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@e.nikolaich4892]

Хорошая работа, успехов!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you!

[@patrickellis3205]

Fishing rod holder and a cool box required 😊

[@BlindmanValley]

Just came across your channel and have to say great job! Love those old Coots, I had one quite a few years ago and the thing was a great little machine. I currently have a 2010 8 X 8 Argo on tracks and also picked up a 1981 6 X 6 Prairie bobcat and both are amphibious. I also have a couple jet boats and water intrusion is always a concern. Problem is if a guy can't see the water the bilge is pumping, ya won't know if the problem is serious or not and almost sunk one of my boats that way. I ended up taking the bilge pump apart, splicing a wire into the hot lead the float activates and ran it to the dash. It first goes to a very bright LED then to a toggle switch, then to a small but very loud buzzer under the dash. If I don't see the light, buzzer alerts me then I can shut the buzzer off with the toggle, find out what the issue is and decide if it's serious or not before it's to late. Anyways, just sharing a problem I had and my solution to it because it's saved me a few times. Subscribed and you definitely got a thumbs up.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you! I like the bilge pump warning idea. Its like a "you are sinking" idiot light! I'm going to have to use that one...

[@Decenium]

amazing stuff, what a good life

[@michaelmays9292]

Awesome machine.

[@d.jerrycook2994]

Well done!

[@williamalbertson78]

that thing is cool nice work

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@shortmanaut1736]

well done 👍👍

[@RMSadventures-ie4fr]

thats how ya take an old coot and make it a hoot LOL...