ASSEMBLY - 8x8 Amphibious Vehicle Argo REBUILD Ep.6

8x8 tracked amphibious all terrain vehicle ARGO full rebuild mini-series. In this video I'm plastic welding the polyethylene tub, straightening bent up wheel axles in my homemade hydraulic press, restoring worn idler shafts by welding on extra material and turning them to size in the lathe, installing idler shafts on the chassis, installing chassis into the tub and fastening it to the polyethylene tub with stainless hardware, cutting new cork gaskets from a cork mat I bought from a local hardware store cutting down costs that way, gaulking the skid plate to the tub, installing the axle inside bearings. Now I'm waiting for the axle seals to show up in the mail so I can finish assembling the outer bearing flanges and start installing the axles. I'm thinking about taking the CVT clutch off and servicing that as well but I'll have to see my schedule in the upcoming week first. If I can manage it time wise I'll do it, otherwise I'll just probably slap the motor on the frame and call it a day. The assembly of this vehicle is time consuming but pretty fun I should admit. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did filming it. Thanks for watching and see you next time!
8x8 ARGO rebuild series full playlist:
• 8x8 ARGO Avenger REBUILD
This 8x8 ARGO sparked the homemade tracked amphibious vehicle build series a couple of years ago that you can watch here:
• Tracked Amphibious Veh...
My other videos: kzbin.infovideos
Support me on: / donndiy
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#donndiy #8x8 #trackedvehicle
Welding equipment borrowed from Spetselektroodi AS, Estonia:
Fronius TransSteel 2700 welder
Optrel Crystal 2.0 Welding Helmet
Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP plasma cutter

[@DonnDIY]

More fabrication videos on: kzbin.infovideos You can support me on: www.patreon.com/DonnDIY Follow me on: instagram.com/DonnDIY

[@bundeetheowl]

Are you OK, man? We start to worry...

[@mechniack]

Yes it's not normal to disappear unless som accident has happened , better to let people know what goes on ❤️

[@orangepickel2]

Near perfection as always Donn looks like new

[@rjung_ch]

Great attitude on life you have! Really enjoy your builds, regardless of what, since you have this positive vibe, learning by doing, a great life lesson. 👍💪✌

[@Mr.Stacey-L-SCC]

Wow, this is going to be better than factory built by the time you are done.

[@iteerrex8166]

For repairing cracks in plastics, along side adding new material, it’s very beneficial to imbed rings of steel wire over the crack. Just press it with the heat gun into the plastic. It adds a lot of structural strength.

[@LariFariYoutube]

I restored several WW2 vehicles in my life. They had cork gaskets oll over.. It is amazing, how well this gasket material works...for such a long time.. I am sure, they will last by far longer than 20 Years.. ;) Well done, my friend..Greets from Germany..

[@PorkBarrel.]

That's a lot of parts you're doing a great job! Thanks for bringing us along.

[@jlucasound]

Your plastic welding leaves nothing to be desired. You, Donn, are a Master. Period. Most excellent. That is from the heart of a 60 y old man who has seen a lot. Of course, we are now used to your other abilities. You don't lack much in anything you set out to accomplish. You just do it. And you do it correct. You are in my top 3. I have hundreds of Subs.

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi, looks great, fantastic work. Many thanks for your uploads, from UK.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks man!

[@Franske-NL]

Great video again. 👍 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@yeagerxp]

Excellent work 👍👍👍. Thank you for sharing. Be safe 🇨🇦

[@TopCat2021]

Great video, I enjoyed it very much, thanks for sharing your time,efforts and talents with us.

[@OakleyDoakeley]

I ONCE SAW A VIDEO WHERE THEY USED A TORCH ON FADED PLASTIC BLEACHER SEATS IN A STADIUM, AND IT MADE THEM LOOK LIKE NEW AGAIN!

[@Nikola12YT]

You have a big brain for ideas.

[@mitchamus]

Caulking the skid plate is a great idea…

[@DonnDIY]

Saw other guys who have rebuilt Argos on YT do that and I also thought it was a good idea.💪

[@Einherjar_17]

Excellent work and beautiful video, thank you very much for sharing it, I send you a hug from southern Argentina.

[@DavidLeeMenefee]

And it NEVER gets boring watching you never get bored. You're very clever that's why "WE" like watching you.

[@juanferreira5931]

You just made my Sunday morning.

[@DonnDIY]

Cheers man!

[@toddfryman6178]

Better then when it was new

[@kenwood8665]

Quality workmanship Quality video

[@valdis7663]

Как всегда всё отлично сделано. Очень люблю ваш канал, постоянно жду новые выпуски. С удовольствием смотрю как вы работаете, всё грамотно восстанавливаете, на совесть и на долгие времена. Спасибо вам за хороший контент, за доброе видео. Всего вам самого хорошего. Всем мира, добра и любви.

[@jimsvideos7201]

Doing all the work that nobody is going to see is the hard part, but when it floats and runs right you'll know it was worth it.

[@AW-Services]

Another great video Donn. Polyurethane black sealant is a great choice as it's used on car body's and glazing where silicone breaks down with uv

[@Henning_S.]

The main problem with silicone is that it doesn't stick very well to a lot of materials like PE for example and also the paint doesn't stick to silicone...

[@jasonscott2759]

Awesome content, can't wait to see more!

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks!

[@barthanes1]

I've seen you build some really cool shit over the years. That one looks especially fun.

[@flatlinesup]

Awesome job Donn (as usual). Thanks for sharing.

[@richardcorwin1828]

Looking good!

[@DanKoning777]

Noooooo! I thought for sure that I waited long enough after ep. 6 came out to start watching; and to ensure that it was the finale/final assembly. The bad news: I was wrong-the goods news: seems there's more than 1 episode remaining. Sigh-still enjoying each video. Thanks Donn. God bless.

[@parkerbirch5286]

Good series great choice.

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you!

[@jonpeterson9733]

the first time I saw an Argo (6x6) was on a kids tv show in the late 1960s, then ads in hunting /fishing magazine from the same era, they have been around a very long time, long enough to address many of the deficiencies you found during this rebuild. these machines were not cheap then. I really hope this unit will now give you years of trouble-free service. always look forward to your videos. thanks

[@DonnDIY]

I hope it will serve our family well, too. Even when not maintained properly the new parts should last a long time. I plan on keeping everything in check so another complete rebuild would not be necessary anymore. 😄 Thanks!

[@dungeonmaster2417]

Inspiring Donn. When I'm feeling lazy, I watch one of your vids and I'm raring to go and fix things (and in Poland there is a lot to fix!). Thanks for the mojo!

[@larryshipman248]

Absolutely amazing.

[@jeepanimal2943]

With the care and detail you've put into this Donn, It's gonna be around for more than 20 years. Probably wear out an engine or two before you need to rebuild that body and undercarriage again. Loved the detailing of everything. Even a full paint on the axles. Shows what you have all "touched."

[@nathanscott7910]

You are a talented man.

[@jubiletabustamanteserrano2446]

GOOD JOB IN GENERAL OF THE AMFIBIAN. BUT THE AXES REPAIRED A REAL JUMP, THE REST PHENOMENON

[@rl3898]

With that much care and attention it will last at least twice it's previous life. Brilliant work.

[@chipandrews2892]

Looking GOOD!! Outstanding job so far!

[@chuckgulledge2304]

Thank you for your videos. I enjoy them each time you post. Cleveland, Tennessee USA

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

LIKE A GLOVE !! Looks great Donn, fixing everything and making it look great again. Really a fantastic overhaul. We appreciate you sharing the overhaul with us , watching the fine work and fabrication has been fun and very entertaining. Stay safe and keep up the great work. Fred.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks!

[@dougsweet9045]

Donn, I have been watching your builds for years. Thanks for posting your work. I do alot of building like you do in Northern ,CA.. It is enjoyable to see your same excitement of a job well done as my own. Love it! Right? Doug. D.C Smithing

[@WaltherHK]

Well done Donn DIY. Congratulations.

[@robertcary435]

Nice work!

[@willwade1101]

Really Looking good.

[@kimber1958]

Nicely done

[@baronclime6423]

We had a guy come in at a place I was working a few years ago wanted pretty much the same job done on his 6 wheeled version, but also wanted us to fab up a stainless steel outer pan/skidplate for it. We got everything cleaned and fixed up and got the new pan made up and installed. it looked pretty cool and worked pretty good. We didn't use any fasteners below the waterline but use a crap ton of 3M panelbond to get it to stay on. Guy was super happy with it. Kept bringing it back for services and stuff. We wound up repowering it one time because the old Kohler had given up. Last I heard it had sold at his estate sale for not much. I wish I had known about it at the time I would have bought it.

[@yodasbff3395]

Looks better than new and will probably perform better than new. Nice work, thanks for sharing. 👍

[@johnvro967]

Hi Donn, Fantastic to watch you turning this machine back into as good as new. My compliments.

[@enzobrambilla3692]

Sei veramente un ottimo meccanico, falegname, elettricista, sei bravo in tutto!!!

[@quarlow1215]

Beautiful work Donn, as always.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Awesome work!!!

[@hillonwheels8838]

By the time you are done rebuilding it, it will be better than how Argo built it new.

[@danacampbell-vu2ut]

You have a great knack for DIY projects. Your mind set is unsurpassed. Great job!!!! 👍❤️📹☺️

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you! 😊

[@fredscheerle7592]

Donn Inpressive again, Your First Plastic welding attempt turned out much better than mine Is all I can say.

[@carlosoller6261]

Great work ❤

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Ejrupolsen]

Great video DONN 👌👌👌 hope youre grandpa is doing Well 👍👍👍👍

[@DonnDIY]

My grandpa is great! Thanks!

[@cosmiccolonel]

Top job mate…….. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Theremster1]

Inspiring, awesome work!!! Can't wait for the next episodes...cheers!!

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrCaprinut]

Great work Donn!

[@tomcleghorn4005]

That thing is gonna be like new! Maybe even better

[@carloskawasaki656]

Thank you for sharing,i learn a lot and your video is always a pleasure 👍👍👍👍

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@thepagan5432]

Looking better every episode, you should be very pleased with your work. I found cork gaskets are fine on low or no pressure applications, many other materials used like silicone, neoprene, etc, but they can be expensive as you found out yourself. Looking forward to the next post, keep safe and well 👍

[@jlucasound]

I see that. From the factory. You can't trust too many, can you. Much better than new! 😺

[@mattallica0]

it looks great, nice work!

[@vinceianni4026]

Good job Donn looking good well done

[@728dogger]

Looks great

[@nicholasviney5975]

looking good, hope you're settling in to your new house

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks! We are slowly getting used to the house. And the porch is still not finished. But we're getting there.👍

[@timjohnson6864]

for cutting gaskets especially intricate. ones i use a cricut(vinyl cutting machine) theres different tutorials online if i recall correctly but i use a differnt blade and 2 passes

[@lennym1636]

Looking a lot better to me as well...

[@Crewsy]

Well done Donn. Looks like a very well planned restoration and making your own gaskets to save a little money is definitely old school and unfortunately pretty much a lost skill now. Happy Father’s Day to you Donn.

[@OneManOperation]

looking good 👍

[@DonnDIY]

Cheers man. Slowly getting there. 👍 Any updates on your articulated offroad Audi Quattro?

[@OneManOperation]

@@DonnDIY Havent had time to edit the videos. And I took on a rather big car renovation side prodject too. Have lots of video but jeah. Its going to take some weeks at least I am able to edit video 🙂

[@curm1778]

So much skill

[@TripleXclown]

Looking great.. They make a plastic restoration "polish" (?) Removes the oxidation rust etc.. not that it matters..

[@mata9154]

Tubli poiss & good guy! 🤩

[@sharpshorts]

Love watching you skillfully work your projects (but could do without the headbanger music 🥺).

[@kevinhornbuckle]

That type of music is distracting and antithetical to concentrating while working.

[@fasousa4798]

5:40 5/4" or 1 1/4" is 32mm roughly. Always a good job on being an overall maker

[@paceydaudey176]

Super travail, 👍comme d habitude 😁

[@adrianpherreira8176]

Excelente, parabéns!!!👏👍✌️

[@FatRedBiker]

Brilliant Donn! Totally enjoy your videos! Used to do more of this stuff myself, live in remote Canada very much a case of you have to be able to do it yourself. Here it’s mainly snowmobiles and four wheelers, few Side by sides coming in now. My dream is to join a couple engines and stick it in a snowmobile; couple 540cc engines make it a 1080cc … working slowly on getting/ collecting parts.

[@Henning_S.]

12:35 punching holes works much better if you put the block of wood upright, so you punch into the end grain. This way the cutting edge of the punch can just go in between the wood fibres, instead of cutting the fibres. Just like the block of wood you put on the floor when splitting firewood with an axe.

[@lloydprunier4415]

Thanks for mentioning this. I'll try it next time I punch some holes. I've tried hardwood, plastic, and aluminum with moderate success. Lead block works pretty good, but not the most healthy.

[@davidspilman531]

Wow your going to have A New machine when you get done I really enjoy your channel ! And you don’t stand there and talk all the time like other channels

[@warrenmusselman9173]

Great restoration. As an occasional welder/fab guy, I'm quite surprised that you didn't reinforce the areas of the frame that cracked in order to beef things up a bit. If it cracked there once, it will crack there again and you ground most of the welds off flush on both sides as far as I can tell, so there is no reinforcing weld bead. A guy I know had an Argo that he restored (it was far worse than yours) and he ended up rebuilding almost the entire frame (lots of rust) from heavier materials. He also used diamond plate for the floor. Still impressed with your work.

[@DonnDIY]

The welds need to be ground flush to avoid stress concentration areas which form next to the weld bead. That's what I was taught in the short welding course we were able to take in Uni eventhough I studied wood processing technology. So take my opinion with a grain of salt. 😀

[@larstell]

House build took the time... 😊

[@sergeis5415]

Отличная работа удачи

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼

[@carlthor91]

Donn, knowing what I know now, about silicone sealants. I prefer using Permatex, in the sealing of the skid plate and tub, 'Permatex, The Right Stuff Black, 90 Minute Setup' version, gives superior cold weather sealing, -53°C to 260°C, while lasting a hell of a lot longer than silicone sealants, unless you have access to really specialty sealants. Best wishes from Northern Canada.

[@TheFlanman10]

I have an Argo. Pro tip is to put the track pins in so if they come loose they slide outward and not inward. Also avoid extended or loaded side hilling with the tracks as it will also eat into the tub. That's what looks like happened here.

[@DonnDIY]

The previous owner has replaced the original track pins with threaded rod. So I guess the nuts worked themselves loose and the pin started to eat away at the tub. Or like you said, the original ones were inserted from the inside toward the outside and when the cotter pin failed the pins slid inward and wrecked the tub. I havent noticed sidehilling being a problem but thanks for the heads up. I'll keep that in mind.👍

[@TheFlanman10]

@@DonnDIY I carry all thread as well just incase!

[@philiprandall1399]

I am not sure if you've finished this project yet or if you post videos as you complete each stage of the rebuild. Anyway, I am in the middle of a total rebuild of my Avenger, and have done all the jobs you have had to tackle (although mine wasn't so beat up, thankfully). I have taken to opportunity to remove the generator and replace it with an alternator, and I am replacing the mechanical cooling fan with an electric one (mainly because the fan belt snapped on the previous owner, destroying the stator and that destroyed the flywheel magnets and the cooling fan - so it was an easy decision not to replace all those expensive old-school parts from Kohler). It might be a good opportunity to do both these upgrades while the engine is out. The alternator is especially helpful if you fit a winch.

[@seansysig]

Careful alignment of shafts will ensure seals seal properly and don’t prematurely fail.

[@andrewmaccormack1184]

Hope all is well with Dony, is the new house keeping you out of the workshop, good luck.

[@jarkkovanska6681]

Nice 👌

[@AngelBautistaweb]

Nice!

[@dvbulatov]

В России про тебя бы так сказали, "Парень с золотыми руками".

[@tratorcaseiromacuco]

Muito bom parabéns ❤ 🎉

[@levidbateman5174]

Fantastic work so far!!! And you built a house at the same time?! Too much man, too much

[@DonnDIY]

I didn't build the house myself, we had a contractor. But I was involved with it in every way and it was/is a time suck. 🤪

[@aserta]

0:11 Heh, so i'm not the only one who does that. :))

[@gregie9999hotair1]

I'm shocked he didn't incorporate a propeller on the back with a electric solenoid for water. Incredible build from scratch.

[@DonnDIY]

I'm planning on adding an electric outboard motor. 👍

[@Yarabafwak52]

We miss you Donn

[@dav1dsm1th]

It may have been a good idea to have put a strip of butyl tape between the two parts of the tub and, maybe around the bolts that replaced the rivets. But I suppose that's the problem with posting videos to KZbin - any advice is always too late - and usually wrong 🙂. Looking forward to seeing how it handles snow. Thanks for the videos.

[@DonnDIY]

I have that butyl strip for connecting the top to the tub eventually. I really didn't think about using it on the skid plate as well...🤔

[@dav1dsm1th]

@@DonnDIY I hadn't realised it was just a skid plate - my bad - I thought the tub was in two parts. I must pay more attention in future 🙂

[@0GfaLc0nOfficial]

I would love to apprentice for you a couple weeks these are the projects I love & live for