Full Rebuild Process - Tracked Amphibious Vehicle

[@DonnDIY]

This ARGO in swamp with tracks on: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqenmnujnrhno5o My other videos: www.youtube.com/@DonnDIY/videos Support me on: www.patreon.com/DonnDIY Follow me on: instagram.com/DonnDIY

[@sowhats.6100]

*How long did it take from start to finish?* Always wanted one since I was a kid, _Fantastic work!_

[@virginian7317]

With over 40 years in the industry, you are one of the most talented I have seen. I have watched you for years. I guess the thing that impresses me the most is you are not afraid of a grinder, a millwrigh's best friend.

[@DonnDIY]

With angle grinder and a welder you can build anything 👍

[@jelly7310]

I concur

[@timkopp2204]

We usually have 2-3 grinders close by. Grinding disks, cutting wheels and flap wheels all being used. Gets old changing disks. Lol

[@rickarndt3895]

Bro your just like me might take a bit longer but I see you don't cut no corners and that's the right way to do a job that way you know it won't go all to pieces it's done right the first time.

[@peterellem849]

Sold as ARGOS in Australia .Similarh problems if poorly maintained, not the greatest design , excellent modifications.

[@4N5W3R5]

As a former Argo tech it was great to see you go all the way and split the shell and pull/fix the frame issues! We serviced a couple of fleets of these things back in the day for oil/gas and the Canadian forestry service. Often when the fleet machines were dropped off for service they were beyond mangled and often packed solid with mud... it was a total pain in the rear doing bearings chains and sprockets without splitting the shell (some tight spots to work in)... considering how relatively clean it looked when you unloaded it I can only imagine how many units we serviced and sent back out with frame issues that were missed during inspection... Cool that you did the floor pan it should really help reinforce the frame for another 20 years if not longer (guessing this is an 03-05 think 06 was the change over for fuel injection). Great Build and thank you for a trip down memory lane :) P.S. Just read your video description... would be crazy if this was a unit we worked on back in the day lol

[@DonnDIY]

"How relatively clean it look..." - I thought it was horrendeous. 😀 Then you've seen some serious Argo horror my friend. 🤣 The floor pan was beyond repair, it had to be replaced.👍It's actually 2006, I think 2007 was when FI came. I might be wrong.😀

[@shaunsheep8252]

Always wanted an Argo as a kid, now I’m a 50 year old kid i still want one haha. Nice video, great work

[@owenmonaco7817]

Love the format. For guys that known what's going on, it cuts to the chase. No filler.

[@glennbrymer4065]

72 years old here, greetings from Southeast Texas. I have a lot of mechanical experience with military & oilfield heavy equipment. I've done a lot of things, learned many trades, built many things. It was a pure pleasure watching this video. From start to finish. 1st class all the way. Your attention to all the details was excellent. Your skills with all the tools and equipment was also excellent. The fact you did it all by just yourself was impressive. You are a master craftsman and I thank you for such a great experience. You will get a lot of enjoyment & work out of it now. It is in better then new shape in my view. Well done sir, well done! It was really a joy watching your fabrication & all your work. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. It was great!

[@mehere6874]

Just watched this -- my first of your videos -- and subscribed. Brilliant video. All the steps with good viewing angles in focus; details when necessary; timelapse when not. Short annotations to clarify. (No AI generated voiceover mispronounciations!) A proper restoration. Proper parts where necessary; economy where possible; improvements where needed. Nice, clear, pucker engineering. No hype; no "personality"; no loud music; no stupid beards, hats, tats nor facial expressions. No explosions, pointless destruction. No "cute" cats, kids or dogs.

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you very much🙏

[@chas435]

Superb!!!!!!! Enjoyed watching this more than any movie or documentary. Watching the meticulous care, thought, planning, ability to improvise, improve, strengthen was enlightening. Use of various tools, jigs, milling machines, welding and especially, the straightening of that shaft was priceless. I envy you your natural, native abilities and skills built over no doubt, countless hours, weeks, months and years of hard graft. Thanks for sharing the re-build with us. I especially like the fact that you don't bore the viewer with self-congratulatory comments. Instead, you quietly do - and we get to see the 'what, how and when' and are not frightened to point out a missed step or its corrective action. That makes it real. Brilliant!!! You have a gift. Bless you!!

[@Bikelife9883]

(1) Great to have a workshop so big. (2) Great to have all the tools - hate to think how much they all cost. (3) Just got to admire the guys skills, I envy that most of all.

[@DonnDIY]

No envy needed - workshop is only 35m2 (377 sq ft) and 1/3 of space if not more is taken up by lathe, mill, workbench etc. The tools have been acquired over a longer period than 15 years, most were bought second hand. I only hope I'm able to inspire you to start realizing your own projects. With best regards, Donald from Donn DIY.

[@rwelpers]

I can imagine where he's at trade comes in a lot more often

[@DanHancock-e7o]

I use to work on 6x6 Argo at the shop I was at. They are not the easy to work on. You did a great job taking it all apart! That's the way to rebuild one.

[@Nocluespops1]

nicely done. Love how you paid attention to details. Powder coating is the way to go. Great job.

[@lablackzed]

50 years of rebuilding its good to see someone with your skills a lot of skills are being lost thats why scrapyards are full of good kit nobody can be bothered to fix and restore gear .👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@philipB31]

Amazed you took it on, amazed how much work and seriously impressed with all that you did - thank you for sharing.

[@peraz968]

Hi. Usually people do appreciate engineers more, than regular mechanic for some reason. I dont know why? But what I see here, is a pretty damn excellent mechanic, who can handle all the engineering stuff and also all the mechanic stuff. So, all I can do, is just say, that I appreciate a very very much of your work! It is something, that not everyone can do. So, be brave! You are talented one. Very talented actually! Pleace, keep that on your mind! And well.. pleace keep doing just that, what you are doing! This is nice!!

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you very much.🙏

[@stephenmoncrieff2056]

I used to work for a shop that sold and serviced these . While I didn't get to work on them I did get to drive them occasionally . Lots of fun!!

[@DonnDIY]

They are lots of fun 😀

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

I don’t know why it is but I’m always thrilled to see those bearing puller tools. Bushing removers, and then setting the new ones inside that transmission. Maybe it’s the mystery of it, but this one captivated my attention the whole way through. Thanks for speeding it up here and there!!

[@timthemechanix]

Great job, been doing the same thing to cars about 45 years, last 22 years now here near Denver. I'm too beat up now to do much but it's nice to see someone just put their heart in bringing a work of art back to life. And this rig might just save you life someday. Hopefully you are keeping it, especially since you've just gone through it. And if the SHTF this serve many needs. Your skills even more in demand.

[@DonnDIY]

Sheesh, you must have a really long list of vehicles you've rebuilt 🙏 Respect! I am keeping it.👍

[@pauldormont4470]

The first cake eating sequence was priceless! Well done as was the whole video. Thanks for taking the time for us.😆

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks for watching👍

[@1.618_Murphy]

Bro is incredible. He saved this beautiful puppy and gave it back its initial charm! 👍🏻

[@rickkephartactual7706]

What an awesome project. Thank you for sharing it with us. When you are done it is even better than when it came out of the factory. You put a bit of you into it; something the factory just can't replicate.

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you for the kind words. 🙏

[@pilkpulk8284]

WELL DONE!! not like that lazy bs on other restaurations channels. The whole process is presented without words, clearly and comprehensibly. beautifully put together. I would probably already be out of the game when disassembling and reassembling the gearbox, hahaha thanks for showing.

[@Justice-zf7su]

Best restoration video I've ever watched.

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you very much👍

[@karlaceclaydon]

Every time I see an Argo i think of the very entertaining and very silly program The Banana Splits This was shown on Saturday morning purely for entertaining us youngsters The Argo was the star of the show because of the amphibious capabilities and that it would carry the Splits without sinking Also one of your other comments says that even after 50 they still would have one. I am of the same thinking totally crackpot but what fun to go into the sea and drive out without the nonsense of a trailer brilliant And as i live at the most southerly point of England the Argo would be perfect I already have a strange beast in my stable A three wheeled electric/ tricycle called A Sinclair C5 A totally crackpot vehicle This one was given to me by some students that used to drink in the same pub as myself. They thought that i would be the best person to give it to as they knew that i love to fix up odd stuff so people could see strange beasts rather than see pictures and video Well have fun and i am very envious of you and hating you in a friendly way Over n out Karl Claydon

[@C.A.Swede.]

Impressive rebuild - well done Sir !

[@dlmad4561]

I stated working on old flat fender jeeps back in 68 0r so in my dads shop. I have since retired ab a milwright machine erector after 30 yrs , I was acertified welder and still fiddle in my own shop. You are a very capable young man and I do hope you continue what you do. Keep very careful use of yopur knees and hands or you will end up in pain every day. Carry on

[@jeffcamp481]

You are such a very talented man! You have mastered so many disciplines of manufacturing! Very impressive!

[@daverodgers6208]

You are a Methodical Master Blaster Mechanic! Well done!

[@danyarbrough7847]

Very few people anymore with your talent and skill set. Loved your video and the time speed presentation. Your parents should be very proud of your ability. Thank you from Nor Cal.

[@neilsimpson79]

I was lucky enough to drive a few of these these for a living. We only ever used the tracks in snow. I can still remeber the smell of the breaks after ripping though a tight twisty wood. Driven up, down and accross places you couldn't believe with 6 people stuffed in the back and my leg hanging out the side.

[@dukelikins]

I've been mechanic 45 yrs and ur over hall video is one of the best i ever watched.. Keep up the work , think u God Bless you and your Family and your Furbabys

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you very much🙏

[@joshh6470]

Crafty fellow, nice work!👍

[@_PJW_]

Worth noting you run a clean shop, and clean up while you work. 👍

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi, Cork is a good all round jointing material for low pressure, low temperature liquids and gases. Water no problem. Many thanks for ALL your uploads , enjoyed every one.60 years maintenance engineer from Nr Liverpool UK.

[@DonnDIY]

Cheers! When I looked through this particular cork against light it showed pinholes. That's why I added silicone sealant. Thanks for watching.🙏 Greetings from Estonia.

[@chrissmith7655]

@@DonnDIY hi ok all understood, good to be sure in this case. Great work you have done as always.

[@cyleleghorn246]

@@DonnDIY good job! I believe the cork expands when it gets wet, though, and this is what makes it seal. Just like old wooden barrels, if they were completely dry for years they would be loose and not watertight, you could see light through the boards in some places. But if you fill this barrel with water, you get very little or even no loss due to capillary action sucking up the water into the wood very quickly, which then expands and fills in all the gaps

[@craigtpat]

Those Argos are cool. I was fascinated by them as a kid.

[@DonnDIY]

I still am.😀

[@Wil_Liam1]

That grin at the end says it all.. Well done, my little brother by another mother,very well done... 😃

[@DonnDIY]

Thabk you very much!🙏

[@PowerTom286]

Nice job Buddy! That toy makes fun big time! Tom 😎

[@JohnViinalass-lc1ow]

a splendid rework, our guy!

[@edoyoutube712]

Interesting how you took care of some of the most peculiar details, but the idea of giving it a quick wash didn't even cross your mind 😂. Amazing work though!

[@TheVNBiker]

The restoration work was well worth it. I wish you lots of fun with this extraordinary vehicle BtW. The break cake looks delicious 👍

[@christopherwheeler688]

I am seriously impressed with this project. You could have made this a three-parter and I'd have happily watched them all. I know JACK about mechanics.

[@DonnDIY]

This is actually a compressed video series of 10 videos you can watch here: kzbin.info/aero/PLkmF7FAZBzkWAxdjmPVllgDNSKXkXYuOg

[@MadDog-1961]

Awesome to see a young man demonstrating why their called Industrial Art's, Well Done!

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you!

[@2artactical55]

I enjoy rebuilding these older machines.

[@someguydino6770]

outstanding work; I reckon that in some respects it was BETTER than new after you showed it all that love!

[@avanr4499]

Never seen a Chain dispencer before in my life until today :) Nice job!!!

[@rwelpers]

Pretty is not always necessary, but it is appreciated. You do good work

[@geoffreyjones2000]

I really like the DIY parts

[@DonnDIY]

Cheers!

[@wmden1]

I can appreciate all of the time, energy, and expense put into this well done and thorough rebuild. You show impressive skill in all mechanical aspects, and in the production of this video. Not to take anything away, it appears possible that it might have been somewhat less expensive to have just bought a new machine. If you were to include the cost of your labor, which I am sure is not being considered, since it is for you, I feel reasonably sure new would be far less expensive. I could be wrong, but just thinking out loud, with no disrespect intended.

[@PorkBarrel.]

Hope you are paid well for this content! Great job man!

[@DonnDIY]

Not at all. It all depends on the views.

[@sylviaa5517]

Great work very talented young man

[@clarklindquist8137]

Nicely done, we had a 4 seat version, we used it hunting, but it also had a propeller and rudder on it so ya could take it on the water, we took it duck hunting alot. Also when hunting, we took it out on the water fishing, they are fun.

[@dhoeverything113]

Saya sangat menikmati vidio nya dan Anda sangat Luar biasa,

[@rogerlimoseth4790]

Dam good work.. got to admit im a little envious of your garage. Press, CNC, metal lathe 😨

[@anthonygregory3022]

What a lovely project. I can see just by your welding you don't know nothing. 👍

[@DonnDIY]

👍

[@mattbarrett41]

I kind of like the Argos, after helping a friend rebuild his, they feel more like a really cool high school project than a commercially produced vehicle. I’ll buy one if the price is right, but every one I’m seeing locally is over $15,000

[@ОсмонЭрбатыров]

Бул жигитке лайк басайлы онорун баалайлы мен зерикбей видеолорун баарын калтырбай кором талантына тан калам🎉

[@janlesinski4719]

Good skills with the welder and plasma torch

[@WEKM]

Nicely done sir. 😎

[@garymucher4082]

For a small workshop, you seem to have the proper power tools to do most everything. And that makes the difference too. Thumbs Up!

[@williamburns9731]

Absolutely brilliant work, your attention to detail, using materials that are available for the job and your final product is amazing. Thanks for your videos from Australia 🇦🇺 😊

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you for watching. Cheers from Estonia🇪🇪🤗

[@davidschweikhart459]

I really enjoyed this video. I never had one but always wanted to buy one. I lived in Northern Lower Michigan. I really could have made use of one. Nice job 👍👍

[@vadimlazurko7979]

I would say super hard working man, with growing experience and good memory

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you!🙏🙏

[@mrMacGoover]

From the bottom of my Canadian heart...Thank you for the loving restoration of a iconic Canadian made off road leisure vehicle .❤ On a side note... please forgive us for the poor quality welding job on the wheel hubs, we should be ashamed for such poor craftsmanship. 😔

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you for watching🙏 and no worries - I love this machine. The condition of it was due to heavy usage, poor maintenance and neglect by previous owner (power line company). As for the wheel hubs - these are easily replaceable and can be and need to be upgraded anyway.👍

[@daviddobson6108]

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

[@валерийквачев-и4е]

When the hands grow out of the right place. Well done

[@arnostoermer3563]

Perfekt Genial! Danke😍🤗

[@Nooneapparently]

Nice job! I had one tracks canopy, heater it was fun, thing in unstoppable, I used it for hunting in northern Alberta.

[@MrDeepwoodtickles]

Super job,fantastic attention to details and great result, (just thinking you need some padding on the back rest though).👍

[@suggoz]

Great vid and thank you sir for not having awful music in it.

[@JamesAlexander-b7h]

Thanks for this, it's brilliant ❤

[@georgmoro5594]

Sehr geile Arbeit... hat mir richtig Spaß gemacht dir zu zuschauen... super Arbeit

[@aaront4494]

This poor baby needed the work. I’m glad you got it and gave it the help it deserved. 👍🏼👍🏼 PS, you now have a new subscriber my friend!

[@dustoff1472]

Outstanding video. Tks for sharing.

[@joseluisbarcelogaspar7135]

Bestial su trabajo y mimando hasta el ultimo detalle , gracias por compartir sus trabajos . 💯💯💪💪👍👍👍

[@joseluisp.d9879]

Magnifico proyecto y muy buen trabajo, un placer verte trabajar y sobre todo disfruta de ese juguetero. Un gran saludo y me voy suscribir a tu canal, desde España.👍

[@kennethricher45]

You can gently hit that upper green body panel with a propane torch and make it look brand new.

[@PavelNSK]

Великолепно! Спасибо- было очень приятно наблюдать за твоей работой! 👍🏻

[@uncletiggermclaren7592]

Great job. Thanks for uploading it.

[@DonnDIY]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@robertnaughton5417]

I’m totally impressed with your skills

[@hmrody]

Very nice! Well done!

[@rob8761]

The incredible speed that you work at very impressive, and I know it's definitely not sped up

[@janlesinski4719]

Great restoration

[@higheriam]

Worth watching. Nice work. Should last a while. Better than New after an engine rebuild.

[@MrApostleLee]

Well done, sir. Well done!

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you🙏

[@tomwilson5822]

Excellent work young man 👍

[@pgerry9400]

Just Fascinating ! Skill + plus a hole lot of brains.

[@martinsancassani3207]

Good job man!

[@smokeylovesfire1589]

Awesome rebuild!

[@johnhoffman8545]

You're the rebuider i ever seen your awesome and precise

[@lexloose2112]

excellent work, wicked vehicle. thanks

[@davekolp4552]

Very awesome, good job!

[@killeresk]

Very nice, like new now. That's what it looked like when it came out of the dealer.

[@tedbastwock3810]

Amazing project. I thoroughly enjoyed watching each of the longer videos. Almost as impressive is that you were able to make a half hour video that summarized your work nicely, and that was entertaining and thorough. Very well done, both craft and video. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@The-Lonely-Nexus]

I love the look off it even more with tracks love the fat wheels on the track

[@DonnDIY]

I love the tracks too👍

[@yvesf5355]

this is the Best Build ever ........EVER thanks

[@DonnDIY]

Thank you for watcing.👍

[@dwinugraha8839]

Pingin rasanya punya impact driver dan impact drill cordless tapi sampai sekarang belum juga bisa beli... 😢 Buat kalian semua teruslah berkarya, semoga SUKSES 💪💪💪👍

[@laurenzolg7506]

Vraiment du beau travail de restauration et avec goût ! Bravo !merci pour le partage c'était cool .

[@biagiologaldo9940]

great job Professor!

[@dirkbenning9489]

Ihr Können, Ihr Talent, Ihre Gewissenhaftigkeit = ❤💯👍👏👏👏

[@RuthlessMojo]

Many years back I saw advertisements in magazines that sold DIY amphibious vehicle kits that provided you with the blow moulded shell and the plans to build your own amphibious six wheeled vehicle. The plans told you what engine and other parts you would need to make it. I always wanted to make one but was too young and financially challenged to buy it and complete the build. Now I’m older and still financially challenged I’d still like to build it.

[@DonnDIY]

I'd like to get my hands on one of those kits.👍

[@RebelMerc]

Well done! I have always wanted one of these. Now I think if I could find a used one I could do the same thing. So thanks for the video.

[@DonnDIY]

Yup, it's doable. I just hope you find a specimen that's in better shape than my Argo was.👍

[@edSerio-r3k]

You Do Nice Work!!!....But then again, You Have all the Right Tools!!.....You Should Open Your Own Business!!!

[@DonnDIY]

"Right tools" were acquired over a decade and depending on the need. 👍