My "new" Prospecting Vehicle

[Jim in Idaho]

I spent almost 400 hours in my cold shop this winter. I rebuilt a "COOT" ATV I bought in Utah last fall. When I bought it, it didn't steer. One kingpin was frozen, and the other 3 were very stiff. The engine had a stuck valve. The wheels needed new u-joints at each kingpin, and the worm gearboxes, and transmission needed seals. Wiring was shot, and the body needed prepped and painted. The wife and I decided we wanted to offroad together rather than wrestle individual 4 wheelers, and not wanting to spend big bucks on a side-by-side, and being a handy guy, this is what we ended up with. It's 4 x 4, articulated, 12hp, amphibious, and has a cargo capacity of 1,000 lbs. Top speed is 20, and in low range top end is walking speed. Will climb a 32* (70%) slope fully loaded. Should get us and our gear wherever we want to go, though slowly...LOL

Jim         
 

 

[JCR]

That is a neat vehicle. Congratulations on getting it back in good working condition.

I have a 1947 Willys CJ2A that has been in the family since the early 1950s. I wouldn't take for it.

[jasong]

Nice work, would be interesting to see the articulated part in action over some rough terrain. Never seen on of those vehicles before.

[Jim in Idaho]

I'll get some video of that, Jason, but it's snowing like crazy today.

Jim

[RickUK]

That is a neat bit of kit,never seen one before but that off road ability looks amazing,well done on getting it all fixed and back on the road again.

[UT Dave]

Very nice work Jim.  Looks like new!  Probably better than new in some ways.  And good to see you around, you might remember me as DAA from the old GGVG board years ago.

- Dave

[matt]

Wow that turned out really nice!

On another note, I hope you have those ramps secured to your truck when driving the coot up them. All it takes it one wheel kicking one out (especially a rear tire) and you may never drive that coot again. If you haven't already, please do a search for what happens to people that don't secure their ramps when loading vehicles. You can get really hurt or worse.

[Jim in Idaho]

3 hours ago, UT Dave said:

Very nice work Jim.  Looks like new!  Probably better than new in some ways.  And good to see you around, you might remember me as DAA from the old GGVG board years ago.

- Dave

Dave, you have no idea how happy it makes me to see your post. GGVG seems like a lifetime ago, and I've often wondered what had happened with you. I don't hunt much anymore. Occasionally, I get a guy wanting me to teach him howling, but that's about it. Prospecting has become my outdoor challenge in the last 10 or 12 years. I hope to never outgrow it. You were one of the most skilled callers I've known, and I've known more than a few.

Jim

[Jim in Idaho]

1 hour ago, matt said:

Wow that turned out really nice!

On another note, I hope you have those ramps secured to your truck when driving the coot up them. All it takes it one wheel kicking one out (especially a rear tire) and you may never drive that coot again. If you haven't already, please do a search for what happens to people that don't secure their ramps when loading vehicles. You can get really hurt or worse.

Yes, Matt, they're fastened...LOL Thanks!

Jim

[Rivers rat]

Really last part of the vid was scary....................................................noway we can get those in a UK 

 

 

RR