Full Rebuild Process - Tracked Amphibious Vehicle
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- čas přidán 26. 01. 2024
- Full start to finish restoration of a rundown Argo 8x8 amphibious vehicle. Argo is a Canadian amphibious extreme terrain vehicle. It has 8x8 drivetrain and factory rubber tracks. This Argo 8x8 was used by an energy company on the power lines and it was really beat up. I bought it at an auction and saved it by fully rebuilding it. I hope you enjoy!
Full episodes of this Argo 8x8 restoration:
• 8x8 ARGO Avenger REBUILD
My other videos:
www.youtube.com/@DonnDIY/videos
My Patreon page:
/ donndiy
Welding equipment borrowed from Spetselektroodi AS, Estonia:
Fronius TransSteel 2700 welder
Optrel Crystal 2.0 Welding Helmet
Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP plasma cutter - Auta a dopravní prostředky
This ARGO in swamp with tracks on: czcams.com/video/TvDiHmiS4m8/video.html
My other videos: www.youtube.com/@DonnDIY/videos
Support me on: www.patreon.com/DonnDIY
Follow me on: instagram.com/DonnDIY
*How long did it take from start to finish?* Always wanted one since I was a kid, _Fantastic work!_
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!
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
"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.😀
Always wanted an Argo as a kid, now I’m a 50 year old kid i still want one haha.
Nice video, great work
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.
With angle grinder and a welder you can build anything 👍
I concur
We usually have 2-3 grinders close by. Grinding disks, cutting wheels and flap wheels all being used. Gets old changing disks. Lol
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.
Bro is incredible. He saved this beautiful puppy and gave it back its initial charm! 👍🏻
Love the format. For guys that known what's going on, it cuts to the chase. No filler.
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.
Thank you very much🙏
(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.
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.
I can imagine where he's at trade comes in a lot more often
Awesome to see a young man demonstrating why their called Industrial Art's, Well Done!
Thank you!
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!!
Amazed you took it on, amazed how much work and seriously impressed with all that you did - thank you for sharing.
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.
The first cake eating sequence was priceless! Well done as was the whole video. Thanks for taking the time for us.😆
Thanks for watching👍
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!!
Thank you very much.🙏
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!!
They are lots of fun 😀
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 .👍👍👍👍👍👍
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!!
nicely done. Love how you paid attention to details. Powder coating is the way to go. Great job.
Best restoration video I've ever watched.
Thank you very much👍
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.
Sheesh, you must have a really long list of vehicles you've rebuilt 🙏 Respect! I am keeping it.👍
outstanding work; I reckon that in some respects it was BETTER than new after you showed it all that love!
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
Worth noting you run a clean shop, and clean up while you work. 👍
The incredible speed that you work at very impressive, and I know it's definitely not sped up
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.
Thank you for the kind words. 🙏
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.
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.
I would say super hard working man, with growing experience and good memory
Thank you!🙏🙏
Great vid and thank you sir for not having awful music in it.
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.
You are a Methodical Master Blaster Mechanic! Well done!
You are such a very talented man! You have mastered so many disciplines of manufacturing! Very impressive!
a splendid rework, our guy!
Impressive rebuild - well done Sir !
That grin at the end says it all.. Well done, my little brother by another mother,very well done... 😃
Thabk you very much!🙏
Crafty fellow, nice work!👍
Nice job Buddy!
That toy makes fun big time!
Tom 😎
Those Argos are cool. I was fascinated by them as a kid.
I still am.😀
Pretty is not always necessary, but it is appreciated.
You do good work
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.
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.
@@DonnDIY hi ok all understood, good to be sure in this case. Great work you have done as always.
@@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
I really like the DIY parts
Cheers!
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
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
Thank you very much🙏
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.
Nice job! I had one tracks canopy, heater it was fun, thing in unstoppable, I used it for hunting in northern Alberta.
Hope you are paid well for this content! Great job man!
Not at all. It all depends on the views.
I’m totally impressed with your skills
Perfekt Genial! Danke😍🤗
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. 😔
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.👍
Never seen a Chain dispencer before in my life until today :)
Nice job!!!
I gotta say I've seen a few restoring videos an I half expected this vid to be anouther one of them, but im pleased to say this is a very straight forward an perfect restore of a Argo avenger great job bud an hello from alaska home of the argo is. I think we have more argos here then anywhere where else in the world lol
Totally! It caught me off guard with its creativity.
SPLENDID MAESTRO
Thanks for sharing 😀👍
I enjoy rebuilding these older machines.
Бул жигитке лайк басайлы онорун баалайлы мен зерикбей видеолорун баарын калтырбай кором талантына тан калам🎉
Excellent work young man 👍
Good skills with the welder and plasma torch
excellent work, wicked vehicle. thanks
You can gently hit that upper green body panel with a propane torch and make it look brand new.
Great job. Thanks for uploading it.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Ain't gonna lie. Watching the video as someone with infantile DIY skills, I have no clue how someone could have the experience, intelligence, and skills to do what you did. Wow.
Love you're work you would be very welcome on any australian cattle station, I know because I have worked out Bush my whole life. Keep it up, love watching your work, it's very interesting to me and gives me ideas. Hahaha.
Nicely done sir. 😎
Satisfying watch! 👍
When the hands grow out of the right place. Well done
I can still remember the first time I saw one of those probably 50 years ago, you must love them as much as I did, only you moved to the next level ")
great job Professor!
Duuuuuuuuuuuude, well done!
Very nice, like new now. That's what it looked like when it came out of the dealer.
Saya sangat menikmati vidio nya dan Anda sangat Luar biasa,
Super job,fantastic attention to details and great result, (just thinking you need some padding on the back rest though).👍
Awesome rebuild!
Great restoration
Dam good work.. got to admit im a little envious of your garage. Press, CNC, metal lathe 😨
What a lovely project.
I can see just by your welding you don't know nothing. 👍
👍
Worryingly absorbing and interesting!
You're the rebuider i ever seen your awesome and precise
You have Some mad Skills awesome job
Thank you!🙏🙏
Good job man!
Ihr Können, Ihr Talent, Ihre Gewissenhaftigkeit = ❤💯👍👏👏👏
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!
All he needs now is a Banana Splits costume ( I vote for Snorky) and their theme music.
Really enjoyed this rebuild. Nice skills!
Great job!! 😃
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.
Yup, it's doable. I just hope you find a specimen that's in better shape than my Argo was.👍
Just Fascinating ! Skill + plus a hole lot of brains.
Just like brand new. Nice job! 💯👍👏
Cheers+
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 🇦🇺 😊
Thank you for watching. Cheers from Estonia🇪🇪🤗
Well done, sir. Well done!
Thank you🙏
Young boy , very good work .
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 👍👍
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.
I'd like to get my hands on one of those kits.👍
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
What a cool thing...love it😮😊
if you wanted to revive the color of the plastic you can hit it with a fire torch lightly and it will bring all the color of the faded plastic back, then you can spray it with uv protectant.
bro awesome work my man
You have awesome skills, thank you for the video
Thank you for watching!
Love it, first thing you do is donuts! LOL
Yes! Donuts for the win!😀👍
Хорошая работа!