By attexsixwheeler on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have a major project going on, the creation of a new six wheeler design for all of us. Since nobody seems to be creating an affordable aatv which can really move in the water I have taken it upon myself and a few friends to do it. There's a lot going on, starting with tire design and manufacture to design of the body and frame. The finished buggy will be a design which should be easy to build, from common parts and/or homemade ones and cost a lot less than a new factory made machine. Here's a twist, I am going to add a set of hydrofoils to bring the buggy up out of the water for higher speed travel , then retract or remove them for land travel. Other oddities will be an electric powered aatv, and possible a fuel cell in the future. The best part is that my final plans will be available to all for free, just to give those who dare the chance to try and build it. It's darn near impossible to find a used one here and I have a lot of friends who are getting excited about six wheeling. I think they're the ultimate go anywhere vehicles, and have untapped potential for domestic use around the yard, as well as on the water, where they have not been too practical so far.

Here's what I need:
To aviod a lot of problems and learn from the past I am looking for anyone who is familiar with how the old machines were built or has plans of any production or homemade six wheel aatv. Especially am I interested in the lightweight unibody designs ( Jiger, Terra-Tiger, Gip-Sea, e.t.c. ) or some of the more obscure designs ( Wedge, Sportster, Win-Su, e.t.c. ) or anything else you may have. The only thing I know for sure is that my design will be based on the classics, a tub shaped buggy with no suspension and soft low pressure tires . The materials of construction as well as engines and transmissions are all up in the air. Let's team up and take the wonderful six wheelers we love into the 21st century!

Let's make it a community effort, and create the buggy for all enthusiasts worldwide. One way or another I am going to build my own but that could take years. Use the experience of all of us and it could be a LOT sooner !
Lets's do it!!!!

By Bruce on Unrecorded Date: Edit

An interesting drive system to at least take a look at is the Dixon zero turn lawn mowers. It is not hydrostatic. but works as if it is. Very simple. Don't know how well it would hold up to the use that a Sixer would give it, but my Dixon is 15 years old and still going strong.

By cruiser on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I am currently making my own set of plans for a 6x6. As with you when they are complete they will be available to everybody for free. My plans use a subaru or hyundai motor and auto tranny. I am not quite sure how i can put it together. I also plan on useing a 4 wheeled atv rear axle for a main drive for the other 4 wheels. I will have aluminum body of some sort with a built inside the body skid plate made of thick steel. The reason for this is because I dont like the idea of a fiberglass body on a off road machine. I had an attex that i used for hunting and it had tons of holes in from stumps and rocks. With an aluminum body and steel skidplate, the thing will be bulletproof. It may not float with just the body so maybe and some removable pontoons or something to add flotation. If you have any ideas or would like to see where I am at on the plans I could email them to you.

By Bill Davis (Nvbigblue) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Cruiser,
A couple of comments. I don't think you would need to a skid plate made from "thick" steel. I've made several trailers for towing behind ATV's with s simple steel tube frame and wood for the bottom and sides. I simply add a piece of .093 sheet metal (3/32") on the bottom. It is light, and will take a pretty good beating. Also, when I thought about building a 6X6 from scratch, I always figured I'd use a Suby engine and tranny as well. I have an older suby (1980) and it has a selectable 2wd/4wd/4lo transfer case. And the best part is, it is front wheel drive until you pull the 4wd lever, then the rear output shaft is coupled to the transfer case. So I thought that if you put the engine/tranny in the 6X6 so the front wheel drive shafts drove the center wheels, and run chains to the other wheels. Now the tailshaft of the tranny is just about even with the rear of the machine, so using a short shaft to run through to the exterior, you can run a (detachable) prop out the back of the machine. It will only turn when you engage the 4wd lever. Just add a simple, removable tiller and away you go! Plus when there's no prop on the back, you can pull the lever into 4lo for added climbing power. Now my suby has a manual tranny, so that complicates things a little, but my friend has a suby justy and it has an auto tranny, with push buttom 4wd engagement (no 4lo). So that might be the way to go.