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don sheddan
New member
Username: Rcn11thacr
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 152.130.7.193
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 02:21 am: | 
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i have the opportunity to buy a attex here in florida although i am unsure about the year or model, the owner is unsure and any stickers are worn off. 6x6, the guy says it has a 25 hp rotex w/new chains the battery was low so i was unable to hear it run but he says he will make sure it does before i buy it. his kids broke the frame on the front pass side by the first axle. the outer upper and lower body looks to be in pretty good shape, there is caulking around the outside seal area around the axle as it exits the body. the engine hood has a crack,the prop rod works, key start works and it has pull start as well. the tires are dry-rotted but still hold air, the two vertical steering rods do not contour out left and right like most pictures i have seen they only go up, there is a finger actuated trigger looking device on one of the steering rods. the seat needs to be recovered and as you lift the seat along with the rear engine cover you can tell they are not connected that well any longer, and the dash panel is very "flakey" looking. there is a floor mounted/foot opperated parking brake, i dont know if it works or not because the seat was wet and i didnt want to get wet sitting in it(had a suit on at the time). whats it worth? |
(Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 152.130.7.193
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 05:59 am: |
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by the way he is asking $1500.00, i think its too much but thats my opinion. |
Jerry R. Nuss
Advanced Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 127
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 71.244.174.198
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 08:47 am: |
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From your description the machine is questionable and probably needs a lot of work. I would pass on it unless you are ready to spend a considerable amount of time and money getting it into nice shape. |
don sheddan
New member
Username: Rcn11thacr
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 68.207.240.192
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 04:18 pm: |
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thanks for the input jerry, but the question still remains how much could it be worth? welding/fabricatiting is not a problem for me as well as autobody restoration knowledge for repairing the body. there is also the point that there is not alot of these vehicles around in the south, im sure there are more but they are nowhere near as many 6x6's as there are 4 wheelers around here, my interest is peaked and i am specifically looking to find a resto project. the drag car is tough to have fun with the kids and cost more when you break it. |
Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon Price)
Intermediate Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 63
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 69.27.205.77
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 04:51 pm: |
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That price does seem a bit high, but the Attex vehicles have been bringing a very good price these days. You'll want to make sure it has the T-20 trans in it and the higher end models are much more valuable. The 400 Chief is nice and I've seen the 500 Superchief bring an easy $1500... even in poor mechanical condition. I'm also told the green bodies are a little more rare than other colors, so that will also help value. |
Jerry R. Nuss
Advanced Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 128
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 71.244.174.198
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 06:02 pm: |
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A good idea for comparison would be to check on Ebay for Attex vehicles. There are a couple on Ebay rigt now, one for $600 and one for $1100.
The 6x6 is not really popular anywhere. So people often have to travel to pick them up or have them shipped. |
liflod
Intermediate Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 51
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 24.3.236.145
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 06:59 pm: |
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I would suggest offering about $750. I think a decent running ,mechanically sound Attex is worth about $1500. Figure 300+ for tires, 300 for axles,chains and bearings. + everything else that will need replaced and you should have about $1500 into a machine thats worth about what you have into it. |
don sheddan
New member
Username: Rcn11thacr
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 152.130.7.193
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 02:20 am: |
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thanks for the input from all of you, by the way it is a yellow one not a green, forgot to mention that. i have seen the one on ebay and that was the reason why i thought it was too much, hense the decision to ask more people in the know to verify the high price. how do you tell if it has a t-20, where should i look on the tranny and how about the difference between a 400 chief/500superchief? anything particular that makes the diffrence between the models? thanks again for the help. |
don sheddan
New member
Username: Rcn11thacr
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 152.130.7.193
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 02:27 am: |
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to liflod: you did not mention anything about the welding repairs to the frame. do you still stick by the suggested $750.00 offer? |
Mike Cummings
New member
Username: Hydromike
Post Number: 6
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 141.149.254.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 02:48 pm: |
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Don,
Liflod knows quite a bit about Attex repair; (and Max IV repair, SPD Wedge repair, Pug repair, shall I continue?  ) )
If this is a 400 Chief, it will have an ABS plastic body (NOT fiberglass, like many people have suggested on Ebay auctions) It's a pretty stable lightweight material that will hold up to a lot, as long as you don't bounce it off of too many rocks. Keep in mind that the frame repair will almost certainly require removing the frame entirely to do the job correctly. This will require removing all 6 axles, the engine, transmission, drive chains. Absolutely everything! This is time consuming, and on an older machine (probably about a 1973-1975-ish if it's a 400 Chief) a lot of the parts will be difficult to remove. Make sure you hear it run and I would CERTAINLY attempt to drive the machine if you're contemplating spending the $750 for it. This will give you an idea of the condition of the bearings, chains, and the transmission. Getting everything fixed right can begin to nickle-and-dime you to death. Look it over with a very conspicuous eye...
Good luck, and let us know how you make out!
~mike |
liflod
Intermediate Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 52
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 151.201.211.103
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 03:45 pm: |
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I tried posting earlier, I guess it didn't make it through.
Make sure you look at it with all 6 tires off the ground so you can feel any play in the bearings and chains and make sure the axles are straight.
Body condition will determine the ultimate worth of your mcahine. If it hasn't been painted and the body is not cracked or broken, it can be wet sanded and polished to brand new regardless of how weathered it looks now. (striaght clorox gets the green and black stuff out of the plastic)
If it drives, drive it slow to listen and feel for anything that sounds loose ,broken or grinding.
Just remember, unless the machine is perfect or you get really lucky, it will probably not bring more than $1500. |
liflod
Intermediate Member
Username: Liflod
Post Number: 53
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 151.201.211.103
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 03:49 pm: |
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Mike, send me an email. Your address is not working. |
don sheddan
New member
Username: Rcn11thacr
Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 68.207.240.192
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 - 09:44 pm: |
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mike: whats the difference between 400 chief and the 500 superchief? you mentioned one but left out the other
liflod: briefly explain what i need to do to see if the axle is straight? oviously i need to do this to all 6, am i checking for side to side motion, only by spinning them, distance between each one? i certainly will let you folks know how i make out, i certainly will need expertiece from someone more knowledgeable than i for a good while. |
Eddie Beddingfield (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 207.117.33.134
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 07:24 am: |
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The thing is do you only want a play toy or do you want to do some work with it. Anything with a two stroke is not work friendly,They run to fast for most trails and dont have much low end for work purposes. The ATTEX is a good machine but is limited on storage and hauling ability. Dont just buy the first machine that comes along ,make sure it will do what you want,or there will be another ATTEX for sale. |
Mike Cummings
New member
Username: Hydromike
Post Number: 7
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 141.149.254.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 09:39 am: |
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Sent you an email this A.M. Lance. Try to reply to that one...
Don,
A bent axle will be very obvious. Don't worry about measuring between them to get an exact distance. As Liflod says, get the whole machine off the ground (support it by the plastic base, it's not difficult & the machines are't that heavy)
Throw a block of wood below the front and rear of the machine and check how much play there is in each tire (just turn them by hand) before the other two on each side "catch up". Check for grinding in the bearings. There are twelve total bearings just on the wheels, so don't be surprised if 30% of them need attention in this 30 year old machine. It's certainly not a deal breaker, but a bargaining chip. Again, as Liflod says, with a little elbow grease the yellow ABS plastic will glow like new. We'll help you on that once you get it home. :o)
Superchiefs were manufactured beginning in (I think) about 1975. The body material is HDPE (high-density polyethylene); "poly" for short, and is a type of plastic. Superchiefs were almost all an orange color, which some call yellow. The body looks remarkably similar, with slight changes to the engine cover, footwell, overall body width (an inch or so difference), decals, etc.
Perhaps most importantly, the Superchiefs came with the 484cc Chaparral (aka Xenoah/Fuji) engine which made the machine the fastest 6x6 in production (still holding the title...)
Check out http://www.attexatvs.com, which will give you a very comprehensive overview of all of the Attex machines ever produced, including experimental designs. You can download manuals, look at development literature, dealer brochures, look at factory pictures and those machines owned by all of us attex-addicts and post messages directly to Attex enthusiasts who are dealing with similar issues.
(And we'll teach you how to beat a Superchief in 3 easy steps...)
~mike |
Don Kinyon
Junior Member
Username: Oldnatva
Post Number: 11
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 69.172.32.158
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 - 08:06 pm: |
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Step 1: start with the fastest production machine ever made. ;]
I have to agree that most of the Attex machines weren't made for "work", but I've always believed the six-wheeled amphibs were designed for fun and not much else. My old diesel tractor is powerful, useful, dependable..... and really not much fun.
Don
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Mike Cummings
New member
Username: Hydromike
Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 141.149.254.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 09:13 am: |
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Step 2: upgrade every single nut and bolt to be able to handle the 50+ HP beging thrown into (often) two little itty bitty bolts in the back end.
There are distinctly two schools of thought with regards to the utility of the Attex brand. It's a purpose-built machine, and serves that purpose better than any other 6x6 ever made. But it's not a stump puller of 6x6 like a MaxIV or Argo Bigfoot. Don't buy a Lotus when you need a pickup.
~mike
P.S. I still want a MaxIV for just that reason. |
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