1990 Bigfoot, 4WD plans

[nepbug]

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Mod List (already done):
Black Delrin rear roll bar bars

Mod Wish List (to be done):
4WD (need 2 x 3A Gearboxes/motors)
Lights
18V and Wiring Upgrade
Traction Bands/Rubber Tires

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I posted a thread in the new acquisitions area, but I figure I'll start a thread on the Bigfoot so I can keep track of things and get input on ideas/plans for it.

I'm pretty excited that I picked up a 1990 Bigfoot last weekend. I didn't score it for free or anything, but I feel like it was worth it.



I swapped in two 6V 13ah batteries (UB 13-6) I had in the garage (lucked out that they were the exact same size as the originals) and everything is working on it. All I need to do is get some replacement tubes for the rear of the roll bar.

Now I'll be on the lookout for a pair of 3A gearboxes and motors to make it 4WD.

[nepbug]

So, in doing some research on this I've come to realize that there was a recall on them in 1998. Knowing that I bought it from the original owner and it was in storage by then, this recall hasn't been done yet. I will contact one of the local "service centers" and see what my options are. Maybe I'll get new wiring out of it.

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/1999/CPS ... -Vehicles/

[nepbug]

Well, the kids have been putting Bigfoot through the paces and it's holding up pretty well. I think it has earned a stay for a while.

Here's a quick pick of the battery setup I have in there now, a 30A fuse for each 6V battery, just like the original setup.

[nepbug]

The only real thing wrong with the Bigfoot, besides dead batteries, when I picked it up was the missing parts of the rear roll bar.


So today I put some 1" black Delrin in the lathe and made up a few replacements.


Notice they are different lengths, it's not quite symmetric and one side is 5.25" and the other is 5.5" from lip-to-lip.

I believe the original bars didn't end up flush, but these ones do, I like them.



The top plastic is 2 pieces so it flexes and separates a bit, probably how the original bars were lost, so I put some hose clamps on to hold the two halves firmly together and lock everything solid. I can pick up the entire Bigfoot (with batteries) by these bars now.

[nepbug]

Well, I may officially have a problem.

I was vacationing at the seashore on Long Beach Island in NJ and ended up meeting up with @dapoet and bringing home an extra set of wheels for the Bigfoot.

Spare wheels, motors and gearboxes are all easy to justify.

[taz11]

LOL! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I'm pretty sure those exact tires were sitting in my yard earlier this year! :lol: :lol: :lol: Boy do they get around :D

The roll bar looks great, better than the stock ones. Good luck with the 4x4. That is an excellent platform for it. You will never want 2wd again!



Oh....and get rid of those white connectors! Fire hazard!

[nepbug]

Oh....and get rid of those white connectors! Fire hazard!

Care to expand? Is that part of the recall that I haven't had done yet?

I can switch to a different connector easy enough, but would also have to switch the charger as well then.

[taz11]

Yes, they are the main part of the recall. They overheat and melt, creating a dead short. In the worst situations they burn your garage down. The recall gives you new connectors on your truck and your charger. If you don't have a service center near you, you can probably get some new style connectors in the wanted section on this site. Better to pay $15 for connectors than $30 in fuel to get to a service center.


I strongly urge you to put inline fuses on those batteries too. The factory batteries had fuses/breakers in them.

[nepbug]

Yes, they are the main part of the recall. They overheat and melt, creating a dead short. In the worst situations they burn your garage down. The recall gives you new connectors on your truck and your charger. If you don't have a service center near you, you can probably get some new style connectors in the wanted section on this site. Better to pay $15 for connectors than $30 in fuel to get to a service center.


I strongly urge you to put inline fuses on those batteries too. The factory batteries had fuses/breakers in them.

Ah, alright, I'll get the recall done here soon then.

If you look at the picture of the battery compartment you can see that I have 30A inline fuses in there already, one for each battery just like the originals. Look for the green wires.

[taz11]

Ah....I see....now :oops: When I looked the first 6 times I missed them.....better safe than sorry :lol:

[nepbug]

Well, I finally made a schematic for the Bigfoot.



I also received my extra pair of motors/gearboxes so the 4wd mod parts are coming together.