WSUCougarx's M561 Gama Goat Acquisition and Build Thread

[Another Ahab]

The kids are having a ball; that's great!

 

[wsucougarx]

The kids are having a ball; that's great!

Yes sir they are. My two youngest kids love playing in the Goat. My oldest two not so much. They'll catch on someday

 

[wsucougarx]

Project Update Video.

Here's a little video showing what's been done up to this point. She's still not completed.
8,027
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YESPu42DlQE

 

[Another Ahab]

That is a museum specimen of a Goat; she's beautiful. You "done" good!

The radio in the 'bed'; is that an all-weather set?

 

[wsucougarx]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes sir it is. It's all weather.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Another Ahab]

So, you're a HAM operator?

 

[wsucougarx]

2nd Highway Road Test W/W.

Took the Goat out today to church. I wanted to do another highway road test on her to see if there was any difference with the winch installed. Boy, she might as well have an elephant in the carrier. I really noticed she did bog down a bit. She took a bit longer to get up to speed and the hills felt like I was back in my M923. She really lost speed up the grades. Surprisingly she didn't get lower than 40 MPH. She held steady at this speed but again took a bit longer to get up to speed. When on the flats I was getting 60 + MPH. She wanted to hover around 55 MPH now. I guess you can't have it all. Just glad I now have the capabilities of a winch should the time arise.
I did notice the front starboard hub was a bit warm after she was parked. Looks like the brakes are a little out of adjustment. I need to go through and redo the adjustments. Then she should be good to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrXFR7YwN_A

 

[Artisan]

hey MIKE!

Looking good!

 

[wsucougarx]

Something that has always been in the back of my mind is the air reservoir in the engine compartment. I know you're suppose to drain them from time to time. Well, I finally got under the Goat, removed the inspection panel and proceeded to turn the petcock. I would turn it one way and nothing. Turned it the other way and nothing. Hmmm was it plugged? So I decided to wake up the 353. I crawled under the Goat to see if anything was coming out and nothing. I returned the petcock back to the original position and felt air rushing out of the reservoir. All this time, the petcock was left open. Well that explains the bit of oil and grime around the petcock.
Now, I'm having an issue getting this Goat in 6x6. Another troubleshooting session coming up in my near future.

 

[Another Ahab]

I returned the petcock back to the original position and felt air rushing out of the reservoir. All this time, the petcock was left open. Well that explains the bit of oil and grime around the petcock.
Now, I'm having an issue getting this Goat in 6x6. Another troubleshooting session coming up in my near future.

It's nice to have a hobby, "ain't" it?!

 

[BillIdaho]

As far as the issues with putting it in all-wheel drive, try putting it in reverse and backing up for just a few feet. That worked for mine, for whatever reason.

 

[srodocker]

Oh mike, when I deliver out there always try to look for any of your toys running around lol. Beautiful goat. Defiantly need a ride in that thing.

 

[wsucougarx]

VRC-12 VIC-1 Components Video

I've been getting questions about my radio setup. Here's a video addressing most of the questions.
https://youtu.be/rvoYWvtiQP0

 

[wsucougarx]

VRC-12 and VIC-1 Components Part II

Video addressing the tractor components.
https://youtu.be/w_35GDHAq_o

 

[ust24474vt]

I see you have the windshield defroster on your dash, do you have the heater unit under the co-drivers seat also? Your Goat looks GREAT !!!!! Good job. Thank you for all of the information that you have shared during your build.

 

[wsucougarx]

I see you have the windshield defroster on your dash, do you have the heater unit under the co-drivers seat also? Your Goat looks GREAT !!!!! Good job. Thank you for all of the information that you have shared during your build.

Thank you. Originally my truck did not come with a heater. I installed the vent with the idea of putting in an M151 coolant type personal heater under the dash. That hasn't happened yet. I figured there was no hurry in putting in a heater just yet without doors installed. My wife hasn't ridden in this truck yet. Once she does, I'm sure the doors and heater will move to the top of the list

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[BillIdaho]

I have a question. I noticed your have a rear corner antenna mount (I think on both sides as I recall). I also noticed on the driver's side it looks like you have a sugar scoop (with an antenna base) attached to the outside of the corner mount, rather than on top of it. The antenna is designed to be bolted to the top of the those corner mounts. Are you planning on putting another antenna on top of the corner mount? (If so, the two antennas will be way too close to each other.)
I think I saw another sugar scoop (with antenna base) bolted to the outside of the passenger side rear corner mount. Same question. If you are going to have
an RT246 and the PRC77, you are going to need only two antennas-hence my confusion.
What am I missing here?

 

[wsucougarx]

I have a question. I noticed your have a rear corner antenna mount (I think on both sides as I recall). I also noticed on the driver's side it looks like you have a sugar scoop (with an antenna base) attached to the outside of the corner mount, rather than on top of it. The antenna is designed to be bolted to the top of the those corner mounts. Are you planning on putting another antenna on top of the corner mount? (If so, the two antennas will be way too close to each other.)
I think I saw another sugar scoop (with antenna base) bolted to the outside of the passenger side rear corner mount. Same question. If you are going to have
an RT246 and the PRC77, you are going to need only two antennas-hence my confusion.
What am I missing here?

Hi Bill, I did mount the sugar scoops to the rear corner mounts. I mounted the antennas in the scoops rather than the main mount due to tie down issues. Mounting the antenna on the outside affords the ability of using the tie down at the front of the carrier. I needed to do this setup so the antennas would clear my garage door.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[BillIdaho]

Ahhhhhhh.

 

[wsucougarx]

My wife finally went for a ride in the Truck!!

After 13 months of owing this truck, my wife went on her first ride in the truck. Albeit, it was a short 3 mile trip to the grocery store. But a first ride indeed. From what i could tell, she loved it Here's a very short video before we hit the road. I didn't want to take away from the moment by having her film.
https://youtu.be/oVF5JDXtrwY