wheelhorsekid 141 #1 Posted December 3, 2014 I have my 79 C-161 that I love, but I love the look of a C-160 better with the hood ornament and hood decals. Is it just wrong to add a hood ornament and use 76 C-160 decals on the hood? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cruisnblue48 783 #2 Posted December 3, 2014 No, it's not wrong to change your horse. It's yours... you can do whatever you want to it. They were only original once when new. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,043 #3 Posted December 3, 2014 I say go for it. Unless you have a super rare model i would have no qualms about making it yours. I wouldn't, for example, change anything on a 420LSE ( i think there were under 300 made) but as for the rest of them I like making them unique. I am taking a 520H and turning it into a blackhood, a C-205 as it were. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craigbic 47 #4 Posted December 3, 2014 Just kidding, it's fine. It's your horse, use it how YOU want to. You should enjoy it and if that means changing it up with the hood ornament and C-160 decals than go for it! Nobody here would hold that against you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,398 #5 Posted December 3, 2014 That's all part of the fun in owning a horse Do what makes you happy 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #6 Posted December 3, 2014 (edited) I made this 551 my own with custom hood ornament and the paint job that I liked. My kids name are hand painted on the fenders as well. There's a bell on the hood which is the 2nd place prize for the show called belltown. My son was sitting on the tractor for this pic. Make it your own for certain. ">http:// ">http:// Edited December 3, 2014 by Coadster32 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,034 #7 Posted December 3, 2014 Just my opinion of course however I am a not a fan of changing a nice correct tractor. I think that is why so many collectors have so many tractors. If you have to make changes I would recommend making the changes that can be easily changed back like decals etc. When you start drilling holes etc that is not good. However like others have said it is your tractor and your decision. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motor12 357 #8 Posted December 3, 2014 (edited) When I got my 854 it had holes drilled all over the place for switches, a hood thing, odd ball lights and stickers from different horses. It was all something I was able to repair. For me minor changes to make it your own is good, something that can be returned to original easily. Although I am not a fan of drilling holes in sheet metal where they were not intended, I respect your right to do as you please. It's your horse. my 2 cents... Edited December 3, 2014 by motor12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,937 #9 Posted December 3, 2014 Customs...or the factory originals... personally, I like 'em all...as long as they're . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,204 #10 Posted December 3, 2014 (edited) I agree with the others here. Do with it as you please. I personally agree about the 76 vs the 79 decals. The older style seemed cleaner to me. I also like the hood ornament but you'll have to go back to 75 for that. The 76 didn't have them. In the 24 years I owned my 76 I always wanted that ornament but I just never put one on it. Have fun making your own personal statement with your tractor. Edited December 3, 2014 by Racinbob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrblanke 840 #11 Posted December 3, 2014 I like original tractors, but there were plenty of them made and correct tractors will always be out there. Do what you like! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelhorsekid 141 #12 Posted December 3, 2014 I appreciate everyone's thoughts, and agree with all of them lol. I guess what makes the best sense is to just go buy another 74 or 75 C-160 lol. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,043 #13 Posted December 3, 2014 I appreciate everyone's thoughts, and agree with all of them lol. I guess what makes the best sense is to just go buy another 74 or 75 C-160 lol. NOW your talkin like a true fan! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,928 #14 Posted December 3, 2014 Couldn't have said it better myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shuboxlover 474 #15 Posted December 4, 2014 Or find a spare hood with the ornament holes and decals and then just change the hood when you want to change the appearance!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rollingflat 123 #16 Posted December 4, 2014 WHkid I think its great you want to work on a 30+ year old garden tractor and want to make it right but also want to make to personal. I to was asking myself that exact question when I picked up a '64 654 with the wrong motor, seat, and no hood. The more I studied the pics of the other guys tractors of the same model there were many differences and not all were factory options. My earliest memory as a kid was playing on my dads round fender craftsman tractor which had a steel seat, so when I saw the 654 had round fenders I just had to find a steel seat. and with the wrong motor and hood that needs some holes welded in its not going to be OEM ... but it WILL be MINE!! And the joy of knowing I have rescued a great tractor from the junk is a great feeling. Not to mention the memorys I hope to be making for my son. So good luck and have fun with your New WH tractor!! Dont forget the pics!! 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. 856 170 #17 Posted December 5, 2014 I cant keep anything I own original......its just not in my blood I suppose. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,928 #18 Posted December 5, 2014 Different strokes for different folks. I'm more an original type guy myself. It's all good when we're talking . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,514 #19 Posted December 5, 2014 I don't like, or see why, I might change a Horse. The herd is kind of spectacular and they love work! My '90 520-8 has changed, needed to change before I passed on. Seat, original was trashed. R&R'd at TSC. Decals, awful. Steering wheel top cap, dreadful. Air screen center cap, the pits. Decals, thanks Terry, no longer "T" mentioned. Steering wheel cap, goin' Horsey logo. Glen's a savior. The air screen center "T" is a dog toy, now Horsey from the classic kitchen. Now I can sleep well. The aftermarket artistically beautiful needed parts fit perfectly, and, if you don't follow suit you'll toss 'n turn in your grave! Let's all "T" off! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #20 Posted December 5, 2014 rollingflat. The hood looks good on the 654. It looks like your legs are a little short to reach the pedels......Oh wait, that must be your son! Fine looking young fellow....I think he has taken ownership of the 654! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #21 Posted December 5, 2014 When I picked up this Suburban it was REAL toasty. There was rust pits halfway thru the frame with a ton of other issues both cosmetically and mechanical. Other than the hood being some there and some what okay but with a million holes in it this Suburban would have hardly of made a good parts machine.. I decided this was the one I was going to have fun with so I welded up all of the holes in the frame and welded at least a dozen holes in the hood closed and it just got a little out of hand from there.. An almost NOS engine was installed and I rebuilt the rear diff. If someone thinks I ruined a good tractor then they have no idea.. At the end of the day I can still easily change it back to a stocker... Then there is my son's Suburban that I put an 8 hp Electric start Kohler on. No hackin of the hood was done and no hackin on the tractor.. This wasn't an all original paint tractor either, it can also be easily changed back to stock but truth be told neither one of these tractor's are going anywhere so goin back to stock probably ain't gonna happen.. I like to leave the nice RJ's and Suburbans and any other rare tractor original if they are fairly decent.. In this case I say have at it! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 859 #22 Posted December 5, 2014 When I put the diesels in my tractors I do it so i can put it back to stock any time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SousaKerry 500 #23 Posted December 5, 2014 All of my running tractors have at least some minor mods, mostly SS bling added here and there. It started with my conversion of my C-125 to a C-175, I found a belt guard for a C-175 but it was full of rust holes and pits, so I fabricated a new one out of stainless. Why because I could and had plenty of scraps at work plus a full sheet metal shop at my disposal. Oh yeah and I did this before Buckrancher built his SS RJ58 Every tractor I have done since has at least one strategic piece remade in SS. You have to look really close on my near stock 655 to find it but it is there(the parking brake lever.) The subtle changes is what makes your tractor your own. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. 856 170 #24 Posted December 6, 2014 When I picked up this Suburban it was REAL toasty. There was rust pits halfway thru the frame with a ton of other issues both cosmetically and mechanical. Other than the hood being some there and some what okay but with a million holes in it this Suburban would have hardly of made a good parts machine.. I decided this was the one I was going to have fun with so I welded up all of the holes in the frame and welded at least a dozen holes in the hood closed and it just got a little out of hand from there.. An almost NOS engine was installed and I rebuilt the rear diff. If someone thinks I ruined a good tractor then they have no idea.. At the end of the day I can still easily change it back to a stocker... Then there is my son's Suburban that I put an 8 hp Electric start Kohler on. No hackin of the hood was done and no hackin on the tractor.. This wasn't an all original paint tractor either, it can also be easily changed back to stock but truth be told neither one of these tractor's are going anywhere so goin back to stock probably ain't gonna happen.. I like to leave the nice RJ's and Suburbans and any other rare tractor original if they are fairly decent.. In this case I say have at it! Very nice tractors! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #25 Posted December 7, 2014 Modifying a Wheel Horse!!! How could you think of such a thing? Strangely despite my history of building non standard machines there are some I wouldn't/couldn't bring myself to chop about, my Gt-14 being one of them.. Ok, it's got a bigger engine, roll bar, front weight/battery box added but it's all bolt on stuff with no extra holes drilled so it could be put back to stock very easily.. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites