1959 & 1960 Wheel Horse ???

[ML3 1,722]

Picked up the 2 tractors I been trying to pry off guy that had them. $500 for both. I paid up the $500 as they were only 40min away, tucked in a filthy garage at a rental home near downtown Cleveland. Strange place to find a tractor?? From what I been told on this forum that one is a RJ59 & other is a Suburban?? Got the motor, fuel tank, & few other misc parts for the nicer tractor. Motor turns over & has compression. Fuel tank is a bit scaly but it will clean up. Can't find any serial or id numbers but I haven't had much time. All I did was pressure wash the filth off them. They stink like grease & animal urine. Garage was pretty rough. Any information would be great! Thanks 

[wallfish 18,189]

All are RJ-58s. None of them were ever actually badged as RJ-59 but they were sold in 59 and some small modifications can be found sometimes. When properly ID'd we still call them RJ-59s.

Look on the top of the trans for the cast numbers near the shifter and post them.

Most of the ID stickers are long gone. Front left frame rail is where they were.

 

You can soak the inside of the tank with venegar. It will eat the rust. Wash with water good then a quick rinse with water and some baking soda to neutralize the acid.

[ML3 1,722]

8 minutes ago, wallfish said:

All are RJ-58s. None of them were ever actually badged as RJ-59 but they were sold in 59 and some small modifications can be found sometimes. When properly ID'd we still call them RJ-59s.

Look on the top of the trans for the cast numbers near the shifter and post them.

Most of the ID stickers are long gone. Front left frame rail is where they were.

 

You can soak the inside of the tank with venegar. It will eat the rust. Wash with water good then a quick rinse with water and some baking soda to neutralize the acid.

 

[ML3 1,722]

1 minute ago, ML3 said:

 

Only saw tag on the 1 tractor. I'll have more time over weekend to inspect 

[wallfish 18,189]

D= April

12

0 = 1960

4/12/60 was the cast date it was made. Just that trans piece, not the whole tractor but that was probably soon after

1960 400 or a 550  The same exact tractor except for the engine and electric start stuff

 

If the RJ doesn't have a cast number it's an earlier one. Like I wrote in your other thread. A pic from behind would help.

[Frankenstein 58 213]

If it doesn’t have a cast number and has the round rear hubs you might have found a very early RJ58. 

[ML3 1,722]

8 hours ago, wallfish said:

D= April

12

0 = 1960

4/12/60 was the cast date it was made. Just that trans piece, not the whole tractor but that was probably soon after

1960 400 or a 550  The same exact tractor except for the engine and electric start stuff

 

If the RJ doesn't have a cast number it's an earlier one. Like I wrote in your other thread. A pic from behind would help.

 

[ML3 1,722]

8 hours ago, wallfish said:

D= April

12

0 = 1960

4/12/60 was the cast date it was made. Just that trans piece, not the whole tractor but that was probably soon after

1960 400 or a 550  The same exact tractor except for the engine and electric start stuff

 

If the RJ doesn't have a cast number it's an earlier one. Like I wrote in your other thread. A pic from behind would help.

Thanks! Is a early RJ more collectable/valuable? Ultimately u don't care. 

Edited April 29, 2023 by ML3
Pics

[ML3 1,722]

Whats in pics is all I got. This is what he had in a box of parts. Not much unfortunately. All for the RJ. 

8 hours ago, wallfish said:

D= April

12

0 = 1960

4/12/60 was the cast date it was made. Just that trans piece, not the whole tractor but that was probably soon after

1960 400 or a 550  The same exact tractor except for the engine and electric start stuff

 

If the RJ doesn't have a cast number it's an earlier one. Like I wrote in your other thread. A pic from behind would help.

So this tractor is a Suburban? 

[wallfish 18,189]

58 minutes ago, ML3 said:

So this tractor is a Suburban? 

Which one is the picture of the cast number from?

The painted one is an RJ-58

The rusty one is a suburban

 

Gas tank and throttle are not correct. Just providing info not bashing

[wallfish 18,189]

1 hour ago, ML3 said:

Thanks! Is a early RJ more collectable/valuable?

Could be if it has the round rear wheel hubs. Can't see well from your pics but the rear hitch isn't from an early one.

The rear of the hood was cut. Someone probably put a different engine on it at one point

Edited April 29, 2023 by wallfish

[ML3 1,722]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

Which one is the picture of the cast number from?

The painted one is an RJ-58

The rusty one is a suburban

 

Gas tank and throttle are not correct. Just providing info not bashing

No worries. Not worried bout "bashing" Befor I decide bow I proceed forward with them. If the early RJ is rare, valuable, or anything like that I'll probably restore it correctly. The Suburban is pretty rough- I kinda thought putting in a Predator 212 that cackles & go for patina rat rod look? The cast # is on the rusty one (Suburban?) I noticed that the tank was cut also. The engine & other parts were supposedly from the RJ. Didn't get much in means of parts but like I said it wasn't a far drive to get them

[953 nut 60,235]

Don't know if an early production RJ is worth any more money than a later production one but it is a conversation point.

Unless it is vitally important to you that everything on the RJ be factory correct I would suggest you put a small Predator in it and have some fun. Buying "correct" parts can get a bit expensive and won't increase the fun-factor one bit.   

[wallfish 18,189]

Little round hoods are definitely a bit more collectable and factory correct definitely makes them worth more. But it's a trade off if you have to find and buy many parts for them.

Early RJs with ALL of the identifying things that make it such does add value. But unless it's all of them, it doesn't because parts get changed on them over the years.

The RJ should get a K91 IMO and go towards being factory. There's enough there to be a nice collectable tractor even if there are some parts missing. You can test run that engine without a carb if it has spark by using a spray bottle of gas directly into it. Keeping it running past just a fire up, spin and shut down will give you a pretty quick idea if simply putting a new carb on it is the only thing it needs.

 

The Suburban unfortunately got hacked. Seen worse get rehabbed back into a beautiful  trailer queen restored tractor but that's a labor of love to do it and certainly not an investment monetary wise. They do make cool little rat rod tractors. Lots you can do with them from yard art to full blown custom.  I've done a few. Here's a couple 2 seaters carts. One got painted after it was sold but I prefer the rusty rat rod look better. 

 

 

 

[oliver2-44 10,739]

@ML3 Just an FYI, The RJ's and Suburban's are very light on the front end. You can do a wheelie with the power of a standard k91 or standard Predator.

They can also go as fast as their steering is safe with the standard engines.

I'm not saying don't put a hot Predator in one.  Just know you will need weight on the front and maybe a wheelie bar in the back for safety.  

Have fun!

 

 

This square WH front weight weighed 85 lbs 

 

[ML3 1,722]

3 hours ago, wallfish said:

Little round hoods are definitely a bit more collectable and factory correct definitely makes them worth more. But it's a trade off if you have to find and buy many parts for them.

Early RJs with ALL of the identifying things that make it such does add value. But unless it's all of them, it doesn't because parts get changed on them over the years.

The RJ should get a K91 IMO and go towards being factory. There's enough there to be a nice collectable tractor even if there are some parts missing. You can test run that engine without a carb if it has spark by using a spray bottle of gas directly into it. Keeping it running past just a fire up, spin and shut down will give you a pretty quick idea if simply putting a new carb on it is the only thing it needs.

 

The Suburban unfortunately got hacked. Seen worse get rehabbed back into a beautiful  trailer queen restored tractor but that's a labor of love to do it and certainly not an investment monetary wise. They do make cool little rat rod tractors. Lots you can do with them from yard art to full blown custom.  I've done a few. Here's a couple 2 seaters carts. One got painted after it was sold but I prefer the rusty rat rod look better. 

 

 

 

I'll probably do the patina, rusty rat rod theme on the Suburban since it's pretty roached. Typically I'm not into that style but with that tractor it's my best option. If I want a quality, correct Suburban I'll just buy one. The RJ again I'm not worried bout making it 100% correct - more of a driver that still looks nice. Again, I'd probably just buy a nicer one if I decide that's what I want......

[ML3 1,722]

2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

@ML3 Just an FYI, The RJ's and Suburban's are very light on the front end. You can do a wheelie with the power of a standard k91 or standard Predator.

They can also go as fast as their steering is safe with the standard engines.

I'm not saying don't put a hot Predator in one.  Just know you will need weight on the front and maybe a wheelie bar in the back for safety.  

Have fun!

 

 

This square WH front weight weighed 85 lbs 

 

Thanks! I figured I'd need front weight and/or wheelie bar. I'm familiar w/Predators. Have an approximate 14-16hp 212 in a minibike I built. Been launched off it a couple times. FYI.....beer & minibikes aren't a good combination! 

[Handy Don 14,104]

10 minutes ago, ML3 said:

beer & minibikes aren't a good combination

Well said. More than a few epitaphs begin with “Here, hold my beer..."

[ML3 1,722]

19 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

@ML3 Just an FYI, The RJ's and Suburban's are very light on the front end. You can do a wheelie with the power of a standard k91 or standard Predator.

They can also go as fast as their steering is safe with the standard engines.

I'm not saying don't put a hot Predator in one.  Just know you will need weight on the front and maybe a wheelie bar in the back for safety.  

Have fun!

 

 

This square WH front weight weighed 85 lbs 

 

I'm sure the front weights & mounting brackets aren't too easy to come by. 

[oliver2-44 10,739]

16 hours ago, ML3 said:

I'm sure the front weights & mounting brackets aren't too easy to come by. 

Your correct about that. But it’s an opportunity to be creative.