Suburban - 4x4…. Will it work?

[meadowfield 3,185]

On 7/20/2026 at 3:47 PM, ri702bill said:

Nice work. What keps the stub shaft located in the bearing sleeve? I do not see any snap rings...

ignore the cut down axle - it’s hardened so I had to angle grind.  Snap ring in place now

 

[peter lena 10,043]

@meadowfield  awesome ! your very typical detailing  is showing you the way , a stand out for me . would be  the related , chain lubrication  , should be specific to that  , would also  think , polyurea  rating , anti sling  , open gear , cable related , sure you have a similar lube over there .BTW  my favorite LUCAS X TRA HD , green chassis grease , has eliminated ,  , mower deck bearing failure / whine , 560 deg , drop point  , been bombproof , important to flush out  any original lube , ensuring no  cross contamination, also  perfect on pto lever , cone needle bearing , minimal ammount , spin up is very easy , responsive .  love your work ! pete

[wallfish 20,568]

9 hours ago, meadowfield said:

ignore the cut down axle - it’s hardened so I had to angle grind.  Snap ring in place now

 

 

 

Hold on!

All that beautiful machine work so far and then this????? 

Edited August 29 by wallfish

[sjoemie himself 3,186]

On 8/24/2026 at 10:27 AM, meadowfield said:

 

Axle with steering

 

That is some next level engine-nerding going on there sir! Curious to see how you will feed power to the front axle. 

I've toyed with the idea of building a 4wd but was looking at ready made differentials. Like I said, this is next level.

 

Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark 

[Dave D. 74]

Very cool fabrication. This should be a most useful tractor.

That looks very heavy duty.

 

Dave

 

[meadowfield 3,185]

Now driving and steering - a lot of trial and error! 
 

[Retired Wrencher 6,963]

1 hour ago, meadowfield said:

Now driving and steering - a lot of trial and error! 
 

Well done. Looks great. Another quality designed idea. Enjoy.

[rjg854 13,333]

So what does the chain system look like? And is it a true 4 wheel drive or a 3 wheel drive? Does it have a posi rear end?

[meadowfield 3,185]

3 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

So what does the chain system look like? And is it a true 4 wheel drive or a 3 wheel drive? Does it have a posi rear end?

 

drive to front still to do - deciding whether to spoil a suburban 400 - or use my suburban 551 - and swap the trans for an 8 speed before I do the drive. Which will be chain from the back to front...

 

[meadowfield 3,185]

A few more pictures, a lot more messing with the steering and getting the right clearance and Ackerman angle. 

 

 

 

Chain out from front axle

 

 

 

 

Another test run - and a photogenic picture  

 

Edited September 9 by meadowfield

[sjoemie himself 3,186]

Pretty slick! Excellent work.

[meadowfield 3,185]

A bit more thinking…. And progress 

 

 

 

Steering complete

 

 

tidied up that butchered end...

 

 

tube for drive line

 

Edited September 16 by meadowfield

[sjoemie himself 3,186]

That's coming together nicely!

Thinking is about 75% of the work, and time.. I'm sure lot's of staring at metal bits has happened before you came to this point. 

 

Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark 

[meadowfield 3,185]

4WD selector fork done. 

 

first test

 

Edited Saturday at 07:29 PM by meadowfield

[WHMan2012 177]

How were you able to figure out the gear ratio ( front chain sprocket ) ? Just wondering if they're going to be the same or want to fight you or slow you down. Nice build though looks like she'll be a good little tractor when you're finished.