The Johnny Cash tractor

[bell 11]

A while back, I was inspired by the Cadillac song (by Johnny Cash) to build a version of that famous Cadillac... using a Wheel Horse. My first (failed) attempt was using a 401 carcase. It just didn't speak to me, so it was lovingly pulled apart and stashed away.

Recently, one of my tractors out back has been "speaking" to me. It's been so bad the past couple days that I had a HARD time trying to get to sleep. I'd just lay there for hours thinking about how I was going to build it.

Today was the day! I put in a J.C. CD, CRANKED IT UP and started with this '62 Lawn ranger body on a '65-ish frame that I picked up at the local flea market. Heck of a start already!

With the addition of this M8 (it's a 1984, BTW) that I picked up a month or so ago on the local classifieds and some other odds and ends, I had a running/ driving tractor in about 2 hours.

[bell 11]

The next order of business was to address the hood. I really wanted a different look here, so I dragged out my stash of hacked hoods.

I decided that the Suburban grille ('61) would give it that 701 look and the Lawn Ranger hood ('67) was a solid/ straight starting point. A little cut and chop left me with 2 VERY workable pieces...

A couple hours of bead blasting and a few tack welds and we're getting somewhere...

I'm REALLY diggin' the look of that W I D E front axle under that narrow hood... I think it's going to look GREAT with the 23X10.50 AGs out back!

More tomorrow! :notworthy:

[whfan74 2,015]

Good start Jon! Now it looks like you are having some fun!!!!!

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041]

looks like a mini 520 with a swept front end.

[Save Old Iron 1,563]

:notworthy: :thumbs:

[Coadster32 793]

It does look really good. I like the stamped front end of a Suburban. :notworthy:

[Duff 206]

Johnny (moment of reverent silence, please!) is looking down on this project and I'm sure he's grinning from ear to ear!

Duff :notworthy:

[jpmcleod 4]

Bell. Glad to see someone else using left over parts to make his own Johnny Cash tractor. I basically am doing the same with a 312-8. The PO left it out in the weather and the hood and fender pan was really rusty. I had a set of Surburban round fenders and an older WH hood in premo shape. Well, I got them together and my wife calls it the Bat Mobile because the fenders look like Bat Wings. I think it is going to be really nice. Nice job on your project. I see a lot of fine looking tractors in your collection.

[sawhorse 0]

He got it one piece at a time. And it didn't cost him a dime.... it was a

66, 67,68, 69 Wheel Horse automobile! :notworthy:

[Rollerman 290]

Looks good Jon...I'm likeing the solid front.

[bell 11]

Thanks fellas!

I didn't make much progress today... I went road trippin' with my brother to pick up some green & yellow stuff... (He's a JD collector)

I did, however, mount up the 23x10.50's on 300 series wheels to make sure they will clear. I'm toying around with the idea of using 26x12's, but I think the 10.50's will do.

My trusty shop dog "pee-wee" thought he would like to be in the pic...

I also got the exhaust tacked together... It's a AC-1 tractor muffler.

Instead of using a 90* elbow, I used 2 45* elbows for a smoother transition into the muffler.

And, a "in the weeds" shot...

Tomorrow, I will be breaking it all down for prep and paint... More tomorrow!

[bell 11]

Okay, today's progress...

I spent the morning running errands and gathering paint, sandpaper, stainless hardware, etc. So, I got a bit of a late start.

I stripped it all down to prepare for paint... (Man, I love these older tractors. I had it stripped in about an hour!)

The bead blast pile...

The weld, hammer and dolly pile...

All cleaned/ sanded and ready for primer and paint...

I just came in from painting it. Tomorrow, I'll start blasting and painting all the pieces.

MORE TOMORROW!!!

[tranders 0]

Looking forward to seeing further progress.

[rickv1957 70]

Looks like you have a great start there! :notworthy:

[bustedglass 1]

Looking GOOD . That is going to be one looking .

[bell 11]

Thanks fellers!

Here's today's progress...

Please disregard the dirty tires... I usually leave them somewhat dirty, because I KNOW I'll be getting them dirty.

Wow, a camera flash does some strange stuff to pics of shiny red stuff... :notworthy:

[Indy w h 4]

I fell in to a burning ring of fire. And I love that black frame!!

In memory of j.c. The man in black

keep it going

Indy

:notworthy:

[bitten 133]

'I went out walking through streets paved in gold lifted the stones and the skin and bones of a city with out a soul' Who cares if the tires are dirty? Looking very cool.

[Gene_S 93]

Jon,

I bet you'd go to "folsom prison" if a couple of the WH police on here see that... Johnny Cash was a great singer.

Nothin better then making a machine live again, and in custom fashion!!!

If you need a set of hood bolts for that beast just let me know, I'll make you a good deal! You have been a good customer buyin them from me!

Thanks,

Gene :WRS:

[bell 11]

Bring on the WH police...

Gene, I still have a few sets of hood bolts on standby.... I'll probably be ordering more soon though!

Heading out to the shop right now! :notworthy:

[bell 11]

Here's this morning's progress...

[bell 11]

Here's how far I got after I caught my second wind...

I'll be painting the gas cap black tomorrow. It just doesn't look right.

[whfan74 2,015]

That looks sweet Jon!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really like the looks of the red rims with the black tractor. That thing looks tough! Can't wait to see the finishing touches! You don't mess around do ya????????

[bell 11]

Thanks! I'll have more tomorrow!

I've been on vacation all week, so I've been able to dedicate the whole week to it.

There is a trick to doing them fast. Don't get too picky. (I have a hard time with this sometimes) :notworthy:

[linen beige 14]

There is a trick to doing them fast. Don't get too picky.

You still talking tractors?

Looking good!