jusjeepn 59 #26 Posted February 4, 2009 Mike, Lifting was simple on the rear! The bolt spacing on the rear end top to bottom is 4". I simply raised the frame after unbolting the rear and rebolted the lower mounting holes in the frame to the top holes in the tranny. This gave me a 4" lift in the rear. This is the reason for the 1/4" plate in the rear with the struts for added support. The front, right now, has a 1960 suburban 400 axle just sitting there for mock-up. It actually gives about 2 1/2" of lift by itself. The tire/wheel combo on the front, which are actually rear wheels off a crapsman, are 18x9.50x8. They give it an extra lift of about 1". Now the front wheels can not be used as they are, as they will destroy my spindles in about 10 min. I am getting a junk set of W/H front wheels that I will cut the center from and weld into the crapsman rims to make them "correct". The suburban frt axle is not the same thickness, nor is it as stout as the Raider axle, so I am actually considering an IFS system for the front. My inspiration is this: I know this one is not IFS, but it get the creative juices flowing. As I progress with the build I'll be posting and I'll try to give more detail as I go. The candy apple red scheme has already been done... In my mind. I have even went so far as to call TD (vinylguy) and discuss vinyl for that color, so its not out of the question. Actually TD has designed vinyl for the pink scheme too. I'm not at liberty to show it to you right now, but I'm positive you'll see it soon. Jerrel, I called my buddy about and engine and he has several, I just haven't decided which one yet. The wife does not want to go fast, but she does want to work this one. I have everything worked out except a deck. I do have my swisher pull behind so she could use that. But the engine will definatly be Kohler! Pat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 655 #27 Posted February 4, 2009 You know...Seeing all the custom work being done, and the painting this and that... Its given me the idea to do a bit of custom work on my B..hmmmm I can smell the brain cells burning already!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jusjeepns_missus 0 #28 Posted February 5, 2009 Tonight, Pat worked some more on my tractor. I think that he is moving right along! Since this is the fabrication phase, I can't do much but sit back, watch, and make sure he is full of coffee. Here are some pics of the progress... This is the original lower brake rod. (Are you impressed with my learnin' the lingo?!) Pat decided to reuse the original upper rod and lever assembly to prevent repositioning of the drive belt tensioner. He cut an 11" rod to replace the lower rod. This is his handy work. Fancy, huh? Since he was working with the belt tensioner, he went ahead and planned the belt routing. He had to add one idler. And a 2" longer belt. The drive belt is finished! The belt guard will need very little modification. He stopped at a friends house after work and picked up a couple of these for the front IFS. I love the ideas about the painting scheme. You guys are great! I have decided to not paint the WHOLE tractor in pink. Just like a woman, I'm gonna make you wait!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jusjeepn 59 #29 Posted February 24, 2009 Been awhile since me or the missus has posted on this project but let me assure you, work has been going on on almost a daily basis. I have found about 6 different ways how not to build an IFS for this machine. I finally found one that works the way I want it to. I modeled this after my 520H forward swept axle. Today I mocked up the coilover shocks on the front end. They stick out way to far and just don't "fit" the tractor overall. After about 32 hours of fab work and brain racking I have decided to scrap this project and just go with an extended spindle with the factory axle. Everything works but I just do not like the looks. I don't want this to look like it was just thrown together. Pat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sodbuster 1 #30 Posted February 24, 2009 ok,we all have agreed no pink!! lets paint it red,add some ghost flames in pink,then accent the flames with pinstrips to tame down the pink. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rollerman 290 #31 Posted February 24, 2009 Pat I must have somehow missed this thread since you did the big lift. Couple ideas on the front end...have you considered the high arch 953/1054/GT14 front axle shaved down to fit the frame. I haven't enlarged the fab pics you posted...how were you doing your front suspension...direct center of frame to spindle? How about a cross over setup like the Score trophy trucks? Just some ideas...I'm full of them but still green in the fab work department. Anyways.....awesome buildup. :thumbs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jusjeepn 59 #32 Posted February 24, 2009 Stephen, Here's a few better pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites