JEEP GARDEN TRACTOR PROJECT

[Waldon52]

My new 17" steering wheel arrived today and that should give me more steering leverage. But if it still steers hard I may get a Vega style steering box like the hot rod guys use. I trimmed the Wheelhorse dash and attached it to the new dash panel. I also attached most of the wiring left over on the side . That will get a cover to enclose all that.

 

[Waldon52]

I got the new steering wheel attached today after building two support brackets for two upper shaft bearings. Very comfortable sitting in the drivers seat.

 

[Waldon52]

Time to pull off the front wheels today and remove the spindles. I attached the new thrust bearings and also fabricated a new tie rod. Tomorrow I will locate the gear box location and build mounting brackets close to the center of the frame. This is all trial and error but hopefully it will work. It's always fun to use parts in the shop that have sat around for many years.

 

[Waldon52]

Steering design FAILED !!! This afternoon I got everything connected together for the first time and it did not work smooth at all. Too many u-joints and too tight of angles. So I started cutting out metal from the frame and tomorrow will start over. This time the geag box will be in direct alignment with the steering wheel. This will eliminate most of the u-joints and angles. I still think it will all work. But if not , then I will order the Vega parts. It's always more fun to make things work without having to spend a bunch of money.

 

[Waldon52]

The steering gear box is now mounted in the new location in line with the steering wheel. When turning left the big tires rub on the tie rod. Friday I will finish building a bell crank and mount it in the center below the frame. Then the tie rods can connect to it for plenty of clearance.

 

[Waldon52]

I decided to hold off on the bell crank design and just put two kinks in the tie rod . I also welded more 1/4" bracing around the steering gear box. Next I will cut away more of the old grader frame and weld in new metal from the radiator to the cowl . This will give the fenders much more support and the new battery box and fuel tank support will have more to attach too in the front.

 

[strantor]

Steering design FAILED !!! This afternoon I got everything connected together for the first time and it did not work smooth at all. Too many u-joints and too tight of angles.

And this is why I subscribe to your projects. You document everything, including the learning opportunities. This is valuable stuff; much better than the "hey, look what I can do" posts & videos that make it seem like everything went exactly according to plan.

 

[Waldon52]

Thanks , I know my projects are rough around the edges but I love puttering . Sharing them is fun because I know there are so many people who love to putter just as much as I do. And I try to do it at minimum cost with parts I have around the shop. My tools are basic , no milling machine or lathe . It's nice when someone takes a idea of mine and tweaks it to there own project.

 

[Waldon52]

The new battery box is built and attached along with the battery. The new gas tank brackets are also installed along with the tank. You can see the vertical mounted muffler mounted behind the right side fender. And yesterday I mounted the choke and throttle cables on the dash for the first time. Now back to the wiring to see if I can get it running . It has been a excellent running little engine.

 

[crashz]

Waldon - its guys like you that elevate the rest of the group. No kidding, I re-built my loader mounted snow plow as if I was presenting it here on TBN. Not only is it functional, but it looks good too. I attribute my new found attention to detail and quality, to the high caliber fabricators like you on this site.