CRAFTSMAN custom

This tractor was given to me a few weeks ago so this winter I could fix up the one I mow with. It came complete minus the motor but I do need to use the frontend and maybe the frame to fix my other one. I didn't really want to turn this one into a project but I just can't help myself. My build theme is something like a cross of a monster truck/ trail buggy. I would like to keep this one a little more tractorish in parts but still I would like to do lots of fab work. My first issue is the frame I could use it for my mowing one due to it being cracked but I'm not tearing into that one til winter, So should I just use this frame to keep this tractor parts theory going or build a complete tube frame to go for my build theme. Here some pics of how its sits right now
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Id use that frame. Just do some supporting and fabbing of stuff. Weld up the crack or put some thin plate over the crack and spot weld it on there.

My rod ends came in today for the rearend and I must have ordered the wrong size. I thought I clicked on the 1/2 ones but got 3/8 instead, found that out when I was at TSC buying tube to make the links. I might just roll with those or it'll be 90 bucks down the hole, I'll just make my brackets wide enough for the 1/2 in ones so if they break or wear out I can swap in new links and ends. I'm waiting on a few other things before I really jump into this and I just started back up on the Allis, I'd like to get it a roller so I can move it out of the way to have room to work. Will still try to do some odd little things for the time being.

I have one of those - thing is a beast with the 3 hi/low trans - the 18HP twin powers it nicely. Yours is in tons better shape then mine was- mine was a complete rustbucket.

I should warn you that trans weighs a ton - i couldnt believe how heavy that thing was when i took it out ( had mine stripped down to basically the frame and front axle) . Oh - it also uses 10w30 motor oil in the trans ( due to the tight tolerances in it and cold climates up north) - i asked on a tractor forum when i was rebuilding mine. I used some 10w30 and some lucas oil ( since its hotter here).

The trans in it was going to go in my other mower but now Im trying to find another one so I can use this one for this project. I've been thinking of this different way to do the drivetrain so look forward to that. The only problem I have so far is a motor, I need one.

I was looking at the 3/8 rod ends I got a few days ago and I started to rethink about using them, so I went ahead and ordered two 1/2in ones to compare them against the 3/8 ones. Well the 1/2in ones showed up today and what a size difference, I'm tossing the 3/8 ones out (they will be used on the steering at some point) and I'm using the 1/2in ones for the links. Now I can figure out the plates for the links to mount to and then I can order the other sets later.
I hoping sometime next week I can start making some progress on this tractor. First thing will be strip it down to the bare frame then brace up the stock frame so that it can handle the mounts for the links. I decided to use the stock frame for one main reason- most of anything that deals with lawn tractors and compaitition, one of the rules usually is that it has to be built off of a stock frame for the model. And it kinda keeps it all tractorish.