Mud Mutt Off Road Build

Will I picked up a early 80's sears about 2-3 weeks ago it was rode hard and put away wet lol. I pulled the carb off as it was sitting with no breather on it. Cleaned the carb up checked spark,cleaned nest out under the flywheel cover. some fresh gas and got it up and running. Still needs a tune up oil/plug/carb adj. But did not smoke when I test drove it  
This has both the horizontal and vertical drive as it has a right angle gearbox. And has a 4 speed oil filled transaxle with 1'' axles and 5 lug hubs    Heres some pics of it.


When I first got it


In shop with Engine/front & rear sheet metal removed


Battery box built


Right angle gear box tapped and grease fitting added  Was lucky it has no bearing play or wear


Crappy old oil drained and new oil added to transaxle


Nice big beefy brake setup. That's been taken apart serviced and put back together works great!


Added another spring inside my original one for better belt tension


I cut about 1/2'' from the front frame/steering metal for clearance of the tie rod


Front axle had a hump on each side where it bottomed out I cut those off to gain 1/2'' more flex better then nothing lol that's y
I had to cut the other section for the tie rod


Original steering had a rubber disk,removed that and used a 1/2'' universal. This section is removable w/2 bolts to replace steering gear or steering shaft bearings if needed.


2'' angle welded to keep steering colume inplace as it no longer moves and now supports the bearings for the 5/8 shaft


Sealed bearings installed/ 5/8 steering shaft. All removable if needed.


My 11hp B&S engine has points and I found oil in there. Top seal is dry so im thinking its where the points rod go's into block.
Points are getting removed, and hole filled and then the newer magneto coil? is going on.


This is where im currently at  got to get the points out/etc and then bolt engine onto tractor make sure new belt fits and a lot more stuff!!! bumper/winch/stack/tires/lights/....... lol

Visit my youtube channel for  vids sub/like/comment  https://www.youtube.com/user/s12gearhead

That's awesome dude!

Nice build man! great start.

Thanks guys I liked my craftsman I had befor but I know this is 5 times the tractor lol got some big plans for this one

this is the nicest steering ive seen im gona use that idea for my murray . right on dude I really dig it  

Thanks man yea I really dig it the only thing I might do is the pins that hold the universal together sometimes might back out as I seen when using them in the garage so ill prob put a tac weld on them so they wont come out.

I really like this build, the attention to detail and high quality of mods is great. Ill definitely be watching this one. Ive actually been on the lookout for one of these tractors for awhile, I have a soft spot for them. Are you planning on locking the rearend? I highly recommend it. Whats your plan for tires?

Thanks man and I just got it back together and just got motor put on I, plan on taking it a few test romps on stock tires just to see how the stuff will hold up like steering/brakes/also I did a slight pulley swap so I wanna see how that's gunna do. Im going to run 25x8-12 Kenda K538 Executioner tires in rear and a set of atv tires in front (came off Chinese atv) As of the rear axle ill most likely lock it but I just want to make sure everything is going to hold up first. There will be a video up soon of it.

gearheadmike wrote:

Thanks man and I just got it back together and just got motor put on I, plan on taking it a few test romps on stock tires just to see how the stuff will hold up like steering/brakes/also I did a slight pulley swap so I wanna see how that's gunna do. Im going to run 25x8-12 Kenda K538 Executioner tires in rear and a set of atv tires in front (came off Chinese atv) As of the rear axle ill most likely lock it but I just want to make sure everything is going to hold up first. There will be a video up soon of it.

Post A Picture Now That You Have It Together!

lol its not completely back together hood is off for easy carb adjustments and that lol

That's a really cool tractor! I like that particular series of Sears- al LT version of it is what I am Building General Mayhem out of. You've got the "Big Brother" and I am impressed with the factory components on that thing.

You've done a great job with the mods, and I look forward to it's completion. How did the conversion to the modern CDI coil go?

yea I like this this is the first more beefy tractor I had to work with. I like that its all ready got the double clutch set up/oil filled transaxle/ 1'' axles. And the coil conversion was easy as heck lol I usally do it to any one I get that has the points.
I cant wait till everything is good so I can paint it lol

gearheadmike wrote:

lol its not completely back together hood is off for easy carb adjustments and that lol

Well Post A Picture When Your Done , On This Forum So I Get A Notification!  

Update  took it for a test drive did steering works really good shifts good but the  pulley swap I did 7'' to 5'' on the rear did not really increase speed at all!! lol  So its now back on the operating table getting another pulley swap. And some more modds.
Also plan was to run the Kendra executioner tires but scored some on cl for $50


27x10-12 ITP Mud Lites scored on cl for $50  



general quick fit she's gunna be close lol


Removed my right angle gearbox so I can start the pulley swap.


Peerless gearbox with 3/4 input/output shafts 1:1 ratio



Decided to use a 7'' pulley I had laying around. Just had to grind it some so I had room for the clip to hold it on.


Got the snap ring to fit nice and snug.



Had to cut a section from the frame so the 7'' pulley would fit, then had to make a dash mount support as the original bolt hole wasn't gunna work lol



angle box and pulley installed.



Close fit lol but doesn't rub or hit anywhere.


Cross member  that supports the foot rest/brake rod/and idler pulley spring hooks to. It was weak and kept getting bent.



Added support to the cross member stiffened it right up!





This is all I got done last night. But more to come soon.

Nice, I really think those tires will do excellent!

gearheadmike wrote:

Update  took it for a test drive did steering works really good shifts good but the  pulley swap I did 7'' to 5'' on the rear did not really increase speed at all!! lol  So its now back on the operating table getting another pulley swap. And some more modds.
Also plan was to run the Kendra executioner tires but scored some on cl for $50


27x10-12 ITP Mud Lites scored on cl for $50  



general quick fit she's gunna be close lol


Removed my right angle gearbox so I can start the pulley swap.


Peerless gearbox with 3/4 input/output shafts 1:1 ratio



Decided to use a 7'' pulley I had laying around. Just had to grind it some so I had room for the clip to hold it on.


Got the snap ring to fit nice and snug.



Had to cut a section from the frame so the 7'' pulley would fit, then had to make a dash mount support as the original bolt hole wasn't gunna work lol



angle box and pulley installed.



Close fit lol but doesn't rub or hit anywhere.


Cross member  that supports the foot rest/brake rod/and idler pulley spring hooks to. It was weak and kept getting bent.



Added support to the cross member stiffened it right up!





This is all I got done last night. But more to come soon.