2nd Generation Craftsman Lt1000 Offroad Build - (Pics)

After being used as a parts mower. and neglected over the past 3 years my uncle gave me this Craftsman Lt1000. The original 17.5 hp was taken for another mower and so was the deck. The 6 speed transaxle wouldn't shift and the steering rod was bent from being pulled by a truck. so after taking the transaxle apart and freeing up the shifter i replaced the grease with gear oil and replaced the steering rod. Sorry i don't have pictures of the transaxle or of when i first got it but here is it during the summer.  







This was its Winter setup. ATV rims and front bumper and a plastidiped front.






No updates in a few weeks probably should post more. First update is another mower i could possibly be getting. Not sure what year and don't have any pictures yet but it looks close to this year.



Also been working on rebuilding a 20hp opposed twin. figured it would be fun to put it on the older murray if i get it.

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As for the craftsman, its been sitting most of the winter waiting on me to fix small things before summer. First thing done is the wiring so i no longer need to jump start it all the time.





Also cleaned the engine and gave it an oil change and carb cleaning. Also re painted the shroud.




Also needed to know if this threaded rod would work for a go kart axle or if it would just break or bend.




Sorry for the blurry pictures i had to take pictures in the dark. The mower has a set of headlights i made from the original plastic clips but the halogen bulbs just melt the plastic so i will probablt try to get some led bulbs to see if that works. The red is circling the smoke coming from the plastic melting.






I have one quick question. if im running a 6in pully on the engine and a 3-1/2in pully on the transmission with a stock clutch what size belt should i use because ive bought 3 that were all way too big.






Update on the craftsman. So ive been riding it around for about 2 weeks and everything seemed fine. well today me and my buddy decided to drive around on a huge ATV trail that was cut behind our neighborhood. i noticed that my 6th gear was losing alot of power when i was going up hills or through the mud but would do fine in a straight line. well we decided to leave the trail and i notice a trail of gear oil behind me so i pull over on the side of the road and notice a small hole in my case. I just laughed and figured Oh well. so now time to rebuild i will also be sure to lock the next one. The most embarrassing part was being towed home with my buddy's dirt bike.


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UPDATE: the latest mod is the 22+11-8 Carlisle Strykers in the rear.







The rims are all repainted black again and the front axle is bolted to keep it from flexing. Also i don't think i mentioned that i am running a 5in pulley on the front and a 5in in the rear. I didn't get any pics today but i am going to try to go on a trail ride tomorrow and will get some pics then.



Got a quick picture from a trail ride today.

Went for a short ride today. probably gonna swap the 12.5 hp for another 12 hp because the motor on it now isn't running so well. I pretty sure it could just use a tune up but the other motor also has alot less hours. anyway heres some pics.






Also got a picture of how much offset the back wheels have.



I also got a picture of my buddys project that will be started pretty soon. he probably wont post a build tread of it but i will put pics of his progress on mine. its a 1999 poulan pro. basically the 1st gen craftsman lt 1000.




The reason it was free. I also keep this piston because i thought it was pretty funny any way we have another 14.5 hp piston to put in it and a new head.



UPDATE: The mower went for a long off road trail ride, broke the shifter link-edge, and pulled my buddys tractor to my house today.







The mail box and cooler are full of his engine parts just in case you were curious.

Also I will be doing an engine swap really soon. 11.15.2015

The rod would probly break. The murray is most likely 70's, I have a 83. The craftsman is a lot like mine, but the plastic on the hood is different. They are really good.

Also, let me know how much it cost to rebuild the 20hp. I have a 18hp I want to try at, but I need a new internal governor. So I just have it torn apart just sitting there.

Looks to be alot like mine. Question on your atv tires/hubs on the front. I had the same setup on mine for a while and I'm curious to as how the hubs are working for you....is there any slop? Are those the rear hubs off of the atv?

I was rocking a very similar setup for a while

jamcco wrote:

Looks to be alot like mine. Question on your atv tires/hubs on the front. I had the same setup on mine for  a while and I'm curious to as how the hubs are working for you....is there any slop? Are those the rear hubs off of the atv?

I was rocking a very similar setup for a while

Right now my profile pic is way out of date. The one on the left is what I'm using on your pic. We have a Polaris Sportsman 90 and I just popped the tires off its rims and put them on my murray's rims. Used them on mine till I could afford bigger. I just cut some off the rim to let it slide on so I could put the clip back on. I have only put them on the front about 2 weeks ago and so far so good. I was going to use the hubs, but they were splined.
This is how I used them before I upgraded.
Also, this is my murray.
Tomarrow if I can remember, I will get a updated pic of what I drive.

Yeah don't use that threaded rod as an axle it will either bend or break.
Nice rigs btw

jamcco wrote:

Looks to be alot like mine. Question on your atv tires/hubs on the front. I had the same setup on mine for  a while and I'm curious to as how the hubs are working for you....is there any slop? Are those the rear hubs off of the atv?

I was rocking a very similar setup for a while

My hubs were almost the exact same size as the original spindals so they fit almost like the original rims but had a little bit of play in them. I have scenes then put the original front wheels and tires back on



This is my only photo of the front rims but the used all of the same clips and washers as the original rims and didnt have too much play in them.

Neat picture of the valve jammed into the piston. More parts for the display shelf.

Swapped the old beast of a 12.hp briggs and got the other 12 put in it. I would say it was a pretty successful task.









Cleaned the engine plate a little.


New engine on chassis.



Air filter, gas line and fule filter installed.


Made a heat guard for the exhaust.



Washed and done.

I love it when i try to start my engine and my starter explodes. ( I dont like it when that happens.)





All Better, Good thing i keep alot of backup parts laying around.



Also started a rebuild on the old 12.5hp.









It was pretty clean except for some small marks on the piston.

wow man this is a good looking rig, and I love them rear tires how do they perform over all? keep up the good work

kawasaki220 wrote:

wow man this is a good looking rig, and I love them rear tires how do they perform over all? keep up the good work

Appreciate it man. And I actually found the tires on an old atv trail they were just thrown in the bushes so i grabbed them and put tubes in them.  But other than that they work great for the differential not being locked. The size of them makes it almost like a limited slip differential and ive had them in mud as deep as the floorboards and they were still going. i would defiantly recommend a new set of them if you've got the money. ( or find a set in the woods )