Craftsman GT-18, or JD 111. Which should I build?

My 2 main projects are a Craftsman GT-18 which has a 633 that I removed, replaced all gaskets/oil seals and the shift boot. I also locked it using the gear flip method. It used to have a 18hp oppy mounted front to back like a RWD car or a tuck, but it burned oil like crazy and never ran quite right. I replaced it with a 16hp vanny and mounted it sideways like an old sears for a more reliable belt system. It needs a whole new clutch so it doesn't move, but ill get there. Power steering is also in the plan. My main concern is that this thing is heavy as hell.


The other project is a JD 111. It's pretty well built, has a locked peerless 801, and really good steering for a LT. I planned on modding the 11 horse single it currently has on it. I'm just gonna do other random mods as I go like a shifter on the steering column (thought it would be cool, and never seen it done). I'm also going to run the leafs up front that redlinemotorsportts sent to me, he ran them on his MTD, before he went all fanty pant coil spring on us.

What do you guys think I should focus most of my time/money on? I'm pretty torn between the two.

I really like the GT and wanna see that done. Decent tires and what not. Cool exhaust for the vanny. If you hook up that hydro cub steering that would stand out for sure, nobody does that.

Yeah I figure I should at least get the GT driving. If I rip apart the JD first I'll have nothing to ride...

TBH I'd say the JD. I'd love to see it done.

I vote GT like you said get it done so you always have something to ride. Also I would really recommend taking the tranny back apart and welding or adding a gear like moose did to lock it. flipped gears will break, My buddy Jared just broke his flipped gear rearend. that makes 4 that have broke from flipping gears in our group. His was the last one, We have been welding them since and had no failures. Check out my latest video, His broken 633 is in the first minute

Creepycrawler wrote:

I vote GT like you said get it done so you always have something to ride. Also I would really recommend taking the tranny back apart and welding or adding a gear like moose did to lock it. flipped gears will break, My buddy Jared just broke his flipped gear rearend. that makes 4 that have broke from flipping gears in our group. His was the last one, We have been welding them since and had no failures. Check out my latest video, His broken 633 is in the first minute

I welded as well as flipping.

MatthewD wrote:

TBH I'd say the JD. I'd love to see it done.

I'll probably work on it a little when I get the GT moving.