Mr.Modified's Simplicity Adventure Edition [2016 Build-Off Finalist]

Thanks, actually the input on the sears transmission runs backwards in relation to the wheels. So that is the slack side of the belt.

Just a quick mock up to get an idea where things will fit later. The rear belt idler spring an tensioner is now pretty much done. Hood will be a little lower than this I think. Either way, it won't look so tall after I get the bumper on.


Decided to just use the stock sears seat spring for now. Blue seat is from the GTR 4 zero and happened to be sitting close by.

You and your steel seats.

Looks like you're trying beat redlines rock bouncer more than making an overland type vehicle. Lol either way it's pure awesomeness.

Looks great! Need more power tho man!

Thanks. Always trying to beat redline regardless... We'll see how it turns out. I have no idea where the battery and gas tank are going to fit. Once I get most of the other stuff in place, I'll be able to look for a spot. And doug, steel seat is all part of the high tech design. Can't be riding around in wet conditions with soggy seat foam. I'm not 100% on a steel seat yet, but it would be nice in streams.

I actually think that a steel seat suits that tractor. Not too sure about the over hanging front end though, but maybe will look better once the winch/bumper is on.

This build is coming along nice. I like it. I need to back out I can't build that nice, lol. Seriously good looking build.

Thanks. Yeah the front end should look less weird once the bumper is on. Current status is engine mount holes drilled, trans to jackshaft belt installed. I think I'm going to bolt on a seat and mount the foot plates now so I can figure my clutch linkages better.

Nice!
Just wondering how you're gonna work the pivoting hood deal because of the bumper? I'm gonna have the same problem.

Hood will just bolt on in this case. I might make hood pins, but I think a bolt on setup would be easier to make. Pins need to be aligned a bit more and then you should have rubber or something under the hood so it doesn't rattle. On my last simplicity, I just cut those pins off on the front of the grill so they stuck straight down, then had holes for them to set in. Held that one down with rubber bungies, but they get dry rotted after awhile.

Snowmobile hood tie downs would work good. Made of a better rubber compound.

Ah right okay. Are you not doing a double pulley clutch, or is there not enough room?

Snowmobile hood holders would work. I'll have to see where things end up. I think I might have room for a double pulley clutch. I decided to put the foot plates on first so I can make the clutch pedal and then work backwards with the linkages from there. A couple of supports in front of the jackshaft will hold the clutch rod and also brace up the jackshaft plate. Clutch is next on the list.


A section of 1" box steel comes out from the frame to hold the original simplicity plates. I did cut the brackets off the plates that used to hold the stock clutch rod and pedal. I thought I would use the simplicity pedal for the gas, but I think I'll just make my own. Rub rails aren't done yet. I'm adding a second rail a couple inches higher and bracing everything together.

Clutch work. Two of the same rectangle pieces that I used for the front suspension will help hold the jackshaft plate and the clutch shaft. I cut one of the 3/4" spindles from the stock front axle and then cut it in half.


An arm will get welded from the shaft to the pulley I'm holding. Then a linkage rod will run down to the clutch pedal on the other end of the shaft.

Nice work! Lots of fab work going on

Thanks. Making some slow progress.

Yeah, looking really good though. By the way are there 2 clutches or is the rear one just a tensioner?

Just going to be one clutch. The rear one is just a tensioner. I'll put a guard around the rear belt tensioner pulley and the rear belt.

But will kit keep up with the mtd??? Sure its got me in range, but high performance stuff doesnt go far anyways.

rarbaugh07 wrote:

Looks like you're trying beat redlines rock bouncer more than making an overland type vehicle. Lol either way it's pure awesomeness.

^^^^ Other people know...

Some recent progress on the MTD killer.


Steering mount adjustment so the joint clears the wishbone.


Clutch pedal and linkages.


Alternator brackets, looking forward from where the engine sits.


Brackets with alternator looking from the front.


Hood semi mounted and winch bolted in place.


Front bumper welded up but not hooked to the frame yet. Should protect the winch from brush pretty good.


Super heavy duty brackets for recovery hooks. These are the brackets from the sear axle cut down and welded two wide.

I wonder if theres a way to weigh both our rigs when we meet up again. mines going to weigh more being opposed i bet, but im curious.

Lot of cool looking progress..

Cool looking clutch pedal. Pretty beefy looking linkages too. Front bumper looks great. With all this steel and fab work I dont think 7 horsepower will be enough!

Thanks guys. I don't know how much it'll weigh. Hopefully the 7-8hp engine will do it. I think it'll be ok, just on steep hills or mud you'll be in low gear. High gear will mostly just be for smoother spots where you have a chance to get rolling. Most of what's on the machine now is the heavy stuff. Still need a battery somewhere too. The clutch pedal is actually the stock simplicity tie rod or link rod between the wheels. Then the pivot is one of the simplicity spindles with the other spindle cut in half up top to hold the clutch rod/shaft. Hopefully it will have enough travel to operate the clutch correctly, should be ok.

Welding in the extensions for the bumper.


Bumper installed.


Everything fits pretty good. Needed the bumper out in front of the winch enough that trees would hit the bumper first, but not too far or it would restrict how much angle you could have on the winch cable. The way it is now you can go about 45 degrees before the cable scrubs the bars in the bumper. If you really need to, you could just let it drag, just digs the heck out of it is all. I think usually your working in a generally forward direction anyway.


Designed the bumper to fit these LED lights. They should be pretty well protected in there. Could even weld some more thin rods across in front of the lights. Undecided if there will be a couple more lights up near the steering wheel on the sides of the hood.