Doc's Diesel Weasel Mini Ratrod Mow-Kart! [2016 Build-Off Winner]

And... Progress!

First a couple pics, then a YT video link.

Looks wicked Doc! Don't be surprised if you see some of your ideas on my rat rod build thread! Hahaha just kidding, I'm excited to see 'er driving!!

That thing looks killer Doc!! I put one of those rear tires on my chopper mini bike for that same reason.

You've Captured that Ratrod essence man!

Yeah! The leaf spring on the front makes it look like a suicide front end. Very rat rod-ish!

Man, I love this thing! Great work Doc

I saw the leaf spring and for a moment I squealed inside, I thought there was suspension up front!
Then I looked close...
All my hopes and dreams! Crushed!

But it looks great!

Great Build Doc... Love it. Can't wait to see the finished project.

I even like how the big long chain runs to the back. Leaf spring adds a nice touch too

UPDATE!

The Diesel Weasel lives and breathes! Took it for a shakedown run this afternoon, and I am very happy. Everything pretty much works as it should. Very little tweaking to do.

***NOTE*** For the purposes of this contest, it is "Complete". It meets all the criteria. Starts, runs, drives under it's own power. Dashboard mounted start switch and kill lever, both working. Steering and brakes function very well. Remote foot throttle.

That said, there IS more I'm going to do, such as:

*Reupholster the seat
*Finish painting the wheels
*Paint the chassis
*Wire in the headlights
*Maybe paint the tub and/or running boards
*Tweak the governor for more RPM
And whatever else may come to mind before contest close.

Here's a glamour shot, and video link!

Are you going to leave the lip of that wheelbarrow tub fuzzy or try welding it up? And can you grind the screw mounts off? Buggin me.

Lookin' fantastic Doc! And because it's diesel it makes it even better

Doug Fackler wrote:

Are you going to leave the lip of that wheelbarrow tub fuzzy or try welding it up? And can you grind the screw mounts off? Buggin me.

You know- I'm really at a loss as to whether I should "fix" the lip.

Screw mounts? Those two bracket things? Undecided on that, too.

Man I love the look of this thing. I think the wheelbarrow fits so well because it kind of has that same shape as an old Model T...kinda get what I mean? The engine sounded a lit higher than 3600 rpms, but maybe thats because its a diesel. And she rolls coal like a boss

Yeah I know what you mean about the model T thing. I have a 6hp diesel at home and it smokes worse than Doc's. I think it's just the nature of those tiny diesels.

Looks great Doc!! Dig the red rims too. Looks like one of those roadsters you would drive an a dried lake bed. Oh, and makes me want a beer too, LOL.

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Man I love the look of this thing. I think the wheelbarrow fits so well because it kind of has that same shape as an old Model T...kinda get what I mean? The engine sounded a lit higher than 3600 rpms, but maybe thats because its a diesel. And she rolls coal like a boss

The whole wheelbarrow/ model T thing was exactly what I was after.

I have not tached the engine yet. I admit I DID fiddle with the maximum throttle set screw a bit, so... yeah. Lol

Damn- I'm gonna be awfully glad when this damn thing is done. Seems the last 10% is taking 90% of the effort. I'm in the home stretch now, having blown it apart for final cleaning, welds, and paint. Got all the wiring done tonight, too. Still have to paint the seat structure, and reupholster the seat. Then, the last order of business is the, umm... secret... thing. Lol

More suspense! Can't wait to see the final product! I know it already looks pretty sweet!

Git 'R Done Doc! Hahaha, I got faith in the 'ol Weasel!

secret thing you say?

hmm............turbo.

I'm thinking, where would he put it. HAHA!

Its probably the crate that hes gonna put that thing in to ship it to me.

I love the vintage meets Mad Max look to it.

Okay... Holy crap... *WHEW!*

She's done. Well, okay- 99.95% done. I am waiting for the mail lady to bring me 4 new high-speed front wheel bearings (I actually trashed 2 of them during the test drive- which I expected because they were just crappy wheelbarrow bearings) and a sticker.

Yes, the sticker is THAT important.

That's it. Literally.

What an intense build! The last 10% really DID take 90% of the time and effort. I've never had that happen before. Ever. My kids' go kart that I scratchbuilt a few years ago was a challenge- but the final stretch was nowhere NEAR this involved. None of my other stuff has been this much of a last-ditch hemmorhoid, either. Insane.

Today, I did the final wiring and plumbing, while Amy (my much-more-significant-other) reupholstered the seat. She's really good with the fiddly crap. She also did the white lettering on the tires. God bless her.

Anyhow, yeah- Pound in 4 bearings, slap on a sticker- and I should be good to shoot the big reveal video. Woohoo!!!

Looks good. Seems to work pretty well also.