Craftsman LT1000 "NellyBelle"

Redoing my LT1000.  



For some reason, half the pictures don't want to upload, but it's the latest model LT100 that has a geared tranny.  I plan on it being an all-purpose offroad vehicle, primarily being for utility around the ranch, but also for some fun.  I have a 6-inch pulley on the front and a 5-inch pulley on the rear with a 6-speed tranny and no governor on a 12.5 HP flathead that has the head shaved, cold air intake and a wide bore carb off a 17.5 HP OHV.  It will have pull start and electric start.






I'm gonna put a Craftsman bumper, Kendra bear claws, push-button ignition, some kind of atv/motorcycle seat for more than one person, a rear rack, and a 12-inch light bar on the front.

It currently has 20-inch rear tires.  I'm putting 22-inchers on it, and it goes 23mph right now (I was surprised too!) and then it should go 25ish.  

The exhaust is really unique and kinda redneck.  I had a threaded pipe coming out the engine, so I put metal water pipe on it for exhaust.  It has twin mufflers because I wanted it to be reasonably quiet, and it is quiet and sounds really good.  And if I want a straight pipe I just unscrew the mufflers.



I am ordering everything I should need tonight, so hopefully, I can finish it over Christmas break.  

And before anyone asks, yes, one rear tire is smaller than the other.  The 20" turf one went flat and I wanted to push it so I threw my 19" on it temporarily.  I'm open to suggestions, especially about the rack.

Yeah, I've seen that video before. I aim to make it more like FearlessFront's Murray, fast, capable in all conditions, stuff like that. I'm using tips from a lot of his videos.

Also, I'm gonna use ITP Mud Lites instead of Bear Claws, should be nicer on my diff.

I know it is ultimately your build and you will do it the way you want. I would however make sure you check out many people's stuff, there is a lot of GREAT information out there whether it is Fearless, Doc, MaineMudMower, Mill Hill Mud Mowers, Etc. I started off with tunnel vision, but found a wealth of information out there.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of their videos. Thanks for the suggestion!

So I'm putting 2" bigger tires on the back, and 1" bigger tires on the front.  That leaves a level issue.

So I'm putting a 1" lift on the front, and I figured out how to do it for free!
Sorry for the sideways images, I'm still learning.

I undid the bolts on the axle and dropped it out.


I then reinstalled it one notch down. Now I know that it's a not as strong, but it'll be fine.

Might want to weld it in , those front ends can crack the frame easily . looks good ! its a good idea to put rear hitch plate back in so the frame doesnt flex too much and bend the tranny mounts and leave a twist in the frame .

IDK if I want to make the front solid. I want it to be removable.  The hitch plate is going back on, it's off right now because I was having some belt issues, I wanted to be able to work on it. Thanks for the suggestions!

Those front ends will crack the frame before they’re lifted like that. It’s not gonna last if you don’t brace it somehow. Maybe not weld it solid, but weld a couple arms to the back of the plate the axle mounts to that can bolt to the frame. Triangulate it some. That way they come out with the plate and is still removable, but stronger than stock

I'll see what I can come up with.

Well if you haveta weld it theres always a grinder ....

Iffffff...I could afford a welder....

89 bucks gets yea a stick welder from amazon .com

90 gets ya one from harbor freight but i dont like the wirefeed model that much, its what i have .They are well worth it though. makes everything so much easier to brace or modify mowers

BTW, Everyone, I bought the 22" Mud Lites, should be here on the 29th and the ignition parts should be here the 28th or 29th.

Sweet ! Wiring is fun

Lol, thanks, I hope it goes alright.  

Paint suggestions ya'll?  The paint is scratched and dinged and messy, and I want it to look nice.  I was thinking black, but those style Craftsmans don't look great black.  I was thinking some kind of camo pattern.  The ULTIMATE paint job would be some kind of hydro-dip job, but I could never afford that.  I found this picture that looks good, probably used leaves and put them up to the hood and then blasted it with paint.

Lemme know what you think, I'll probably go with that.

looks great! i am going digital urban camo on my murray eventually.

Yeah that's what I had in mind, something like that, but that is, for me at least, way yonder too much money to spend on something I'm just going to drive through brush and scratch up!!!

UPDATE: Mud Lites arrived, now I have the fun task of mounting them! JK!

Cool! Shouldn't be too hard if you have the right tools . They are very flexible tires so they aren't as hard as turfs to put on the rims

Well, I need to go to town tomorrow to get the valve stems so I think I'll have them mounted. The electrical showed up so I can wire it later, and I just finished gutting the deck system, pain in the rear!

Got the tires mounted.



Also finished gutting the useless mower parts, and put the hitch plate back on after painting it.  The plate is a 1975 motorcycle license plate, found it sitting in my pasture! LOL Don't ask me where it came from, we didn't own the ranch in '75.  Liked it so I drilled a couple of holes and tapped them for the bolts.

Tires look nice! Should do well. Cool plate too, I have a 1969 license plate on the front of my rat rod tractor, hahaha.

Thanks! I'm excited to drive it!