"NellyBelle" Craftsman LT1000 [2018 Build-Off Entry]

Okay, so I'll give ya'll some pictures so you can have an idea of what it is we are talking about.
Here's the bad spindle mount on the one that's installed right now:

Here's the good side:

They both have a ton of play.
Here's the axle I would install:

The spindles mounts on this one are just pipes welded on, not like the stock one.

They have minimal play.  To get it to fit, I'd have to trim that pipe that sticks through the center and drill a bigger hole for the pivot bolt.  Should be able to do that, probably gonna be my solution to the issue.

Yeah that's definitely not a cast axle, but it does looks like a good axle! I would swap it in for sure.

Okay, yeah I was wondering if it wasn't.  If it wasn't for the very nice welds on it, I'd think that from the style it'd be homemade.  I'll get to swapping that later. Thanks for the advice!

Okay, got the front axle swapped. Steering and all stays the same, and I kept the stock spindles. I was lucky enough that I didn't have to trim the axle pivot thing; I just flipped on of the mounts backwards.

Have to trim part of a mount to get the tie rod to fit, but that's not a big deal.

Good luck and best wishes, very happy to see your entry. cheers.

Dave 007 wrote:

Good luck and best wishes, very happy to see your entry. cheers.

Thanks @Dave_007

Hows everyhing going ? Havent heard anything about this for awhile.

biggasmowers wrote:

Hows everything going ? Haven't heard anything about this for awhile.

Everything's going well, got the tranny mounted but can't show public pics because it would show the suspension deal in the rear.  The front axle swap I did isn't gonna work, it's too long so I have to put the stock one back in.  Need to get the rear pulley hub welded to the pulley. 
Haven't had much time lately, the sheep are lambing, I've started to clear some land, etc.  That's why I was offline for a while if you noticed.  Thanks for asking though! 

Cool. My friend who has sheep is overflowing with little lambs as well.

Does anyone know where to buy a shifter detent ball?

Go to the hardware store buddy or take a ball out of an old ball bearing if it's the right size. I just bought a 1/4 ball for mud rat at the local hardware store for 28 cents.

Yeah when I lost a shifter bearing I just went in my bearing drawer and found a 1/4 inch ball out of a bike stem that had fallen apart.

Okay, thx! I'll try to find one in a bearing, otherwise I think I know where to go.

I have an extra 1/4" one I could mail you if you can't find one anywhere.

I habe so many parts trannys I don't ever need to buy small stuff when I lose it. Which happens all the time

Okay, so big update.

The front axle I think is going to work after all. I need a new tie rod, though. While I'm at it, I am doing front suspension for this build.

The rear suspension is practically done, just need to finish one part on it.

The fenders...I've decided I'm not going to swap them. The stock ones aren't that bad...I just hate this lip (pictured below) and how high up you sit. At the very least, I'm going to cut the fenders where they meet the floorboards and lower them.


A couple of ya'll asked about steering. Going to keep the steering stock, I have the gen 2 steering in NellyBelle. The WeedEater has the gen 1 steering in it, and I absolutely hate it! It is hard to turn, when it hits full travel it makes this spine-chilling popping noise...but the gen 1 is like butter, absolutely love it!!


Rack or no rack? Not much storage space on this build, thinking of getting a rack. I don't personally mind them, but some people say that they look bad. Give me your thoughts, please!

Need some fender flares. Since I am lowering my fenders and putting rear suspension on, I have to trim them substantially so when it maxes out the tires don't scrape. Going to do what Fearless did, with the lawn edging.

Bumper. She needs a bumper. I do not have a welder to build one, so I was planning on buying one. How does this one look? I'd put my old, rat-rod style license plate on the grey part in front.


Transaxle will be a five speed Peerless 920 oil filled. Need to paint the case on it, then get a new shifter detent. (BTW, I did not do the noob thing of letting it fly out at me. I pulled it out, set it to the side...and lost it. )

Pulley swap will be a 3 1/2 inch in the back, and a six inch in the front. That, coupled with no gov, a mikuni carb, and 4" oversized on tires should get me about 30, which is what I'm going for.

Rear tires, Mud Lites. Ya'll already know that. Fronts, thinking of these ags I found at Home Base Lumber. They are 16"s, and are $20 a piece (the main reason I think I'm using them, ).


Any other tips or ideas? Lemme know, really want this build to be something special!!!

Do you know what the 5th speed gear ratio is in a peerless 920.  I will calculate your top speed for you.

I'd use a commercial truck mud flap for your fender flares.  According to Doc it's a better material and I'm around them a lot at work and I affirm that.

How are you going to build front suspension without a welder? Your rear suspension is simple so I can see how you got away without it there.

Definitely chop the rear fenders and lower them.  That will give you a lower center of gravity and unique body lines to set your tractor apart from the rest.

Yes on the bumper, but you should paint it.

Crazy_Carl wrote:

Do you know what the 5th speed gear ratio is in a peerless 920.  I will calculate your top speed for you.

I'd use a commercial truck mud flap for your fender flares.  According to Doc it's a better material and I'm around them a lot at work and I affirm that.

How are you going to build front suspension without a welder? Your rear suspension is simple so I can see how you got away without it there.

Definitely chop the rear fenders and lower them.  That will give you a lower center of gravity and unique body lines to set your tractor apart from the rest.

Yes on the bumper, but you should paint it.

How can you tell what kind of suspension he has. He barely showed anything. And you are completely right about it prettl much being impossible to make front suspension without a welder.

Well I showed him....

Crazy_Carl wrote:

Do you know what the 5th speed gear ratio is in a peerless 920.  I will calculate your top speed for you.

I'd use a commercial truck mud flap for your fender flares.  According to Doc it's a better material and I'm around them a lot at work and I affirm that.

How are you going to build front suspension without a welder? Your rear suspension is simple so I can see how you got away without it there.

Definitely chop the rear fenders and lower them.  That will give you a lower center of gravity and unique body lines to set your tractor apart from the rest.

Yes on the bumper, but you should paint it.

Okay, so in fifth it's a 9:1 ratio.  Okay, I'll look for some truck fender flares.

front suspension without a welder?  Was just gonna cut a hole in the top of the axle, drill some holes in the side, and slip the shock into it and bolt it in.  Then remove the pivot bolt and bolt the other end to something, shouldn't be to hard to find something to bolt it to...and call it done. LOL I'm lazy, and if it works....

Okay, I'll paint the bumper.

@muckmudd I showed them to him, I'll send the setup to you if you promise to be !


Oh, BTW, found this manual, super helpful!

http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Tecumseh-Peerless_Motion_Drive_System_-_Transmissions_&_Differentials(691218).pdf

So with a 6" engine pulley, 3.5" trans pulley, a fifth gear with a 9:1 gear ratio which seems awfully high, 22" tires, and taking the ungoverned motor to 5000 rpm your top speed is a whopping 62 MPH!!!!! It's been nice knowing you W.  I'd get your affairs in order.

LOL, 62 MPH? I need to go call my life insurance agent and make sure that's covered.

JK, obviously not going to do that.  I got that ratio figure from some guy on a forum somewhere else.  To make sure I ran out and tested it on my tranny...and it's even worse. 8:1.  Could you calculate what pulley ratio I need to go 30 MPH under those circumstances?

Yes please Double W. I would be interested in seeing. But how are you going to weld up the mounts to bolt on coil overs to the axle?

muckmudd wrote:

Yes please Double W. I would be interested in seeing. But how are you going to weld up the mounts to bolt on coil overs to the axle?

IDK, I was just going to find something to bolt it to.

Again, that 8:1 gear ratio seems ludicrous but these tractors come stock with a tiny pulley on the motor and a big pulley on the trans to achieve a better reduction.

With a 4" engine pulley and 5.5" trans pulley your top speed will be 30 mph @5000 rpm, with 22" tall tires, and an 8:1 reduction through the transaxle.

Would you do me a favor and measure your actual wheel circumference with a string? Or you can just measure the actual wheel diameter if you want too.