CraftsmanQuad19’s CraftsmanQuad [2018 Build-Off Entry]

Interesting idea of welding a frame on top of a frame. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Well not the entire frame...its all stamped in one piece. I'm thinking weld the middle channel of the murray frame on top of the middle of my frame. Now if I had a frame identical to the CQ I just might weld the entire thing on lol, but AWS nomas aren't too common

Would it not be better just to weld angle iron or box section under the frame to strengthen it, rather than bits of another frame that isn't very strong anyway? It could work, but might be more hassle than it's worth. Looking forward to seeing pics/vids of the CQ at Haspin!

Under the frame is too hard. This murray frame is basically plate steel, and so is the CQ. Welding it to the top will ensure it doesn't interfere with anything, still be fairly light, and with paint will look completely stock. I also have some flat pieces of deck mount (MTD) I'm going to use to strengthen around the transaxle mounts. That's the frame's weak point (pics will show that. I'm waiting on my old phone to charge so I can get some pics and video).

It is a different way of strengthening the frame, I suppose the supports under the frame would interfere with the belts which you don't want. Looking forward to seeing pics

You mean you would cut part of the 2nd frame out and lay it over the first one? Just the sides? Trying to picture what your idea is.

Just the middle. Got my phone fixed today and all my errands ran. Really hoping to get some work done on er tomorrow. Just clearing out the garage was huge to work on it. I can get it down to the frame in a couple hours, then measure, then a couple more hours to cut and weld. Then paint the next day, then reassemble.

Along with the garage, I also pressure washed both frames so I can see what I’m doing lol.

At least you don't have as far to drive to get to haspin.
Good luck with the mods!

Sup guys, got it all apart today. Got the plate cut and welded on. Once side of the frame repaired/reinforced where it was cracking. Video will be up as soon as I get it edited, till then here is a pic to explain my reinforcement strategy:


The red plate was cut from the Murray

Yup! Plate it up and weld it in. The layers help the whole area from flexing. Very discrete too.

That’s the hope! And I’m gonna use the whole tunnel for storage!

Looks cool so far. That should help. What day you plan on being at haspin? Me and doug are supposed to get there lateish on tuesday night.... supposed to.....

That looks pretty good, basically doubles the thickness of the frame there. Hope you get 'er done in time for Haspin!

You are cutting it close!  Good idea and job with the plate.

Thanks guys. Mr mod, I’m planning on getting there the 6th....don’t remember exactly what day that is though lmao

OK. Looks like ill be getting to Haspin early afternoon Wednesday. No further progress yet, spent the weekend up at my grandmas. Tomorrow hopefully will be trans swap, other side reinforced, steering, and paint. Then Tuesday will be more coats of paint and reassembly.

Here is the video from Thursday:

Update: transaxle is out and first coat of paint on side panels and fenders. Waiting on help to arrive so I can swap the frame to the driveway and paint stuff in the garage. Too darn windy.

Nice, like the video. Hope you allow enough time for the paint to dry, wet paint and mud don't mix too well

Lol I’m actually just painting over a little bit of mud.....hahahaha

All done except the back wheels/tires. One won’t come off the old transaxle

Looking good. Sux about the stuck rim, tried heat or wax?

Tried heat and quenching it with wd40. Not even the 2 pound hammer with a punch will budge it. Couple options here.

Option 1: go to Napa and have them use a hydraulic press to push the axle out of the rim

Option two (backup plan): go to the junkyard and find a rim with the right offset, pull my tire off the rim and swap it onto the new rim and slide it on the new trans

Probably be easier to get a similar rim and just swap the tyre on.

Well , one option would be to pull the axle out of the tranny and pound it out from the back way. I have done this on extremely stuck axles and it works pretty good of you don't care about the axle. You can point the axles out a bit then sand it down and then slide it off the intentional way.

Well I’m gonna reuse this transaxle in another build. I’ll just cut the rim off. I’ve already got a new rim and am most of the way to haspin. Just made a gas and pizza stop

Awesome!!!! Hope ya have a blast and don't break down. Good luck with the tire I guess.