Doc's Cents-Less Suburban [2018 Build-Off Entry]

Alrighty, then! Time to get this party started.

Here, I present to you, Cents-Less Suburban. So named, because it will be a ZERO budget build. Everything going into this project is stuff I have acquired and had sitting around, freebies, stuff gotten in trade... Not a cent to be spent.

Prior to entering, I stuck my 13hp Honda GX390 on the chassis, installed a pulley and belt, and stuck a start button in. I still have to rig a remote on/off switch, remote choke, and rig some sort of gas pedal. I basically have no control of the engine right now.

I'll be mounting a pristine pair of 26x10-12 ITP Mud Lites on the stock rear rims, or a similar set from another machine, depending on dimensions. The front is getting the 4.00x10 Kenda Ags, on a pair of 4-bolt hubs from an unknown (and probably chinese ATV).

The chesterfield is going buh-bye, in favor of a basic steel pan seat.

It basically has no brakes right now, so I'll be digging into my parts pile. I like stopping. Sudden death sucks, and there's some potential sudden death where I ride. Not sure what I'm doing for a gas pedal yet, I'm probably gonna have to scratch something up.

With many thanks to Doug, I'll be using the 2500LB Badlands winch and accessories that I won in the 2016 Build-Off, to haul my stuck @$$ out when needed. I'll be locking the transaxle, and have not yet decided on the method. I AM way overdue on engineering a Doc Locker setup for the 633, and this might be the time.

Speaking of winches- The added electrical load is another thing. This engine DOES have an alternator stator in it, but the regulator/rectifier is missing. I'm attempting to use one from a Honda 3813 lawn tractor, and hoping for the best. I don't think I have any good car batteries left, so I might try a dual battery setup with your standard lawn tractor batteries- just gotta find space.

I'm going to fab up some sort of front frame extension in order to mount the winch, and some sort of bumper setup is to be determined. I'm actually thinking I might even push the front axle forward a bit in the style that Bowtie Mudguy is developing a reputation for- just to see what it does to weight distribution, balance, and handling. This frontend is going to be quite a bit lighter than Suburban Commando's, and I have hills to climb.

Paint- I have some. I don't know what I have enough of to do the whole machine, but I'm stuck with it. If all I have left is Baby Poop Green or Dog Dink Pink, then, well- I'm gonna rock it! (I'm actually scared about this)

Lighting- Got a couple options here. I have a 12" LED light bar that I bought awhile back, and I have that cool 3-light LED brush guard that Mr. Modified built and graciously donated as part of the 2016 Build-Off prize package.

I have to fab up a custom exhaust because the stocker blows out the grille. No bueno. Plus- Me? Stock muffler? That ain't gonna happen.

Probably a rack and toolbox, and god only knows what else. Oh- steering- the tie rods are just this side of lethal, and I don't wanna die. I gotta figure something out. I will.

Now again, I could throw a pile of money at this, but screw it. I have a bunch of crap kicking around, time to put some of it to good use. Plus, I like to keep in touch with my roots- and my peeps, too! Let's not forget that a lot of mower builders are forced to do these things on the cheap by whatever means are necessary, and I ain't too good for that.

Without further ado or adon't, Cents-Less Suburban!













-Approved by Doug, 3/4/2018

Sweet, I was wondering if you were going to enter the Suburban. Good luck Doc.

It`s a pretty nice Plan, to build a good Offroad Tractor out of some good stuff and parts  that were lying around.

Spoiler:

Good luck even tho you don't need it

I was kinda hoping youd use that... what was it 40hp? twin.

Im looking forward to how you lock it... Ide love to see some good pictures of the process.

There goes first place...I'm toast.

Can't wait to see what you do with this one Doc!

Spoiler:

You guys are giving this build WAYYY too much credit. I'm just smacking a parts pile together on this one.

I was staring at this a little earlier and although I really haven't done anything other than test fit a couple tires, I'm really digging the idea of pushing the front axle forward a few inches. Why is it that every. damn. time. I look at a project, it gets harder and more convoluted?

Seriously. I hate me, sometimes. LOL

Well as much as this topic seems to be going nowhere , I think we are thread jacking docs post.

I would like to see a doc locked 633a as well, still hoping to get one that's been parked in town for eva. Not sure what it's worth in its current condition .

biggasmowers wrote:

I mean we could all build good machines worth first place, but when it comes to vote on a good machine , fan loyalty generally chooses what they vote for.

We here at the ATLTF are even striving to equalize THAT, too. This is why we suspend new member registration while the voting is taking place, so that actual members are voting, not just fans showing up long enough to vote and then leave.

Back on topic-

As simple as this has the potential to be, I keep complicating it. I was looking at the fronted earlier. Ok- so to push the axle forward a bit, I'm looking at making a new pivot bracket, right? Then, I have to move the steering bellcrank forward the same amount. Hmm- I think I want to rake the nose down a bit (did a tire mockup, pic probably tomorrow), so that's gonna mean notching the frame so I can still have a bit of articulation. The tie rods and ends are 45 years old (sh!t! So am I!!!), and done. I gotta scavenge something up to replace them. Hang on, I have a small rack and pinion! But... I'd need a U-joint to extend the bottom of the column to where I'd want to put the rack. Seriously, dude? that's just the damn front axle and steering?

Did I mention that I was hoping to endter Codename Predator, too? I am SO screwed... LOL

There was one guy who stretched a sears last year, turned out pretty good.

Sorry bout wrecking your thread

biggasmowers wrote:

I mean we could all build good machines worth first place, but when it comes to vote on a good machine , fan loyalty generally chooses what they vote for.

Last off-topic response,  I have thought that too @biggasmowers, but there is always a wild card in the works that throws that theory out the door.  Look at Dave007 from last year.  Came out of nowhere joined the forum, joined the build-off and came in 2nd.  I totally did not figure that.  Same with jimjim0288 with 3rd! The person that I figured would have the most "friends" didn't even make the top 3!  So, don't concern yourself.  Just have fun with it.  I may have only been a member since 2016, but I have followed the threads since early 2014 and I can attest "popularity" is less a factor today than it has been.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Back on topic-

As simple as this has the potential to be, I keep complicating it. I was looking at the fronted earlier. Ok- so to push the axle forward a bit, I'm looking at making a new pivot bracket, right? Then, I have to move the steering bellcrank forward the same amount. Hmm- I think I want to rake the nose down a bit (did a tire mockup, pic probably tomorrow), so that's gonna mean notching the frame so I can still have a bit of articulation. The tie rods and ends are 45 years old (sh!t! So am I!!!), and done. I gotta scavenge something up to replace them. Hang on, I have a small rack and pinion! But... I'd need a U-joint to extend the bottom of the column to where I'd want to put the rack. Seriously, dude? that's just the damn front axle and steering?

Did I mention that I was hoping to endter Codename Predator, too? I am SO screwed... LOL

I bet Cents-less ends up costing a few cents before complete.  These builds are just so much fun, that you sometimes have to "buy" that one item or two that will sweeten the build.  I think you can still pull it off though.  Heck you got that diesel in that tiny tractor a couple years ago.  I like your can-do attitude to tackle what people think can't be done.

Sweet, another build too?  DO IT!...  wait... so if you buy stuff for Predator, but decide not to use it in Predator.  Then use it in Cents-Less, does that mean Cents-less is still free since it would be borrowed from another build?  HAHA...

Ok- I had a little bit of time after work yesterday to mount a rear tire and throw a front wheel on, in an effort to get a feel for where this is going. When I was building Suburban Commando, I tried to mount 26x12-12 ITP Mud Lites, and found they wouldn't fit without a lot of work, so I bought some 25" Mud Wolfs. Still had to cut the fuel tank humps out of the fenders.

These 26x10-12 Mud lites clear the fuel tank humps, but I still have fender and foot board clearance problems. This will require some massaging.  The ag's look pretty good up front, if not a touch smaller than I'd prefer. They'll do, however.  Here's a peek-


Now- I did mention that I was thinking of moving the front axle ahead a bit. It looks as if I can add a new pivot point, locating the axle forward about 5" without too much difficulty. I placed the other front tire for a picture in approximately this location. Have a look:




I like it. I think we'll call that a go.

The new tire placement location looks good. It even makes the fronts look just a hair larger too? Optical illusion being further from those large rear tires.

Hey Doc are you going to leave the hood/ grill in the same position? and just extend the frame under it

Buck Mault wrote:

Hey Doc are you going to leave the hood/ grill in the same position? and just extend the frame under it

Basically, yes.

[adm]The other guys covered it already, but I am going to interject as well.

Please keep the build threads on-topic. Remember, we have to individually go through each thread to view for completeness and rule compliance. Off topic discussions are for the Discussion thread.

No warnings are being given, but I did groom the thread to hide the offending posts, so they are still visible. However, I would like any further discussion on that matter to be conducted in the Discussion thread.

Thanks guys.

2018 Build-Off Discussion[/adm]

I'm off to a slow-@ss start, but starting, nonetheless.
Got around to actually MOUNTING the tires today. Went okay, but definitely had a clearance issue on the rear tires. I'm actually thinking of a fender swap.

(Not having watched the video) Did you have to massage the foot/floor board thingys any?

You mind snapping a few pics if you did? Or where they are tight at?