Craftsman 18hp Rally Mower

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

This have gen 1 steering still?

Yes and it is in pretty bad shape. The plastic part that holds the end of the steering shaft in place is really worn out.

Well...I’m not completely sure but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna use a cub cadet steering box, if you want mine lol. I can throw it in with the gas tank. It’s still nice and tight. Or you can bulletproof the one you have like stretch does

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Well...I’m not completely sure but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna use a cub cadet steering box, if you want mine lol. I can throw it in with the gas tank. It’s still nice and tight. Or you can bulletproof the one you have like stretch does

Well if you don't need the one you have I would definitely take it if it fits in the box. I'm not familiar with how Strength does it is there a video on it?

Stretch covered their mods in this thead:

https://www.atltf.com/t1074-craftsman-10-38-11-38-12-38-builds

I don't think they go too in depth about the steering mods, but there is some info in there about it and a picture or two.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Stretch covered their mods in this thead:

https://www.atltf.com/t1074-craftsman-10-38-11-38-12-38-builds

I don't think they go too in depth about the steering mods, but there is some info in there about it and a picture or two.

Oh thanks AllisKid.

No problemo! Oh, nice tie rod modification by the way! I like seeing people reinforce them and do away with the pathetic right angle ends with the cotter key holding them in, haha.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

No problemo! Oh, nice tie rod modification by the way! I like seeing people reinforce them and do away with the pathetic right angle ends with the cotter key holding them in, haha.

Ya lots of people just reinforce the stock one but they just slap out. I wish I could have used real heim joints but there expensive and Bolens parts are plenty though so thks should be fone.

He replaced the plastic bushings with steel, and added a grease zerk. Beyond that I’m not entirely sure.

I have a steering box that should never break in a mower application, so I really have no reason to use the factory steering so I’m sure if you wanted it it wouldn’t be an issue. At least so you can try to modify the one you have and if you screw it up you have a spare to throw in haha

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

He replaced the plastic bushings with steel, and added a grease zerk. Beyond that I’m not entirely sure.

I have a steering box that should never break in a mower application, so I really have no reason to use the factory steering so I’m sure if you wanted it it wouldn’t be an issue. At least so you can try to modify the one you have and if you screw it up you have a spare to throw in haha

Okay that sounds good. I might end up messing it up even more. Haha. So if you don't need that your extra one I would definitely take it if it fits in the box. Thsnks! By the way I think its cool that your using Cub Cadet steering box on yours. I wanted to us Bolens steering but it doesn't have an actual box so it would be really hard to swap over.

Mine came out of a 1994 cub cadet 1440. That garden tractor had an option for a front loader. That steering box is super beefy lol

Huge update guys!

I finally got the exhaust made. At some point I want to get some header wrap for it.




Craftsman frames aren't the worst but they still have alot of twist in them. I added this vertical cross brace and that helped alot. I still need to make a horizontal one.



Then I patched some of the old wholes in my dash that I don't need anymore and threw on a fresh coat of black spray paint.




Well I'm getting closer to completely this build but I still have a long way to go. I'm ready to ride this thing so I'm gonna keep plugging away and if everything goes as planned I should be able to drive it by March 1st!

Whoa, that exhaust header is too damn cool! I love the way that turned out, super sleek looking! For what it's worth I think it'd look great with just some silver paint on it instead of the wrap Nice rebar X-brace as well, seems like something I would do. Hahaha.

Keep up the great work!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Whoa, that exhaust header is too damn cool! I love the way that turned out, super sleek looking! For what it's worth I think it'd look great with just some silver paint on it instead of the wrap [smiley]https://2img.net/u/2812/37/66/46/smiles/2731072446.gif[/smiley] Nice rebar X-brace as well, seems like something I would do. Hahaha.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks AllisKidD21
The only reason I wanted to wrap the exhaust is because I thought I would have to get special high heat paint. If I use normal spray paint will it hold or will it burn off?

It would burn off after a bit.  Grill paint is typically in the same area as the spray paint and only a few bucks more.

I'm still cosidering the wrap. I reslly like the way it looks on redzz02 Haspin Mower. I'm not too worried about it right now because I need to get this thing ready for a test drive.

the Eyhaust looks great!!

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

the Eyhaust looks great!!

Thanks! I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

Well I didn't get any work done this weekend but you'll get an update none the less.

I decided I wanted to run 4 on 4 hubs instead of the stock rims so if I ever need to change axle or rim sizes it wouldn't be a big deal. I got a free pair of golf cart rims that I just need to clean up a bit. There 8×7 the (same size as the stock ones). I don't have any pics yet but I think you get the idea. I'll be cleaning them up and mounting the tires next weekend!

The weather sucked this weekend but I still managed to get alittle work done.


I mounted my 18×9.5-8 SunF atv tires on the 8×7 4 on 4 golf kart rims I got last weekend.


Welded on the honda pull start and cup Mowron style.


I braced up my frame a tiny bit more with this piece of square tubing. I also mounted my seat to it so it sits even lower.


I ordered a ton of stuff last night so there should be some goodies coming in the mail next week!!

Some of the stuff I ordered arrived in the mail yesterday!




I got some heavy duty 3/4 bore 4×4 hubs with 8 tapered lug nuts. And a pair of 3/4 pillow block bearings to add some strength to my axle.




The go kart hubs are a perfect fit for the golf cart rims!

Nice Parts!!!!!!

T-man's go karts has a video of a hub like that failing. He had a hub for a 1" shaft where the flange separated from the round part. Would be a good time to weld in some gussets if you're concerned about it. However I don't think it's a super common problem.

The pillow blocks are for axle supports?

Crazy_Carl wrote:

T-man's go karts has a video of a hub like that failing. He had a hub for a 1" shaft where the flange separated from the round part. Would be a good time to weld in some gussets if you're concerned about it. However I don't think it's a super common problem.

The pillow blocks are for axle supports?

Thats interesting. These hubs seem pretty heavy duty. I'm also don't plan on jumping it or anything.

Yes the pillow blocks are for axle supports.

SebastianAlbrecht wrote:

Nice Parts!!!!!!

Thanks! Got the hubs on Gopowersports and the bearings on Amazon.

I'm going to be putting 90w oil in the transaxle. Does anyone know a good method for cleaning the grease out.

It hard to clean but a lot of folks have good luck with diesel as an economical parts solvent