[FINALIST] - AK's LT-08 Rat Rod Tractor Build [2019 Build-Off Entry]

Hi, my name is AllisKidD21 and I have a tractor addictio-..er no, I'm entering the Build-Off!

So here's the new victim:







Older Craftsman LT11, dubbed the LT-08 due to the different power plant I'm using. Gonna be basically just a speedy rat rod tractor for racing around on, with a lot of ratty touches to make it as authentic as possible.

-The engine will be a small block Kohler K Series (K181). A Bolens style clutch will turn a drive shaft going to a Peerless 600 3-speed transaxle. (Tipped up with the pinion shaft facing forwards to accept a drive shaft.)

- Tires will be just turfs on the rear, and maybe small trailer tires on the front. (Need to get those still)

-Steering with use the stock gears as they are fairly heavy and have no play. All the steering rods will be custom made and have upgraded rod ends. Also the steering rag joint is being replaced with an automotive steering universal joint.

-Front axle is still un-decided, but possibly lengthening a Ford LT front axle and making custom spindles. There's a slight chance of having a hot-rod style radius arm and 1/4 elliptic leaf spring setup in the front, but that's still up in the air.....

-Brakes will be a go-kart rotor and mechanical caliper. Thinking about doing pinion brakes with these components as opposed to trying to mount them in the stock location.

Everything else will be done on a "play it by ear" basis, like all my other builds!

Hopefully I did this right, haha. Good luck to everyone who enters!

Approved: MightyRaze 2/2/2019

OOoooooooh. This should be good!

I'm liking the look already. I'd just clear coat it if it was mine. Good foundation right there. Good luck!

I can't wait. I always loved the old rat rod you had .

Man I LOVE that hood! Looks great bud, lookin forward to seeing it come to be

Shweet!

Oh BTW, I heard of this group called Tractorholics Anonymous.  For tractor addicts.  LOL

Thanks a lot everybody!! I saw that I was approved so I decided to go hard at 'er to get a good start.

First thing I did was start mocking up the transaxle. I had to cut a big hole to get it lifted up into the frame enough:



Then, after a lot of measuring and some fab work, I got some mounts made up to the frame:





Great to have that part done. The mounts weren't too hard to make either, most of it was measuring to make sure the trans was straight, centered, level, etc. I do still have to make the upper trans mount, but I just had to throw some old wheels on and see how things looked:





I'm liking it so far! Should have a neat stance when the front is all figured out.

Did a little engine mock up next:



I wanted to try and use the tractor's original fuel tank, and although it's tight, I think it should fit okay.



Still a bit of a gap there which is good. I should be able to get to the pull start cup no problem too, so I think all in all this is a good spot for the engine.

Then lastly I made up a quick simple shifter:





Not sure if I'll keep that or try and make something a bit cooler looking, we'll see. I do have a neat idea for something to go around the shifter hole, so I might just keep it and do that, haha

Anyways I'd say we're off to a pretty good start. Next I'll maybe try and start working on the rest of the drivetrain and get the upper trans mount made up.

Let me know what ya think!!

Dang! Lowrider style?

Oooo... like the older one.  Any plans to make it faster than the old one?

Thanks guys. Yeah it'll be sorta lowered in the end, I woulda went a bit lower, but that would've involed more cutting of the frame than I would like and also would've caused major drive shaft alignment issues. Should still have a fairly mean stance once it's done.

Also yeah, I forgot to mention I'd like to hit 30mph or so with this tractor.

How strong are those peerless 600s? Seems like a lot of people that race mowers runs them.

They're pretty strong ol' gearboxes. This one was swapped into in my rat rod and I ran it in that rig for quite some time. I swapped one into my MTD a couple years ago and it's going strong. Also my little Ford has one one from the factory and it's in great shape as well. They're kinda my favorite, haha.

I've never really looked at a gearbox up close before except for my 90-degree gearbox in Godzilla.

Oh... I completely missed the part where it will be a driveshaft.  Excellent!

Dang! Lotta progress in a short time!

Once I get the garage straightened up I’ll get started on the mk2. Grand Prix parts scattered EVERYWHERE! Lol

Nice! I like the whitewall tires touch.

@Double W Cross Ranch same!

Thanks a lot fellas. Those aren't the tires I'll be using, but the ones I put on will definitely have  white walls. The rims will be a different colour as well.

Anyhow, I sorta "forgot" to work on the drivetrain today and ended up messing with some other little stuff instead.

First I had to try out an idea I had for the shifter cover:



Didn't turn out too bad, everyone loves sharp edges after all!

Next I figured out where the engine needs to be and drilled two holes just so I could keep it held on place. Then I started messing with some exhaust stuff:





It's a start anyways, I still have to finish it. I did fire it up though to see how it sounds and it's not too bad. I didn't run it too long though with only the rear bolts in place.

Lastly, I decided to cut the hood for the air cleaner to poke through. Figured I might as well get that part out of the way.

Now... I could've just made a nice clean round shape around the air-cleaner, but this is a rat rod after all! Crazy hood cut-out time!!





Oh yeah!! Hahaha. Kinda digging how that turned out actually, compliments the shifter cover in a way as well.

So yeah, maybe a bit early to be messing with the decorative stuff, but that's okay.

Let me know what ya think!

Dang that's sick bud! Holy crap day 3 and I haven't even got my crap approved lol.

Thanks! Haha, yeah I sure hope I can get the drivetrain and front axle stuff done as quick as these little things.

And plan on sticking with the stock mower front axle or custom from axle?

I'm sorta still thinking about widening that Ford axle, I think that'd work pretty good. I'd really like to try out that suspension setup I have planned as well.

Wow, careful not to back into that air cleaner!  Looking great AK.  Keep up the good work!

Great work AK! Love the license plate shifter cover.

Looking great AK! Haven't seen a 600 trans orientated in that way before. Makes it simpler to hook up a driveline system for a horizontal engine.