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

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.

Thanks fellas, I really appreciate all the positive comments.

@AllisKidD21 the reason why everything is positive is because there's nothing negative to say about this build lol. We are all impressed so far on your progress.

THIS THING KICKS ASS! MINT!

Thanks again guys.

I took this picture after I finished working on it for the day:



That kinda gives an idea of what the final stance is gonna looking like. I think it looks pretty alright so that's what I'm gonna go for.

I'm going to try and get a couple parts this week and see if I can start on the front axle and the drive shaft/clutch setup next.

@AllisKidD21 you seem like you're a one-month Build-Off kind of guy lol.

Haha, we'll probably find out pretty soon here that I'm not.

That thing is looking really awesome. You're just steadily chugging away at this thing, haha. At this rate it'll be done in no time at all!

Thanks TJ.

...Lookin good

Hey, your topic is already almost 3 pages. LOL

Did you make your decision on the front axle yet? I really liked your idea. It was similar to what I originally had planned for 2017 if I could have gotten the 82 murray quick enough. I'd love to see that come together with your build because I know you could pull it off!

I had an idea, mount the engine on springs. So when you hit the gas, the engine torques to one side, LOL.

@prancstaman heck yeah!

Hillbilly Homer wrote:

...Lookin good

Thanks!

Regarding the front end... I'm definitely using the Ford front axle and widening it, then probabably making some custom spindles for it.

I have a suspension plan in mind as well, but I need a couple parts before I can get started on that. I'd like to at least try widening the axle this weekend though.

Also, nice idea with the engine mount springs.

What? You're putting suspension on this rig? Never saw that coming. Teehee

nice, what is your plan for the paint/finish?

Double W Cross Ranch wrote:

What?  You're putting suspension on this rig?  Never saw that coming.  Teehee  

Well I have always wanted to try it.

mrshaft696 wrote:

nice, what is your plan for the paint/finish?

Thanks. No paint for the body on this one, I'm just gonna finish the clearcoat job on it. I am going to add some artificial patina in a few spots with my airbrush however. Should turn out pretty neat I'm hoping.

Looking really good! Do you have the parts for the driveline or do you have yet to find them? And also, won't the input pinion be spinning the wrong way?

I had to really plan it out, but the engine will spin the proper direction to drive the pinion shaft.

Here's what the direction of the pinion shaft needs to be:



Then the direction the PTO shaft of the engine, which is facing the front of the tractor:


 
So once I run a pulley off that shaft and down to another pulley on a shaft running to the transaxle pinion shaft, it should work fine.

Rarbaugh07 has a very similar setup on his Bolens lawn crawler using a 5hp Briggs with a centrifigal clutch and a 5-speed Peerless.

That trans input shaft should turn clockwise facing it, but ok. I still don't see it working correctly. I haven't seen it in person, so who am I 5o judge eh.

How about some underglow on this thing? Not too crazy, just a little red under the running boards...that stuff is really cheap nowadays yknow.

Oh wait nevermind, I see how you built it. Trans is facing backwards so it needs to be driven backwards. That didn't occur to me at first haha. Got sort of a reverse input 1200/2300 thing going on there lol.

Same here those arrows just confused me more lol. The crankshaft faces forward. You're turning a pulley on a driveshaft that runs underneath the motor to the input shaft. That's how your getting the direction right. So all you have to do is add in some pillowblock bearings, a slip yoke, a couple U joints and you'll be all set to build a REAR suspension. This is a build off rig isn't it? might as well go big or go home. You have plenty of time to finish it.

Didn't really get anything done today unfortunately, just started with some mocking up with the front axle.

This is about how the wheel base should end up looking:



Doesn't look too bad to me, might move the axle back a slight bit but maybe not.

Decided to cut the axle in half next, to prepare for widening it.

Cut the center pivot and all the braces off first:



Then locked it into the ol' chopsaw and cut it:



Didn't get it welded up, but I did some measuring to figure out how much wider it needs to be.

This is about where each wheel needs to go to allow for enough turning motion:



Needs a 6" piece welded in between both halves to get the width right. Should be fairly straight forward.

So not much progress today, but hopefully I can get some stuff done tomorrow

Your stance is looking good.  Also, I actually understood your arrows. 

Haha, thanks Mighty!

I think this is what you are saying...