[2020 Build-Off Entry] AK's Jacobsen Rally Tractor Build!

Looks good man. Makes me wanna build a rock bouncer now...

I just don't want the adjustment to turn because it kinda defeats the purpose of the joint, haha.

Well fellas I made some more progress after the last update!

Got some lower coilover mounts made up to be welded to the axle:





Set the coilovers in place to check things out:



Then I though I'd set the engine in place before doing the upper mounts and I'm glad I did because there were some serious clearance issues:





However I wasn't too concerned. Since this frame is so long I was able to cut the hole for the crank and slide the engine back about 5" no problem:



Perfect! Just have to drill new mounting holes, but that's no problem. Also the engine being closer to the middle should help the weight balance anyways, so it'll work out nicely I'm thinking.

Then basically once I figured out the easiest way to do it, I made my coilover towers:



Look, no jack!!







There will be cross bracing for the towers too, I just ran out of time for that today. Also I rigged up a temporary track bar just so I could roll it around.



Did a little articulation test too of course, haha.





Not too bad! I didn't wanna push it until I got a chance to check clearances and stuff, but nothing appeared to be binding or anything. Has a good amount of drop travel too which should be great for crawling.

Then to cap it all off, a hood fitment test:



Boy she fits good! No issues whatsoever.

So yeah, got some loose ends to tie up but the front suspension is pretty much done. I'm very pleased with it!

Let me know what you guys think!

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Looks good man. Makes me wanna build a rock bouncer now...

Thanks CQ!

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Looks good! Looks kinda like a lifted K10 in the front and a 1930s Mercedes-Benz in the rear... Interesting.

Thanks... I think. Haha.

Anyways, quick update here. Got the rims I planned on using seperated from the tires:



Old Cub Cadet rims, they have decent ball bearings in them so I figured they'd work fine.

Got the ATV tires swapped over no problem:



Good to go!

Interesting setup.

It works great I tell ya.


Not much progress today, got my lock collars put on to hold the wheels on the spindles:



Planned on removing the giant stock fuel tank amd replacing it with a smaller one. Need a place for the battery now that the engine has been moved back.

Stock tank:



Probably gonna use this one:



Looks like plenty of room for a battery. Should work well!

Sure you want a smaller tank with a oppy?

Is there room under the seat/fenders to fit a battery?

Did you drill the spindle any for the setscrew in your locking collar? Id worry about it sliding off during some hard riding.

Jeremiah R. Cooper wrote:

Sure you want a smaller tank with a oppy?

Pretty sure. I run two other oppy tractors with tanks about the same capacity as this.

TheBeal wrote:

Is there room under the seat/fenders to fit a battery?

Did you drill the spindle any for the setscrew in your locking collar? Id worry about it sliding off during some hard riding.

Nah unfortunately there isn't enough height under the seat, besides that's just more cable to run, haha.

I think the collars would be fine but I could always drill a little dimple just to be sure.

AllisKidD21 wrote:

Jeremiah R. Cooper wrote:

Sure you want a smaller tank with a oppy?

Pretty sure. I run two other oppy tractors with tanks about the same capacity as this.

Yeah, AK is more of an off-road cruiser and less balls-to-the-wall.  That size should be fine for him.

All my riding pretty much consists of some trails and a bunch of crawling spots like ditches and gulleys. Doesn't require much fuel to crawl or climb, but I have riding spots all over the property so I wanna be able to have some range.

Regardless, I'm not worried at all about the capacity of the tank.

Nah, your fine. My brother runs an oppy with the same tank as that. Just fill it to the top and you'll have more than enough.

AAaaannyways..

I finally got back to the Jake tonight:



Didn't get much done, but I got my temporary track bar knocked off and made up a permanent setup:



Much better! Gotta do some trimming in a couple spots for the hood but that will be simple enough.

@AllisKidD21 hey Allis are those Princesses Auto shocks ? How do you find them for stiffness?

You are correct Buck, I got them from good ol' Princess Auto.
They are definitely about the perfect spring rate for holding this front end up, but soft enough that I can bottom out the suspension by jumping on the frame.

Anyhow I got the little bit of trimming done to make room for the new track bar. First thing was clearing the hood mount so it would sit next to the upper track bar mount.

Then I had to actually take out a spot of the bottom of the grille so the track bar would clear during travel:



This is at about full articulation on that side, so I shouldn't have any issues. Planning on making some bumpstops too.

looking good, man I pulled one of those kohler opposed motors over the weekend and I couldnt believe how heavy it was... compared to the briggs , but the run so good I love them....

Thanks! Yeah the cast iron cylinders really makes a difference in weight, haha. They are great engines!

Another minor update just to keep things going, I got the engine location figured out and drilled the new mounting holes yesterday, then I bolted up:



Kind of minor progress, but one more thing done nonetheless!

One more important front end item knocked off the list yesterday:



Cut out some pieces for coilover tower braces.





Perfect! Should be pretty good now.

On the topic of those kohler twins, I can't believe how smooth they start and run. Shame they're not as common as briggs oppys.

That looks really sturdy allis. Those shocks look really nice too, wish i had a pair.

I'd be game to run one.

Nicely done on that shock tower and bracing.

Thanks fellas.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to work on this tractor since things got all crazy, but hopefully I'll get back to it eventually.

Is it because you can't get out to the farm?

Yeah I don't wanna risk bringing anything out to the grandparents by hanging out there, so I've just been at home. Just taking extra precautions, haha.