-= Li'l Red =-

Other than the steering issue that I figured out and will fix at a later time, Red didn't let me down today! Worked like a charm!

Started resolving the steering issue. 


It is an ackerman issue.  I welded on some new steering arms or is that knuckels?  Either way, Getting a little better with the welder.


While I have the spindles off, I decided to weld on those braces I forgot last year too!






Now all I need to do is correct the rack to the new width.  It is narrower than adjustment will allow at this point.  I'll get this thing dialed in.

So... I was not happy with the ends on the rack and pinion as they were hard to work with and also had some play in them.  Decided to change them over to heim joints.  Works much better now.



Please ignore that goober weld... I got off target and started welding up the spindle instead of the seam.  Garage light reflected on the back side of my helmet and lost my place.  Other side is much prettier. 



Just about ready to put it back on the tractor.  Little more cleaning up and maybe some kind gusset to strengthen the gearbox mount.

On a side note... man I am tired of rain...


Back yard has looked like that now for over a month.

MightyRaze wrote:

Please ignore that goober weld

Hey, as long as it holds...

Heh, I think we're all tired of rain... 2 floods here in under a week and expecting another,  can't walk through that field because it's too moist, and our driveway literally has a small creek running through it because of spring heads the rain has caused to bubble up... Seems like you either get too much, or not enough.

Murraymountain wrote:

MightyRaze wrote:

Please ignore that goober weld

Hey, as long as it holds...

Heh, I think we're all tired of rain... 2 floods here in under a week and expecting another,  can't walk through that field because it's too moist, and our driveway literally has a small creek running through it because of spring heads the rain has caused to bubble up... Seems like you either get too much, or not enough.

Oh it will hold, just isn't pretty and I didn't feel it was necessary to pretty it back up.  More metal the better right?

We have a small spring popped up in the back of our yard as well.  Once the rain stops, it will run for another week or so.  And unfortunately I have one in the Garage too.  It's manageable, but I need to get rid of it.

I also failed to mention that I am changing out the plastic bushings to bronze bushings before final install.  See if some bronze MTD ones will fit on there.

Bronze bushings worked GREAT, took all the slop out.





Then I tried something and loved it..  

Yeah that tire size definitely looks better! Just need some Mud Lite's or something on the rear now, haha.

Well...

Li'l Red grew up today.

was...


Now...



Dug out the rims that came with my 820 and slapped Kal's tires on them.  I think it raised Kal about 3 inches all together.

Right now she is sitting at 42" wide in the rear.  I think I will take it down to 40" or 39".



I did finally get it out today.  May need to massage the steering still.  It is a bit tight.

OK, now she sits at 39.5" both front and rear.

Did some experimenting tonight and realized I made my new steering arms 1 inch too short.  That is causing my tight steering and also, my steering geometry to be a bit off.  I basically accomplished what @prancstaman warned me of when I was building Patriot.

prancstaman wrote:

Would be a good idea to move the rack a little closer to the axle so the arms are angled back while going straight. That way when at full turn you are pulling the spindle arm with a straight or angled back rod. If the rod is slightly forward while at full turn, the rod might lock up at full turn.

Little sample of what I mean.

For testing purposes, I drilled another hole in my existing arms as far as I could get them out and it was instantly better.  I'll chop and weld some extensions on later this week.

LOL, Did I draw that? I don't even remember, LOL.

Yeah you sent that last year...

Extension works well.  Steering is much smoother and works way better. Still a little tight one direction but not bad.












Now, I need to come up with a storage idea. I would like to install one of my ammo boxes on Red. I do not want to use the area between the seat and steering column.

I am currently trying to come up with a way to install it on the back.

I really love the new front tire setup looks great, glad you got the steering figured out as well

So when I posted the pic...



The yellow headlight lenses were starting to grow on me.  Not in a good way.  So, I decided to start buffing with a rubbing compound.

The left side lense is complete.  (your right)



That is much much better!  Now for the other one.



Not 100% clear but a good 90% clear!  Good enough!

That looks alot better good job
Also looking at the grill you have those 4 cutouts under the head light might be cool to find a led strip light to fit in maybe the top cutouts on each side. Maybe a amber color like a parking light

After 4 years, I am finally building that rear bumper.  LOL 

It's a start! Taking my time as I do not want to just throw it together.

Half welded up the first cross bar.

Stopping here for the night.  Already going to dream about welding now all night.  LOL





Question now, do I center the box with an inch open on each side or do I offset it with a 2 inch opening on one side to possibly use for something else?  Not sure what I would use it for.

Uh oh... what is that on my axle?  LOL

I'm about the wrap the Li'l Red 2.0 thread soon so I thought I would see what I have and wanted to accomplish!

MightyRaze wrote:

OK, starting a new thread for Li'l Red.  I have decided not to take on any other projects at this time other than finishing up Patriot and now Li'l Red 2.0

Original topic: Li'l Red 1.0

The following is a list of improvements etc. to make it more sturdy and hopefully Haspin Ready for 2021.  I don't expect it to take that long, but I will be headed the other direction in the country in 2020.

MUST HAVES!

1. Front Suspension (yes @AlliskidD21, I said it.  I will probably take some queues from one of your rigs )
   
2. Some kind of Dash tower bracing, I don't want to bust another gas tank.
   
3. I HAVE to get rid of that gas pipe exhaust.  Sounds nice though...  LOL
   

Like to haves...

1. New tire package?  At least change out the rear tires.  They suck.
   
2. New front bumper of sorts to go with new front end.
   
3. Rear bumper?  (Not a requirement at this time.
   
4. Separate brakes from clutch.
   
5. Matching hubs around the rig.  For easier tire swapping.
   
6. Stronger bearings for the front hubs. (Don't need Kal's issue from Haspin)
   
7. Battery box is broken.  Maybe a new setup or replace the one I have.
   

Other things that will be done during refresh...

1. Frame bracing, redo
   
2. Fresh paint, more than just plain Red!
   
3. TBD....
   

Time to stop and review progress. Like to step this up a little bit as I am almost finished and the possibility of Haspin 2020 is greater than it has been.  With Kal down and out.  Red is the primary and only trail rig right now.

Must haves reviewed.

1. Suspension installed!  Was going to do like AK did on MTD, but ended up with the monolink like Kal.  Works out well for me.
   
2. Didn't brace the tower per se, but I did brace the frame under it.  Added another 1/4" plate to the frame semi-under the steering tower.
   
3. Newer exhaust, 2-to-1 into a muffler and out the back.  No gas pipe.
   

Like to have reviewed.

1. Since Kal is out, I moved Kal's tires to Red!
   
2. New front bumper made that braces under the engine frame, as well as supporting structure for the shocks.
   
3. Rear bumper created that matches the front, also transfered an ammo box from Kal to Red.  Need that trunk man!
   
4. While I have the brake still on the clutch connected to the trans., I am installing FINALLY a separate drum brake on the axle.  I should be finishing that up this weekend maybe.  YAY!
   
5. Didn't change out hubs.  Not a priority at this time.
   
6. Changed out to a better ball bearings on the front wheel hubs.
   
7. Saw on Ebay the box at an excellent price and jumped on that.  Installed and works great.
   

Other things reviewed.

1. Welded all the corners of the frame as well as the engine plate, and transaxle hangers.  Also added another 1/4" plate in the middle of the frame, welded on, for more support.  Added frame extension out the front that adds additional bracing to the front.  Monolink mount adds additional cross bracing to the middle of the frame.
   
2. Fresh paint all around!  Painted some highlights to the hood.  Red/Maroon/White with a few touches of light green.
   
3. Rewired the whole tractor.  Added new tail lights, buffed out the yellowing on the front lenses and added LED bulbs to those.  Also added a Nilight bar to front bumper.
   
4. Finally added some gussets to the front steering spindles.
   
5. New fuel line and filters.
   
6. Fixed an annoying choke issue.
   
7. Updated plastic bushings in front axle to bronze.
   

I feel that I have accomplished a lot in the past 7 months.  Been slow as I have not focused in on Red, but lots of things non-the-less.  Hope you have enjoyed this part of the ride.

Wow I'm a huge fan of the old style Murray gt hood. I like the progress so far @MightyRaze. Is  Kal-El laying in parts now? I see alot of his parts on Red.

No, Kal it still pretty much complete.  Just missing tires and an Ammo box. Red's old front's are on Kal, and I have some old garden tractor wheels on the rear.  Only other thing missing from Kal is one rear ammo box.  I could start it right now and drive, albeit slow as the engine is about to puke it's guts.

Looks a bit funny with the smaller tires now.

Yeah, the old style GT hood was cool, but doesn't really fit well and I didn't want to retrofit it on the new updates.

@MightyRaze You'll have to post a pic of kal-El on its thread. Curious to see it. When you think Red will be ready for a romp? Do you have property to ride them on so we can watch your romps on YT?

I do not have a place to romp at home.  I use to go into some empty property behind the house, but someone purchased that a couple years go so I stay off it.  I've been hoping to take it down to the river and do a little romping.  There is an ATV/Motorcycle  park near my work, but they have rules and not sure if they will allow my tractor.  I've been meaning to contact them.  Everything else is half day's drive as the others close to home have either shut down or gone private.  Got to love people that can't take care of a good thing.

@MightyRaze dang that stinks. I was just curious because I remember seeing a pond or something in a video of kal-El.