Noob jd 130st

Hello all. I'm new, and I'm looking for some experienced help. Obglatory I'm on a cell phone, and auttocorrect willattack.

So, I bought a john deere 130 5speed to slam down, and make go fast. So far due to some health problems I've got the deck off. Lol. That said, I do not know the best way to deal with a couple things. First. How do I easily drop the front end? I read on here before joining, that go kart spindles are a thing. How to I drop the rear end, and get belts to line up? Other than that, it'll get the biggest engine pulley I can find and a 4" one for rear end.
Probably put a 1-2 gal spun alimium tank on for gas, and a big stack.
I have a welder and know how to use it, and fabrication experience.

Welcome to ATLTF!  Feel free to post up some pix too!

Yeah one of the ways to lower the front is the gokart style spindles.  The back it the tricky part if you are retaining your transaxle.  One of our members is flipping his transaxle in a build right now. 
@Brianator
[23] Brianator's "Silver Bullet" ~ Super Stock Race Mower (atltf.com)

Some have used jackshafts to realign the pulleys.  Many have switched to a peerless 700 series and run a gokart axle in the rear with a chain to that 700.

Maybe someone will chime in with some info

I don't particularly want to buy too much for this. Lol. And don't want a jacksheave like I've seen on the net since it's going lower.

Welcome! Jackshafts can be used to lower the transaxle. The output pulley is just above the input pulley.

They can be built for not too much money, with a little creativity you could probably use an old deck spindle.

Welcome to the ATLTF!

I wanted to keep it as simple as possible and not use a jackshaft either so I hear you! It's been alot of work so far and I still have a long way to go but I'm feeling good about my plan!

The best resource I found was a racing mower site called heymow and alot of Google searching as well.

One thing you'll have to keep in mind is that to flip a transaxle you should start off with a oil filled unit because it has actual seals around the input, shifter shaft, brake shaft and axles to hold stuff in. I personally will be using 00 grease (aka corn head grease) or will make my own concoction using light grease with a little gear oil.

The most difficult part of my build to get the pulleys aligned is getting the transaxle pulley to cooperate, I've had come up with my own adapter for the weld on hub.  It's my own fault to be honest because I'm determined to get the frame sitting about 4" off the ground, if you don't mind a little extra ground clearance it becomes easier!

Best of luck, please keep us updated so we can follow along!

I wonder if I can run the belt to the rear, and have a sheave behind the axle and cone back forward.

Trucker360 wrote:

I wonder if I can run the belt to the rear, and have a sheave behind the axle and cone back forward.

That's how TroyBilt did their varidrive/automatic in their early 2000's.  Not sure if they still do that.

Going to all thread to widen the front. Need help with pulleys, want to widen rear as well, and add brake/brakes. No, the front isn't done yet. Also need help with tires/other ¾ shaft wheels.