Jeep garden tractor project

[Don Campbell]

It's been a while since I built anything . Thought I would share my next little shop project. I bought some big tires and mounted them on my old grader project. My mind started spinning and I'm off puttering again. Looks like it will end up going from the old grader to a mini jeep for my grandson and I to play on. Nothing fancy but just a fun crazy little project. It always seems so nice to get back in my little workshop.

 

[SuDZ]

That looks awesome.

 

[Xti04]

Love the wheels!
Thing gonna be sweet

 

[Richard Cranium]

You do such great work, I wish I had 1/2 your talent

 

[aczr2k]

Half? I would be happy with an 1/8! Don's models are awesome.

 

[Jazz1]

Wow,,time well spent!

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks for the kind words. Todays project is the front grill. The Jeep is only 44" wide and will have a 80" wheelbase when shortened. But I will fit two seats in it and move the steering wheel to the left side.

 

[kbs2244]

Hawkeye would be proud.

 

[Don Campbell]

The seats arrived yesterday for the mini Jeep. I also made progress on the grill. I also slapped some paint on the bare metal . No heat in the shop and that bare metal rusts fast. I still have to cut out the front turn signal holes to recess the orange lights. This is a very fun little project.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Nice work, I like some of your other tractors in the back round too. Can we have a look at your BBQ? that looks neat. Is that one of your previous projects? BCD

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks , Yes , the quad axle with t-handle front axle steering was a project I shared last winter as I built it. I put a smoker, a gas grill and a flat grill on it. Also a 5 drawer tool box for storage and two lp tanks that are tucked inside. I also shared a Tiki Bar build last winter that has been great with the grill. Not sure if old posts are deleted but I posted several photos of each project.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress shows me driving the grader in the shop . You can see it now has a quick coat of paint slapped on it . The next photo shows the front section after it was cut off. I now just have the shorter frame just tacked in place. This is my 80" wheelbase. I will move the steering over for room for two seats for my grandson and I to both ride together. Not exactly sure how I will go about that yet. This is my winter project so I got plenty of time now it is inside. So the 310-8 Wheelhorse grader is starting to look like a mini monster Jeep.

 

[01-7700]

Don, Your Youtube channel and blog no longer exist. Is there some place I could go to get a better look and more pictures of your projects? Thanks.

 

[Don Campbell]

The internet is not always friendly , I was hacked and my family. Had to quit and delete all 130 You-Tube videos . But if you try google , images ( doncampbellmodels ) there are several of the projects that still come up. Also go to google , images ( doncampbell, Gaylord , Michigan ) My daughter tried deleting everything but some of them are still there. It was very scary . This is my first time posting , I feel safer here.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

It's been a while since I built anything . Thought I would share my next little shop project. I bought some big tires and mounted them on my old grader project. My mind started spinning and I'm off puttering again. Looks like it will end up going from the old grader to a mini jeep for my grandson and I to play on. Nothing fancy but just a fun crazy little project. It always seems so nice to get back in my little workshop.

FWIW, if you get an EZGO gold cart, adapt the front axle to it, then install the rack and pinion steering section, it'll put the steering wheel offset to the left, widen the seat and two people can ride.

I did something like this with a lawn mower with a hydrostatic drive and moved the foot controls over to the left side too, it worked pretty good.

 

[Don Campbell]

This is my second project like this. I also have a Gator that was electric and I converted it . I cut the rear frame open and drove a Cub Cadet 1811 inside it and welded it in place. It works great with just one hydrostatic control lever to drive it . My 7 year old grandson loves driving it.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays pics show the front grill now painted. Also steel tubing for the rear bumper and roll bars. Nothing too heavy for the 10 hp Wheelhorse drive system.

 

[01-7700]

That's too bad Don, sorry that happened to you. This is a safe place.

 

[Bears Fan]

Don good to see you back in the garage! That jeep is awesome

 

[HOTFR8]

The internet is not always friendly , I was hacked and my family. Had to quit and delete all 130 You-Tube videos . But if you try google , images ( doncampbellmodels ) there are several of the projects that still come up. Also go to google , images ( doncampbell, Gaylord , Michigan ) My daughter tried deleting everything but some of them are still there. It was very scary . This is my first time posting , I feel safer here.

This is not good news and glad you feel safe here. Off topic I just banned a spammer location Vietnam. Hobbies listed as 12345678 and interests the same. We do not need this type of person on this forum. What we do need is to see more projects like yours. Keep up the good work.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks, I'm having so much fun seeing this crazy project take shape. Today you can see the rear bumper early and finished stages and the little roll bar .
Also the windshield frame started . I should finish the front frame fabrication today and front bumper. Then it should look more like a little Jeep.

 

[Don Campbell]

I love Jeeps but can't justify buying one with 5 other vehicles to insure, lol My grandson and I have fun on the Cub Cadet 1811 powered Gator I rebuilt a couple years ago. We even have fun on the old 12v jeep I dragged home from the neighbors trash. So this is going to be great and it will satisfy my Jeep craving.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays progress shows the mirrors , I used thin wall conduit and hammered the ends flat and bent one end. Also the gas cap assembly. I used the plasma cutter to make the opening and made the cap and filler tube and shroud. Later today I will finish the front bumper and get it painted . Very pleased how the little Jeep is looking.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've always been impressed with your speed. It seems like every time you start a project it's gonna be done tomorrow.

 

[Don Campbell]

Ha, Ha, , Not quite Tomorrow, lol. Maybe the day after tomorrow, LOL . Once I make my mind up to start a project I get so dang excited to see it start to take shape I can't hardly stop working on it. It's hard to believe less than three weeks ago I had no clue I would be building a mini Jeep . Once I bought those big tires my mind started spinning and one thing led to another and it is such fun. One more week it should look pretty good.

 

[Don Campbell]

Todays pics show the progress on the front of the little Jeep. I had no real idea how I was going to make the front look two mornings ago. But I just started cutting and drilling and welding and it all came together. My wife bought me a winch for a early Christmas Present
and it really looks great on the front. I added a few extra lights for a more rugged off road look , lol I'll get back to working on the hoodscoop and should get it done and the hood opening cut out today.

 

[Rewind97]

What power plant are you using for it?

 

[zmotorsports]

That looks awesome.

You had me at Jeep.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks,
It is being built over a 10hp wheelhorse garden tractor. It's basically just a oversized go-cart for my grandson and I to drive in the backyard. I was always going to build my daughter a cool project to drive around and never did. But when she had a son I made up for it , ha,ha. I built this little hot rod tractor for hime 5 years ago when he was just 2 years old. Such Fun !!

 

[Don Campbell]

I bent up a couple parts , one is for bracing for the cowling to support the hood hinges and the other piece is bent up and going to be my dash . I got the headlights attached yesterday too for the first time. They were just taped in place before. Also Attached a couple grab handles on the sides and attached 4 hood latches. Built a mounting bracket for the winch. Got the hood scoop painted but not mounted yet.

 

[Don Campbell]

I cut the hole in the hood cut out and a piece of 1/2" angle iron to support the center. Today I will get that attached. Also made some hinges for the tailgate and I attached the left side fender step.

 

[N2 Many Projects]

Looks good, I like the concept. I really like your Finger Break.

Oh yeah do you think it has enough lights ??? How will you power all those lights?

 

[LXCam]

That thing is so badass, your grandson is one lucky kid.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks , Nothing fancy, but a whole lot of fun memories to make together . It's only 2 wheel drive and its only 10 hp . I am having such fun thinking I am going to have a Jeep , ha,ha.

 

[Don Campbell]

Just a little progress yesterday as I attached the hood scoop. I also worked on the first step . I attached the fender side panel and the fender step I made the other day. Today I will work on the windshield frame and the hinged curved windshield folding support bars.

 

[Don Campbell]

Thanks, yea , good question about all the lights. They won't be hooked up . Just for looks , even the winch is for looks. Just want the Jeep go cart to look cool , lol .

 

[N2 Many Projects]

I'd hook up a marine battery to all the lights and winch give the kid a little extra play time in the evening. Yeah Boyeeeeee! Heck you are clearly able to fabricate, put an alternator on the PTO drive and charge that battery righteously. .02¢

 

[tarmy]

That there is awesome!

Love your effort and those 20 ton shackles should be enough!

 

[Don Campbell]

I did think of putting a car battery in it for lights once in a while. Yes, the shackles give it a more rugged look, lol .

 

[Don Campbell]

I worked on the windshield frame parts yesterday. I cut out strips of metal and knotched them and bent them and then drilled them. I like the look of the windshield frame much better now.