John Deere Flyer Project

[leftyz]

John Deere Radio Flyer Project

I was inspired by scbird94's thread about his Radio Flyer projects for his kids, http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47731

I recently had my first child, a boy, and I couldn't wait to start a project like this for him! So I basically decided to rip off his idea, asked him a ton of questions, and asked a few questions on here for help too. I have been working on it as my spare time allows for the past 3+ months.

I'm not done yet, but I really just can't wait another day to post up a thread!

Here it is the day I got it home, I had already started dis-assembly, I was too excited to take a proper before picture!

Started stripping it..

Primer!

More coming...

 

[leftyz]

At this point, I really didn't know what to do next, I knew I wanted some bigger wheels, but I didn't know how to get them on the axles, how to make them fit, etc. I ended up getting a lot of help at this point, went to Northern Tool, and spent a bunch of money

15" pneumatic tires, some 3/4" rod for axles and electrical conduit for "lift", some other metal pieces for sturdiness...

Here are the new tires & wheels, compared to the originals...

I couldn't wait to put some paint down. I think you will start to get the whole paint scheme if you haven't got it yet

I mocked up the front axle assembly to see how it all fit together...

At this point I had decided I wanted to build a frame, I cut some pieces of flat stock and angle iron into a pretty decent arrangement IMHO. Here I asked some questions: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76115 (more detailed pics here)

Got it all welded up by my father-in-law

and painted...

 

[leftyz]

I needed more help to get the axles on correctly, I needed to increase the diameter of the stock axle from .5" to .75", and also increase the length.

Here's a thread where I asked for help on this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77291

Painting has really started now!

Painting the "lift kit"

Used a 1" long 3/4" ID spacer here, I had to grind it down quite a bit to make it fit though!

I got in contact with scbird94's "decal guy" and he was able to send me the negative image stickers I needed to pain the radio flyer logo back on, this worked pretty awesomely! Even though I am a complete noob to painting, I think it came out pretty well!

Masked it off...

Paint...

and Presto!

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Slap a Green bay packer decal on there, and you got yourself an awesome flyer!!!! Just kidding, nice job.

 

[leftyz]

Final Assembly has begun!

Forgot to post this one before, test fitting the frame!

Everything is painted, starting to bolt it together..

And this is how it sits right now..

I need to trim the bolts holding it all together, and the square bits at the top of the bolt won't pull into the frame so I may need to wallow out the holes a bit more, but it is so close to being done, I can't wait till it rolls out of the shed for the first time!

 

[leftyz]

Slap a Green bay packer decal on there, and you got yourself an awesome flyer!!!! Just kidding, nice job.

haha, no no.. Tampa Bay fan here We have a John Deere license plate for it already, it's really going to set it off I think!

Thanks

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Sorry for throwing my comment in the middle of it. I think you can edit that though.

 

[Wingnut65]

Great work! Can't wait to see it finished and in use. And, yes, it can carry a baby carrier through a mall.

That is the greatest use for the political flyers I have seen in a long time. (Since they are glossy, they don't work well in a bird cage...)

Go Bucs!

 

[leftyz]

Great work! Can't wait to see it finished and in use. And, yes, it can carry a baby carrier through a mall.

Hopefully his carrier will fit in it with the wooden sides on it, we were planning on putting him in it in his Bumbo seat for a churh halloween party but I'm a little worried that he will stand up and fall out

That is the greatest use for the political flyers I have seen in a long time. (Since they are glossy, they don't work well in a bird cage...)

Go Bucs!

Haha I was hoping someone would catch that, they worked perfectly for masking off the painting area, that's about all they are good for...

 

[Rockford514]

KILLER man

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

pretty sweet.

 

[scbird94]

What about putting the deere from the jd logo in the center of the radio flyer graphic- that would be a subtle, badass add on.

Looks awesome man, jealous of your frame. I am going to be re-doing mine now. Thanks ****.

 

[leftyz]

What about putting the deere from the jd logo in the center of the radio flyer graphic- that would be a subtle, badass add on.

Looks awesome man, jealous of your frame. I am going to be re-doing mine now. Thanks ****.

I was going to, but then I realized that the wooden side pieces will cover up between the radio and flyer, that is why I masked it off.

I'm going to hang the JD plate off the back, and think about what else I can do to it to make it a little more "John Deere"

Oh, and you're welcome! :-D

 

[eborcim]

...what else I can do to it to make it a little more "John Deere"

Add a JD Badge to the front.

 

[type11966]

Wow....Good work!

 

[Licensed to kill]

Add a JD Badge to the front.

Or go with a JD sticker on the curvature of each front corner. Landing has a more 'retro' feel to it and would look more appropriate than leaping IMO.

 

[scbird94]

One thing i noticed is the kids slip around a bit- always wanted a nice seat on it, i bet a bright yellow jd tractor seat mounted would be pretty cool

 

[scbird94]

I need to trim the bolts holding it all together, and the square bits at the top of the bolt won't pull into the frame so I may need to wallow out the holes a bit more, but it is so close to being done, I can't wait till it rolls out of the shed for the first time!

I drilled a 1/4 hole in a 2x4 and set the wagon on top of it, then inserted bolt into it, then hit it with a hammer- leaves a square hole in the sheet metal, and works nice to hold bolt still while you are tightening it up.

If you can find a square punch, this would work even better.

 

[gordsgarage]

Looks fantastic! Can't wait to see the finished pics.

Gord

 

[green.bubbly]

That thing will corner like a bus. lol


Great work and yes, I can not wait for a fully assembled pic of jacked up Radio Flyer!



Only thing I would suggest is to let the air out of the tires and give the inside rim lip area a coat of yellow.

 

[leftyz]

I drilled a 1/4 hole in a 2x4 and set the wagon on top of it, then inserted bolt into it, then hit it with a hammer- leaves a square hole in the sheet metal, and works nice to hold bolt still while you are tightening it up.

If you can find a square punch, this would work even better.

The problem is the frame, its 3/8 inch steel directly under the wagon body, it's ok though the bolt heads are only about 1/8 from flush now.

That thing will corner like a bus. lol


Great work and yes, I can not wait for a fully assembled pic of jacked up Radio Flyer!



Only thing I would suggest is to let the air out of the tires and give the inside rim lip area a coat of yellow.

Ah, I knew there had to be an easier way to do that, thanks for the tip

Looks fantastic! Can't wait to see the finished pics.

Gord

Thanks, well here ya go

I raced home after work to try to get it all done, I pulled each bolt out one by one and trimmed to length with my sawzall, got the front tires mounted and got called inside for daddy duty..

Once the little guy was asleep, it was back outside to the wagon...

Cant forget the wooden sides!

Drumroll.......

Ta-daaaaa

I think he likes it

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you all like is as much as I do. It was a bit more work than I anticipated but it was a lot of fun and very rewarding, I can't wait to see him use it and abuse it, lol

 

[JC23]

Watch out, now! The little guy will want to sleep in his new ride.

Nice work!

 

[leftyz]

Took it out to a church Halloween function last night with my 6 month old son riding in it (dressed as a cowboy / farmer), at least 6 or 7 people ran up to me to ask me where I got it. It felt pretty good to say "I made it myself"

 

[eyeboltman]

John Deere lawyers calling!!! Great job. eyeboltman

 

[Matt M PA]

Really nice job! Looks like the operator agrees!

 

[drmoonshine]

Hahaha that is great! Well Done sir.

 

[eborcim]

How much $$ are you into it? Enough to make a few and sell them? They would not have to be JD either.

 

[leftyz]

I didn't keep accurate records but I estimate I have from $300-400 invested. Some of that includes some tools I "had to buy", so I could make it again for less.

The wheels and tires alone are $160 at Northern Tool...

I have considered making them and selling them, I'm not sure if people would be willing to pay $400 for one though. Also, I'm really not too good at the painting, that's why you don't see any close-ups of the paint, haha

 

[4StarCstms]

I have considered making them and selling them, I'm not sure if people would be willing to pay $400 for one though. Also, I'm really not too good at the painting, that's why you don't see any close-ups of the paint, haha

One of my buds up In N Ky tried making and selling them, didnt work out to well. A lot of people like em, want em, but when it comes to forkin over the green backs... the number drops drastically

I think your project came out great!

 

[eborcim]

I didn't keep accurate records but I estimate I have from $300-400 invested. Some of that includes some tools I "had to buy", so I could make it again for less.

The wheels and tires alone are $160 at Northern Tool...

I have considered making them and selling them, I'm not sure if people would be willing to pay $400 for one though. Also, I'm really not too good at the painting, that's why you don't see any close-ups of the paint, haha

Your paint is as good as the factory jobs!

But its for your kid and you that's what matters His face is priceless. I agree that most would not spend retail $$ on a nice wagon like that.

Check out Surplus Center for wheels on the next project...https://www.surpluscenter.com/wheels.asp

 

[leftyz]

Thanks for the link, I don't see the exact same size as I got but who says I have to use the same size, right?

These are the tires & wheels I bought. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200331412_200331412

Also, here is a pic from last night's festivities, still waiting on more pics from friends..

 

[leftyz]

A couple more pics:

 

[leftyz]

I got a PM from another member here asking about the decals, I was able to find a vector image of the Radio Flyer logo, it may help someone else out in the future.

Here is a link: http://newagekllrz.com/media/misc/Radio_Flyer__19504.eps

 

[padronanniversary]

That is awesome !

 

[Okie Pete]

Very nice.

 

[Farma11]

Very nice.. It turned out very well. Deere makes

a yellow center cap that pushes over the axle caps (for riding mower front wheels). You would have to change the pin to a cotter key.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Very nice Mr. Leftyz! I really do like that. I work for JD and love to see folks rally behind our brand. He's a lucky boy, and will cherish that for years.

FYI, here is what we are offering. I think they are selling for @ $130.00. Part # TBEK34637 . It's not nearly as bodacious as your version, however!

Again, awesome job!

 

[Greatbear]

That is pure awesome. Looks like it means business, especially compared to the "official" version. With the heavy framework, it will last a long time. May yer lil'un cherish it for years.

 

[green.bubbly]

Man, I can not wait until I have grandkids. That is a great looking wagon.

 

[scbird94]

AWESOME!!! I was not a big fan of the wooden sides but they fit your theme to a T and look awesome.

You will love taking that thing to car shows, and the county fair. When we take ours out in public its impossible to walk five feet without someone making a comment or gawking at them. Wagons like yours cannot be bought at wal-mart, therefore 99% of american parents simply gaze in amazement....

Men, naturally, love the attention. (same as muscle cars, i suppose). My wife on the other hand, HATES when we bust out the wagons to go somewhere.