Lawn Tractor Mini Jeep Project

[AldeanFan]

Started a new project to keep my mind occupied.

I go to a few drag racing events each summer and could use a vehicle to drive around the pits, and occasionally push/pull one of the racecars.

I paid $35 for this lawn tractor at an auction about 6 years ago. It’s neat but I don’t have enough of the parts to do a restoration, so it’s going to be the basis for my project.

This is a super low buck, slow project with no real expectations.

I’ve seen a few lawn tractor Jeeps online that look way out of proportion so I had to start by mocking up the general shape out of cardboard and duct tape.

I think it’s going to work.
Looking for a more powerful engine but this will do for mocking up.





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[Kevkx125]

Hey Aldeanfan the project looks good. Nice job on making your template's out of cardboard. Good luck and have fun.

 

[XJSuperman]

Can you tell us what your starting platform is? Looks like a John Deere 70 or 100 maybe?

 

[ndnchf]

Looks like a fun project. I've got one, but just a little bigger.

 

[harley jim]

I have wanted to do this for a while. I'm going to watch this
I have a little bigger one for a model

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[NUTTSGT]

This is going to be an awesome little project.

:beer?

 

[richeyc2000]

Great CAD work so far. I’m a fan of the cardboard aided design. [emoji1303]
Can wait to watch this develop.
Good luck with the project.

 

[AldeanFan]

Hey Aldeanfan the project looks good. Nice job on making your template's out of cardboard. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks,
It started as a box and I cut away whatever wasn’t Jeep!


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[AldeanFan]

Can you tell us what your starting platform is? Looks like a John Deere 70 or 100 maybe?

John Deere 60,
I’m sure some tractor fans will hate to see this cut up, but it was already apart when I got it and missing a lot so way beyond restoration.


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[AldeanFan]

Looks like a fun project. I've got one, but just a little bigger.

Very nice! I’ll be looking at your pic for inspiration


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[AldeanFan]

I have wanted to do this for a while. I'm going to watch this
I have a little bigger one for a model

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Whenever I see that era Jeep I look to see if Daisy Duke is about to climb down


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[AldeanFan]

This is going to be an awesome little project.

:beer?

Lots of beer will be consumed in and around this project


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[AldeanFan]

Great CAD work so far. I’m a fan of the cardboard aided design. [emoji1303]
Can wait to watch this develop.
Good luck with the project.

I’m becoming a CAD expert on this one


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[XJSuperman]

John Deere 60,
I’m sure some tractor fans will hate to see this cut up, but it was already apart when I got it and missing a lot so way beyond restoration.

Thanks! Yeah, it hurts a little, but some are beyond restoring. Thats the nature of machines though. A 60 should be an excellent starting point for a mini Jeep. I want to build a mini dozer someday and a 60 or 70 wouldn't be bad for that either.

Is there something specific you want to replicate or just shooting for Jeep in general?

 

[jd_1138]

Wow that is going to be awesome. I can't wait to see more pics of the progress. I'd probably paint it olive drab and put MASH 4077 on it, or maybe make a modern Jeep out of it. Remember the "Levi's" edition that had denim interior? Maybe cover the seat in denim and then put the Levi logo on the side.

 

[AldeanFan]

Thanks! Yeah, it hurts a little, but some are beyond restoring. Thats the nature of machines though. A 60 should be an excellent starting point for a mini Jeep. I want to build a mini dozer someday and a 60 or 70 wouldn't be bad for that either.

Is there something specific you want to replicate or just shooting for Jeep in general?

Plan is for it to obviously be a Jeep, but not a perfect replica. Kids will point and say “look at the cool little Jeep”.

I have a good friend in the Canadian military who sent me pics of Canadian WWII era Jeeps so it will mostly resemble them but not focused on authenticity at all.


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[AldeanFan]

Wow that is going to be awesome. I can't wait to see more pics of the progress. I'd probably paint it olive drab and put MASH 4077 on it, or maybe make a modern Jeep out of it. Remember the "Levi's" edition that had denim interior? Maybe cover the seat in denim and then put the Levi logo on the side.

I appreciate the enthusiasm but I doubt it will be that epic!
I’ll be happy with a plywood bench seat that moves under its own power


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[AldeanFan]

Forgot to post a pic of the grill and bumper



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[rattle_snake]

Nice project, like the bumper supports.

At least you don't have to do the typical Jeep rust repair.

 

[harley jim]

Whenever I see that era Jeep I look to see if Daisy Duke is about to climb down


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It is Daisy yellow[emoji106]
Have you looked at them on pintrest they have a bunch, enter lawnmower jeep

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[AldeanFan]

Finally did some work on the Jeep last night



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[Kevkx125]

Mock up looks like it is coming along nicely!!

 

[AldeanFan]

It’s too tall, especially in the front.
I need to get the engine mounted so I can determine the final hood height and then adjust everything from there.



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[ndnchf]

If you model it on a CJ3B, the higher hood is correct. Just an option if you need it.

 

[AldeanFan]

If you model it on a CJ3B, the higher hood is correct. Just an option if you need it.

This is good advice. I spent some time looking g at pics.

I still need to lower the whole thing.
The fender is too high above the wheel.

The problem is the small front wheels throw everything out of proportion.
I looked at putting larger wheels on but I’d have to lower the suspension which isn’t really possible.


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[ndnchf]

Could you get taller tires to fit those rims?

 

[AldeanFan]

Could you get taller tires to fit those rims?

That’s a possibility however larger tires would also raise the front ride height.
I’m happy with the back end as it is and don’t have room for bigger tires on the back, so that’s another can of worms.


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[harley jim]

Alden fan
It's looking good.
I agree the fender is too high.
If you were closer we could heat and drop the front axle then the larger tire would work out for you.
Keep going it will work itself out.
I always go into these projects with more Idea than plan and it works, I am building a 1958 ferguson hood to fit my Deere lawn mower the old one split in half.

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[Mr.N]

go 7 or 9 slots in the grill

Unless you like the postal jeep look





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[AldeanFan]

Last night I figured out what I need to do to fit the engine and mount it, one of the mounts needs to be cut off and extend.

I also found some 15” tires on sale, stock size is 13. I’m going to flip it over and look at lowering the suspension, but I think that would just mess up the steering.


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[AldeanFan]

Just looked at it again,
It would not be difficult to cut the straight axle and move the ends up to lower the front end,
I’ll play with it a little more on Sunday while it’s supposed to be raining.


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[harley jim]

Can you post a couple of pics of the axle. And the mounting point.
Thanks, Jim

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[AldeanFan]

Here’s the front end,
The axle is basically a curved piece of flat bar with a pivot in the centre.

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[harley jim]

AF.
I think you are on the right track with cutting and moving the spindles up.

Your project is moving along nicely, I have always wanted to do the same thing to a mower.

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[AldeanFan]

Finally got this thing running.
The engine was from a lawnmower a guy at work gave me because the base rotted away.
After taking the carb apart and cleaning it 5 times it still wouldn’t idle. An replacement carburetor was $26 on Amazon and that solves the problem.
She runs great!

Next is to swap on the tires I found at Princess Auto on sale and get back to the body.


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[slowtwitch73]

Cool. My son was showing these guys on youtube who make these crazy little go car like mash ups.. motorcycle engines and ****** in a Barbie power ride...

 

[harley jim]

I'm glad to see you are back at it

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[AldeanFan]

First test drive with the new engine was exciting and a complete fail.

The drive belt was on backwards and not tightened enough so I had 3 reverse gears and one forward, and on anything less than perfectly flat the belt would slip.

The engine is off a lawnmower so the run cable was temporarily removed and held in the run position with a zip tie. I’ll wire in a deadman switch when I have a seat.

I made it half way across the front lawn before I got stuck with the belt slipping. I was rocking my body back and fourth to get it moving again when the steering wheel came off and I hit myself in the forehead with it. A previous owner had stripped the thread for the steering wheel nut. Of course I couldn’t shut the engine off because of the zip tie so I staggered back to the garage, still seeing stars from hitting myself in the head, to get something to cut the zip tie with.


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[MileHighRover]

Dang that had me laughing out loud!




I promise I'm not laughing at you.

 

[rsanter]

Looking good.
Now I want one of those