MR-LT1K Refresh

Time to give my old reliable some much needed love and refreshing.



I got this 2006 LT1000 new.  I remember pushing it out the door at Sears in OKC and onto the trailer to haul it home.  It's been through a LOT of abuse.  I purchased it in another "lifetime", (first marriage, not fun time).  I beat the devil out of this little tractor and it never gave up on me.  I mowed overgrown fields, small trees, ran over little bit bigger trees.  Dealt with a stepson that bent the fool out of the tie rod over 10 years ago.  

Current lifetime, I mowed with it on a hill sideways more than I should, (smokes a little now on startup).  I put on a 3pt at one time and was actually PLOWING a small garden with it at one time and grading a driveway. (I know, LT not meant for ground engaging). Today, it still holds up fine. As you can tell I eventually painted it blue.




Things I would like to do in the refresh!

1. Repaint again, maybe a retro (Sears Custom, orange/white) scheme?
   
2. Redo the tie rod, change over to rod and heims.
   
3. Recondition mower deck for 3rd time in it's life.
   
4. Weld any cracks in the frame.  It seems to be a little twisty these days. Maybe just the corners.
   
5. New rear tires.  Something with a bit more meat.
   
6. Find my front wheel dust caps and reinstall.
   
7. Replace bearings where needed
   
8. Maybe clean and repack my transaxle.  (Spicer)
   
9. Fix the seat or change to a better one.
   

Things recently done, 

belts
newer front tires

Couple surface things that will need some attention.




Need to fix this ever growing crack.  I had it fixed for a few years, but it came back.

I also would like to take care of a couple holes in the nose where I had a nilight bar installed.

Best thing you can do to fix those cracks is drill a hole at the end and then weld it. It worked for Mutt's fenders.

Yeah this will be the 2nd or 3rd time to do it.  I've done the drill a hole thing.  It does help a lot, but having extra lbs. of weight does not help when you push off that side of the fender.  May be thinking of some kind of brace under the fenders maybe?

Some update pix.  Did a little painting and also checked my valves.  They were still in spec from the last check 2 years ago.  Also changed the oil while I was messing with the engine.  Just waiting for my tune-up kit to come in the mail this next week for the air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug.  Tomorrow I will look into taking off the mower deck and cleaning it up.

Mutt has a plate someone with access to a sheet metal brake bent up and welded to the underside of the fender. When i switched fenders I cut the plate off of the old green ones and welded it on the underside of the red ones. It's a lot sturdier than without the reinforcement for sure.

Got the nose better, not great.  It works... good enough!

The crack on the fender, after fixing it by welding, you can put Sheetmetal under it and weld it in for strength.

Yeah.  I hate welding on this thin metal.

Few new updates.

Frame all washed up as well as the mower deck...



Poor sad deck... metal is in good shape, no rust holes, but that deflector has seen better days.



I don't think I have seen my engine this clean since I bought it.  Look at that yellow dipstick! So clean!



Put the hood back together and installed.



Also greased spindles, wheels and reinstalled the dust caps I re-found!  LOL.

Oooo nice Tennessee colors! My papaw put peices of flat bar under the rear fenders on my sears so he could lean on the fenders on a steep hill and not break them off.

Pay no attention to the beer keg. Lol but heres kinda an idea if you want to keep them from cracking. My papaw just bolted the flat bar to the bottom and twisted them a little to take the flex out of it but I'm sure you could make it alot prettier.

HAHA... Tennessee colors...  Actually I was going more for the 69 Sears Suburban 12 colors.

I have a couple flat pieces I am looking into maybe getting in there.  One under the springs across to the fenders, and maybe a plate under where the seat mounts.  We'll see.

Rear fenders are painted, waiting for them to not be sticky so I can set them out in the sun to bake.  Hopefully no 'naders today.

Updates and thoughts..

New tires..



Under fender brace for seat.  Just needs holes and painted.



  Extra image to see how it is all coming together.

1. Repaint again, maybe a retro (69 Sears 12, orange/white) scheme? -inwork
   
2. Redo the tie rod, change over to rod and heims. -need supplies
   
3. Recondition mower deck for 3rd time in it's life. -waiting
   
4. Weld any cracks in the frame.  It seems to be a little twisty these days. Maybe just the corners. -after 14 years, the bolts were loose.  LOL
   
5. New rear tires.  Something with a bit more meat.-need mounted, wheels painted white.
   
6. Find my front wheel dust caps and reinstall. -Done
   
7. Replace bearings where needed -all bearings fine, greased those needing greased.
   
8. Maybe clean and repack my transaxle.  (Spicer) -decided to leave it alone. Not having issues.
   
9. Fix the seat or change to a better one. -seat mount busted, welded, needs reinforced.  2nd image above.
   

OH...

Other things done, 

• polished front light lens
  
• will be changing out rear lights to the LED buttons.
  
• tune-up kit comes today.
  

Don't forget the dull 70s color pinstripe around the edge of everything!

Those tires look good. Anything is better than turfs.

Progress to date...

1. Repaint again, maybe a retro (69 Sears 12, orange/white) scheme?  -Done
   
2. Redo the tie rod, change over to rod and heims. -need supplies
   
3. Recondition mower deck for 3rd time in it's life. -done
   
4. Weld any cracks in the frame.  It seems to be a little twisty these days. Maybe just the corners. -no welding needed.
   
5. New rear tires.  Something with a bit more meat. -done
   
6. Find my front wheel dust caps and reinstall. -Done
   
7. Replace bearings where needed -all bearings fine, greased those needing greased.
   
8. Maybe clean and repack my transaxle.  (Spicer) -decided to leave it alone. Not having issues.
   
9. Fix the seat or change to a better one. -fixed
   

I did one other update... added a grease zerk to the spacer on the rear axle to keep it from squeaking so much.

Looks neat mighty. Did you paint the deck to match?

I really wanted to paint the deck the same almond color as the hood and foot rests, but right now I went ahead and touched it up with the satin black for now.  I may still repaint in the future.

Looks really good! Do you used an enamel or a lacquer paint? Looks like a lacquer but I'm not good at telling the deference unless its on car. I think rustoleum is supposed to be lacquer based which is probably why it runs easier than an enamel but holds up better. Just wondering?

I think it was enamel.

It looks good flows like glass. You could paint cars for a living.

True story... I use to rattle can my pickup in high school. It's still currently rattle can'd. Lol

Nice rear tires. I ordered me a set of 4 of those, You're probably why my 4 are on backorder, LOL.

MightyRaze wrote:

True story... I use to rattle can my pickup in high school.  It's still currently rattle can'd. Lol

This is ver 2.0 of my old truck, this one is originally white.  LOL

prancstaman wrote:

Nice rear tires. I ordered me a set of 4 of those, You're probably why my 4 are on backorder, LOL.

Got mine off Ebay, got here in like 3 days.  Super soft rubber.

Decided to keep the tie rod for now.  It's good enough for mowing, and straight enough for turning true.

I did score a steal on ebay.  Got me a brush guard for $30.  Normally around $120.  Last one.

Nice truck! Thats one clean square body. 75 or 76? I like the bumper guards.....people around here think they're ugly and throw them away so finding them is hard....idk why I think they look good.

[GM engineering room in the 70s]

"Here, i made some guards to guard your bumper that guards your grille that guards your radiator"

The bumper you got on your craftsman is interesting, definitely newer haha. is some of it plastic or is that just how its painted?