Craftsman Trail Rig

I've been meaning to make a new thread for this project for a while but haven't had the time. Here it is in its current state.




I ordered tgis pair of 18×7×8 SunF atv tires on amazon and mounted those on the front.


I moved the front axle 5in forward and used a piece of 1in angle iron to make a new front axle mount and flipped the previous front axle mount around to be the rear one. I also had to extend my drag link. The wheel base is now 52in.

This is gonna bs a fun build. Keep posted everybody.

Ooo, the front axle stretch looks great!! Definitely gives 'er a meaner look. I sorta did the same thing on my GT 6000 when I did the leaf spring front end and I think it looks sorta neat on these tractors. Probably good for stability too.

Looking forward to seeing more updates on this one.

I wish craftsman's were set out that far! That does look nice!

@AllisKidD21 wrote:

Ooo, the front axle stretch looks great!! Definitely gives 'er a meaner look. I sorta did the same thing on my GT 6000 when I did the leaf spring front end and I think it looks sorta neat on these tractors. Probably good for stability too.

Looking forward to seeing more updates on this one.

I saw your thread for your GT6000. I really like your front end setup. I bet having rack and pinion steering is really nice

I have been working on a bumper for the Crafsman and I finally got it done I just need to take it off and paint it. Here are the pics!

This bumper sure gets my approval.  The fab work looks pretty good.  The tow point is a pretty handy item to have welded on there.

@mowerjunkie03 wrote:

I saw your thread for your GT6000. I really like your front end setup. I bet having rack and pinion steering is really nice

Thanks! Yeah the setup works quite well.

Love the new bumper! Looks about right for that rig. Is the space between the grille and the bumper for a winch to go in eventually?

Yes AllisKid eventually I am going to weld a steel plate on there and add a winch. The cable will come through the rectangular part on the front.

Thanks Crazy_Carl.

Looks good. Diggin that k5

@CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Looks good. Diggin that k5

Thanks man. I'm debating starting a thread for it. I don't do a lot of work on it but I'm tryin to get it running. Its my dream truck it just needs a lot of work.

Nice bumper but I would weld that plate in sooner than later, as I've made bumpers with plate to mount it to the frame and if you hit the bumper on a corner it bends those plates very easily. Nice machine , what are the plans for the rear end and tires?

Biggasmowers
I reenforced it with a piece of angle so hopefully that will work for now. To answer your other question I ordered tires a last weekend and they just arived. I will get some pics if them today. For the big reveal.

The tires are here!!
There 25×10×12 Kenda Bearclaws. One of them was a little bit diformed from shipping but it will be fine. I am doing to try to mount them today because if it doesn't happen today I won't have time until next weekend.

Nice!  What kind of trail riding do you mostly plan on doing?

Prabably most muddy trails and riding through the woods but I also am on dirt roads alot.

The Bearclaws are on and I really like them. They have tons of traction? One of the turfs had a tube in it and I couldn't get one of the Bearclaws to catch a bead so I put a tub in it. At some point I'll get another tube for the other tire.

I'll post some more pics later today of the bumper all painted up.

I also put a better seat on it off of my other Craftsman. My other Craftsman is down for the count right now.

nice looking has a good stance now...

The bumper is all painted and on. Im really happy with the way this thing looks. Its still is pretty stock so there is alot more to do. Still needs paint, a utility rack, and hopefully locking trans soon.

That bumper looks Great! Maybe you can make me one too for my red rig! :-)

Great job.

I made a new front pulley today. Its a 6 inch. Also switched to a 5/8 belt. I had to add a second idler pulley and slot the plate to make it adjustable. It slips a little bit in 6th gear but not to bad.

I am also working on beefing up my spindles and tie rod and making better steering bump stops that won't bend. I'll have pictures of that tomorrow.

Nice mower modding skills making your own 6” pulley.

Sweet front bumper!
I will maybe try the pulley idea from you on a future build!

Crazy_Carl I always make my own pulleys if I have the parts. Pulleys and hubs are nost that cheap. This would have cost me $20 if I had bought it.