The B-1 bomber is alive!

First post here since my intro! I have a Wheel Horse addiction and a lot of old parts. Dragged a stripped B-100 chassis out, raided the parts stash for the rest, got it drivable and even did some woods testing over the weekend. Did great for a bunch of old junk parts.
14hp kohler K, 1 1/8 8 pinion 8 speed locked, 8/5 pulley ratio. Still plan to do brush guards and a set of 26/19 ATV tires, heavy tie rods, luggage rack, add a second hub set screw, etc... maybe a winch?
What do you guys do for a charging system that will keep up with a winch, bright LED light bars, etc....?
Anything else you guys suggest to do for a bomb proof offroad/crawler/trail bomb?

does the 8spd have breaks on the rear end

Yes sir.
Well, it will once I get them on it and make some linkage lol.

Looking good! Did you lock the rear end?

As for a charging system, it's hard to go wrong with an old GM 10si alternator

on my tractor I made an hand brake with the old deck lever and i like for going down steep hill. By the way I like the exhaust

Looking good! Not sure there is a bomb proof setup, but it looks to be a good start.  Most do well with the engine's charging system if it is still good.  Like @RichieRichOverdrive mentioned.  A gm alternator does well.

One question.  How close is your knee to the exhaust pipe?

Still learning the forum, think I just 'thanked' all of you haha.
I like the GM alternator idea and can easily handle fabbing up some brackets.
Northwest- love the hand brake idea and was thinking about doing that and making the brake pedal a throttle pedal in addition to the hand throttle, for a boost when needed. How do you like yours set up like that?
Mightyraze- plenty of clearance between my leg and exhaust- I'm a sawed off little guy at 5'7" haha

Looks like a nice ol' Wheelie there! I love that you put a K Series in it instead of a modern engine, nice to see someone keeping the old iron.

Great job so far!

Thanks Allis! Love them big flathead thumpers, plenty of grunt for this kind of stuff.
My main work/plow dog machine has a hopped up K321- cut down chevy LS intake valve, ported, relieved, custom grind cam, 9.3:1, 4000rpm. Not sure how much power it makes but it'll pull a house off the foundation haha.
Sure do like the sound of a v twin though. Hard to stay away from that thought.

That K321 sounds awesome! Don't be afraid to make a thread on that build if you haven't already, I'd love to see it!

Shweet! Cant beat an old horse!

i've been a long time fan of Wheel Horse. First tractor i ever modified when i was around 14 or 15. had a lot of great times with it. however that was almost 40 years ago, lol. looks like you have a good start can't wait to see it progress !

Update:  Threw some 19x7/26x9 tires on, fabbed up a dual throttle, and used member Northwest Ohio's idea and made linkage to run the brake off the deck lift arm- works awesome!
Still plan to put some small LED lights on it, a rear rack and front push bar, as well as some D rings and cargo net on the hood for carrying whatever.
Im seriously impressed how capable this thing is, whatta blast!

Glad I could help!

RichieRichOverdrive wrote:

Looking good! Did you lock the rear end?

As for a charging system, it's hard to go wrong with an old GM 10si alternator

Yes sir. Just flipped the pinions, hopefully that will last.

I mentioned this to one of our members  @Crazy_Carl  .. but an LED light bar looks good in the top slot in the hood.

“Ol’ Red” 1979 Wheel Horse C-81 (atltf.com)

@MightyRaze I'm quite familiar with @Crazy_Carl s ride from the youtube vids haha. That light bar does look good, and thats a clean machine!

Sexy Tractor for sure

Destructive wrote:

Sexy Tractor for sure

Hey, ya made it over here!

Gotta remember to keep this thread updated. The B-1 has been great aside from some goofy, random ignition issues, which I solved by replacing everything.
Got its first ride in a few weeks back with fellow member @Destructive and a few others, not sure if they're on here or not.
Fabbed up a front bumper and filled with concrete to help with some front end weight, and picked up a free 5000lb winch from one of my guys at work, that'll be going on next, as well as a toolbox and a second fuel tank.
Also snagged a 18hp Briggs oppy twin- stay tuned for that- its getting a quick re-ring and some light internal mods.

AAh, and a single strip LED in the original spot like @Crazy_Carl
Puny little 18 watts is way more than enough for night rips!

Very nice.  Very good pix too!

Geez, haven't updated here in a month and a half.
The B-1 got a rear bumper/ammo can rack, front end snubbers, a new gas pedal setup, and after a freak broken reduction gear in the trans last week, its back up and running.
Getting a little more ballsy and working on my hill climbing game, thats where I lack the most.
@Destructive @creepycrawler @redzz02 Cleetus, Bare, Chris- not sure if those last fellas are here, have all been a huge help along the way-  THANKS!

Man I love this thing, can’t wait to see it in person soon!!