(2001) Murray Widebody LT - Bowser

Doing a little more going over.  I noticed the steering tower had a lot of play.  Yep... those pesky Murray mounts.  One's wifi now.  I'll fix that when I make some sort of tower bracing.

Upper teardown has started.

I have fixed the bolt down tab that broke with a large washer.  I also realize I forgot a couple bolts through the seat side of the console as well.  Installed those, but need to be sure they do not get into the belt.  I am struggling making a steering console brace.  I know I should do it, but I am good with it right now.

Started on the new exhaust.  I need a muffler it would appear.  Not sure if i have one of those hanging out in the building or not.

Exhaust done.  Still milling over the steering console tower.






I also was able to go back to the original hood hinges.

Today was pretty nice in the mid 50's.  Tomorrow is suppose to be 28-30 for a high.  Yee haw.  I was trying to get what I could done.  If I make the brace, I'll see about mounting my gas tank to it as well.

I finally crawled under the rear to check for any damage to the MST after some rock crawl boulder bounces. Also stuck on one.



First thing I saw was a VERY minor bend in one of the structural fins.



Only other thing I saw was the minor scuffs in the bottom.  I'm guessing the bigger is the one I saw leave a mark on the large stone.



Too bad I can't find one of those caution signs like you see at bridges and other obstacles.  I think it would be great as an undercarriage skid plate.

One of these guys...

Well, I decided my bracing the bolt points are good enough for now.  If it messes up again, later I can add more bracing.  The front is so light and this thing has lots of power.  I think it may be time to load the tires up front.

Those caution signs will rip if it's the thin aluminium ones and the stone is gnarly enough.

On our newer UTVs we sell home made laser cut skidplates as an upgrade to the plastic ones.
Actually had a customer last week that punched a hole straight through the footwell with a stick on a JD xuv550

Our plates are 5mm aluminium and I was thinking about that myself with some flat head Allen bolts in rivnuts
Might give some rigidity too

Well, I loaded the front tires with 4 gallons washer fluid.  It's now about 35lbs heavier in the front.  We'll see if it helps keep the front down a little better.

Starting to plan our next outing for next month weather depending!  This next location will be a lot of sand.

Additional upgrade for Bowser.  Just need a latch to hold it up and done.




Bowser is quickly changing from a agile puddle hopper to a full-fledged ATLT.

High five, very nice!

Only problem now. I need to figure out how to fit it in the back of the pickup.  It measures 67 inches now and the back of the pickup is 64.  I only have a small trailer to use.  I need a bigger one.  They are just so expensive now.  Bad part of having a crew cab pickup, I have the smaller box.

You're a pretty handy guy so I'm sure you could fashion a way to make the ammo box quick release/attach (the quicker, easier way) or fab up your own custom half tailgate (the cooler way. lol). I have faith in you!

LOL, the box actually fits inside the rear tires.  Meaning the rear tires are actually further back than the box.  LOL

Aye... so I put the tractor in the bed of the truck and it is literally 1 inch too long. The ammo box is the issue. I hate doing it, but I guess I need to get a set of lift off hinges (cheaper in the long run) or just abandon the box all together. Poor thing is going to be Swiss cheese before loo long.

Ammo box upgrade is complete!

Left hinge isn't crooked as it looks in the pic. 











Seems to be nice and secure, as well as, removable!

Very nice job and a excellent solution @MightyRaze! Where'd you score those hinges (or did you make them)?

LOL, got them off amazon.  Probably could have found them at the local hardware store, but this saves the gas.

Upgrading the fuel tank from the parts tractor is almost complete. Just need a hood stop and paint on the hood bracket to be complete.











I ended up having to use the taller dash for the fuel tank. This caused me to need a taller hood hinge. I’ll have those pix later when I get back outside. Currently not home.

As promised.  Riser built for the hood.  I drove it tonight and the lights beam out correctly now even.  Anyways, I've checked the take this morning for holes.  Didn't find any.  I put in some GAS and still all good.  Tank upgrade is COMPLETE!!

Bearclaws are back off, and the ocelot holeshot style tires are back on the rear.  The BearClaws will go back to kal. I didn't get any 5lug wheels for them at this time. I just put the mower wheels back on. I do think over time, I'll upgrade it to 10-inch tires. I'll get the 5 lugs then.

Did some checking on Bowser as to why the surging came back.  Checking over the carb and found the welch plug fell out of the side.  Made a temp fix on that.  Also, the 3gall tank split itself so that's out of here. back with the sturdier 1.5 gallon.  Keeping the taller oppy dash installed.  Gives more room for filling the tank.  I realized the bottom of the tank is about 1/4 inch higher than the input on the carb.  Also with the larger tires on the front, give or take another /14 inch higher on flat surface.  To counteract this, I decided on putting a fuel pump on the engine.

Clean execution as always!

I put one of those pumps on the Trailblazer recently for the exact same reason and it's been working flawlessly!

Pro Tip: Add a fuel petcock to the pulse line to dial in the minimum pressure required for your application!

It definately woke up the engine a little bit.  I barely keep any fuel in the tanks when I am not running them.  Use to bog before revving.  Not any more.

Spent the last of my tractor budget on upgrading the rears to 10 inch wheels. Tires not in yet. Keeping with the same style tire.

Now do I want to paint these or leave them orange. I’m really liking the orange at the moment.

I like it.

IIRC, bowser has orange hair.

Rustbucket Garage wrote:

I like it.

IIRC, bowser has orange hair.

Ooooo.... Very good point!  I'll see about getting the front rims painted soon.