-= Li'l Red =-

Murraymountain wrote:

Exactly what I was about to ask! Seems like a good way to add strength without using any scrap metal! But while it's all apart and you can turn the frame any way you want, I'd recommend whipping out the sawzall and doing this:



REALLY helps with space!

LOL did that long time ago...

Just a little cleaner about it.  Cut it with plenty of room but not loose belt guide locations and still give a little more frame integrity.





Like I mentioned last night I was totally overthinking it... I can just set the tower on the frame and sit the hood on that for measuring.  No bigs.  LOL

I know, it's just a lot easier to access something with all that out of the way. I cut way more than most people do.

Looks really good with that wheel and tire setup lol

Got the engine plate welded down, welded a cross brace in the middle.  Upgraded all the pulleys for 5/8 belt.  Started the front end extension.  Repainted hood and lower part of the steering tower.

End of the day image...  Doesn't look like much.

Holy frame extension! I didn’t realize you were bringing it out that far

Optical illusion because the frame is so narrow.  Got to remember the axle is in front of the existing frame in the picture.  Then the hood mount is about another 6 inches forward.  That is going to leave about 8-9 inches left for making a bumper Etc.  Also, I do plan on moving the front axle forward about 4 inches from stock.

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Holy frame extension! I didn’t realize you were bringing it out that far

Exactly my thoughts. When I first saw it I think I said "Whoa" out loud. .

But now that I think about it, I guess you would need that much more to do what you're gonna do.

LOL, as I mentioned, It is just the natural fish-eye some camers's do.

You have an interesting build going on here....excited to see how it turns out. Is the pedal on the right side for throttle or a brake? I have an old hydro pedal I was thinking on using for a brake on my build.

Using it as a throttle.

PS: Installed the carb kit.  Everything went back together except the seat.  Old seat appears to be a press fit where the new one was a screw in.  Also, new seat has a much smaller hole.

Threw some new red paint on the body panels.



Didn't work on the frame any. Although I took this pic for those surprised by the frame extension at this point. I sat the grill on it at it's approximate location. See, not as long as it appeared.

I decided to go ahead with reinstalling the shifter brackets.  In an effort to remove as many self tapping bolts, I have been changing them out with grade 8 bolts with lock washers and nuts.  I didn't want to run the bolts from the top down, as I have to remove this brace should a new 5/8 belt need changed with the 820 in there.  

So...
I mounted the bolt as a stud for the brackets. (Found out the frame was a little bent doing this.  Opportunity for some straightening)




Installed.  I am on the fence changing the transaxle mount self tappers.  They have not been taken out ever and they are pretty stuck in there.  One of the front mounts broke.  As for the corner self tappers behind the rear plate are just there.  Those corners are welded solid.




Someone called to order the 3rd annual 45th Chapter of the Shawnee, OK Toads convention.  Here! Here!  Obvious who is the harder to convince there are bugs by this door.

Man that paint looks good!

I bought about 30 nuts, lock washers and bolts from Lowe's awhile back, gonna be replacing all the MM's.

As for your transaxle mounts, I'd probably just do a quick weld on the backside of the bolts. Nothing much, just enough so that if you ever have to remove the brackets, you can cut the heads off and replace them with the nuts. If they're really in there, I don't think they'd go anywhere. My brothers front end is solid and he beat the crap out of it as you saw.

That is some awesome looking paint. Is that done with rattle cans? I agree on the trans bracket being secure. Especially if the rear plate is still used.

Yep, Rustoleum Cherry.  Rear plate is welded on.  I'll look it over.  Looks to be 6 bolts.  I'll need more bolts if I change them out and I will need some more rods if I weld.  LOL

I think I will keep the stock headlights and find some high output LED bulbs for them like I did with Patriot.  I will also have some Nilights on the future bumper.

There's 6 bolts that hold the 2 plates together, 3 for each transaxle bracket, and I think 6 for the bottom rear plate, but you said you welded one of those on. I'd also replace them 2 bolts that hold you body on in the rear, that is, if you weren't already planning on it.

I didn't change out the decorative back cover (seat mount back plate) tapping bolts, and do not plan on it.   I did change the two out the back with nuts.  As for the back plate with the hitch and connects to the rails, that is welded on to the 2 frame rails. I am considering and probably will change out the 3 on the trans mount on each side.  I had already changed out the ones going through the trans.

Here we go...

Green has been replaced
Blue no longer serves a structural role as that part of frame was welded together.
Yellow, not concerned at this time.
Red, I do plan on changing, but currently afraid the bolts may snap as they have never been backed out.  Don't think I will weld that bracket on, just bolt change.



Man that is a lot of bolts for the back foot of the frame.  I don't even have them all X'd!

All those bolts probably explains a lot of the flex. Should be pretty solid when you’re done

Heh, when I went to buy the bolts for the MM, I was like, "Eh, no big deal, shouldn't need more than 15...", Here I am now with 30, LOL.

I'm gonna bolt the hitch plate on, that way if I need to access the trans I can, but I'm gonna weld my top half to the bottom half so I can eliminate those 6 bolts.

Cool pic. When you think about it, the hardware and bolts on these things actually make up a decent amount of weight when you add it all up. When I was doing the GTR project I looked into titanium bolts to save weight. Until I found out it's like $1.50 for one 1/4" bolt. Very expensive.

Wozers...

Latest update.  You can really tell now that the extension is not really that long. Things may slow down from here. My tractor funds got used on a family emergency. We are ok, but there is some sketchy stuff going on with my wife's niece.      

Very nice...I like that paint and graphics. Hope all goes well with the family issue.

Took me four days. Painting each color. Thanks. Wife's family needs it.

Wow, that looks good! Very eye catching...

I see we went ahead and did the column too eh? I had one with a painted dash once. Is the body mounted now?

Did you replace them transaxle bracket bolts?

Sorry to hear about the family issue, hope it gets all sorted out.

Super nice paint on the hood!