Buyer's Remorse RJ 58

[tractorchick 399]

I bought this unit and as soon as I saw it I knew I'd paid too much.  Now I am struggling with keeping it, knowing I will have to put quite a bit of money into making it all correct.  

One of the rear tires is bad.  The transmission isn't correct.  The hood has been repaired and is riveted near the gas cap, and has dents in the front.  Incorrect engine, seat not right, and it needs the shields.  I am so disappointed.  

I bought it based on photos. The people I bought it from are good people, but they are not Wheel Horse people, so I can only blame myself, not them.  

On a good note, Myron Miller gave me a much better steering wheel because the one on this tractor is bent.  

I have an engine that will work with this, but knowing that I have to replace the transmission......that is what really got me.  

Just ranting.  It's in my garage and I look at it every day and cringe every time. I keep going back and forth on whether to cut it loose, or just accept the fact that I'll just need to accumulate parts over time and hope it's complete someday. 

I'd appreciate some thoughts on this from y'all.  

Thanks--

Kate

 

 

[ML3 1,198]

    Maybe just keep it as is & use/enjoy it?? As time goes by you can accumulate parts if you want to restore it. I bought an RJ & rusty Suburban as a pair back in January. Hood on RJ has been trimmed but I knew that. I'm doing a light restoration on RJ for now to get it up & running. After I get it going I'll start looking for a complete hood & anything else I need. The Suburban is going to be a rat rod theme. 

 

Interested in selling your RJ as it is???

 

[peter lena 8,619]

@tractorchick  think its obviousely a unique piece , have recently sold off some of my extra pieces , went thru the whole , love /  insure it goes to the right person, etc,  feeling .having said that , if you did sell it , would that let you get something else to replace it ? I,M at the stage of not needing more , so its easier , but concern still lingers of any of my past equipment is sitting outside , totally negelcted , something I would not do . understand where you are coming from  , pete

[Pullstart 62,840]

If it were mine, I’d enjoy it and understand that they don’t make ‘em like that anymore   Some people gamble at the casino and walk away with nothing but an empty wallet.  My form of gambling at least assures me something at the end of the day!

[squonk 41,079]

Just curious, what's incorrect about the transmission?

[stevasaurus 22,723]

Well, you could look to put a tube in the rear tire.  Same question as Squonk on the trans.  If it is the #5010 instead of the #5003, you would just need to change the brake side plate to one with the brake mount vertical and redo the linkage.

   I am pretty sure you know Lane Ralph @Lane Ranger , he is not to far from you and he may be able to help with correct parts.   

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,274]

Kate, what do you think about doing a build article in LAGT magazine highlighting how to find the parts for older tractors, contact experts, and get help.  With the resources here on RedSquare, we certainly have you covered on the knowledge front.  Example is Steve knows the transmissions inside and out, can certainly help with that.  I would imagine many of the parts vendors would be happy to help with mention in the article   and I would be willing to help facilitate this on the forum in an exclusive area.  I think this would be an amazing article, good promotion for our members, vendors and experts and of course not bad publicity for RedSquare.

 

 

[case442 130]

Hi Kate,

I understand how you feel. Sometimes knowing too much isn’t all that good. I would certainly own that tractor. It looks great to me. At least you know it was used and taken care of even if it has parts from Johnie Cash’s Cadillac on it Haha.

I would definitely keep it if it were me.

 

take care,

Mike

[oliver2-44 9,742]

1 hour ago, nylyon said:

Kate, what do you think about doing a build article in LAGT magazine highlighting how to find the parts for older tractors, contact experts, and get help.  With the resources here on RedSquare, we certainly have you covered on the knowledge front.  Example is Steve knows the transmissions inside and out, can certainly help with that.  I would imagine many of the parts vendors would be happy to help with mention in the article   and I would be willing to help facilitate this on the forum in an exclusive area.  I think this would be an amazing article, good promotion for our members, vendors and experts and of course not bad publicity for RedSquare.

 

 

This is really an excellent idea.

The tractor has problems from previous owners that are common to so many different brands after 70 years.

Besides your ahead of the game with all that is solid on that tractor.

Part of the fun is researching things like your transmission having the incorrect side plate.

Even things like fixing the hood to eliminate the rivets lends itself to demonstrating a couple of technology's (welding or for the non welder some of the new automotive adhesives)

Steering wheels lend them self to writing about how to fix cracks with epoxy or maybe making a custom wheel.

 

With them being a little less common in Texas we take a couple like this to make one (This is a parts of a 1960 & 61 Suburban)

 

  

 

Now almost ready for reassembly.

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by oliver2-44

[tractorchick 399]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Just curious, what's incorrect about the transmission?

I was told that it's not the correct transmission.  But I guess if it works, then it doesn't matter.  Maybe I am over-thinking this.  

[tractorchick 399]

You have helped me see it in a different light.  Right now I can put the new steering wheel on and install the right engine and enjoy it.  I'm overthinking it and am being hard on myself for what I paid for it.  It will be a nice addition to my 401, Snoopy 854, and 500 Special.  I'll keep you posted.  I need to churn on it  a bit more.  I appreciate all of your responses.  What a great group!

 

[stevasaurus 22,723]

Kate, put a pic of the brake drum and band on here.  If the mount for the band is vertical, it is the right trans.  

Edited August 2, 2023 by stevasaurus

[Lane Ranger 10,968]

3 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Well, you could look to put a tube in the rear tire.  Same question as Squonk on the trans.  If it is the #5010 instead of the #5003, you would just need to change the brake side plate to one with the brake mount vertical and redo the linkage.

   I am pretty sure you know Lane Ralph @Lane Ranger , he is not to far from you and he may be able to help with correct parts.   

 

contemplating this during my quitting time!

 

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Lane Ranger

[stevasaurus 22,723]

Lane, that drink is you Mate.  

[wallfish 16,994]

 There are cast numbers on the top of the trans right near the shifter. Maybe post those to date the trans and the position of the tab like Steve wrote could help us figure out what's going on with it. The pedal linkage was changed push instead of pull so I'm guessing the trans is from a 60/61 suburban. Certainly not the end of world and only collectors would know the difference.

Putting a Kohler K91 or Clinton B1290 engine would certainly make it look better. Repop belt guards and heat shields do show up from time to time.

That one looks better than my 2 RJs

 

 

[Tonytoro416 1,034]

4 hours ago, tractorchick said:

You have helped me see it in a different light.  Right now I can put the new steering wheel on and install the right engine and enjoy it.  I'm overthinking it and am being hard on myself for what I paid for it.  It will be a nice addition to my 401, Snoopy 854, and 500 Special.  I'll keep you posted.  I need to churn on it  a bit more.  I appreciate all of your responses.  What a great group!

 

I have heard it said on here many times but price paid for something doesn’t always mean a whole lot. We have all over paid for things. Enjoy this little tractor and think of the story it could tell on how it got to be the way it is.     This tractor was completely incorrect and had been through a fire.  Literally wrong engine, frame , hood stand etc.  now look at it.  Like it should be.  Most wouldn’t have bothered.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 

[Achto 27,569]

6 hours ago, tractorchick said:

I was told that it's not the correct transmission.  But I guess if it works, then it doesn't matter.  Maybe I am over-thinking this.

 

The early transmissions had courser mushroom & differential gears in them than the newer ones did. If it has a newer Suburban tranny, maybe it is new enough to have the updated gears. This would be a good thing in my book. 

Heck, I'm younger than that tractor is and I don't even have all my original parts. Personally I would keep it & enjoy it. 

Edited August 3, 2023 by Achto

[Retired Wrencher 5,451]

16 hours ago, nylyon said:

Kate, what do you think about doing a build article in LAGT magazine highlighting how to find the parts for older tractors, contact experts, and get help.  With the resources here on RedSquare, we certainly have you covered on the knowledge front.  Example is Steve knows the transmissions inside and out, can certainly help with that.  I would imagine many of the parts vendors would be happy to help with mention in the article   and I would be willing to help facilitate this on the forum in an exclusive area.  I think this would be an amazing article, good promotion for our members, vendors and experts and of course not bad publicity for RedSquare.

 

 

Great post Karl. I hope Kate will do this for people who are not sure to buy or pass on these tractors. Always good to have more info on hand.

[Retired Wrencher 5,451]

14 hours ago, tractorchick said:

You have helped me see it in a different light.  Right now I can put the new steering wheel on and install the right engine and enjoy it.  I'm overthinking it and am being hard on myself for what I paid for it.  It will be a nice addition to my 401, Snoopy 854, and 500 Special.  I'll keep you posted.  I need to churn on it  a bit more.  I appreciate all of your responses.  What a great group!

 

And thank you for all you do for this great hobby we have.

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

17 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

This is really an excellent idea.

The tractor has problems from previous owners that are common to so many different brands after 70 years.

Besides your ahead of the game with all that is solid on that tractor.

Part of the fun is researching things like your transmission having the incorrect side plate.

Even things like fixing the hood to eliminate the rivets lends itself to demonstrating a couple of technology's (welding or for the non welder some of the new automotive adhesives)

Steering wheels lend them self to writing about how to fix cracks with epoxy or maybe making a custom wheel.

 

With them being a little less common in Texas we take a couple like this to make one (This is a parts of a 1960 & 61 Suburban)

 

  

 

Now almost ready for reassembly.

 

@oliver2-44,

Whatever happened to that , I think it was a 953 with the oil bath air cleaner, that I put on a pallet and shipped to you from NC ?

[tractorchick 399]

16 hours ago, wallfish said:

 There are cast numbers on the top of the trans right near the shifter. Maybe post those to date the trans and the position of the tab like Steve wrote could help us figure out what's going on with it. The pedal linkage was changed push instead of pull so I'm guessing the trans is from a 60/61 suburban. Certainly not the end of world and only collectors would know the difference.

Putting a Kohler K91 or Clinton B1290 engine would certainly make it look better. Repop belt guards and heat shields do show up from time to time.

That one looks better than my 2 RJs

 

 

I'll get some better photos this weekend when I can roll her out.  Joe Papke told me he has some repop shields so I am going to get what I can from him.  IDK if he is on here, but he is a WH collector in northern IN.  I've got both engines, not sure which will be the cleaner of the two and the beans are blocking the entrance, so I'll take a look after harvest.  

[tractorchick 399]

2 hours ago, Horse Newbie said:

@oliver2-44,

Whatever happened to that , I think it was a 953 with the oil bath air cleaner, that I put on a pallet and shipped to you from NC ?

WOW!!!!!! That's amazing!!!!!

[tractorchick 399]

4 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

And thank you for all you do for this great hobby we have.

I enjoy it so much!  

[tractorchick 399]

18 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Kate, put a pic of the brake drum and band on here.  If the mount for the band is vertical, it is the right trans.  

Will do!  It's raining here today, but I'll roll her out this weekend and get some pics!

[tractorchick 399]

21 hours ago, nylyon said:

Kate, what do you think about doing a build article in LAGT magazine highlighting how to find the parts for older tractors, contact experts, and get help.  With the resources here on RedSquare, we certainly have you covered on the knowledge front.  Example is Steve knows the transmissions inside and out, can certainly help with that.  I would imagine many of the parts vendors would be happy to help with mention in the article   and I would be willing to help facilitate this on the forum in an exclusive area.  I think this would be an amazing article, good promotion for our members, vendors and experts and of course not bad publicity for RedSquare.

 

 

Yes, I will do that.  Might take me a while but I'll document everything and keep it on this thread.  Thanks so much!