KC9KAS 4,741 #1 Posted June 6, 2010 Maybe this post should be elsewhere, but EVERYONE looks at this one... Are there any publications on the market that specialize on garden tractor restorations? I would like to read up on what others do/have done, and get a really good feel for a restoration project before I just start tearing one of my WH's apart! I read RS everyday, and sometimes more than once a day how other projects have progressed, but I want to do more ground work before starting. Thanks fellow RS/WH friends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,566 #2 Posted June 6, 2010 Interesting idea. I would love to see a day 1 tally on the total cost of a typical restoration. Ok, start with your $100 treasure and add in ALL associated costs to get it back to like new. Gas, tolls, etc to pick it up. Sandpaper , new bolts, wiring, paint, new gauges and repair parts, all that good stuff. Would probably scare a few folks away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,017 #3 Posted June 6, 2010 Don't forget the " fun" part. For example, I just picked up this old GT-14 a couple a weeks ago. Came with a snow blade chains and weights. No deck and PTO clutch is shot. It also came with a bad paint job but it runs great. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it or sell it an look for something nicer. Anyway it had a straight pipe on it with a rain cap and it was loud. I like exhaust stacks with rain caps so I went to TSC and bought a $25 IH cub muffler and put the cap on it. To me that was fun. I could have done something cheaper so as far as the cost goes, I'm not counting it because It was fun and I get a kick out of driving the GT around with it on. My wife thinks I'm weird. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,980 #4 Posted June 6, 2010 Member MikesRJ, did a pretty good job documenting his restoration of a RJ58. There's a bunch of useful info to read up on http://www.mywheelhorse.com/modules.php?na...o=show_doc&id=2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tgranthamfd 29 #5 Posted June 6, 2010 Interesting idea. I would love to see a day 1 tally on the total cost of a typical restoration. OK, start with your $100 treasure and add in ALL associated costs to get it back to like new. Gas, tolls, etc to pick it up. Sandpaper , new bolts, wiring, paint, new gauges and repair parts, all that good stuff. Would probably scare a few folks away. I have over a $1000 in my $100 Suburban 400. That does have my $200 blade added that I never got that I won on e-bay, long story. I documented it pretty good until I actually started working on it, so not completely accurate. Oh yeah, I'm still not finished. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,652 #6 Posted June 6, 2010 If you have to ask what a restoration would cost...you can't afford it. If you have to ask how long it will take...you do not have enough time. :D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GlenPettit 1,716 #7 Posted June 7, 2010 Ken: Lawn and Garden Collector Magazine is excellent, has three to five articles each issue on Restorations 'How to" with lots of pictures, usually a 'history article' on one of the manufacturers, and the ads are mainly shows or sources who sell restoration parts. I think most of us are getting this high quality magazine, well worth the cost. www.LawnAndGardenCollector.com Phone: 1-866-378-2954 (52+ pages, bi-monthly, $25.95) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #8 Posted June 7, 2010 I already get the LAGC magazine....I read it from cover to cover as soon as it arrives! ( I think my wife also reads it when I'm not looking) Thought there may be others. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites