8 speed swap done!!!

[littleredrider 409]

Got an 8-speed from Bob (rmaynard) Friday afternoon. After calling all kinds of places looking for the seals without any luck, said screw it, get some later and put them in then. I cleaned it up, painted it red, and installed in my 63 lawn ranger.

Install was pretty simple. Had to drill a small hole for he high/low lever, a different pulley (why does a 6 horse lawn tractor have a bigger input that a bigger tractor with a bigger engine??) modify the brake a little, and found some 5 lug 8" rims at a local yard, even got some good 20" tires too off a 116 (I think) John Deere.

I think the rims are new, they were painted yellow at some point and had overspray on the tires. They have a neutral offset, same as the 8s on the 67 ranger. I need to move the hubs out a little, I haven't tried but I'm sure they will hit the fenders.

I put a either a 2 1/2 or 3" pulley on the tranny, can't remember. Got a new 68" belt and took it for a spin. In high range 3rd it goes faster than it did, sure the 20" tires helped too. But in low range, crawl is an understatement. I can't imagine with the 4" pulley how slow it would be. Even with the getting tired 6 horse, it pulled a hill at my mom's house in 3rd gear just above idle. I can put it in reverse without using the clutch or grinding the gears.

I should have took some pics, but temp dropped 30 degrees in a matter of minutes, started to rain, and my daughter was complaining she wanted to go home. I'll get some pics in the next couple days, looks kinda cool with the 20" tires on it, might keep them and get the 18" Ags later..

I highly recommend the 8-speed swap, I want to get another for the 67 ranger....

[rmaynard 15,715]

Joe,

I am glad that everything worked out for you.

Bob

[rickv1957 72]

Sounds like a pretty easy swap! ,Rick

[littleredrider 409]

For the most part it was. I forgot to mention that I need to drill a hole in the toolbox for the dipstick. One that came with it is way too long, thinking of shortening it so it won't hit the seat or be in the way.

Looks like it's gonna be a nice day, I'll snap some pics when I get home from work....

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

I need to drill a hole in the toolbox for the dipstick. One that came with it is way too long, thinking of shortening it so it won't hit the seat or be in the way.

Forget the dipstick and especially the hole in the toolbox!

This is what WH used on the early 6 speeds (pre-dipstick):

Keep the oil level near the top of the pipe coupler and you're good to go - and no extra holes are needed. :D

[dgoyette 12]

I need to drill a hole in the toolbox for the dipstick. One that came with it is way too long, thinking of shortening it so it won't hit the seat or be in the way.

Forget the dipstick and especially the hole in the toolbox!

Keep the oil level near the top of the pipe coupler and you're good to go - and no extra holes are needed.

Cool Terry - thanks that is something new and useful for me too.

[littleredrider 409]

hey that's a good idea. Not like I really use the toolbox, but it would be my luck I'd have something in there and move around and bust the thing off.

What kind and how much fluid does the 8-speed take?? I put a quart of 80-90 in there for now....

[rmaynard 15,715]

Joe,

That transmission hold 2 quarts.

Bob

[littleredrider 409]

80-90 gear oil OK?? Hope so, only need one get then, think I have some somewhere.... :D

[rmaynard 15,715]

80-90 is okay, and a lot of guys use it, but the book calls for GL-5, S.A.E. 85W-140.

Bob

[littleredrider 409]

For what I'm doing it will be fine...thanks!!

[Coadster32 793]

Sounds like an interesting project you undertook. Glad to hear it came out well for you. Would you be able to post up any pics on this job?

[littleredrider 409]

If I can get out of work early enough to get some pics.

Wasn't really that hard to swap it over. Would have gone quicker if I didn't have to run to get the right belt twice. Probly took an hour to swap over.

Next I want to put a Kohler 8 horse in it. Found a bunch, even a rebuilt one for $300 off a rototiller, just don't have the money right now.

[littleredrider 409]

Got some pics today, probly have to link it since can't upload any pics....

http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/20...t=entertainment

[Coadster32 793]

I like the fatties on the back. Good job! :D

[littleredrider 409]

I have a set of 12" rims off the C-81 I just got, thinking of getting the low profile golf cart tires for it. Can't remember the size, but works out to just about 18" diameter, which is what the 67 ranger has, and only a little bit smaller than the 20s on it now....

Wish the weather was better so I can drive it around!!!

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Mine are 205/30-12's

[rickv1957 72]

Looks great,nice work!, Rick

[littleredrider 409]

that looks sweet.....What are the front tires/rims??

Was thinking of the 225/35/12s, they are just aboot 18" tall and 9" wide.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Fronts are Azusa kart wheels with 90/90-6 pocket bike tires. (Minimoto Maxii)

The 225's weren't out yet when I built the black tractor 2 years ago. :D

[littleredrider 409]

How do those 205/30s compare to the stock 18x8.5s? I don't want too big, I keep going back and forth on the size you have, 215/40s, 225/35s, couple other sizes too..

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Without measuring, I'd say they're close to that size. I do know (remember) that the recommended rim width is no wider than 7"

I'm not sure if this will help, but here is a rear view of the assembled tractor:

[littleredrider 409]

That looks pretty cool... Anymore shots of it?

Difference between the 30 and 35 sizes, 35 is just about an 18", whereas your a touch shorter. I don't think that little difference in width or height would be a noticeable difference.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

That looks pretty cool... Anymore shots of it?

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3366

[littleredrider 409]

I remember seeing that post now. I like the cowl hood, have one for my truck if I ever get around to finishing it. I used to be a diehard for trucks/building them, but found myself doing more with these little guys than anything else....