fireman 1,021 #1 Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) I said I was done buying anymore Wheel Horse Tractors as I've had some of the best and most desirable ones out there including a Senior, 1955RJ, and a unmolested original RJ58. They have all gone off to other collectors. I do have my first 58RJ which is really a resto-mod as it has an NOS 1961 401 hood on it along with an electric start Kohler K91. I probably should have never sold the unmolested 58RJ but oh well it's gone. So I really wanted another RJ that is in it's original configuration. This came up and I jumped at it. It is missing the fuel tank, engine, belt guard, brake band and brake rod. I have a perfect and clean original fuel tank. I also have a K90 all rebuilt, painted and ready to drop in. The brake rod is no problem to replicate. The brake band should be no problem to find. I'll have to put the feelers out to try and find an original belt cover or just settle for a reproduction. The hood is missing one of the tank bands and has the usual two cracks in the area of the fuel hole. Otherwise it's in great shape. Seat isn't original but it's a very close match (at least I don't think it's original). The original throttle lever is still in place as is the model/serial tag. The steering wheel does't have any cracks and is in nice shape. It's gonna take some work but it will be like showroom new when it's done. It ain't gonna happen over night that's for sure! Edited May 3, 2015 by fireman 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #3 Posted May 3, 2015 Nice one Jeff... what's it's serial #? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #4 Posted May 3, 2015 Had my nephew over doing some of my "honey do list" by painting one of my kids rooms. Once he got started, I took advantage of the free time and worked on the RJ for a few hours. The spindles were both frozen in the axle and would not turn. Bottom line, I ended up pulling the entire axle and steering apart. Good thing is now all the parts are cleaned up and moved freely. I was also able to get the roll pin out of the steering wheel and got that pressed off of the steering shaft. At least it steers now so I can actually move it around. I'm 99 percent sure the serial # is 1516 so it's fairly early. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #5 Posted May 5, 2015 I dropped my "In Stock" completely rebuilt K90/91 into the frame to see how it looks. What a difference it makes having the engine sitting in there. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hubbard414 32 #6 Posted May 6, 2015 Looking good!! But you should always keep your promise, especially ones you make to yourself. I'm free this weekend so I'll come and take that RJ off your hands. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330 #7 Posted May 6, 2015 well he is in a selling mood... he is on his way back from selling one of those green ones he had.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,980 #8 Posted May 6, 2015 Saw that RJ at Zagray, Good to have you back at the WH stuff again! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #9 Posted May 6, 2015 I was going through my spare parts and remembered that I had these. Got them when Steve and I bought out a local John Deere dealer who used to sell Wheel Horse. Just what I needed, 2 NOS 3461 Clevis Pin, Steering for the RJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #10 Posted May 6, 2015 Back in the saddle again...and not missing a beat. Good work always done by you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,164 #11 Posted May 6, 2015 Glad you got that Jeff, now git er done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 479 #12 Posted May 6, 2015 (edited) Jeff, sounds like you're happy with the transaction Looking forward to watching the progress Edited May 6, 2015 by grnlark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #13 Posted May 6, 2015 Glad you got that Jeff, now git er done! I don't know how fast it'll get done. Got a lot going on from now till the end of summer. I'm gonna keep plugging away at it a little at a time. I think my goal is just to get it running and driving which shouldn't take too long. Once the fall hits I'll start to tear it down for the restoration. Jeff, sounds like you're happy with the transaction Looking forward to watching the progress Ya Matt I'm happy with it. It's actually a nice straight tractor. The hood is perfect with the exceptions of the two cracks. Those I will weld up and metal finish smooth. The steering wheel is super clean. Just need to find a belt guard and heat shield. Pretty sure I've got the brake band and clutch/brake rods located. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,698 #14 Posted May 6, 2015 Welcome back Mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #15 Posted May 6, 2015 Welcome back Mate. Arrrggghhh Matey! It's good to be back! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #16 Posted May 9, 2015 So I was digging through my spare parts getting together some part numbers for Mels RJ that he has to order to finish rebuilding his transmission. Low and behold I came across a brake band and the long brake/clutch rod that I needed. The long brake/clutch rod looks to had been cut or broken and re-welded at some point. They did a terrible job of fixing it so I'll re-cut it and re-weld it again. Now I just need the brake spring and of course the sacred belt guard and heat shield and that will be it for the missing parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,980 #17 Posted May 9, 2015 Hmmmm, I wonder what else could be hanging around in those old spare parts. Think I need to get down there and do some picking before you find ALL the good stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #18 Posted May 10, 2015 Not much left John. I still have that leather shifter boot you gave me at the very first meet & greet at my house and that will be going on this tractor. I gave away a good portion of what I had left at the last few meet & greets. I did however find a spring for the brake/clutch. AND thanks to a member here I was able to strike a deal to buy an original belt guard and a re-production exhaust heat shield! That does it. I now have located all the parts I need to put this thing back the way it's supposed to be. Now just to find the time! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #19 Posted May 13, 2015 (edited) Well I thought I had a gas tank. Turns out it's the smaller version that used to come mounted on the Kohler engines. I remembered I had been watching a guy on Ebay that had NOS tanks that were the correct size but the outlet is at the wrong end and the fill opening is about 2" off. I figured it was my best option so I bought one. It fits in there under the hood just fine. Just have to have a little longer fuel line. It's perfect inside and out. No corrosion whatsoever. Edited May 13, 2015 by fireman 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #20 Posted May 14, 2015 You're not going to run with just one tank strap, are you Jeff? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #21 Posted May 14, 2015 No. I just put it in there for fit. I still have to weld in the second strap. Even then I only put about an inch or two of gas in it to keep the weight down. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #22 Posted May 15, 2015 Can we see a detail shot of John's leather shift boot too? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #23 Posted May 17, 2015 Went over to Steve house today and met up with Steve and VinsRJ. I bought the last two missing parts from Vin. I got an original belt guard and a reproduction heat shield. The belt guard has a few pin holes in it but will be no problem to fix up. Otherwise it's in super nice condition. Come to find out the long brake rod I found in my spare parts was incorrect. It just so happened that Steve had one from a parts RJ he had bought last year at Zagray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #24 Posted May 17, 2015 Craig, here is the shift boot that John made. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,125 #25 Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Yep, looks kinda familiar Jeff... I think I've got the tounge of his other boot here. Edited May 17, 2015 by AMC RULES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
