Lawn Ranger restore and upgrade

[jb4249 131]

I took the first test drive today. Everything worked and nothing fell off, that I heard. I am picking up the hood tomorrow and will begin fitting it on the frame and decide how to access the fuel tank. Tip the hood forward, cut a new hole in the hood, of change the tank for one that fits the existing hole.

Ted

[AMC RULES 37,125]

Man, that powdered chrome...

is looking really good.  

[jb4249 131]

Thanks, It looks like chrome from 10' away. I got the hood back from the metal shop today, they added 2.5" for me to accommodate the larger engine.  This weekend I will begin the 'body work' needed to make it look new.

Ted

[jb4249 131]

This is a new one on me. I've repainted a couple of WH hoods and a few other tractors as well and I've never had rust pits on the front. I am using spot putty to patch them like I normally do on the top. Finding it pretty tough to sand the grill bars. I still have a bit of welding to do on the seam where I had the hood lengthened but will get to that this week. I am probably going to move the fuel filler hole to over the new tank. I'll let you all know.

Ted

[sorekiwi 761]

I feel your pain on the grille.  The hardest job on my Ranger rebuild was straightening out the bars on the grille, and filling the rust pits.

 

I ended up making a wooden form to match the inside contour of the grille bars and beating them straight over that.  Most of the pitting I filled with body filler, it seemed to me that it was too easy to sand all the spot putty off, filler is a little harder.

 

I probably had about 40 hours in fixing my hood (although that includes shrinking out a couple of dings in the top).

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 hour ago, sorekiwi said:

I feel your pain on the grille.  The hardest job on my Ranger rebuild was straightening out the bars on the grille, and filling the rust pits.

 

I ended up making a wooden form to match the inside contour of the grille bars and beating them straight over that.  Most of the pitting I filled with body filler, it seemed to me that it was too easy to sand all the spot putty off, filler is a little harder.

 

I probably had about 40 hours in fixing my hood (although that includes shrinking out a couple of dings in the top).

That would have been a prime candidate to lead (solder) in the rust and some of the dents.  Little to no concern about warping, plus you heated it anyway.  Good idea to form something to back up the grille fingers.  Might have gotten away with some thick steel plate with the corners ground to fit.

 

Probably the hardest sheet metal on a WH to fix!

[jb4249 131]

The Decals showed up so I could install the throttle and choke cables. I decided to 'move' the hole on top f the hood and keep the existing fuel tank on the HF engine. The is room to remove the filler cap and pour through the new hole in the hood. We'll see how this works out. Still some welding to do on the hood and then paint it. I also plan on adding some support to the front of the hood where it attaches to the tractor frame. It is pretty rusty and pitted there and part of the old lip is gone.

Ted

[jb4249 131]

I added pictures of the Lawn Ranger completed with the 212cc predator engine. I had to extend the hood 2.5" to accommodate the engine. Instead of using the old fuel tank, which I didn't have, I moved the fill hole and reach under the hood to remove the fuel cap and fill with a funnel. I am not great on body work but I think the paint turned out good. I am still ironing out a few problems but it runs great and drives like a new one.

Thanks for all of the help and advice, couldn't have done this with out you guys.

Ted

[Jparkes43 329]

wow looks amazing!! gives me an idea of what mine will look like when its done aha. 

 

james

[Dkphillips 22]

Ted, 

 

Looks great. Now we have twins except for the gas tank hole. I have been wanting to get my little horse out for a drive but have not had time until today and now it is raining. That engine is "really" hard to start isn't it! Mine starts so easily that I keep thinking it will start as soon as my hand touches the pull handle on the starter rope. I have the mower deck but have not even started restoring it yet but will when I get time. 

 

Good job.

 

Doug

 

[jb4249 131]

I have the mower deck for this one too, and plan on putting it back on. I do like the engine. Don't tell any of the others on this site, but I picked up a small 99cc Predator and put on my RJ58. I have a K90 for it but can't get it o run. The little Predator starts just like it's big brother. You can see it in the first picture, behind the 854. Maybe I'll get a better picture of it . I had the 854 out today, pulling a trailer and almost got stuck in the mud. Had to wash it off when I got done.

Ted

Edited April 2, 2016 by jb4249

[jb4249 131]

The RJ58, a little under powered, but runs good. 79cc HF engine.

TED

[Jparkes43 329]

looks good! i love that little rj!! 

 

and i can speak for the ease of starting as i have a lawn ranger project with almost the same engine but its great! fires right up whenever. never tried one of the really small ones before though.

 

james

Edited April 2, 2016 by Jparkes43

[857 horse 2,581]

This is looking really nice.....Kinda funny how long it takes us to do a tractor....but they can install a kitchen and relace the heat pump on a home show in 30 minutes,,,, Little tractor   Bigg results,,,,,