C165 4x4 Superduty

[bds1984 1,442]

With the new job teaching machine shop soon to be underway, I think it is time to begin a project that I've wanted to do since I read through meadowfield's C4 project.  Well, here is what I'll be working on, a C165 4x4.  Here are a few pictures to start with and many, many more to come!  The main difference between Mark's machine and mine will be the addition of a right angle gear box and utilizing the parking brake on this axle.  I hate to swap out the swept axle on this machine but I've always wanted to make this build.  On the bright side, I'll probably have the only gear-reduction steering model tractor with four-wheel-drive in existence!  If all goes well, I have a second axle I could use on a hydro version of this project!

 

First step after removing the axle from the donor tractor was a bit of machining.  The input pulley was splined so I machined it and it's hub down to 1" and milled a 1/4" keyway into it (pic to come soon) to allow for a proper keyed bore pulley to be installed and change up the gear ratio should it ever need to be done.

 

 

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Cool project...  

what was the donor tractor? 

[bds1984 1,442]

I believe the donor tractor was an early-mid nineties, four-wheel-steer Ranch King. It looked low hours and came apart easily.

[Digger 66 3,485]

I'm on this one like a cheap suit ! 

[bmsgaffer 2,045]

subscribed!

[bds1984 1,442]

A little bit of progress today: axles drawn out and beginning to cut and shape them and the input shaft on the front axle after a bit of machining.

 

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[Wildhorse 298]

Nice project! Looking forward to following the build! 

[bds1984 1,442]

New bits came in the mail today... tires and the gearbox bits.  Now I just need more hours in the day! 

 

 

 

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

Nice project! Will keep an eye on this.

[bds1984 1,442]

Progress is slower than I like because this school year is a lot tougher than normal with having five different classes to teach and only one of them being I'm the metal shop. The axle is in its final shape, now just to weld it up and attach it to the machine so I can work on the steering. The rims are painted up but am disappointed in the finish so I may redo them...

 

 

 

 

[bds1984 1,442]

Some progress was made this weekend.  The front axle is tacked together to see what it will look like...  I think there will be a bit of a challenge to get the tie-rod geometry to work properly on this build.  I may have to re-configure the way the two axles mount to each other... It looks like the front axle will be moved back an inch from where I have it located now.  As it sits, I wont be able to use my 48" deck on it, which bums me out, so I may be shooting for a 42" deck instead.  Here are some pictures of today's progress.  Enjoy.  

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, as it sits, if I maintain the current course of assembly, I'm going to need to raise the rear end by 5.5 inches to maintain a level profile.  This build is going to make this tractor sit up higher than the C195 I just sold!

[meadowfield 2,593]

All looks mighty familiar!  think your tires look a bit knarlier than mine!

 

Good to see you cracking on with it

 

 

Edited September 20, 2016 by meadowfield

[rexman72 210]

looking good

[bds1984 1,442]

Thanks Mark!  At the time, those tires were the only style I could find unless I wanted to spend as much on one tire as I have the entire build so far.  

I'm sensing there is going to be some sort of interference between the drive pulley on the front axle and on the steering system where the tie-rod will attach.  Did you run into that?  

[meadowfield 2,593]

5 hours ago, bds1984 said:

Thanks Mark!  At the time, those tires were the only style I could find unless I wanted to spend as much on one tire as I have the entire build so far.  

I'm sensing there is going to be some sort of interference between the drive pulley on the front axle and on the steering system where the tie-rod will attach.  Did you run into that?  

 

Not that I recall, it's three years ago, here's a build pic of the steering. If it makes you feel better I paid more for the axle, wheels and tires than the original tractor...that cost me £300 ($450) with deck and trailer!

 

 

[bds1984 1,442]

On 9/21/2016 at 2:42 AM, meadowfield said:

 

Not that I recall, it's three years ago, here's a build pic of the steering. If it makes you feel better I paid more for the axle, wheels and tires than the original tractor...that cost me £300 ($450) with deck and trailer!

 

 

 

 Ouch!  Why so much?  I found mine for about the price of a new tire!  I wasn't really looking for it but when I was scrounging around in the local salvage yard I came across it and thirty minutes, plus a few four lettered words I had myself a new project.  If this build goes well, I just may buy the second axle I saw there and keep it for a rainy day.  

[meadowfield 2,593]

Mtd yardman, etc all fairly uncommon here in the UK. Though I did pick up an axle last week for my next 4x4 creation for a lot less...

[bds1984 1,442]

Progress has been slow for the last week.... the axle is mounted but I cannot steer. The tie rod ends I just bought are left hand threads and there is no tap avaliable for it so I'm waiting for new ones to arrive.

 

It sure does sit up much higher! Once she is leveled out, I think I'll be higher than the C195 I had earlier this year!

 

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At the very least, the front tires don't stick out farther than the rears!

 

[Texas Todd 1,025]

That looks terrific!! Awesome job!

Could you put 15's on the rear?

 

[bds1984 1,442]

I don't think they'd clear the foot rests. I'm going to drop the transmission three inches instead.  

The tires on there right now are loaded and I have chrome hubcaps on all four wheels.... so I want to keep that look! 

[roadapples 6,983]

Looks mean the way it sits....

[857 horse 2,581]

19 hours ago, roadapples said:

Looks mean the way it sits....

I'd leave it as it sits........Looks mean,,,,,,It would scare off most JD's i know...just my .

[JC 1965 1,530]

Great project. I also like the high look. It's going to be a 4x4 so jack it up for extra clearance.     Keep the pics coming. Thanks for sharing.   

[WHX?? 49,112]

How did I miss this thread!!! Looks nice.... I'm in for the rest!

[meadowfield 2,593]

looking good...