Frankenstein 58 213 #1 Posted October 19, 2020 I picked up an RJ 58 last week but I’m a little confused now of what it really is. It has the 3 speed trans but all the sheet metal I believe is 57. Thanks for any help. I also have an early 1959 that I got about 10 years ago. The bug hit me again lol 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,329 #2 Posted October 19, 2020 1957 to 1959 used the same sheet metal. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,922 #3 Posted October 19, 2020 Glad another Wheel Horse found you, and you found us! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,389 #5 Posted October 19, 2020 . Looks like a nice survivor. Another one saved 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,622 #6 Posted October 19, 2020 Nice tractor!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #7 Posted October 19, 2020 Thanks for the welcomes. It’s missing some engine parts and the trans is stuck ugh. I am excited to get this running 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,968 #8 Posted October 19, 2020 You found a nice one! Save it ! You also still have an old Schnacke recoil hex nut on the motor shaft if you look close! The Schnackes were used on both Clinton and Kohler motors on the RJ’s. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #9 Posted October 19, 2020 10 minutes ago, Lane Ranger said: You found a nice one! Save it ! You also still have an old Schnacke recoil hex nut on the motor shaft if you look close! The Schnackes were used on both Clinton and Kohler motors on the RJ’s. Wish I had that recoil for mine. Im not paying and arm and a leg for one tho. I have enough money in my rj58 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,765 #10 Posted October 19, 2020 Before you disassemble that transmission, remove the shifter by loosening the allen screw under the shifter boot. Put the transmission in what you think is neutral. Look in the hole and the 2 pieces of shift linkage should be aligned to look like a square hole (in neutral) If they are not aligned square, it might be stuck in gears at once. Take a large flat blade screw driver or pry bar and try to move-align them. But do not heavy handed force them. The shifters can get rusted on the shift rails and forcing them will break them. This thread has bearing and seal information for that transmission. There's lots of information in the transmission section on rebuilding that transmission. One of our vendors, Wheelhorse Parts and More sells bearings, seals, kits, and a few gears. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #11 Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) Here is original sales literature for the rj58 and 59. I have this in a double sided glass frame Edited October 19, 2020 by bottjernat1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #12 Posted October 19, 2020 Thanks for the information. As you can see I’m also missing the air cleaner , coil and bracket and the engine cover. If someone knows where I can find these. I will be checking eBay. Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #13 Posted October 19, 2020 Thanks so much for the tranny help. I was searching a little over the weekend. This is an awesome site. Thanks 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldiron613 583 #14 Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) Interesting! It looks like a RJ-37 frame with a RJ-58 transmission. It has the earlier, narrow front wheels and single hole rims, specific to 1957 and looks like a leather shift boot, characteristic to the very early 1958 RJ-58's. Possibly a transition tractor? @rj35hunter - Clay, what do you think? Edited October 19, 2020 by oldiron613 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #15 Posted October 19, 2020 Agree with @oliver2-44. These transmissions are simple. I had mine gutted. Most of my seals and bearing i bought threw motion industries many years ago. i bought american for pretty much everything i needed. They were built here so i bought from here. This is why i have a stupid amount of money in mine. LOL Here are photos of a empty case i still have and my tranny before i had it gutted and rebuilt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #16 Posted October 19, 2020 Thanks bottjernat1 for those pictures. I will be digging into that first-this week. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #17 Posted October 19, 2020 Yes oldiron613. This is what I’m curious about. Decals on hood what you can see look like a 57. Front rims look like 57. No number on trans. Leather shift boot. Hitch is early 58. Has smaller seat. Plus in was never painted. Seat is red wheels are black. Thanks guys. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldiron613 583 #18 Posted October 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, Frankenstein 58 said: Yes oldiron613. This is what I’m curious about. Decals on hood what you can see look like a 57. Front rims look like 57. No number on trans. Leather shift boot. Hitch is early 58. Has smaller seat. Plus in was never painted. Seat is red wheels are black. Thanks guys. Out of curiosity, what the the rear wheel hubs look like? Are they round, or more triangular like most RJ58's? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #19 Posted October 19, 2020 They are not round. 3574 with A-1 the other N-6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bottjernat1 2,190 #20 Posted October 19, 2020 1 minute ago, Frankenstein 58 said: They are not round. 3574 with A-1 the other N-6 They are original then the used the triangle hubs. If you ever break one I have spares. My rj got gutted top to bottom. Mine has just a couple modifications. but I didn't do them the frame had the variable height added instead of fixing it I left it be. and the body shop that redid my hood forgot the 2 hole on the top to mount my hood so i left it smooth. I thing she looks better. I also have a rare hinged seat. it was an option but very rare. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #21 Posted October 19, 2020 Beautiful. I’m learning more everyday lol. Thanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #22 Posted October 19, 2020 (edited) Congratulations!!! Welcome to the addicts club where we have meetings daily to talk about how our additions are changing our lives one red tractor at a time! My family is proud to be part of this group! Edited October 19, 2020 by Jennifer 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #23 Posted October 19, 2020 Thank you. So true Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,622 #24 Posted October 19, 2020 I can't quite tell if your engine is a Kohler or not. I would keep my eye for a used engine to rob parts from or replace the one you have. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankenstein 58 213 #25 Posted October 19, 2020 A better look at the decal 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites