953 / GT14 front grille question...

[Pullstart 63,204]

@953 nut @19richie66 other big wheel smart guys...

 

Would a GT14 front end bolt to a 953 frame?  I understand it would likely require some creative hood fixin’s but otherwise would it bolt up?  I could see moving the gas tank up front for some added weight too, but it would need the GT-14 intake horn...

[Achto 27,918]

Anything will fit with the aid of a torch and a hammer.

 

Thought that I would drop in for some learnin'

[ebinmaine 68,887]

I brought me popcorn 🍿🍿🍿🍿

 

 

[8ntruck 7,183]

  ought to be interesting.

 

Kevin has access to a mill, lathe, welder, and a variety of powered hand tools.  And most importantly, access to hammers and a standing invite to the local Ready Care clinic.  

 

I don't think he will have any trouble pulling this off - unless the project stalls like his dump truck project seems to have.  

[Pullstart 63,204]

Well locally a 953 or 1054 (either way) came up for sale with a funky front up top mounted tank, no grille or hood.  I have a few extra grilles, thought to myself “would it work easily?”

[ebinmaine 68,887]

Any pics of that?

[Stormin 9,981]

41 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

I don't think he will have any trouble pulling this off - unless the project stalls like his dump truck project seems to have.  

 

Dump Trucks gone to Maine to winter with Colossus.

[Pullstart 63,204]

29 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Any pics of that?

It’s real attractive...

 

 

[ebinmaine 68,887]

25 minutes ago, pullstart said:

It’s real attractive...

 

 

Uhhhhh. Yeah. 

[8ntruck 7,183]

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

It’s real attractive...

 

 

Looks like a good starting point to me.  If I were seriously in the market......

 

Maybe a forward raking grill and a 'power dome'  to clear the gas tank?

Edited October 28, 2020 by 8ntruck

[19richie66 17,532]

A gt14 front grille is deeper and will fit but you may need to drill more holes in the frame. The gt14 has two holes in the lower grill and the two on the fuel tank plate that hold it in place. The 953/1054 grille shell is held on with two small square Ubolts that bolt underneath. U could just use bolts. The hood is 3” shorter on a 953/1054 but the same shape. I am using a gt14 hood on Karen’s 1054 on the gt14 frame. Frames are the same length but the front axle is mounted further forward on the 953/1054 as is the grille if I remember correctly. Hope this makes sense. You have my number 👍

Edited October 28, 2020 by 19richie66

[Pullstart 63,204]

2 hours ago, 19richie66 said:

A gt14 front grille is deeper and will fit but you may need to drill more holes in the frame. The gt14 has two holes in the lower grill and the two on the fuel tank plate that hold it in place. The 953/1054 grille shell is held on with two small square Ubolts that bolt underneath. U could just use bolts. The hood is 3” shorter on a 953/1054 but the same shape. I am using a gt14 hood on Karen’s 1054 on the gt14 frame. Frames are the same length but the front axle is mounted further forward on the 953/1054 as is the grille if I remember correctly. Hope this makes sense. You have my number 👍

Any way to dig Karen’s build out of the files for a visual?  

[Achto 27,918]

5 hours ago, pullstart said:

 

 

I'd drive that!!  I might have to get rid of the Techy fuel tank though.

[jeremi3210 735]

I almost tried that with my first 953 but I found the right front. Still think it would look cool and shouldn't be to hard to do. If you go that way I'd love to see pics!!! 

[19richie66 17,532]

9 hours ago, pullstart said:

Any way to dig Karen’s build out of the files for a visual?  

The axle is mounted all the way to the front on a 953/1054 whereas the gt14 is mounted further back and has the cheesy little plate across the front. I cut out the axle pivot plates and moved them all the way forward on this frame to match the stock 1054 location. The grille mounts the same and then I used a gt14 hood. Gives it a “stretched” look.

 

 

Edited October 29, 2020 by 19richie66

[953 nut 56,181]

                 I'm late to the party.         Looks like a good project for you and the pit crew. Looking at the picture I think it is probably a first generation 953, the steering wheel and Ross steering shaft are apparent and the seat frame is definitely 953.    GO GET IT!

You could probably make up a spacer block to go between the 953 frame and GT-14 grill to make up the height difference and help with alignment. The top of the grills is the same, good to go there. Here is a picture of a 953 hood sitting on a GT-14 grill.

[Pullstart 63,204]

On 10/28/2020 at 4:57 PM, 19richie66 said:

A gt14 front grille is deeper and will fit but you may need to drill more holes in the frame. The gt14 has two holes in the lower grill and the two on the fuel tank plate that hold it in place. The 953/1054 grille shell is held on with two small square Ubolts that bolt underneath. U could just use bolts. The hood is 3” shorter on a 953/1054 but the same shape. I am using a gt14 hood on Karen’s 1054 on the gt14 frame. Frames are the same length but the front axle is mounted further forward on the 953/1054 as is the grille if I remember correctly. Hope this makes sense. You have my number 👍

I started over reading this and Karen’s build... I skipped over the GT14 frame the first 32 times!  I happen to have 3 or 4 GT14 frames.  I’ll keep that in mind if I need to stretch one 3”!  I see the front axle was positioned different too... good to take some time to just read!

[ebinmaine 68,887]

23 minutes ago, pullstart said:

good to take some time to just read!

Research,. My friend. 

The best part of a build IMHO. 

[19richie66 17,532]

9 hours ago, pullstart said:

I started over reading this and Karen’s build... I skipped over the GT14 frame the first 32 times!  I happen to have 3 or 4 GT14 frames.  I’ll keep that in mind if I need to stretch one 3”!  I see the front axle was positioned different too... good to take some time to just read!

The only reason I swapped frames was the transmission mounting plate. Measure the frames. I think they are the same. The “stretch” is due to the grille mounting and steering placement.

[Pullstart 63,204]

1 hour ago, 19richie66 said:

The only reason I swapped frames was the transmission mounting plate. Measure the frames. I think they are the same. The “stretch” is due to the grille mounting and steering placement.

So, GT-14 mounting plate fits every other transmission whereas 953/1054’s are unique?

 

I am contemplating what one to modify.  I thought I’d modify “Joe” but I don’t want to screw up all that green patina!

[953 nut 56,181]

22 hours ago, pullstart said:

I started over reading this and Karen’s build... I skipped over the GT14 frame the first 32 times!  I happen to have 3 or 4 GT14 frames.  I’ll keep that in mind if I need to stretch one 3”!  I see the front axle was positioned different too... good to take some time to just read!

The hood on the 953/1054 is three inches shorter than the GT-14, never have measured the frames though.      

[ebinmaine 68,887]

9 hours ago, pullstart said:

GT-14 mounting plate fits every other transmission whereas 953/1054’s are unique?

@953 nut.....?

I thought they were the same bolt pattern?

[953 nut 56,181]

3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

@953 nut.....?

I thought they were the same bolt pattern?

The 953/1054 transmission mounting plate is a bit different. When I put the eight speed into "Hot Wheels" only two of the bolts lined up properly.  I needed to elongate one of the holes in the mounting plate and drilled and taped a new mounting hole in the eight speed transmission.

[19richie66 17,532]

If I remember correctly the up and down measurements are the same. The top holes are narrower and the bottom holes are wider. You would have to weld up the holes and redrill or elongate the holes. Also the hydraulic cylinder mounts are different.

[Pullstart 63,204]

29 minutes ago, 19richie66 said:

If I remember correctly the up and down measurements are the same. The top holes are narrower and the bottom holes are wider. You would have to weld up the holes and redrill or elongate the holes. Also the hydraulic cylinder mounts are different.

 

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

@953 nut.....?

I thought they were the same bolt pattern?

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

The 953/1054 transmission mounting plate is a bit different. When I put the eight speed into "Hot Wheels" only two of the bolts lined up properly.  I needed to elongate one of the holes in the mounting plate and drilled and taped a new mounting hole in the eight speed transmission.

 

 

Yeah, the 953/1054 hydraulic cylinder kind of gets in the way it seems to mount up the standard bolt pattern transmission @ebinmaine.

 

My next thought Richard and a Richie was “where is the cylinder mounted?”  Thanks or clearing that up!  I’ll get to measuring.  My thoughts were if the stretch is in the grille, maybe toss a GT-14 grille on a 953 and use the longer hood, to gain more room for a twin?